Because I like posting videos, here’s one that was just published by France-based Global Bioenergies, which is currently building its new bio-isobutene demonstration plant at Leuna, a German petrochemical/refining complex. The first run on the demo plant is expected this autumn.

Global Bioenergies also recently announced a EUR 9 million funding received under the Investissements d’Avenir programme, which is part of the Demonstrators for the Environmental and Energy Transition section operated by ADEME (French Agency for Environment and Energy Management).

The interesting part of the announcement is that L’Oreal will be collaborating with IBN-One – the joint venture between Global Bioenergies and Cristal Union, for the launch of its 44-month industrial and commercial project focused on its first bio-isobutene plant to be located at one of Cristal Union’s sugar beet processing site. The bio-isobutene facility is expected to have a capacity of 50 ktpa and will be operational by 2019.

L’Oreal will test batches of compounds from IBN-One’s bio-isobutene, with a view to becoming an IBN-One client once the plant is operational. Bio-isobutene derivatives are said to be widely used in cosmetics.

The companies said they have concluded the plant’s conceptual design and will now enter the detailed engineering phase.