Green Chemicals Blog
synthetic biology
Bio-PP and isoprene news
Happy 1st of May! This month, I will attend the ICIS World Surfactants Conference in Jersey City (4-5 May) and the Renewable Materials Conference in Siegburg/Cologne (23-25 May), so I hope to gather new information and of course, do some networking and interviews. The information I want to share on this post is an interesting … Continue reading
Solvay collaborates with Ginkgo Bioworks
This is a piece of interesting news from Solvay on the recent announcement of its collaboration with synthetic biology company Ginkgo Bioworks on the development of sustainable biopolymers as well as other specialty chemicals and materials that can be used from home and personal care to agriculture and food. As part of this partnership, Solvay … Continue reading
Solugen in the spotlight
Somebody asked me a month ago what information I have on the Texas, USA-based start-up firm Solugen. Unfortunately, I had very little in my archives since I started hearing about the company in early 2019 when it received $13.5 million in financing from investment firms Founders Fund, Fifty Years and Y combinator. The company was … Continue reading
Ginkgo on a buying spree, acquires Zymergen
Synthetic biology company Ginkgo Bioworks announced today that it plans to acquire Zymergen in an all-stock transaction valued at $300 million in market capitalisation. Zymergen stockholders will receive a fixed exchange ratio of 0.9179 Ginkgo shares for each Zymergen share, representing 5.25% pro forma ownership of Ginkgo following the transaction. The agreement represents Ginkgo’s largest … Continue reading
Ginkgo Bioworks going public for $15bn SPAC deal
Happy Memorial Day to the blog’s US readers! My apologies for the sparse posts as I’ve been immersed with Tecnon OrbiChem’s new database platform which will be launched on 1 June that will be accessible to current Tecnon OrbiChem subscribers. This post has been delayed for several days but I think this is worthwhile to … Continue reading
Amyris launches squalene-based hand sanitizer
I am trying to contain my shopping addiction nowadays with just the occasional hunt for necessities like wearable masks and gloves, disinfecting cleaners and sprays, antibacterial soaps, and hand sanitizers, among other ‘fight COVID-19’ essentials. Thankfully toilet paper, wipes and paper towels are plentiful in my neighbourhood. Yes, I also gave in to buying a … Continue reading
Ginkgo commits $25M for COVID-19 projects
Synthetic biology company Ginkgo Bioworks announced its $25 million commitment for free access to its platform in the development of a long-term solution to the COVID-19 crisis. Companies building treatments that can stop COVID-19 can now avail of Ginkgo’s services: For the manufacturing of nucleic acid-based vaccines: Provide process development capacity with Ginkgo’s large bank of … Continue reading
Alternative protein market gets investment boosts
Calysta announced a $30 million investment from BP Ventures to support a worldwide rollout of Calysta’s FeedKind® protein, which is already being produced from the company’s Market Introduction Facility (MIF) in Teesside, England. The investment will help Calysta expand production of its sustainable single-cell protein, which is produced through a proprietary, commercially-validated gas fermentation process … Continue reading
Amyris in cannabinoid deal with LAVVAN
My special report this month on Tecnon OrbiChem’s Biomaterials newsletter is about the huge potential market for biotechnology-based cannabinoids (CBDs) not only for medical use but also in food and beverages, cosmetics and personal care, and even animal healthcare. The growing legislation of recreational cannabis in North America is spurring development collaboration announcements within the … Continue reading
Clothing industry turns to biotech
I love the fashion industry but admittedly it is one of the most wasteful and energy-intensive industry. The global textile industry reportedly accounts for 17-20% of global industrial water pollution. Maybe synthetic biology and biotechnology can help solve this problem. Last month, Bolt Threads, a California-based biotechnology start-up has launched a limited edition (50 pieces … Continue reading