IL BIOECONOMISTA

Evonik made follow-up investment in the Netherlands-based biotech start-up In Ovo

10 June 2021Il BioeconomistaLeave a comment

Marco Reus. Evonik is popular as main sponsor of German Football team Borussia Dortmund

Evonik has made a follow-up investment in the biotechnology start-up In Ovo through its venture capital unit. The investment comes as the young company reaches the commercialization stage for its technology and is bringing its gender-testing machine for eggs to the market. Together with co-investor VisVires New Protein Capital, Evonik Venture Capital has provided several million euros in further funding. Evonik Venture Capital first invested in the Leiden, Netherlands-based company in 2018, providing support for a technology that helps solve one of the egg industry’s biggest ethical problems.

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Metsä Group’s Kuura textile fibre takes a step forward in the sustainability

7 June 20216 June 2021Il BioeconomistaLeave a comment

The Spanish private research organisation CARTIF has completed the first assessment focusing on the environmental and social performance of Metsä Group’s Kuura textile fibre. Kuura is still in a R&D phase and the production process to make it is currently being tested and further developed at a tonne per day demo plant in Äänekoski, Finland. The outcome of the assessment conducted by CARTIF is very good for Kuura. In regard to environmental performance, when comparing to other commercial man-made cellulosic fibres (viscose and lyocell), and to cotton, Kuura shows the lowest impact on climate change, supporting its viability as a sustainable solution in the market of textile fibres.

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Neste is testing renewable gasoline in Sweden

3 June 20212 June 2021Il BioeconomistaLeave a comment

Until now, there have been no commercial drop-in solutions for replacing fossil gasoline to reduce high amounts of greenhouse gas emissions from conventional petrol cars, without investing into new vehicles or modifying the old ones.

Neste, the world’s leading producer of renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), may be the first to have developed a renewable gasoline for such commercial use in the existing fleet. The final phase of testing is now beginning with the target to complete commercial tests of the fuel, and thereby enabling significant reductions of greenhouse gas emissions from gasoline and hybrid cars.

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Stora Enso and Pulpex signed an agreement to produce wood-based bottles and containers

31 May 202130 May 2021Il BioeconomistaLeave a comment

Stora Enso Paper mill in Hyltebruk — Stora Enso paper mill in Hyltebruk (Sweden)

Stora Enso and packaging technology company Pulpex joined forces to industrialize the production of eco-friendly paper bottles and containers made from wood fiber pulp. These renewable products will offer an alternative to PET plastics and glass. The exclusive partnership leverages Stora Enso’s formed fiber technologies and ability to convert end-products at an industrial scale.

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Transport biofuel production declined 8% globally in 2020

27 May 2021Il BioeconomistaLeave a comment

Transport biofuel production declined 8% globally in 2020 as the pandemic limited travel, according to figures released by the International Energy Agency (IEA). Production is expected to recover this year to 2019 volumes, and expand another 7% in 2022 as biodiesel and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) production increases globally and ethanol expands in India.

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An interview with Stefano Babbini, CEO of the Italian SME Mogu

24 May 202124 May 2021Il BioeconomistaLeave a comment

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“I believe that EC and the Member States should really work with the aim of promoting such innovative and sustainable products, sustaining the market entry phase, especially in those market segments characterized by low margins and hard competition (such as building and textile sectors).” To say it – in this interview with Il Bioeconomista – is Stefano Babbini, co-founder and CEO of Mogu, an Italy-based SME which is exploring the potential of mycelium-based technologies in several application sectors. He talks with us about the company’s main business, the bioeconomy at European level and the BBI JU demo project Grace, where the Italian company is applying its technology to the hemp and miscanthus value chains.

Interview by Mario Bonaccorso

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New framework released to drive investor action on the climate crisis and accelerate the transition to a net zero future

20 May 2021Il BioeconomistaLeave a comment

The founding partners of The Investor Agenda released today a new tool to enable institutional investors to step up action to tackle the climate crisis and accelerate the transition to a net-zero economy. The Investor Climate Action Plans (ICAPs) Expectations Ladder and Guidance aims to help investors navigate existing expectations and initiatives on climate change. It is inclusive and unique in that it sets out expectations for investors wherever they may be on their climate journey.

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LanzaTech and BASF achieve first milestone in utilizing industrial off-gases for chemical production

15 May 202117 May 2021Il BioeconomistaLeave a comment

Transforming the carbon contained in industrial off-gases into valuable chemicals is the aim of a partnership between LanzaTech and BASF. Now the partners have achieved a key first success: With the help of special bacteria, they have been able to produce n-octanol at laboratory scale from carbon monoxide and hydrogen, the main components of emissions, e.g. from the steel industry. n-octanol is an important molecule that is used in cosmetics, among other uses.

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Neste and Kesko Group launched a pilot project that enhances recycling practices

13 May 2021Il BioeconomistaLeave a comment

Neste and Kesko Group launched a pilot project that enhances recycling practices. The Finnish retailer will install recycling stations at its sites including a box for used cooking oil, which will be used to produce renewable diesel. The sorting facilities will be significantly increased as they aim to raise the recycling rate of waste generated at the station to almost 80%.

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Global Bioenergies is going to launch its LAST longwear cosmetic brand

10 May 2021Il BioeconomistaLeave a comment

8A535D57-8A63-4471-A3C5-2C8CE1768448 — Source: Global Bioenergies

French biotech company Global Bioenergies announced the upcoming launch of its “LAST^®” longwear cosmetics brand in June 2021. Eighteen products will comprise the world’s first range of longwear, transfer-resistant and waterproof eye make-up to use natural ingredients. This groundbreaking performance is based on the renewable isododecane produced by the Company as the main ingredient of its formulations. Products have been designed with over 90% natural ingredients and packaging to minimise their environmental footprint.

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