Author: Il Bioeconomista
Environmental-friendly traveling Sauna inaugurated in Minneapolis
The Traveling Sauna was inaugurated in Minneapolis on January 14, 2017. The sauna will be Finland’s centennial mascot in the United States. During the next twelve months it will travel all across the continent, driving altogether over 10,000 miles. At the inauguration ceremony Ambassador Kirsti Kauppi revealed the name of the sauna: it will be called Sisu.
The biolubricants market is tempting the big oil industry
The bioeconomy is also new biolubricants, a market segment that is tempting the big oil industry. It is no coincidence that Chevron Products Company, a division of Chevron U.S.A. Inc, has made an equity investment into Novvi LLC (a joint venture of Amyris, Inc., Cosan S.A., and American Refining Group, ARG).
In Italy starts the first edition of the first Master in Bioeconomy in the Circular economy
Yesterday in Milan, Italy, started the first edition of the first European Master in Bioeconomy in the Circular economy. To organise it are four Italian universities from North to South (University of Turin, University of Milan Bicocca, University of Bologna and University of Naples Federico II), with the support of three of the main Italian bioeconomy players (Novamont, GFBiochemicals and Science Park of Lodi) and the Italian leading banking Group Intesa Sanpaolo, which is the only financial global partner of the Ellen McArthur Foudation.
A startup produces biomaterials from fungi. An interview with its co-founder Federico Grati
Interview by Mario Bonaccorso
France adopts its national bioeconomy strategy. An interview with Antoine Peeters, IAR
The bioeconomy speaks French. Yesterday the Government led by François Hollande endorsed its national Bioeconomy Strategy. After Spain and Italy last year, France is one of the last major biobased EU Member States to publish an official framework for the production and valorization of renewable resources.
Antoine Peeters, Head of External Relations and Partnerships at IAR – The French Bioeconomy Cluster, talks to Il Bioeconomista.
Interview by Mario Bonaccorso
US EPA approves the pathway for an advanced biofuel produced by Gevo in Minnesota
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) has approved the pathway for isobutanol produced at Gevo’s Luverne, MNplant to be an advanced biofuel under the Renewable Fuel Standard Program (“RFS”). This is the first time that the EPA has approved a pathway for an advanced biofuel that uses starch from feed corn to produce an alcohol. With a partial substitution of fossil based energy sources that are currently used at Luverne with green energy sources, such as biogas, it should be possible for Gevo, which a leading renewable technology, chemical products, and next generation biofuels company, to achieve the 50% or greater greenhouse gas emissions (“GHG”) reduction needed to claim the advanced D5 Renewable Identification Number (“RIN”) according to the pathway approval.
Stora Enso invests in biocomposite granules in Sweden
Scandinavian company Stora Enso is investing 12 million euro to build a new production line that will manufacture biocomposite granules at Hylte Mill in Sweden. Biocomposite granules enable the use of renewable wood to substitute a large portion of the fossil-based materials in products typically produced in plastics. Production is scheduled to begin during the first quarter of 2018. The annual capacity will be approximately 15 000 tonnes per year. The ramp-up of the new production line and a new type of manufacturing is expected to take 2–3 years.
Avantium acquires the assets of Liquid Light
Avantium, the Dutch leading chemical technology company and forerunner in renewable chemistry, has acquired the assets of Liquid Light Inc., a renowned developer of electrochemical processes. Liquid Light has developed proprietary process technology to make major chemicals from low-cost, globally-abundant carbon dioxide (CO2). The acquisition combines the technologies of both Liquid Light and Avantium to develop a world leading electro-catalysis platform and to commercialize new process technologies using CO2 as feedstock to produce sustainable chemicals and materials. The integration of the Liquid Light assets into Avantium is complete and effective immediately. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
Global Bioenergies plans to buy Dutch Syngip to increase competitiveness
Global Bioenergies expands in the Netherlands. The French biotech company led by Marc Delcourt signed a contribution agreement with the shareholders of Syngip B.V. to transfer all Syngip shares to Global Bioenergies S.A. The transaction’s completion remains subject to the fulfilment of several suspensive conditions including approval by the shareholders of Global Bioenergies.
IL BIOECONOMISTA 