Author: Il Bioeconomista

Exclusive interview with Catia Bastioli, Ceo of Novamont: “The Bioeconomy needs to start from local areas”

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catia bastioli novamont“The Bioeconomy needs to start from local areas and act in synergy with ecosystems and biodiversity. In this respect the Italian case is a cutting edge demonstrative example ”. To say it is Catia Bastioli, Ceo of Novamont, the company of Novara, in Italy, world leader in the field of biodegradable products, thanks to the use of plant materials and renewable energy sources with low environmental impact. In this long exclusive interview, the entrepreneur of Umbrian origin, who, among other things, awarded the “2007 European Inventor of the year Award” for her patents for Mater-Bi the bioplastics commercialized by Novamont, talks about bioeconomy and green economy, the emerging cluster of green chemistry, but above all she gives us a vision and a strategy. “We need – tells us Bastioli – to encourage the creation of a bioeconomy not based on subsidies but based on cutting edge applications which respect stringent standards and which can contribute to lower pressure on the planet limited resources”.

Interview by Mario Bonaccorso

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Geoghegan-Quinn da Dublino: ”Voglio una Europa alla guida non al seguito nella bioeconomia”

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geoghegan-quinn.jpg“Voglio una Europa alla guida e non al seguito nella bioeconomia”. Questo il messaggio che lancia da Dublino Màire Geoghegan-Quinn, la commissaria europea alla Ricerca, all’Innovazione e alla Scienza. In veste di padrona di casa nella sua Irlanda, Geoghegan-Quinn ha voluto sottolineare l’impegno della Commissione Barroso a sostenere in ogni ambito la realizzazione della bioeconomia, definita tout court “l’economia del ventunesimo secolo”, supportando l’implementazione di strategie a livello regionale e nazionale in tutto il Continente, ma soprattutto impegnandosi per un coordinamento e una maggiore coerenza delle politiche europee. In questo senso la conferenza sulla Bioeconomia di Dublino ha offerto l’occasione per lanciare l’Osservatorio sulla Bioeconomia, a cui verrà affidato il compito di monitorare quanto viene realizzato nei singoli paesi, oltre che di raccogliere dati sull’evoluzione dei diversi mercati di riferimento.

 
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A Dublino si discute il futuro della Bioeconomia in Europa

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parlamento irlandeseÈ tutto pronto a Dublino per il via alla Conferenza degli stakeholders europei della bioeconomia (Bioeconomy in the EU: achievements and directions for the future – potete seguirla in diretta su Twitter @bioeconomista). Nella splendida cornice offerta dal castello che domina la capitale d’Irlanda, Istituzioni, imprese e centri di ricerca provenienti da ogni angolo del Vecchio Continente si confronteranno giovedì 14 e venerdì 15 febbraio sui prossimi passi da realizzare per mettere in atto la strategia per la bioeconomia lanciata lo scorso anno dalla Commissione europea.

Proprio a Dublino si festeggerà il primo anniversario della strategia, di cui principale protagonista è la commissaria alla Ricerca, Innovazione e Scienza,  Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, chiamata a fare da padrona di casa in coincidenza con la Presidenza irlandese dell’Unione europea.

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Global Bioplastics market is expected to reach US$7.7 billion by 2016

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mater-bi-03In Ireland Research & Markets reports that Global Bioplastics market is expected to reach US$7.7 billion by 2016 at a Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 24.3%, globally. Region-wise analysis shows that Asia-Pacific is forecasted to record the highest growth rate of 25.7% during the analysis period 2011-2016. The Americas follows Asia-Pacific with a CAGR of 25.2%. Europe forecasts to drive with a growth rate of 23.5%. Volume based studies reveal that Europe is expected to overcome Asia-Pacific region in terms of the growth rate. Poly esters and Poly olefins are expected to drive the growth. Among the end-users, electronic and electrical industries are expected to have a better support over packaging industry.

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Nasce il gruppo europeo dei leader dei carburanti sostenibili

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canna da zucchero

Gli amministratori delegati di sette grandi aziende, tra produttori europei di biocarburanti e linee aeree, hanno lanciato oggi a Bruxelles una nuova iniziativa industriale per accelerare lo sviluppo in Europa dei biocarburanti sostenibili.

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David Cameron pushes green energy

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david cameronThis is part of the text of David Cameron (UK’s Prime Minister)’s speech at the launch of DECC (Department of Energy and Climate Change)’s energy efficiency mission

I want to tell you why I believe energy efficiency is so important. Yes of course it is a vital part of how we cut carbon emissions and continue to meet the ambitious targets set out in the Climate Change Act, which will allow us to meet growing energy demand in a way that protects the environment for our children, grandchildren and generations to come. Of course that is important, but my argument today is not just about doing what is right for our planet, but doing what is right for our economy too.

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Danish BioRefining Alliance: “We need the EU to speed up and decide on a better regulation with targets for 2G biofuels”

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balle di fieno“By having the first full scale 2G biorefinery (Mossi & Ghisolfi’s Biorefinery in Crescentino, editor’s note) I am convinced that Italy will play one of the important and leading roles in 2G bioeconomy on a European level. We hope very much that the next full scale plant will be in Denmark.The EU countries have a unique chance to be first movers and preferred partners in the future global bioeconomy”. To say it, in this interview, is Anne Grete Holmsgaard, the director of the BioRefining Alliance, the Danish partnership organization working to promote 2G biofuels and bioeconomy in Europe. Denmark has a leading role in the European bioeconomy. With Anne Grete Holmsgaard we talk about BioRefining Alliance, but especially bioeconomy and  European policies to foster it. “We need – says the BioRefining Alliance’s director – the EU to speed up and decide on a better regulation with targets for 2G biofuels, which will give a very clear signal to investors.

Interview by Mario Bonaccorso

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New U.S. Biofuel Proposals Could Draw Heavily from Food Sources

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biofuelsNew biofuel requirements proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are being met with concern by a spectrum of interest groups from environmentalists to the oil industry, with some warning that a gap between the proposal and existing law could force the government to draw on food-based alternative fuels.

The announcement, which opens a 45-day feedback period, sets standards under the country’s landmark Renewable Fuel Standard programme. That 2007 legislation established long-term goals for alternative fuel use – 36 billion gallons a year by 2022 – for which the EPA is mandated to set yearly requirements for the country’s petroleum importers and refiners.

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Waiting for a New Global New Deal. Is there a new F.D. Roosevelt in Europe (and in Italy)?

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new deal rooseveltI am certain that my fellow Americans expect that on my induction into the Presidency I will address them with a candor and a decision which the present situation of our Nation impels. This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly. Nor need we shrink from honestly facing conditions in our country today. This great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory. I am convinced that you will again give that support to leadership in these critical days.

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Versalis and Yulex partner to produce guayule-based biorubber

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versalis eniVersalis (Italy), a global leader in elastomers and a subsidiary of Eni, and Yulex Corporation (Arizona, USA), an agricultural-based biomaterials company, announced today they are forming a strategic partnership to manufacture guayule-based biorubber materials and will launch an industrial production complex in Southern Europe.

The partnership will cover the entire manufacturing chain from crop science to biorubber extraction to the construction of a biomass power station. Versalis will manufacture materials for various applications: after an initial focus on consumer and medical specialty markets, the target is to optimize the process to reach the tire industry.

The partnership will leverage Yulex’s core competencies including crop science and biorubber extraction technologies, to boost Versalis’ bio-based portfolio. The investment will include an ambitious research project to develop technologies targeting the tire industry.

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