Amyris and Firmenich to develop bio-based fragrance ingredient

John Melo, President and Ceo of Amyris

Amyris, Inc., the industrial bioscience company headquartered in Emeryville, California, has successfully collaborated with its fragrance partner, Firmenich, the world’s largest privately-owned fragrance and flavor company, to support the development and commercialization of Z11.

Continue reading

Bio-Botanica Inc. and Genomatica sign a new partnership in the U.S. bioeconomy

Bio-Botanica Inc., a family-owned and operated company, specializing in botanicals for over 45 years and headquartered in Hauppage (New York), has partnered with U.S. biotech company Genomatica to create a new line of botanical extracts using a naturally sourced, sustainably produced butylene glycol. These products, manufactured by Bio- Botanica Inc., feature Genomatica’s proprietary ingredient, Brontide.

Continue reading

U.S. BIO: the global economic value of the biobased economy is $355.28 billion

Sonny Perdue, Secretary of Agriculture

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a new report on the bioeconomy, “Indicators of the U.S. Biobased Economy”, which measures substantial economic growth, job creation, and household income for the agricultural sector from biofuel and bioenergy production. Moreover, it indicates great potential for additional prosperity from future growth in renewable chemicals and biobased products. BIO, the U.S. Biotechnology Innovation Organization, calculates that the global economic value of the biobased economy – including industrial biotechnology, renewable chemicals and polymers, biofuels, enzymes and biobased materials – is $355.28 billion.

Continue reading

Vivergo plant re-opens. The bioethanol industry calls for the Government to introduce E10 fuel

Vivergo bioethanol plant in Hull (England)

The Vivergo plant has re-opened following a four-month shut-down period following unfavourable trading conditions; in part – according to the British company – “driven by Government inaction on the future of renewable fuels and current market conditions”. It was closed in November and has been conducting maintenance and upgrade work during the closed period.

Over the coming months, it is hoped that conditions will improve as a result of the RTFO being passed through Parliament in March. This will come into effect later this month, increasing the use of renewable fuels in transport from 4.75% to a target of 9.75% by 2020.

Continue reading

The whisky-based economy takes a step forward with Celtic Renewables

Lagavulin Distillery in Port Ellen (Scotland)

Celtic Renewables Ltd, the innovative Scottish start-up providing next generation biofuel, is building a commercial demonstrator plant, which will produce over half a million litres of biofuel each year.

Continue reading

Global Bioeconomy Summit in Berlin: the traffic lights for the bioeconomy are green

Around 700 high-ranking representatives from politics, science, civil society and the business sector and from more than 70 countries met in Berlin, Germany, from 19 to 20 April to discuss the latest developments and challenges in the global bioeconomy. This was the second time that German Bioeconomy Council had organized the Global Bioeconomy Summit in the German capital. “We created an event format in the Global Bioeconomy Summit that succeeds in bringing together broad international expertise on bioeconomy, innovation, biodiversity and sustainability.

Continue reading

Bio-on launched a brand-new line of cosmetic ingredients for sun protection

Bio-on launched a brand-new line of cosmetic ingredients for sun protection made from its 100% natural and biodegradable bioplastic. The new products are part of the minerv bio cosmetics family of bioplastic micro powders presented in Spring 2017 and designed for cosmetics that respect the environment and human health.
This latest innovation is a series of ultra-green, high-performing SPF (Sun Protection Factor) Boosters designed to improve sun protection products.

Continue reading

Berlin will be the world capital of bioeconomy from 19 to 20 April

Telekom Hall in Berlin, venue of GBS 2018

Berlin will be the world capital of bioeconomy. Around 800 experts from more than 70 countries are expected to participate in the second Global Bioeconomy Summit in the German capital city. High-ranking representatives from politics, science, civil society and the business sector will meet from 19 to 20 April to discuss the latest bioeconomy developments. In focus: opportunities and challenges for an increasingly biobased and sustainable economy.
For the second time, the German Bioeconomy Council, with the financial support of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), has invited experts on bioeconomy, innovation and sustainability from all over the world to Berlin.

Continue reading

Elevance launched a new plant-based emollient made from certified non-GMO coconut oil

Elevance building in Illinois

Elevance Renewable Sciences, Inc., the Illinois-based company which creates novel, high-performing specialty chemicals from renewable feedstocks, announced the commercial availability of Elevance Soft CG-200, a new plant-based emollient. Made from certified non-GMO coconut oil and Elevance’s soy-based polymer, Elevance Soft CG-200 expands the company’s line of bio-based personal care products.

Continue reading

IKEA aims to cut food waste by 50% in all IKEA stores by August 2020

With the Food is Precious initiative IKEA aims to cut food waste by 50% in all IKEA stores by August 2020. A little more than a year since the roll out of the initiative IKEA has diminished food waste that is equivalent to one million meals.To put that into a context; one million meals could feed one thousand people for a whole year.

Continue reading