Technip Energies and Anellotech, Inc. signed a global joint development agreement to work cooperatively to further develop and then license Anellotech’s Plas-TCat process, a one-step thermal-catalytic recycling technology that converts mixed plastic wastes back into its constituent basic chemicals, with a specific focus to benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX) that can be used to make most virgin plastics.
Evonik is strengthening its offering of botanical extracts and natural actives by bringing its expertise together under a newly established business segment. The Botanicals & Natural Actives segment draws on expertise built up through legacy products together with a series of recent acquisitions. Evonik – the German company claims – can now better meet the growing demand for botanical extracts and claim-substantiated natural actives, which are supported by its recently established Skin Institute.
Boeing is buying 9.4 million gallons (35.6 million liters) of blended sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to support its 2024 U.S. commercial operations, reducing its carbon emissions and working to help grow the supply of the fuel globally. This is the company’s largest annual SAF purchase, more than 60% higher than its buy in 2023. The blended fuel – 30% SAF made from waste by-products such as fats, oils, and greases and 70% conventional jet fuel – will support the Boeing ecoDemonstrator program and Boeing U.S. commercial operational flights.
Repsol is entering the biomethane market with an agreement to take a 40% shareholding in Genia Bioenergy. This alliance allows Repsol to add significant human and technical capabilities to position itself early in this growing sector. Biomethane is considered strategic by the European Union – which has set itself an ambition to increase its production eightfold by 2030 compared to that recorded in 2022 – in its RePower EU program. The Spanish Gas Association (Sedigas) estimates that biomethane could account for almost half of Spain’s natural gas consumption.
UPM Biochemicals launched a new range of bio-based plant stimulants, UPM SolargoTM. This launch marks UPM’s entry into the large and profitable agrochemicals market with an innovative, sustainable alternative to fossil raw materials-based products.
Neste has started supplying sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to Emirates at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, expanding the partnership the two companies announced in October last year. Over 6,000 tons (2 million gallons) of blended SAF will be supplied into the fueling system at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol over the course of 2024.
Eni, a global energy company, Fincantieri, one of the world’s largest shipbuilding groups, the only one active in all high-tech marine industry sectors, and RINA, a multinational inspection, certification, and engineering consultancy, have signed an agreement to develop joint initiatives for the energy transition. The partnership formalises the commitment to develop joint projects, in line with the partners’ strategies, to decarbonise the maritime sector in the medium to long term with the goal of Net Zero by 2050. Additionally, the establishment of a permanent global observatory regarding future technological, regulatory, and market developments will be evaluated.
Together with TotalEnergies Corbion, Korean water producer Sansu is developing an embossed label water bottle made of Luminy® PLA bioplastics to speed adoption of recycled PLA as feedstock. This innovation is set to revolutionize recycled PLA production processes – both companies claim – marking a significant leap towards a more sustainable future.
Today, the Commission has proposed a series of targeted actions to boost biotechnology and biomanufacturing in the EU. The Communication on Building the future with nature identifies the challenges and barriers and proposes to tackle them, in line with the Communication on the long-term competitiveness of the EU.
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) honored last 8 March the second annual National Biobased Products Day, a celebration to raise public awareness of biobased products, their benefits and their contributions to the U.S. economy and rural communities. “Bioproducts offer opportunities for more revenue streams for small and mid-sized farmers while giving consumers more in-demand, clean options for everyday items.”
IL BIOECONOMISTA 