All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan’s largest and 5-Star airline for seven consecutive years, signed an offtake agreement with Illinois-based LanzaTech that will allow the company to purchase sustainable aviation fuel, a significant step in ANA’s efforts to minimize its environmental impact and meet Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This is not the first time that ANA has utilized sustainable aviation fuel, and the current agreement targets 2021 for the delivery of the sustainable aviation fuel making ANA a leader in putting its green principles into practice.
Economy
Neste’s Zero Island project cuts emissions in Lidö in the Swedish archipelago by 78%
Sweden is aiming to become climate neutral by 2045. However, it has been estimated by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) that we may have as little as twelve years to tackle climate change. To examine what it takes to reduce CO2 emissions as fast as possible, Neste and its partners set to turn the island of Lidö in the Swedish archipelago into a climate neutral Zero Island in just twelve months. As a result of the project, the island’s emissions were brought down by an impressive 78 percent from their previous levels.
The Embassy of Italy in London joins Novamont and Green Network for its zero-waste initiative
Last Wednesday Theresa May announced a statutory instrument to amend the UK Climate Change Act of 2008. The law currently prescribes an emissions cut of 80% by 2050, from a 1990 baseline. The new law will aim for net zero emissions by 2050, making the U.K. the first G7 nation to pass such legislation.
In the same day, against a backdrop of growing global awareness of the importance of environmental protection, the Embassy of Italy in London launched “Zero-Waste Embassy”, aiming to reduce significantly the environmental impact of the mission’s energy supply, waste management and consumption.
The initiative falls under the umbrella of Farnesina Verde (Green Foreign Ministry), a plan for the Italian diplomatic network worldwide, overseen by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Continue reading
Avantium will update the market on its strategy and technologies
Last Thursday Avantium hosted a Technology & Markets Day at its headquarters in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The company will update the market on Avantium’s strategy and technologies, in particular that of the Synvina business unit and the commercialization of PEF, a 100% renewable and fully recyclable polymer.
Avantium develops novel technologies based on renewable carbon sources as an alternative to fossil- based chemicals and plastics. Next to developing and commercializing renewable chemistry technologies, the company also provides advanced catalysis R&D services and systems to customers in the refinery and chemical industries. The company currently has three technologies at pilot and demonstration phase. Continue reading
Genomatica acquires selected assets of Renewable Energy Group to develop a wider range of renewable chemicals
San Diego-based Genomatica, a technology leader for bio-based chemicals, has acquired certain assets of the REG Life Sciences division (REG LS) of Renewable Energy Group, Inc., the largest supplier of advanced biofuels in North America. Genomatica intends to use these assets to develop a wider range of sustainable chemicals which in turn are used to make numerous everyday materials and products.
The final event of the European project First2Run will be held in Brussels on June 20
The final event of the European project FIRST2RUN will take place at the Square Convention centre in Brussels on June 20. Co-ordinated by Italian biochemical company Novamont and funded by the Bio-Based Industries Joint Undertaking under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, FIRST2RUN is a flagship project involving four companies and universities from Italy, UK and The Netherlands.
Nouryon and Gasunie are studying an expansion of a planned green hydrogen unit at Delfzijl
Nouryon and Gasunie are studying an expansion of a planned green hydrogen unit at Delfzijl, the Netherlands. The feasibility study follows a deal to convert sustainable electricity into green hydrogen for SkyNRG. The plant, which would convert renewable electricity into green hydrogen via water electrolysis, could be scaled up from 20 megawatts to at least 60 megawatts – which allows for a conversion of 9,000 tons of green hydrogen a year.
Novozymes’ enzymes are available online through Alibaba’s platform
Now, for the first time, Novozymes’ enzymes are available online through Alibaba’s platform for industrial products, 1688.com.
“We want to be a front runner in providing biological solutions online as well as offline. By partnering with Alibaba, we will get even closer to our end-customers, address local market needs faster and explore new application opportunities,” says Thomas Videbæk, COO and Executive Vice President, Novozymes.
Canada in the club of countries with a bioeconomy strategy
Canada has its own bioeconomy strategy. Canada’s first national Bioeconomy Strategy released yesterday by Bioindustrial Innovation Canada, reflects the views of more than 400 industry representatives from across the country.
Italy updates its National Bioeconomy Strategy
Italy has an updated national bioeconomy strategy: “Bioeconomy in Italy: A Unique Opportunity to reconnect Economy, Society and the Environment”. It has been officially presented this morning in Rome, at the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, by the Italian government, with the presence of Waldemar Kütt representing the European Commission and Philippe Mengal, Executive Director at BBI JU.
IL BIOECONOMISTA 