New book: The man who invented the bioeconomy

The Eni of Enrico Mattei, the great vision of Adriano Olivetti: in the industrial history of Italy we too often find ourselves, in retrospect, regretting the enormous opportunities lost due to the resistance to change by the “country system”. The intertwining of interests between politics, economics and finance has often played a key role in marginalizing and failing the most innovative industrial projects, those that could redesign the face of the Italian economy and society. Today we sadly pay the price and for this very reason it is important to rewrite the history of another great innovator, perhaps the only one who has not been hypocritically “beatified” after his death, and after the destruction of his project: Raul Gardini.

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Mizuno launched a new bio-based version of its iconic “Wave Rider” shoe range

Mizuno, the famous Japanese brand specializing in technical footwear and clothing, launched a new version of its iconic “Wave Rider” shoe range, the Mizuno Wave Rider 24. This shoe features Mizuno’s new “Enerzy midsole technology” with their classical “Wave Plate” embedded in the foam. This wave plate is made with our Pebax® Rnew® polymer, a bio-based thermoplastic derived from castor beans.

Mizuno Wave Rider 24

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Avoury launched first tea capsules made using Sabic’s Trucircle solution for certified circular polypropylene

Avoury®, the new brand launched by Melitta Single Portions, is working with SABIC’s TRUCIRCLE portfolio of solutions and services to create its pioneering new premium organic tea capsules, made from certified circular polypropylene (PP) that uses feedstock made from used plastic. The launch represented an innovative use of recycled, transparent plastic tea capsules in the industry, representing an exciting step towards a more sustainable future with products which are easier to recycle and that help to create a circular economy for plastics.

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The EC announced at IFIB in Rome the first closing at €82 million of the ECBF

The European Commission announced last Thursday, during the International Forum on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioeconomy which was held in Rome, the first closing at €82m of the European Circular Bioeconomy Fund (ECBF), the first equity fund focused on the bioeconomy and on circularity in the EU and Horizon 2020 Associated Countries under management of the ECBF Management GmbH. The European Investment Bank (EIB), which committed to invest a total of €100m to the target size of the ECBF of €250m, raised €65m in the first closing, the rest came from private investors.

Michael Brandkamp, Head of ECBF in Rome at IFIB

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Rome is the world capital of bioeconomy. Today is the first day of IFIB

Rome is the world capital of the bioeconomy for a couple of days. The International Forum on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioeconomy (IFIB) starts today in the Eternal City and is both physical and digital because of the Covid19 restrictions.

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SABIC launched a sustainable packaging solution for frozen food

SABIC, a global leader in diversified chemicals, launched a sustainable packaging solution for frozen food which combines a new polyethylene (PE) grade with innovative film production technology. Compared to conventional blow PE film solutions, it offers significantly higher throughput and also has potential for down-gauging, making it attractive from both a commercial and sustainability standpoint.

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New Report: Bioeconomy worth €2.4 trillion to the European economy

Bioeconomy worth 2.4 trillion EUR to the European economy as bio-based industries mark sizeable jump in turnover and bio-based share of chemicals reaches record high of 15%. The bio-based industries continue their ascent marking a total contribution of 750 billion EUR to the European economy in 2017, a notable increase of 50 billion EUR (+>7%) compared to 2016.

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DSM launched a bio-based jersey for the Team Sunweb in the 2020 Tour de France

Royal DSM, a global science-based company in Nutrition, Health and Sustainable Living, launched Dyneema, which is driving the performance of Team Sunweb’s protective cycling jerseys in the 2020 Tour de France. Together with its partners, Team Sunweb and Craft Sportswear, DSM has helped to deliver a jersey that, when combined with a protective baselayer, offers cyclists effective abrasion protection at speeds up to 60kph, while also reducing the severity of open wounds at even higher speeds. In this way, DSM underlines its commitment to protect people and the environment they live in.

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TOMS goes green with I’m Green bio-based EVA by Braskem

Courtesy of Braskem

According to the UNEP1, the fashion industry makes up for 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions – more than international flights and shipping combined. TOMS – short for Tomorrow’s Shoes – has committed to reduce its carbon footprint by 2025, and this already starts with the choice of resources and materials for production.

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Swiss Migros launches a new range of cleaning products containing LanzaTech ethanol

Switzerland’s largest retail company, Migros, and its subsidiary, Mibelle Group, have launched a new range of cleaning products, containing LanzaTech ethanol made from recycled pollution. The Beijing Shougang LanzaTech New Energy Science & Technology Co., Ltd. a joint venture between carbon recycler, LanzaTech, Shougang Group, a leading Chinese iron and steel producer, Shougang FUND, DEHUI group and its New Zealand partner, TangMing, has been producing ethanol from recycled steel mill emissions in China, since 2018. Over 80 Tons of this ethanol, has been shipped to Europe and used in the Migros Plus Oeko Power and Potz cleaning ranges in Mibelle Group’s portfolio. These products are now on sale in Migros supermarkets in Switzerland.

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