From wood to chemicals: UPM inaugurated pioneering biorefinery in Leuna, Germany

UPM last Thursday inaugurated its biorefinery in Leuna, Germany, marking the start of a new industrial platform for renewable chemicals made from wood. The biorefinery converts lignocellulosic biomass, primarily wood from sustainably managed forests and sawmill residues, into biochemicals. With an annual capacity of 220,000 tonnes, it is the largest facility of its kind in the world. The ramp-up has progressed further. Enzymatic hydrolysis and the production of lignin-derived specialty chemicals have reached stable operation, and UPM is ramping up sales of these products.

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Avantium completed spin-out of Parana Technology into Parana Materials

Avantium N.V., a leader in renewable and circular polymer materials, completed the spin-out of its Parana Technology into Parana Materials B.V. Parana Materials is a new, independent company focused on the development and commercialization of plant-based, high-performance polyesters such as PISA, PISOX and PEIT/PEIF. The Parana Technology portfolio is distinct from Avantium’s FDCA and PEF (branded as releaf®) technology, which remains fully within Avantium. The transaction is part of Avantium’s strategy to focus resources and investments on its core FDCA and PEF business while enabling other promising technologies in its portfolio to pursue independent growth and commercialization pathways.

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Rome is the world capital of the bioeconomy: IFIB is taking place in the Eternal City

Rome is today and tomorrow the cradle of the Industrial Renaissance led by the circular bioeconomy. The Eternal City is the world capital of the bioeconomy. The International Forum on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioeconomy (IFIB) is taking place here.

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Eni and PETRONAS explore innovative biofuel solutions

Headquarter of Eni in San Donato Milanese (Milan)

During the 2026 Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix in Monza, Eni and PETRONAS signed a Feasibility Agreement (FA) to evaluate the development of innovative high-performance bio-gasoline starting from the established Ecofining™ technology process, through which Eni has been producing HVO biofuels from renewable raw materials since 2014. The aim of the agreement is to assess the technical, market, and sustainability profiles, as well as the performance levels of new bio-gasolines from renewable raw materials, that can be used in motorsport competitions and subsequently applied to the development of commercial products.

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Neste and United Airlines extended agreements for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) supply

Courtesy of United Airlines. Source: Neste

Neste and United Airlines extended their existing agreement on the supply of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) blended with conventional jet fuel to flights departing Chicago O’Hare International Airport in the United States and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in the Netherlands. The extension of the agreement reinforces the long-term, strategic collaboration between Neste and United, highlighting a shared ambition of contributing to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction from aviation through the deployment of SAF.

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ReBioCycle demonstrates closed-loop recycling of PLA bioplastics from mixed plastic waste

The EU-funded ReBioCycle project has demonstrated that PLA bioplastics can be recycled from mixed plastic waste and returned to virgin-quality material, marking a significant step toward circular packaging in Europe. The consortium confirmed that PLA can be effectively sorted from mixed plastic waste streams using existing technologies, before being chemically broken down into lactic acid and rebuilt into high-quality PLA with properties equivalent to virgin material.

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BIOWEG to build Europe’s largest bacterial cellulose plant, backed by Series A of €30 million

BIOWEG, the German deeptech company producing high-performance, biodegradable bacterial cellulose to replace fossil-based polymers and intentionally added microplastics, will begin construction of Europe’s largest bacterial cellulose production plant in Q4 2026. The first-of-a-kind facility, located in Elsdorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, will produce up to 10,000 tonnes a year, with first commercial volumes expected in 2028 — bringing onshore production of a material that Europe today almost entirely imports.

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Novonesis to build next generation enzyme production facility in India

Source: Novonesis

Novonesis will expand its facility in Patalganga and build one of the world’s most advanced enzyme production facilities. The €600 million investment will increase Novonesis’ production capacity to meet rising worldwide demand for the company’s biosolutions and strengthen the flexibility and resilience of its global supply network.

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BASF Agricultural Solutions invests in new Climate Center at its headquarters to strengthen research capabilities

Headquarter of Basf in Ludwigshafen

BASF Agricultural Solutions is investing a low double-digit million-euro amount in a new Climate Center at its headquarters in Limburgerhof, Germany. The purpose-built facility will strengthen the company’s research and regulatory capabilities and support the generation of scientific data required for the registration of crop protection products worldwide.

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Eni and SONATRACH expand cooperation to reduce emissions in Algeria

Headquarter of Eni in San Donato Milanese (Milan)

Eni and SONATRACH signed a new Memorandum of Intent aimed at expanding cooperation between the two companies in the promotion of concrete initiatives for the decarbonisation of the Oil & Gas sector and the reduction of emissions in Algeria, while adopting international best practices. The agreement represents a further evolution of the cooperation pathway launched in January 2023 with the signing of a three-year Memorandum of Intent dedicated to reducing gas flaring, valorising recovered gas, and mitigating emissions associated with upstream activities in Algeria.

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