Researchers from the Cardiff Catalysis Institute have devised a way of increasing the yield of biodiesel by using the waste left over from its production process.
Using simple catalysis, the researchers have been able to recycle a non-desired by-product produced when biodiesel is formed from vegetable oil, and convert this into an ingredient to produce even more biodiesel.
Bio-on and Moore Capital signed a license agreement to build the first Brazil-based facility to produce PHAs bioplastic from sugar cane co-products.
The two companies, operating in sustainable biochemistry and in the development of eco-sustainable industrial solutions, will work together to build a production site with a 10 thousand tons/year output, in the state of São Paulo and/or Acre State.
Novamont presented last Friday in Milan its new brand identity, in order to enhance and aligning the corporate image of the group.
Global Bioenergies has joined aireg, Aviation Initiative for Renewable Energy in Germany. The French industrial biology company, which is currently developing its demonstration plant in Leuna, Germany, will soon be able to produce alternative jet fuel from sugars. Through their cooperation both organizations plan to expedite the market uptake of renewable, low-carbon fuels in the aviation sector.
“I am convinced that what we lack today to confirm the value creation potential of the industrial biotechnology are concrete examples of investments to construct real industrial operations that are profitable and that create manufacturing jobs.
So all national and European initiatives – co-investment, easing of regulatory procedures, tax incentives, etc. – that will facilitate risk-taking in the industrial phase will be welcomed to demonstrate the industrial biotechnology’s potential and accelerate its development”. To say it – in this interview with Il Bioeconomista – is Benjamin Gonzalez, founder and CEO of METabolic EXplorer, a French green chemistry company that develops and patents innovative, fermentation-based industrial processes. Waiting for EFIB, the European Forum for Industrial Biotechnology and the Bioeconomy – which will take place next October 27-29 in Brussels – Il Bioeconomista will host a series of interviews with CEOs, who will be guest speakers in Brussels. Today we offer the second, after the first with Ilkka Hämälä, CEO of Metsä Fibre, published last 21 August.
Interview by Mario Bonaccorso
“At Italian level, probably an interministerial permanent table on Bioeconomy could help in accelerating the development of the agenda. At European level I am sure that a more integrated approach to the CAP (Common Agricultural Policy, editor’s note) at Regional levels will be more than welcome by farmers and industries”. To say it, in this interview with Il Bioeconomista, is Gianluca Carenzo, General Manager of the Science Park of Lodi (Lombardy, Italy) and one of the main protagonist of the Italian bioeconomy.
With Carenzo we talk about the bioeconomy and the last development of the Science Park, which is characterized as one of the first science parks in Europe totally dedicated to the bioeconomy.
Interview by Mario Bonaccorso
They are known throughout the world and admired for their music. Jeremy, Black, Last kiss, Better man: they are just some of the titles of their most famous songs. But Pearl Jam are also supporters of the bioeconomy. The band originally from Seattle and Green Dot, working together with Sea-Lect Plastics, have created a biodegradable luggage tag manufactured locally in the Seattle area. The tags were made as a special gift to members of the band’s popular fan organization, the Ten Club.
“Marine biomass has the potential to offer a wide range of biobased products and energy through a biorefinery approach. Many challenges have to be faced (i.e. required technological innovations in both cultivation technology and biomass conversion process technology), but recent literature clearly state that marine biomasses represent the raw material to start new ocean-based bioindustries minimizing the dependence on the terrestrial”. To say it – in this interview with Il Bioeconomista – is Cristina Varese, professor at the University of Turin (Italy) and Scientific Head of the Mycotecha Universitatis Taurinensis (MUT), a collection of about 5300 fungal strains. With her we talk about the role of marine biomass as raw material for the bioeconomy.
Interview by Mario Bonaccorso
“Europeans are traditionally very good at creating new technologies, but our weakness is commercialization. Europe must put more emphasize on turning the research results into innovation. Overregulation is also a serious challenge for the European Union”. To say it in this interview with Il Bioeconomista is Ilkka Hämälä, CEO of Metsä Fibre, a world leading producer of softwood pulp and one of the main player of the bioeconomy in the European Union. Waiting for EFIB, the European Forum for Industrial Biotechnology and the Bioeconomy – which will take place next October 27-29 in Brussels – Il Bioeconomista will host a series of interviews with CEOs, who will be guest speakers in Brussels. Today we offer the first.
Interview by Mario Bonaccorso
“Biobased products are perfect examples of the shift towards a circular economy as they are made from renewable raw materials rather than from finite fossil carbon sources. However, the link between the bioeconomy and the circular economy is not always made and we need it to be better recognised in order to ensure that the right supportive measures are put in place to help enable this transition. This is why we are focusing on the circular economy in anticipation of the European Commission’s proposal which is due out towards the end of this year”. To say it in this exclusive interview with Il Bioeconomista is Nathalie Moll, Secretary General of EuropaBio, the European Association for Bioindustries. With Moll we talk about bioeconomy, biotechnology, circular economy and EFIB, the European Forum for Industrial Biotechnology and the Bioeconomy, which will take place next October 27-29 in Brussels.
Interview by Mario Bonaccorso
IL BIOECONOMISTA 