Rubbish is about to take off, thanks to BP’s interest in turning household waste into low carbon jet fuel. The chemical process behind the technology that can turn rotting organic matter into liquid fuels has been around 100 years. But, recent developments, including the use of ‘clever baked beans cans’, have transformed its commercial potential, leading BP-backed US start-up Fulcrum Bioenergy to use it to produce biojet fuel.
Jennifer Holmgren: the gentle woman who is making a carbon smart future possible
She fascinated everyone with her key note speech last Thursday in Turin (Italy) at the International Forum on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioeconomy (IFIB). Presenting the results achieved by her company, LanzaTech, she has clearly paved the way for a carbon smart future. Because climate change is happening right now and is producing very evident catastrophic effects on the whole planet. Jennifer Holmgren is the classic example of a leader driven by a gentle force able to realize the changes that the historians of the French Annales would have call structural.
IFIB in Turin: the bioeconomy is cool. More than Cristiano Ronaldo
More than 300 delegates from EU, USA, Indonesia, Australia, Latin America and Canada. High relevant speakers such as Jennifer Holmgren, Ceo LanzaTech, Tony Duncan, CEO Circa Group, Philippe Mengal, Executive Director at BBI JU, Mieke De Schoenmakere at European Environment Agency, Elisabetta Balzi at European Commission, and many others. Two round tables focused on Investments and the role of clusters in the bioeconomy. This is IFIB, the International Forum on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioeconomy, which opens today in Turin at the Congress Center of Cavallerizza Reale (University of Turin).
Ingenza is a stakeholder in Amprologix, a spin-out company from the University of Plymouth
Scottish company Ingenza, a leader in the application of industrial biotechnology and synthetic biology, has become a stakeholder in Amprologix, a spin-out company from the University of Plymouth. Launched in collaboration with Frontier IP – a specialist in commercialising university intellectual property and a stakeholder in the new company – Amprologix aims to develop and bring to market novel antimicrobials to tackle antibiotic resistance, a global threat to human health.
Clariant started construction of the first large-scale commercial sunliquid plant in Romania
Clariant, a world leader in specialty chemicals, officially started construction of the first large-scale commercial sunliquid plant for the production of cellulosic ethanol made from agricultural residues. At the flagship facility, the sunliquid technology developed by the company is being used on an industrial scale for the first time. The occasion was marked with a traditional groundbreaking ceremony in Podari near Craiova in southwestern Romania, which was attended by official representatives of the Romanian government, the Swiss Ambassador Urs Herren, and a Clariant representation headed by Christian Kohlpaintner, Member of the Executive Committee.
Innovation intelligence in the bioeconomy sector
Innovation within the bioeconomy needs intelligence to flourish. Through ‘bioeconomy intelligence’ insights, we can identify and exploit trends and market needs. This article describes the need for bioeconomy intelligence, and provides insights on developments in biogas and bioplastics, based on PNO‘s innovation intelligence tools.
Enerkem has successfully produced a clean, renewable bio-dimethyl ether
Enerkem Inc., a world-leading waste-to-biofuels and chemicals producer headquartered in Canada, has successfully produced a clean, renewable bio-dimethyl ether (Bio-DME), a by-product of biomethanol, that could help address global climate change efficiently by replacing the use of diesel fuel in the transportation sector.
The Philadelphia Eagles go green with Braskem
Braskem, the world’s leading biopolymer producer and the largest polypropylene producer in the Americas, will join the Philadelphia Eagles as a partner in recycling. Braskem enters into a nine-year sustainability-focused partnership with the Eagles, a professional American football franchise based in Philadelphia (Pennsylvania), building on the team’s long-standing commitment to environmental and community development programs.
An interview with Markus Mannström, Executive VP, Stora Enso Biomaterials Division. “Anything made from fossil-based materials today can be made from a tree tomorrow”
“At Stora Enso, we believe that anything made from fossil-based materials today can be made from a tree tomorrow. Our work in the Biomaterials division strives to make this a reality as soon as possible”. To say it – in this exclusive interview with Il Bioeconomista – is Markus Mannström, Executive VP at Stora Enso Biomaterials Division. The Nordic company is one of the main players of the bioeconomy at global bioeconomy. With Markus Mannström we talk about what Stora Enso is doing in the field, the role of pulp and paper industry and his expectations related to the announced new EU bioeconomy strategy.
Interview by Mario Bonaccorso
Stora Enso and Orthex bring to the market kitchen utensils made from a new biocomposite
Stora Enso and the leading Nordic producer of household products Orthex bring to the market a new range of kitchen utensils made from a new biocomposite which combines the best qualities of wood and plastic. The bio-based material used to replace fossil-based plastic is made from spruce and sugarcane, which – according to both companies – reduces the carbon footprint of the products by up to 80%. The innovative products contain 98% bio-based material.
