U.S. environmental group the League of Conservation Voters launched a $2 million campaign to press this year’s candidates for state and local office to embrace clean energy, citing a lack of leadership on the issue in Washington.
According to the International press agency Reuters, the effort seeks to tap into increasing local-level leadership on climate change since President Donald Trump took office on a vow to roll back environmental regulation and promote fossil fuels production.
Royal DSM, a global science-based company active in health, nutrition and materials, headquartered in the Netherlands, will bring innovative solutions to the biofuels industry with a full portfolio offering of yeast and enzymes for starch, fiber and biomass conversions.
The marine biotechnology is high on the political agenda. Around 70 experts, company representatives and policy makers met at the European Parliament on March 21 to discuss what is needed for a successful European blue bioeconomy. The debate at the fully booked event revealed: the potential of the oceans is uncontested among experts, but its exploration requires close cooperation and knowledge sharing, a strong focus on sustainability, political commitment and finally, investor and consumer enthusiasm.
The Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC), the private partner in the Bio-based Industries Joint Undertaking (BBI JU), has published three new Country Reports mapping the potential and identifying opportunities for expanding the bio-based industry in Poland, Portugal and Romania.
British multinational company Croda International Plc, specialized in the field of speciality chemicals for some of the biggest, most successful brands in the world, acquired Nautilus Biosciences Canada Inc, a technology-rich marine biotechnology company based in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada.
Bio-on launches a new use for its 100% natural and biodegradable PHAs bioplastic. The researchers of the Italian company have developed a solution for the controlled release of Urea fertilisers, an enormous market with global annual production of 180 million tons and 4% annual growth. The advantage is more effective dosage and lower fertiliser consumption. This means less pollution and a positive impact on people and the planet. Continue reading
French industrial biotech company Global Bioenergies and German carmaker Audi reached a key milestone in their multi-year agreement: renewable gasoline components were produced and shipped to Audi. Using its Leuna Demo plant, Global Bioenergies has produced high-purity renewable isobutene, which was further converted by the Fraunhofer Institute into high-performance gasoline additives including isooctane, ETBE and isododecane. These e-fuels will be used in engine testing by Audi, in complement to those already performed by Global Bioenergies.
This year for the International Women’s Day, we dedicate a tribute to all women who are making the bioeconomy happen all around the world. With their huge competences and their infinite passion, they are the stars of the world bioeconomy. Our best and warmest wishes to all women.
This is just a partial list.
Ylwa Alwarsdotter, Senior VP Sekab (Sweden)
Catia Bastioli, CEO at Novamont (Italy)
Louise Batchelor, VP Strategy at BioAmber Inc. (Canada)
Joanna Dupont at EuropaBio (UE)
Carina Håkansson, DG at The Swedish Forest Industries Federation (Sweden)
Jennifer Holmgren, CEO at Lanzatech (New Zealand/USA)
Virginia Klausmeier, CEO at Sylvatex (USA)
Chistine Lang, chairwoman at German Bioeconomy Council (Germany)
Theodora Retsina, CEO at American Process (USA)
Margaret Smallwood, CEO at BioVale (UK)
Mari Walls, President and CEO at Natural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE)
Marie Wheat, Industry Economist at USDA BioPreferred Program (USA)
Air Liquide, AkzoNobel Specialty Chemicals, Enerkem and the Port of Rotterdam signed a project development agreement covering initial investments in an advanced waste-to-chemistry facility in Rotterdam, Netherlands. The facility will be the first of its kind in Europe to provide a sustainable alternative solution for non-recyclable wastes, converting waste plastics and other mixed wastes into new raw materials.
Danish toys giant LEGO goes green. The botanical elements such as leaves, bushes and trees will be made from plant-based plastic sourced from sugarcane in the future and will appear in LEGO boxes already in 2018.
IL BIOECONOMISTA 