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Trillium and Zeton Join Forces to Convert Glycerol into Acrylonitrile
In a recent press statement, Erik Scher, Trillium's newly appointed board chair, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “Demonstrating Trillium's technology at a larger scale will allow our customers to verify product quality at scale, a key milestone in our path to becoming a leading producer of renewable chemicals.” This project represents a critical step toward advancing the production and adoption of sustainable chemical alternatives.
Notably, Trillium had previously signed a letter of intent with
BASF Achieves Milestone in Green Chemistry: Commercial-Scale Production of Biobased 2-Octyl Acrylate
This innovative development by BASF represents a significant leap forward in the pursuit of sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives in the chemical industry. The 2-octyl acrylate, derived from 2-octanol, a biobased alcohol sourced from castor oil, promises to be a game-changer in various applications, particularly in adhesives and coatings formulations, according to BASF.
One of the standout features of 2-octyl acrylate is its balanced solvency, making it a seamless substitute for fossil-based monomers like 2-ethylhexyl acrylate (2-EHA) and n-butyl acrylate (BA). BASF is confident that this eco-friendly alternative will not only meet market demands but also contribute to reducing the carbon footprint associated with chemical production processes.
Furthermore, BASF is introducing 2-Octyl Acrylate BMB ISCC Plus, a variant with ISCC PLUS certification for the remaining carbon content. Through the application of BASF's biomass balance approach, this specialized product offers an even lower product carbon footprint (PCF).
BASF produces 2-Octyl Acrylate at industrial-scale from its facility located in Ludwigshafen. The company has secured registrations for 2-octyl acrylate in key markets, including the European Union, the United States, and Japan.
BASF to Buy Biobased BDO from Cargill-Helm JV
Qore produces biobased BDO at Cargill's state-of-the-art biotechnology campus and corn refining facility located in Eddyville, Iowa. The BDO, tradenamed QIRA, is produced by fermenting plant-based sugars derived from corn. It matches the quality and specifications of its fossil-based BDO counterpart, according to BASF.
This strategic partnership is expected to greatly enhance BASF's product portfolio by introducing biobased derivatives of BDO, including polytetramethylene ether glycol (commonly known as polytetrahydrofuran, PolyTHF) and tetrahydrofuran (THF). Commercial quantities of these biobased BDO derivatives are anticipated to be available in the first quarter of 2025
“By switching to QIRA, the potential reduction in [PCF] can reach up to 86% compared to fossil-based BDO,” Jon Veldhouse, CEO of Qore, said in a press statement.
Pyran Accelerates Biobased 1,5-Pentanediol Production, Eyes Commercial Plant
In a recent press announcement, Pyran disclosed that it has successfully produced substantial quantities of 1,5-pentanediol and validated the technology at scale within a toll manufacturing facility. This significant production milestone has not only paved the way for engineering a commercial-scale plant but has also positioned Pyran on track to bring this eco-friendly facility online by 2026.
Early adopters and customers are already benefitting from Pyran's toll-manufactured 1,5-pentanediol, utilizing it to qualify and integrate the biobased product into their various applications. This versatile chemical plays a crucial role in enhancing the performance of everyday products, including paints, coatings, and adhesives. Moreover, Pyran highlights that this renewable five-carbon chemical has the potential to replace expensive and supply-constrained petroleum-based counterparts.
Pyran's progress has been facilitated by a successful second half of its Series A equity funding round earlier this year, where it secured an impressive $1.5 million in investments. In total, the company has raised nearly $4 million across both tranches of its Series A funding, in addition to garnering a substantial $7.5 million in grants, loans, and equity capital since its inception in 2018.
Origin Materials Awarded Department of Defense Funds for Biobased Carbon Black
The US Department of Defense (DOD) has awarded
Origin's technology produces chloromethylfurfural (CMF) and hydrothermal carbon (HTC) from biomass. CMF can be converted to intermediates para-xylene and furandicarboxylic acid. HTC can be used to make carbon black, activated carbon and other products. Origin will use this platform to develop samples of biobased polymers and biobased carbon black, which can be used to make more sustainable tires and other products. Origin was one of nine projects to be allocated funds totaling $18.7 million.
“This grant reflects the strong momentum for Origin's technology platform to help solve the greatest sustainability challenges of our time,” said Origin Materials co-CEO Rich Riley. “We are excited that Origin has been selected to pursue this far-reaching initiative for American manufacturing.”
Dow Unveils Biobased Propylene Glycol
Dow intends to launch equivalent products in other regions globally “over the coming months,” it said.
Symrise Opens Innovation Center Dedicated to Natural Solutions
The purpose-built labs in the Enhanced Naturals @SPark focus on thermal treatments, extraction, and biotransformation and build on the “deep understanding” of consumer needs at Symrise. This enables sustainable, natural, and plant-based innovation across categories such as culinary, dairy and beverages.
“Analysts forecast the Asia Pacific health and wellness food market to grow at a CAGR of 9.9% from 2022 to 2029,” Symrise says in a press statement. “In light of this, Symrise has invested in a dedicated facility focusing on side stream valorizations, technology developments and new raw materials research.”
Danimer Scientific and CPChem Expand PHA Pact
Rinnovo is a type of PHA synthesized from lactones produced using Danimer's Novo22 catalyst technology. The collaboration expands on Danimer and CPChem's previously announced agreement, in which Danimer is evaluating the use of CPChem's loop slurry reactor design to develop a continuous reactor system in the manufacturing process for Rinnovo.
“Our business relationship with CPChem continues to yield results, and we're excited for the further opportunities that lie ahead,” said Stephen E. Croskrey, CEO of Danimer.
Lummus and RWDC Expand PHA Development Deal
Process technology provider
The binding agreement follows April's memorandum of understanding between the two companies to explore global PHA deployment initiatives.
Jellatech Raises $3.5 Million for Collagen
“We are very excited to bring in new and existing investors, support and capital to realize the mission of our company. We have demonstrated the success of our first proteins and now it is time to scale it up and push our technology and capabilities even further,” Stephanie Michelsen, Jellatech founder and CEO said in a press statement.
The round was led by Nordic-based
Nature Coatings Raises $2.45 Million
This significant investment follows the successful launch of Nature Coatings' flagship product, BioBlack TX, their carbon-negative and high-performing alternative to polluting and toxic petroleum-derived carbon black. This dispersion is entirely biobased, boasting a unique black pigment sourced from FSC certified wood waste. It has garnered worldwide acclaim and has been embraced by renowned fashion brands like the Kering Group, Levi's, Bestseller's Jack & Jones and Selected HOMME, as well as Vollebak.
“Working in the pigment and dyes industry for over 20 years, I've seen the negative impact it has had on our environment and health,” said founder and CEO of Nature Coatings, Jane Palmer. “This inspired me to find a way to develop something better, something that is safe enough to be buried in my vegetable garden. At Nature Coatings, our vision is to create a future where the chemical industry operates in harmony with nature, and this new investment will take us closer to our goal.”
Since its inception in 2017, Nature Coatings has been at the forefront of innovation with BioBlack TX. This solution not only benefits the planet by being free of fossil fuels and sequestering more carbon dioxide than it emits, but it also prioritizes the health and well-being of individuals by containing non-detected Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and carcinogens, and having less than 0.1% of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). With its cost-competitiveness and superior performance, BioBlack TX aids companies in their decarbonization efforts and compliance with impending regulations like MRSLs (Manufacturing Restricted Substance Lists). In addition to the textile industry, BioBlack TX can be applied in various other sectors, including paint, automotive, package printing, and more.
Previous investors that supported Nature Coatings are
Origin Materials and Husky Achieve Commercialization Milestone for Advanced Packaging
Origin successfully polymerized the biobased sustainable chemical FDCA into the common recyclable plastic, PET, and Husky molded the resulting “PET/F” hybrid polymer into preforms that were then blown into bottles. The companies used Husky's injection molding technologies and manufacturing equipment, a commercial manufacturing-scale level of processing demonstrating the ability of PET/F, a polymer made with FDCA, to be integrated into existing PET production systems.
Origin expects to develop and sell a family of 100% biobased, low-carbon PET/F polymers offering full recyclability and superior performance compared with traditional 100% petroleum-derived PET. Origin anticipates that PET/F will offer “tunable” performance, with properties like enhanced mechanical performance and superior barrier properties enabling longer shelf life controlled by adjusting manufacturing conditions and the quantity of FDCA copolymer.
This innovation demonstrates a pathway for the drop-in market adoption of FDCA to produce superior polymers cost-effectively from biomass using Origin technology. Origin expects to enable the production of FDCA, PEF (polyethylene furanoate), and PET/F at commercial scale using its patented technology platform, which turns the carbon found in sustainable wood residues into useful materials, while capturing carbon in the process.
“This is a key moment in the commercialization of cost-effective, low-carbon FDCA and PEF and the development of next-generation sustainable polymers generally. We believe these materials have the power to transform plastics and the material economy,” said John Bissell, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Origin Materials. “We are pleased to work with Husky, a trusted leader in injection molding technologies and polymer processing development, to achieve this performance milestone, showing the ready processibility of our innovative hybrid polymers using Husky's commercial-scale injection molding equipment. This is a major milestone in our effort to help transition the world to sustainable materials.”
FDCA is a chemical building block with diverse applications including polyesters, polyamides, polyurethanes, coating resins, and plasticizers. FDCA is also the precursor for the next-generation sustainable polymer PEF (polyethylene furanoate). By combining FDCA with PET, Origin has produced PET/F, a “tunable” hybrid polymer offering performance enhancements and full recyclability.
PEF, another product derived from FDCA, offers an attractive combination of sustainability and performance benefits for packaging. Origin's PEF is expected to be 100% biobased, fully recyclable, have attractive unit economics, and offer a significantly reduced carbon footprint, with superior strength, thermal properties, and barrier properties compared to today's widely used petroleum-based materials.
Braskem and SCG Chemicals Partner to Advance Biobased Ethylene Project in Thailand
I'm green™ biobased polyethylene is a plastic made from a sustainably sourced renewable raw material (ethanol from sugar cane) instead of traditional fossil feedstock (e.g., naphtha from oil). This promotes a significant reduction of the plastic's carbon footprint which helps combat Climate Change. I'm green™ biobased polyethylene is used in a variety of products, from packaging for food and beverage to personal and home care products, toys, houseware, and plastic bags, to name a few. It can also be mechanically or chemically recycled just as regular polyethylene.
The bio-ethylene plant, that will enable the production of the I'm green™ biobased polyethylene is the first of its kind outside of Brazil. The new plant in Thailand will almost double the existing capacity of I'm green™ biobased polyethylene to meet the growing demand for biopolymers globally, with a focus on the fast-growing demand for sustainable products in Asia.
The combination of Braskem's biobased plastics know-how with SCG Chemicals' position in the Asian market and expertise in PE production provides a solid business basis for the joint venture. Braskem will contribute with proven technology through its partnership with Lummus Technology, operational experience in the ethanol dehydration process and the I´m green™ brand strength in key global markets. SCG Chemicals will provide expertise in high-quality polyethylene grades for different applications, operational excellence in polyethylene manufacturing and market reach in Southeast Asia.
Roberto Bischoff, CEO of Braskem said: “We are always looking for opportunities to expand the I'm green™ biobased PE offer to deliver circular low carbon alternatives to our customers to meet their increasing demand for sustainable solutions. This partnership with SCG Chemicals is aligned with our commitment to produce 1 million tons of green products by 2030, replacing fossil with renewable feedstock, and contributing to lowering the carbon footprint of our industry.”
Tanawong Areeratchakul, Chief Executive Officer and President of SCG Chemicals Public Company Limited or SCGC adds: “SCGC aims to develop Green Innovation, for example, environmentally friendly polymer (Green Polymer) and innovation for Low Carbon solution through increasing Green Polymer product portfolio to reach 1 million tons annually by 2030 following ESG standards (Environmental, Social, and Governance). This joint venture and partnership between SCGC and Braskem for bio-ethylene production for Green Polymer is one of the essential strategies of SCGC to expand our green business, satisfying the soaring demand from megatrend of environmentally friendly plastic which has a robust growth rate, especially in Asia and Europe. Thus, this joint venture aims to produce sugarcane-derived bio-ethylene instead of fossil ethylene, by world-leading technology from the collaboration of Braskem-Lummus. The business of the joint venture is in accordance with the guidelines for the development of the Bio-Circular-Green Economy: BCG model of Thailand”.
Origin Materials and Terphane Form Strategic Partnership to Produce Sustainable, High-Performance Packaging
As part of the partnership, Terphane signed a multi-year capacity reservation agreement to purchase the advanced bio-polymer PEF for use in film applications, including food and beverage packaging and high-value industrial applications. BOPEF is biaxially oriented PEF, and BOPET is biaxially oriented PET. These stretched polymer films are valued for their strength, transparency, barrier properties, and electrical insulation.
“We are pleased to partner with Terphane, a trusted global leader in films with expansive customer and partner relationships,” said Rich Riley, Co-CEO of Origin Materials. “We are thrilled to work together to develop advanced, performance-enhanced products that help to enable a net zero material economy. This partnership represents further progress in Origin's mission to enable the world's transition to sustainable materials.”
According to Marcos Vieira, global director of R&D for Terphane, “The development of this film will be critical to our efforts to meet this new global demand for sustainable flexible packaging solutions. The film is partially made from PEF and has all the traditional properties of a regular PET film, including post-consumption recycling. In addition, PEF provides an excellent thermal resistance and superior barrier performance, extending the shelf life of the packaged products.” Vieira adds that initial tests in the U.S. proved the material works perfectly in extrusion lines.
Origin Materials' patented technology platform represents a potential breakthrough in the commercialization of cost-competitive and low-carbon PEF. Made from furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), the primary precursor to PEF, Origin PEF is a polymer with an attractive combination of sustainability and performance characteristics for packaging including enhanced barrier properties. Origin's PEF is expected to be 100% plant-based, fully recyclable, have attractive unit economics, and to offer a significantly reduced carbon footprint, with superior strength, thermal properties, and barrier properties compared to today's widely used petroleum-based materials.
LanzaTech and Dow Partner on Biobased Surfactants
Carbon recycling company
Dow's surfactant, EcoSense™ 2470, is made using the CarbonSmart™ technology and has “versatile properties suitable for diverse home care applications.”
“There is enough carbon above ground to make all the things we need,” said Jennifer Holmgren, CEO of LanzaTech. “We have been active in the ethoxylates space for several years, converting ethanol to surfactant ingredients, and with now Dow, our collaboration will enable us to greatly expand our reach in this market, which was valued at $19 billion in 2022. In this way, we can pave the way for recycled carbon home care products that deliver both sustainability and product quality.”
LanzaJet Strengthens Sustainable Aviation Fuel Collaboration with Technip Energies
“We're preparing to deploy our LanzaJet ATJ Process worldwide, and this expanded alliance with Technip Energies enables us to do that with a global industry leader and the strongest combination of technologies that will allow aviation to decarbonize in the near- and long-term, and to tackle the climate problem head-on,” said Jimmy Samartzis, Chief Executive Officer of LanzaJet. “LanzaJet's – and the world's – first alcohol-to-jet biorefinery is scheduled to be completed this year, which already incorporates Technip Energies' Hummingbird technology. This alliance allows us to accelerate engineering and project development efforts globally to meet the decarbonization challenge facing our global society today.”
The two companies have collaborated for years, most recently at LanzaJet Freedom Pines Fuels, which is scheduled for mechanical completion later this year. The SAF produced at LanzaJet Freedom Pines Fuels will significantly increase the amount of SAF produced in the United States – with 10 million gallons of sustainable fuels being produced annually in Soperton, GA. As a result of this expanded relationship, LanzaJet and Technip Energies will work together on announced LanzaJet projects in the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, India, Australia, and New Zealand.
LanzaJet has announced projects using the LanzaJet ATJ Process to produce over 300 million gallons of SAF annually. LanzaJet supports goals established by governments, such as the US, United Kingdom, Japan, India, and the EU, as well as the aviation industry, to achieve net-zero by 2050. LanzaJet's drop-in SAF is compatible with existing aircraft and infrastructure, but with a significantly smaller carbon footprint than conventional fossil jet fuel on a lifecycle basis. As the aviation industry accounts for up to 3% of global CO2 emissions, SAF produced using the LanzaJet ATJ Process can reduce greenhouse gas emissions upwards of 70% depending on the source of the ethanol, and can be carbon negative on a lifecycle basis with waste based sources of ethanol.
Toray Boosts Stake in Thai Subsidiary to Upgrade Cellulosic Sugar Production for Fibers, Resins, and Films Derived from Inedible Biomass
Toray looks for recycled resources to account for 20% of the raw materials in key polymer products by 2030. It is developing a range of technologies, including to recycle used plastic products, switch to biomass-derived materials, and tap carbon dioxide as a raw material. To date, the company has created an energy-saving production technology that uses membrane separation technology to make cellulosic sugar derived from bagasse, an inedible biomass remaining after extracting juice from sugarcane. It has also innovated a technology to co-produce polyphenol, a high value-added product offering from bagasse.
Another application of the additional capital will be to augment an existing setup for manufacturing cellulosic sugar from bagasse with new facilities set up at Cellulosic Biomass Technology to produce such sugar from cassava pulp. This would boost the production capacity of this sugar to five metric tons daily. Toray will install boilers that can burn biomass fuels and increase wastewater treatment capacity to reduce utilities costs in making cellulosic sugar.
Toray has confirmed that the cellulosic sugar made using this technology can be used in microbial fermentation for manufacturing chemicals and is stable during storage and transportation. The Toray Group will use sugar that Cellulosic Biomass Technology produces from inedible raw materials for various chemical raw materials groupwide and for development of adipic acid in-house. For a fee, Cellulosic Biomass Technology will provide cellulosic sugar to chemical companies already making chemicals from the sugar from edible biomass and cultivate business partnerships with companies using biomass as a feedstock. CBT will additionally collaborate with domestic and overseas companies to develop the market for high-value-added polyphenols.
Toray seeks to commercially produce around 100,000 metric tons of cellulosic sugar annually by 2030. It aims to contribute to a circular economy by building a supply chain for polymer materials made from this sugar.
Lummus Launches Ethanol-based Sustainable Aviation Fuel Technology
Lummus' ethanol to SAF technology offers a safe and reliable solution by integrating ethanol to ethylene (EtE), olefin oligomerization and hydrogenation technologies in a process configuration that maximizes the final yield to SAF while minimizing CAPEX, OPEX and carbon emissions. Central to this process is Lummus and
This integrated offering makes the entire ethanol to SAF value chain available for exclusive licensing by Lummus.
Chevron Renewable Energy Group Breaks Ground on Lower Carbon Feedstock Expansion Project
Chevron Renewable Energy Group operates biodiesel production facilities in Emden and Oeding, Germany. The expansion project in Emden is designed to benefit both facilities by enabling the business to refine some of the lowest carbon intensity feedstocks, including ‘Generation 3’ feedstocks as defined under the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) II.
“Chevron is building a leading renewable fuels platform that can rapidly help provide lower carbon solutions to the transportation sector and this project is a key pillar of that strategy,” said Kevin Lucke, president of Chevron Renewable Energy Group. “Feedstock innovation and acceptance is critical to the growth of biobased fuels globally and we continue to advocate for the ability to utilize all generations of feedstocks and technology neutrality.”
Construction is expected to be completed in the second half of 2023, with start-up by year-end.
Neste, LyondellBasell, Biofibre and Naftex Bring Biobased Polymers to the Construction Sector
The cooperation sees Neste provide renewable Neste RE™, a feedstock for polymers production made 100% from biobased materials such as waste and residues, to LyondellBasell. LyondellBasell processes the feedstock into CirculenRenew C14 polypropylene with measurable biobased content as part of the company's CirculenRenew™ portfolio. The polypropylene is then used by Biofibre to produce natural fiber reinforced plastics granules. In the final step, Naftex extrudes these granules into construction elements such as posts for fences or profiles for terrace deckings.
By combining biobased polymers with natural fiber, the partners are enabling the production of construction solutions that have a lower carbon footprint. The construction elements serve as a temporary carbon storage: during their use phase of several years or even decades, they can store the carbon that was previously sequestered from the atmosphere during the growth phase of the biomass used in the construction elements. An LCA study created by GreenSurvey for Biofibre confirms that the amount of carbon removed from the atmosphere by the biomass exceeds supply chain emissions from logistics and manufacturing of the reinforced plastics granules.
“It is extremely important that the construction sector continues to develop innovative ways to combat climate change. Renewable solutions such as renewable Neste RE feedstock for polymers can play a major role in that. The long use-phase of construction products results in the creation of a carbon storage: Materials can store carbon taken from the atmosphere, serving as temporary buffers in combating climate change,” says Martin Bussmann, Brand Owner Manager at Neste Renewable Polymers and Chemicals.
“It is part of our company strategy to supply solutions for everyday sustainable living. We are thrilled to see that the construction industry is now increasingly embracing more sustainable solutions,” says Roman J. Schulz, Marketing Manager at LyondellBasell. “Our CirculenRenew products that we used for this project have a measurable renewable-based content which can be determined by C14 analysis. They help to reduce fossil feedstock use as well as greenhouse gas emissions over the product life cycle.”
“We have been using natural fiber residues from organic farming for quite a long time. The fibers stem from sources in close proximity to our production site and do not compete with food or feed production. With the introduction of our new product line BioSustra based on biobased polyolefins we can further increase the biobased content, lower the carbon footprint and thus contribute to the ecological advantages of our material portfolio. These new grades are particularly interesting for products with a long service life as can be found in the building industry,” says Jörg Dörrstein, Managing Director of Biofibre GmbH.