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EU Commission Launches Public Consultation for New Bioeconomy Strategy
The European Commission has initiated a public consultation regarding its forthcoming Bioeconomy Strategy, a pivotal move aimed at enhancing innovation and ensuring the EU’s continued leadership in the bioeconomy sector. Announced on March 31, the consultation seeks to gather insights from a wide array of stakeholders, including citizens, businesses, farmers, and foresters, to inform the strategy’s development.
Set to be adopted by the end of 2025, the new Bioeconomy Strategy intends to unlock the potential of bioeconomy innovations, fostering green jobs and economic growth. It will emphasize sustainability and circularity while contributing to the decarbonization of the EU economy. The strategy aims to create favorable conditions for startups and entrepreneurs in the bioeconomy space.
Jessika Roswall, the Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience, and a Competitive Circular Economy, emphasized the importance of collective effort in building a sustainable bioeconomy. She urged all stakeholders to participate in the consultation, which will remain open until June 23.
Blue Biofuels Acquires Land for Large-Scale Renewable Fuel Production in Florida
Blue Biofuels, Inc. has announced the acquisition of 35.5 acres of land in Frostproof, Florida, marking a significant milestone in its commercialization efforts. The site will host a state-of-the-art production facility designed to produce an initial 3 million gallons of biofuel annually, with infrastructure to support future expansion up to 200 million gallons per year of cellulosic ethanol and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
Located in Polk County, the property offers access to abundant biomass feedstock and is strategically positioned near the Port of Tampa for efficient logistics. Blue Biofuels is collaborating with Global Management Partners on the design and engineering plans for the facility.
The project is expected to bring substantial economic benefits to the Frostproof community, generating approximately 150 construction jobs and additional permanent high-skilled roles once operational. Surrounding orange groves, many of which are no longer in full production, present an opportunity for King Grass cultivation, a key energy crop for Blue Biofuels.
Construction of the facility is set to begin in 2025, with subsequent expansions to meet growing demand for renewable fuels. CEO Ben Slager stated, “This land acquisition is a big step forward in our journey towards commercialization. We are excited to develop our production facility, leveraging our innovative technology and support regional economic development while advancing the transition to a cleaner energy future.”
Aemetis India Plant Receives $31 Million Biodiesel Orders from OMCs
Aemetis, Inc., a global renewable natural gas and biofuels company, announced that its subsidiary in India, Universal Biofuels, has received orders totaling $31 million for the delivery of over 33,000 kiloliters of biodiesel to three government-owned Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) during May, June, and July. These orders support India’s goal of increasing biodiesel blending from 1% to 5%.
Sanjeev Duggal, CEO of Universal Biofuels, emphasized the importance of government support for the biodiesel industry to address climate issues. Eric McAfee, Chairman and CEO of Aemetis, highlighted the progress toward India’s 5% biodiesel blending target and the successful track record of Universal Biofuels in delivering high-quality renewable fuels.
Universal Biofuels has expanded its production capacity to 80 million gallons per year at its Kakinada plant, utilizing a proprietary process to produce biodiesel from waste and byproducts. The company is preparing for an IPO in India, expected to be completed in late 2025.
Neste Begins Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production at Rotterdam Refinery
Neste, the world’s leading producer of SAF, has commenced SAF production at its renewable products refinery in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The refinery modifications enable Neste to produce up to 500,000 tons of SAF annually, increasing its global SAF production capacity to 1.5 million tons per year.
Heikki Malinen, President and CEO of Neste, emphasized the importance of this milestone: “We need to continue making progress in mitigating climate change and addressing aviation’s climate impact. Neste is fully committed to supporting its customers in the aviation industry to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Our SAF production capability in Rotterdam significantly contributes to the implementation of the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation and similar SAF mandates.”
Neste is also investing in a strategic growth project in Rotterdam to more than double the refinery’s production capacity to 2.7 million tons of renewable products annually by 2027. This expansion will make it the world’s largest facility producing renewable diesel and SAF, increasing Neste’s total global renewable fuels production capacity to 6.8 million tons per year, with 2.2 million tons dedicated to SAF.
Airbus Canada Rolls Out Sustainable Aviation Fuel Across All Delivery Centers Worldwide
Airbus Canada has successfully delivered its first batch of SAF at its A220 site in Mirabel, enabling the use of SAF for production, customer acceptance, and test flights. This milestone means that all Airbus commercial aircraft assembly sites globally are now utilizing SAF for their internal operations.
Throughout 2025, Airbus commercial aircraft delivery centers worldwide will offer SAF to customers for ferry flights. The Mirabel site alone is expected to use over 600,000 liters of SAF with a 30% blend, reducing CO2 emissions by approximately 400 metric tons.
Benoît Schultz, CEO of Airbus Canada, highlighted the significance of this achievement: “On average, SAF can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 80% compared with traditional jet fuel. This substantial reduction is crucial to the industry’s progress towards decarbonization by 2050. It’s a big milestone to now have our Mirabel site in Canada as SAF-capable as our other Airbus sites.”
In 2024, 18% of Airbus’s global fuel mix was SAF, with more than 16 million liters used. Additionally, 75% of Airbus aircraft worldwide were delivered with SAF, underscoring the importance of decarbonization to Airbus customers.
Airbus aims for all its aircraft to be capable of operating with up to 100% SAF by 2030. The Mirabel site, spanning over 1.5 million square feet, includes various facilities such as pre-final assembly lines, final assembly lines, a customer response center, a flight and integration test center, and a new delivery center, employing over 3,500 people.
Willis Sustainable Fuels Selects FT CANS Technology for UK SAF Project
Johnson Matthey (JM), a global leader in sustainable technologies, has announced that Willis Sustainable Fuels (WSF) has chosen JM and bp’s Fischer Tropsch (FT) CANS™ technology for its SAF project in Teesside, Northeast England. This project, expected to be operational in 2028, will be the first of its kind in the UK.
The facility will use biomethane feedstock processed into syngas with JM’s reforming technology. This syngas will then be converted into synthetic crude oil using the FT CANS technology, which can be upgraded and blended into SAF. The WSF facility aims to produce 14,000 tonnes of SAF blendstock annually.
Teesside is becoming a hub for SAF production, with Teesside International Airport aiming to achieve net zero flights by 2035. WSF’s development is one of five Teesside-based projects funded by the Department for Transport’s Advanced Fuels Fund, supporting the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from the UK aviation industry.
Alberto Giovanzana, Managing Director of Licensing at Johnson Matthey, expressed excitement about the project: “As a UK-headquartered company, we’re excited our technology has been selected to be part of this innovative UK project. We see the Northeast as a leader in efforts to meet the UK SAF mandate.”
JetBlue Launches Regular Supply of Sustainable Aviation Fuel at JFK Airport
JetBlue has marked a significant milestone by initiating the first regular supply of SAF for commercial air travel at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). This achievement follows JetBlue’s 12-month agreement with World Fuel Services for at least 1 million gallons of neat SAF, provided by Valero Marketing and Supply Company.
JetBlue’s SAF supply is supported by corporate business partners who help cover the cost premium over traditional jet fuel. An additional 4 million gallons of neat SAF is possible under the terms of the deal with corporate support.
Ursula Hurley, Chief Financial Officer of JetBlue, stated, “JFK has been JetBlue’s home for 25 years, and our operations here should set the standard we envision for our entire network. Incorporating SAF into our flights is an important lever in decarbonizing the aviation industry, and expanding its availability to our Northeast airports is a big step.”
The SAF is produced by Diamond Green Diesel LLC, blended with conventional jet fuel by Valero, and delivered by World Fuel via existing jet fuel distribution infrastructure. Blended SAF can lower lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has been instrumental in facilitating SAF delivery to regional airports, with JFK leading by example in promoting sustainable air travel.
JetBlue continues to expand its SAF use, with regular supply already being delivered to San Francisco and Los Angeles International airports. The airline’s sustainability strategy includes better aircraft efficiency, fuel optimization, electric ground operations, and strategic technology partnerships.
Signature Aviation Expands Blended SAF Offering to Six New European Locations
Signature Aviation, the world’s largest network of private aviation terminals, has announced the expansion of its blended SAF offering to six new locations across Europe. This follows multiple blended SAF supply agreements, bringing the total number of Signature locations with SAF availability to 33 globally.
The new European locations include East Midlands Airport, Aéroport Paris Le Bourget, Gatwick Airport, London Heathrow Airport, London Luton Airport, and Manchester Airport. This expansion adds to Signature’s existing SAF offerings in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region, now totaling eight locations. The recent agreements will provide access to over 50 million gallons of blended SAF throughout 2025.
Derek DeCross, Chief Commercial Officer at Signature Aviation, stated, “We are proud to expand our SAF offering to six new locations in Europe following our recent expansion to additional key markets in the United States. Along with our suppliers, we’re continuing to leverage the most comprehensive SAF supply chain in aviation to help our guests meet their sustainability initiatives through greater availability throughout our network.”
Signature’s sustainability goals for 2025 include further SAF expansions and the unveiling of its first zero-emissions full-electric refueler at Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE) this spring. The company recently surpassed 50 million gallons of blended SAF pumped and received a Green Power Leadership Award from the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Universal Fuel Technologies Demonstrates New SAF Production Pathways
Universal Fuel Technologies (Unifuel) has successfully completed a five-month pilot project demonstrating its Flexiforming technology’s ability to produce high-quality 100% synthetic sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from multiple renewable feedstocks. Conducted at RPD Technologies’ facilities in Crosby, Texas, the pilot produced nearly 100 liters of SAF, signaling readiness for scale-up. The project focused on converting methanol and ethanol to SAF, as well as ethanol with paraffinic renewable naphtha made via Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) to SAF. Flexiforming technology uses significantly less energy and hydrogen than other processes, cutting costs by up to 50%.
Joshua Heyne, Director of the Bioproducts, Sciences, and Engineering Lab at Washington State University, emphasized the importance of advancing SAF technologies: “The capability to make aromatic molecules and process various feedstocks through a single technology platform not only streamlines SAF production but also significantly lowers production costs.”
The pilot yielded two forms of SAF: Synthetic Aromatic Kerosene and a 100% drop-in, fully synthetic SAF, pending ASTM International certification. This allows SAF produced through Flexiforming to be blended directly at HEFA and FT units, reducing logistics costs and complexity.
Alexei Beltyukov, CEO of Universal Fuel Technologies, highlighted the impact of the pilot: “Flexiforming contributes to making SAF fully interchangeable with fossil jet fuel once ASTM approved. Technologies like Flexiforming could be crucial in scaling up sustainable aviation fuel production to keep pace with demand.”
Flexiforming offers several SAF production options, validated through ethanol-to-jet (ETJ), methanol-to-jet, and renewable naphtha-with-ETJ routes. The technology’s lower energy and hydrogen requirements make it cost-effective, allowing renewable fuel plant operators to upgrade low-value byproduct naphtha to high-value aromatic SAF.
Samples of Unifuel’s Flexiforming SAF are being prepared for ASTM certification submission, essential for validating the fuel’s safety and performance characteristics for commercial aviation use.
Aemetis to Benefit from EPA’s Approval of 15 Percent Ethanol Blend
Aemetis, Inc., a global renewable natural gas and biofuels company, announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a waiver allowing a 15 percent blend of ethanol (E15) to continue being sold after May 1st. This decision is expected to increase demand and sales of renewable fuel nationwide, benefiting Aemetis significantly.
Eric McAfee, Chairman and CEO of Aemetis, stated, “The EPA’s action allowing nationwide E15 sales to continue is a significant step toward increasing the demand for ethanol. Permanent national approval of E15 would allow the demand for ethanol to grow as consumers benefit from lower-cost, domestic, renewable fuel that lowers the price of gasoline and supports rural communities with good jobs.”
The EPA’s waiver applies throughout the United States, except California, and is expected to help American drivers save money at the pump, reduce carbon emissions, strengthen rural economies, and enhance U.S. energy independence. California, which has not approved the E15 blend, typically has the highest average gasoline prices nationwide. Governor Gavin Newsom has requested the California Air and Resources Board (CARB) to complete the study required to adopt E15 in the state.
The adoption of a 15 percent ethanol blend in California could create more than 600 million gallons per year of new biofuels demand and save consumers approximately $2.7 billion at the pump each year, according to a UC Berkeley and US Naval Academy study. Californians would also benefit from reduced greenhouse gas emissions and exposure to carcinogens in gasoline.
Senate Bill 2707, the “Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act,” proposes the permanent sale of year-round E15 throughout the United States, except in states with their own fuel regulations. The E15 blend is approved for use in more than 95 percent of vehicles on the road today, according to the EPA.
Ash Creek Renewables Secures Exclusive Camelina Seed Licenses to Enhance Sustainable Fuel Production
Ash Creek Renewables, a company focused on developing renewable fuel feedstock solutions and a portfolio entity of Tailwater Capital LLC, has announced the acquisition of exclusive licensing rights for a new high-performance Camelina seed variety from Montana State University. This crop is recognized for its low carbon footprint and minimal input requirements, supporting soil health and providing farmers with additional revenue opportunities.
The new Camelina seed will play a crucial role in Ash Creek’s “Forks and Fuels” initiative, which aims to promote the use of Camelina as a sustainable feedstock for renewable fuels, including SAF and biomass-based diesel. The company plans to expand its growing operations in 2025, building on its successes from the previous year.
In addition to domestic growth, Ash Creek is also venturing into international markets, launching Camelina planting initiatives in Argentina in collaboration with Elementa Foods. The company is exploring further opportunities in low-carbon feedstocks as part of its expansion strategy.
John Cusick, CEO of Ash Creek, described the licensing agreement as transformative, stating it would enhance production capabilities and foster innovation in sustainable agriculture and the circular economy. The company is also ramping up its Camelina processing operations and establishing a new office through a partnership with Ag Processing Solutions, Inc. This facility will facilitate the increased production of Camelina meal and oil, which are essential for the biofuels and sustainable bioplastics markets.
Ash Creek is developing proprietary formulations to convert Camelina meal into bioplastics, providing industries like aviation and food service with eco-friendly alternatives to traditional single-use plastics. Cusick noted that airlines are increasingly prioritizing sustainable solutions, and Ash Creek aims to meet their needs with scalable options for fuel and plasticware.
BioMADE and Lygos to Open Pilot Biomanufacturing Facility in California
BioMADE and Lygos have announced plans to open a pilot biomanufacturing facility in Hayward, California, by early 2026. This initiative aims to enhance domestic bioindustrial manufacturing capabilities, bolster national security, and secure supply chains for essential materials. BioMADE, in collaboration with Lygos, will transform the existing pilot-scale biomanufacturing infrastructure into a multi-user facility. BioMADE will manage the facility independently, marking it as the second site in its national network. This move allows BioMADE to expand access to scale-up infrastructure, while Lygos can focus on commercializing its sustainable solutions.
The 25,000-square-foot facility will feature piloting, processing, and analytical spaces. BioMADE will acquire and upgrade the processing equipment, enhancing fermentation capacity and downstream processing. The project, funded by the U.S. Department of Defense, represents an investment of at least $80 million.
For Lygos, this transition supports a capital-efficient growth model, enabling the company to prioritize the commercialization of its biodegradable polymers. The facility will serve a variety of biotechnology companies in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond, focusing on products such as chemicals, materials, and food. The Hayward facility will include multiple aerated stirred tanks, downstream processing capabilities, and the ability to integrate third-party equipment. This pilot-scale facility is a critical step in moving products from the lab to the market, addressing the U.S. bioindustrial manufacturing industry’s scale-up challenges.
BioMADE aims to open the facility to customers in early 2026, providing a key steppingstone for companies before transitioning to larger-scale production. BioMADE (Bioindustrial Manufacturing and Design Ecosystem) is a network dedicated to building a sustainable, domestic bioindustrial manufacturing ecosystem that supports the development and commercialization of biomanufacturing technologies.
ZymoChem and Lululemon Partner to Scale Bio-Based Nylon
ZymoChem, a biotech pioneer in sustainable materials, has announced a multi-year collaboration with lululemon to expand the use of bio-based nylon in the iconic brand’s products. This partnership aims to advance lululemon’s leadership in sustainable innovation by transforming a key building block of nylon 6,6, used in popular items like Align and Wunder Train leggings.
The collaboration began last year with lululemon’s initial investment in ZymoChem’s innovative technologies to create a biobased version of adipic acid, a crucial component of nylon 6,6 traditionally derived from petroleum. The next phase focuses on scaling these technologies to support the commercialization of bio-based nylon, which offers the same performance and quality as conventional nylon.
This collaboration builds on lululemon’s efforts with other sustainable materials leaders, including Geno and Samsara Eco, to develop lower-impact bio-based nylon alternatives and textile-to-textile recycling solutions.
Itaconix Updates on U.S. Tariffs Impact
Itaconix plc, a leader in plant-based specialty polymers, has provided an update on recent U.S. trade actions and their expected impact on the company’s operations. Despite the recent U.S. trade actions, Itaconix’s trading for 2025 remains in line with the board’s expectations. The company anticipates a negative effect on production costs but positive impacts on U.S. and European revenues. To maintain profit margins, Itaconix is implementing selective price increases and supply chain cost reduction efforts.
The company had previously increased its finished goods inventories in 2024 to meet growing demand, which will mitigate the immediate impact of tariffs on imported raw materials. Five raw materials are sourced from Asia, with varying tariff rates. Itaconix expects modest increases in production costs due to these tariffs but remains confident in maintaining demand growth and overall gross profit margins through price adjustments and supply chain improvements.
European revenues are benefiting from the rise in the euro exchange rate to the U.S. dollar, reducing the need for major pricing changes in Europe. Additionally, Itaconix is well-positioned to benefit from geographic shifts in U.S. detergent supply as brands and retailers respond to tariffs on imports from China and Canada, leading to increased enquiries from customers.
The board’s expectations for 2025 remain unchanged, with continued confidence in the company’s ability to drive growth and sustain gross profit margins. Itaconix continues to monitor U.S. trade policies, the macroeconomic environment, and customer ordering patterns. The company’s balance sheet and cash position remain strong.
John R. Shaw, CEO of Itaconix, stated, “We are committed to using the value and affordability of our ingredients to enable our customers to succeed in the evolving trade landscape. I believe we are in a net position to continue making gains in the midst of uncertain trade developments, especially with the opportunities advancing within our SPARX™ program.”
Arkema Introduces Biobased Acrylic Thickeners in Europe
Arkema SA has announced the introduction of up to 30% biobased content into its acrylic thickeners produced in Europe, aiming to reduce the carbon footprint of these products by up to 25% compared to traditional fossil-based grades. This marks the first use of bio-sourced ethyl acrylate from Arkema’s facility in Carling, France.
These acrylic thickeners, utilized in various applications such as architectural paints, industrial coatings, plasters, renders, adhesives, and sealants, will maintain their performance and cost-effectiveness, according to Yohann Trang, Arkema’s global market director for construction materials.
Manus and Inscripta Merge to Form Biomanufacturing Leader
Manus, a biobased products firm from Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Inscripta, a life science company from Boulder, Colorado, have announced a strategic merger. Financial terms were not disclosed. The merger creates an end-to-end platform for scalable development, biomanufacturing, and commercialization of bio-based alternatives by combining Inscripta’s advanced whole-genome engineering technologies with Manus’ proven cell factory engineering platform, biomanufacturing expertise, and commercialization capabilities.
The newly merged company, to be named Manus, is uniquely positioned to deliver commercial momentum and scaled profitability in next-generation industrial biotechnology, according to a joint press release. “Industrial biotech is at a turning point and needs to demonstrate execution at scale,” said Ajikumar Parayil, founder and CEO of Manus. “This merger brings together two cutting-edge technology and scale-up platforms and unmatched commercial capability to meet the growing demand for bioalternatives.”
The companies have complementary product portfolios across food ingredients, beauty and wellness, and agricultural chemicals. The merger has been approved by shareholders of both companies and is effective immediately.
John Stuelpnagel, Inscripta’s current chairman, will serve as chairman of the board of the combined company. Parayil will lead the merged company and also serve on the board.
Emirates Biotech Selects SAMSUNG E&A to Build World’s Largest PLA Plant in Abu Dhabi
Emirates Biotech has chosen SAMSUNG E&A as the contractor for its bio-based polylactic acid (PLA) plant in the KEZAD free zone, Abu Dhabi. SAMSUNG E&A will oversee all engineering, procurement, and construction work for the project.
In December 2024, Emirates Biotech announced that Sulzer would provide the PLA technology for the plant, which will be built in two phases, each with an annual capacity of 80,000 metric tons. The first phase is expected to be operational by early 2028. Once completed, the facility will have a total capacity of 160,000 metric tons per year, making it the largest PLA production plant in the world.
Marc Verbruggen, CEO of Emirates Biotech, stated, “Selecting SAMSUNG E&A as our contractor is another significant step toward making our vision a reality. With their extensive expertise in delivering world-class engineering projects, we are confident that this collaboration will ensure the seamless integration of technology into our PLA production facility.”
The KEZAD free zone offers state-of-the-art transportation infrastructure, including access to the deep-sea port of Khalifa, enhancing the plant’s logistical capabilities.
Plans for the PLA plant and the formation of the Emirates Biotech joint venture were initially announced in July 2024 by SS Royal Kit Emirates Investment and Global Biopolymers Industries.
PLA is a biodegradable thermoplastic made from renewable resources like cornstarch or sugarcane. It is widely used in packaging, disposable tableware, and 3D printing due to its environmentally friendly properties and ability to decompose under industrial composting conditions. Despite its sustainable advantages, PLA has faced challenges in gaining widespread adoption due to its higher cost compared to traditional petroleum-based plastics.
Moolec Science and Bioceres Group Announce Strategic Merger
Moolec Science SA, a food ingredient company specializing in producing animal proteins and nutritional oils in plants, has entered into a Business Combination Agreement with Bioceres Group Limited and other related entities in an all-stock transaction. Under the terms of the agreement, signed on April 17, 2025, several parties will transfer their holdings in Bioceres Group, Nutrecon LLC, and Gentle Technologies Corp to Moolec, resulting in an enlarged corporate structure with Moolec as the parent company. In exchange, Moolec will issue up to 87 million newly issued shares and 5 million warrants to the shareholders of the contributing entities.
Federico Trucco, Bioceres Group’s board member and CEO of Bioceres Crop Solutions Corp., emphasized the importance of accelerating agricultural innovation to address current and future challenges. He highlighted Moolec Science’s role in balancing productivity and sustainability through molecular farming.
Juan Sartori, Founder and Chairman of Union Group, remarked that the merger creates a new kind of company for the 21st century, combining science, scale, and sustainability to lead a global transformation in food, materials, and energy production.
Following the merger, Moolec will be uniquely positioned in the agricultural value chain, with a technology discovery and development engine capable of addressing multiple upstream and downstream needs. The company’s new focus will be on modifying or improving seeds and microbes to positively impact land and water resource utilization while preserving human health.
The merger has been approved by the boards of directors of all participating entities and is expected to close during the second quarter of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. Moolec’s shareholders will vote on the proposals related to the merger at a special meeting.
Phytolon and Ginkgo Bioworks Achieve Major Milestone in Natural Food Color Production
Phytolon, a biotech-foodtech startup specializing in natural food colors, and Ginkgo Bioworks, a leader in cell programming and biosecurity, have announced a significant achievement in their collaboration to produce natural food colors. The partnership has successfully completed its second development milestone, nearly tripling the manufacturing efficiency of Phytolon’s innovative colors. The collaboration, initiated in 2022, focuses on developing yeast strains to produce vibrant, natural colors as alternatives to synthetic dyes. This milestone enhances coloring efficiency and reduces costs, potentially opening new market segments previously underserved by natural food colors.
The achievement grants Ginkgo additional equity in Phytolon and sets the stage for further collaborations in the field. The improved production efficiency also drives down costs and carbon footprint, making Phytolon’s fermentation-based process more sustainable compared to traditional methods.
Phytolon’s “Beetroot Red” and “Prickly Pear Yellow” are expected to hit U.S. markets upon FDA approval, offering high-quality, natural color options for various food categories. Wissam Mansour, Phytolon’s Chief Product Officer, highlighted the unprecedented opportunity this milestone presents for the food industry to explore the full potential of natural pigments.
This achievement aligns with the growing regulatory and consumer demand for natural food colors, driven by health concerns and legislative actions aimed at eliminating synthetic dyes from the U.S. food supply by 2026.
Pilot Chemical Partners with Novvi to Distribute Biobased Sulfonates in North America
Pilot Chemical Co., based in Cincinnati, has announced an exclusive partnership with Novvi LLC to introduce a sustainable surfactant technology to the North American market. Under this agreement, Pilot Chemical will supply biobased alpha olefin sulfonates to various sectors, including household, industrial, institutional, and personal care markets across North America.
The production of these sulfonates will take place at Novvi’s facility in Middletown, Ohio, with commercial quantities expected to be available in the second half of 2025.
Pilot Chemical highlighted that the CalCare AOS biobased alpha olefin surfactants will deliver the performance of traditional synthetic alpha olefin sulfonates while offering customers a more sustainable option.
AkzoNobel Unveils New Wood Coating with 20% Bio-Based Content
AkzoNobel has announced the launch of a groundbreaking waterborne wood coating, RUBBOL WF 3350, which incorporates 20% bio-based content. This innovative product, developed by the company’s Sikkens Wood Coatings business, highlights AkzoNobel’s commitment to sustainability by increasing the use of renewable raw materials without compromising on performance.
Tessa Slagter, Sustainable Innovation Manager at AkzoNobel, emphasized the environmental benefits: “By utilizing bio-based raw materials, we’re not only helping to reduce our environmental impact but also paving the way for a more circular economy in the wood coatings industry, while supporting our customers on their own sustainability journey.”
Jim Kavanagh, Director of AkzoNobel’s Industrial Coatings business, added: “We’ve successfully developed a product containing bio-based materials that matches the high performance standards of equivalent coatings, ensuring that beauty and value endure, even in the harshest weather conditions. It represents a step forward in coatings technology, which showcases our leading-edge R&D capability and aligns perfectly with the company’s commitment to sustainable innovation.”
Manufactured at AkzoNobel’s Malmö site in Sweden, RUBBOL WF 3350 is suitable for both interior and exterior use. It is also supported by the Sikkens Wood Coatings Extralife warranty program, providing end-users with added confidence in its longevity and performance.
The bio-based content of RUBBOL WF 3350 has been verified by external C-14 testing using ASTM International’s standard methods (ASTM D6866, Method B). These renewable materials are derived from plants.
AkzoNobel is also incorporating bio-based content into other areas of its portfolio. For instance, the company supplies bio-based paint to KIA Motors for the interior of its EV9 electric SUV, and in China, the Angel edition of the Dulux Anndru series has been launched, featuring 48% bio-based ingredients to improve indoor air quality.
IFF and Kemira Form Joint Venture to Produce Sustainable Biobased Materials at Scale
IFF and Kemira have announced the formation of Alpha Bio, a joint venture dedicated to the commercial-scale production of renewable biobased materials. With an investment of approximately €130 million, the Alpha Bio facility is set to begin production in late 2027, converting up to 44,000 MT of plant sugars into high-performance biopolymers for various applications, including home and personal care and industrial solutions. The production will utilize IFF’s proprietary Designed Enzymatic Biomaterial™ (DEB) platform technology, integrated at the IFF biorefinery in Kotka, Finland.
Erik Fyrwald, CEO of IFF, highlighted the significance of the partnership: “Our collaboration with Kemira has reached a significant milestone, enabling us to scale the production of groundbreaking biobased materials to meet the growing demand for high-performing and sustainable alternatives to fossil-derived polymers. IFF’s DEB technology guarantees superior purity and consistency compared to traditional biopolymers, enhancing performance across various applications. This innovative approach allows us to combine biodegradability and material sustainability while maintaining cost efficiency and the high performance our customers expect.”
IFF’s DEB platform uses plant-based sugars and enzymes under mild process conditions to create biobased materials tailored for specific product applications. This process allows manufacturers to replace traditional fossil-based synthetic polymers with more sustainable alternatives, offering superior purity and consistency compared to conventional synthetic polymers. These tailored biopolymers enhance product performance across diverse applications.
Antti Salminen, CEO of Kemira Oyj, added: “Since 2020, we’ve been collaborating with IFF using the DEB platform technology, which has allowed us to bring sustainable innovation to our key markets. The new joint venture will build on this initial success, enabling us to scale up production and provide new performance-competitive alternatives to fossil-based products in key markets, including paper and board packaging, paper coatings, and water treatment, while continuing to develop opportunities across other growth markets.”
Operating as an independent entity in Kotka, Finland, Alpha Bio will manufacture a specific line of products enabled by DEB technology for exclusive use by IFF and Kemira. The creation of Alpha Bio is expected to generate approximately 30 direct new jobs in the Kotka area, with additional job creation during the project’s construction phase.
USDA Certifies First Black Pigment for Cosmetics as 100% Biobased
Nature Coatings has announced that its BioBlack Beauty line of black pigments for cosmetics has become the first to be certified by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as 100% biobased. This certification allows beauty brands and manufacturers to use BioBlack Beauty in products like eyeliners and mascara, ensuring they are 100% biobased and carry the USDA Certified Biobased Product Label.
Jane Palmer, CEO of Nature Coatings, expressed her pride in this achievement: “A USDA BioPreferred product label gives discerning consumers the verification they need to purchase the highest quality cosmetics. We are honored to be the first bio-based black pigment for cosmetics to be certified by the USDA.”
BioBlack Beauty recently won the Cosmetics & Toiletries (C&T) Alle Awards in the Base Cosmetic Ingredient Color Cosmetics category. The award recognizes Nature Coatings’ proprietary technology that transforms wood waste into 100% bio-based pigments, replacing toxic alternatives like carbon black, which contains harmful polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Palmer added, “Given a choice, nobody wants a toxic oil slick on their face. We created a sustainably sourced black pigment that actually outperforms toxic petroleum-based alternatives. Consumers today want to know that the products they apply to their skin are as nontoxic as possible, for themselves and the planet.”
The USDA BioPreferred® program certification provides a verified standard recognized across industries, enabling consumers and partners to make informed purchasing decisions based on sustainability metrics. This certification positions Nature Coatings’ BioBlack products as leading sustainable alternatives in industries such as textiles, packaging, cosmetics, and coatings.
Nature Coatings’ 100% bio-based-certified pigments are already being used in Pretty Smart’s Make Yourself at Home Matte Liquid Eyeliner, available at Walmart.
Braskem and Fitesa Introduce Bio-Based Polyethylene for Nonwovens
Braskem, the largest polyolefins producer in the Americas, and Fitesa, a leading nonwoven manufacturer, have announced the use of Braskem’s I’m green bio-based high-density polyethylene (HDPE) for nonwoven applications. This collaboration marks a significant step in advancing bio-based polymers in the hygiene market.
Optimized for spunbond processes, Braskem’s I’m green bio-based PE offers biobased feedstock and a negative carbon footprint, improving process performance and spinning stability. This innovative material supports the increase of bio-based content in products throughout the global hygiene supply chain.
Gustavo Lombardi, Biopolymers Business Development Director at Braskem, stated, “We are excited to introduce our next-generation I’m green bio-based HDPE product to the market. This product represents a significant advancement in Braskem’s I’m green bio-based portfolio for nonwoven applications, aligning with our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and market-driven goals.”
Ricardo Fasolo, Vice President for US & Canada at Fitesa, added, “We are pleased to collaborate with Braskem to advance the Bio-polyethylene solution for Spunbond processes. Braskem and Fitesa are paving the way for a more sustainable future in the nonwoven industry.”
Phytolon and Ginkgo Bioworks Achieve Milestone in Natural Food Colors Production
Phytolon, an Israeli biotech-foodtech startup, and Ginkgo Bioworks, a Boston-based cell programming leader, have reached a significant milestone in their collaboration to produce natural food colors. Since initiating their partnership in 2022, the companies have focused on developing yeast strains to create vibrant, natural alternatives to synthetic dyes.
The collaboration has nearly tripled manufacturing efficiency, granting Ginkgo additional equity in Phytolon and paving the way for further advancements in the field. This improvement not only reduces costs and carbon footprint but also enhances the sustainability of Phytolon’s fermentation-based process compared to traditional methods.
Phytolon’s “Beetroot Red” and “Prickly Pear Yellow” are set to enter the U.S. market pending FDA approval, offering high-quality, natural color options for various food categories. This comes as the FDA announced an initiative last month to phase out petroleum-based food colorings.
Standing Ovation and Tetra Pak Partner to Enhance Alternative Protein Production
Biotechnology company Standing Ovation has teamed up with Tetra Pak to optimize the industrial production of alternative caseins through precision fermentation. The collaboration focuses on improving the separation and purification processes for these alternative proteins. Standing Ovation, known for its patented technology in animal-free dairy proteins, brings its expertise to the table, while Tetra Pak, a leader in food processing and packaging solutions, supports this innovation in the New Food sector.
Rafael Barros, Director of Business Stream New Food at Tetra Pak, highlighted the significance of the partnership: “Precision fermentation is revolutionizing the production of vital ingredients to nourish a growing population, but industrial production poses efficiency and profitability challenges. At Tetra Pak, we work with our customers on process design, upscaling, and equipment planning to support their growth objectives. We look forward to this journey with Standing Ovation.”
Thyssenkrupp Uhde and Praj Industries Partner to Enhance PLA Production
In India, polymer specialist Uhde Inventa Fischer has joined forces with Praj Industries Ltd. to offer a comprehensive solution for polylactic acid (PLA) production. Combining their expertise in industrial biotechnology and chemical engineering, the partnership aims to improve PLA technology for efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable production processes.
Nadja Håkansson, CEO of thyssenkrupp Uhde, stated, “We see a perfect match of two world-leading technologies: Uhde’s PLAneo® process can now be offered as an integrated solution with Praj Industries’ lactic acid production. Together, we can design and deliver complete PLA plants. Our joint vision is a competitive solution to replace conventional plastics with sustainable alternatives.”
Praj Industries recently inaugurated a demo-scale plant near Pune for producing lactic acid and lactide. This facility will serve as a crucial platform for testing and validating the joint offering, showcasing the potential of PLA and accelerating its commercialization.
Moolec Science and Bioceres Group Announce Merger
Molecular agriculture company Moolec Science SA and Bioceres Group Limited have announced an all-stock business combination agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, several parties will transfer their holdings in Bioceres Group, Nutrecon LLC, and Gentle Technologies Corp. to form an enlarged corporate structure with Moolec as the parent company. In exchange, Moolec will issue up to 87 million newly issued shares and 5 million warrants to the shareholders of the contributed entities.
Federico Trucco, Bioceres Group’s board member and CEO of Bioceres Crop Solutions Corp., emphasized the importance of the merger: “The need to accelerate agricultural innovation to address current and future challenges, such as enhancing on-farm profitability and reducing environmental impact, is increasingly evident. Molecular farming, as exemplified by Moolec Science, offers a compelling solution to the challenge of balancing productivity and sustainability.”
Following the merger, Moolec will be uniquely positioned in the agricultural value chain, with a validated technology discovery and development engine that addresses multiple upstream and downstream needs cost-competitively. Moolec’s new value proposition will focus on modifying or improving seeds and microbes to positively impact land and water resource utilization while preserving and improving human health.
Moolec will continue to develop its flagship molecular farming products, such as Piggy Sooy™ and GLASO™, while integrating Mycofood™ under the Eternal® brand from Nutrecon. Through Bioceres Group, Moolec will offer upstream technologies for regenerative agriculture, including biological inputs and climate-resilient seeds like Rizobacter®, ProFarm®, and the HB4® trait. Leveraging expanded infrastructure, Moolec will provide R&D, CDMO, and regulatory services under the Agrality® and Synbio Powerlabs® brands.
The merger is expected to close during the second quarter of 2025.
Covation Biomaterials Unveils BioPTMEG
Covation Biomaterials is set to launch CovationBio bioPTMEG, a biobased polytetramethylene ether glycol. BioPTMEG is a biobased alternative to petroleum-based PTMEG, helping customers reduce their reliance on non-renewable materials and maintain the durability and resilience expected of spandex, polyurethanes, and thermoplastic elastomers. Feedstock is 100% biobased and obtained from annually renewable resources, such as corncobs. Drop-in performance also allows downstream users to switch to CovationBio® bioPTMEG without major process alterations.
“We’re scaling up production to cut carbon footprints. This is our responsibility to future generations,” Feifeng You, chairman of CovationBio, said in a press statement.
The company is building a production plant in Jiangsu Province, Qidong, which is expected to be mechanically complete toward the end of 2025. Commercial production should begin in the first quarter of 2026.