Author Archive: Isabel Lane

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BIO World Congress awards go to Venter, Rath, and Kishore

BIO World Congress awards go to Venter, Rath, and Kishore

April 25, 2016 |

In California, Dr. J. Craig Venter has been announced as the next recipient of the 2016 George Washington Carver Award for innovation in industrial biotechnology; Anna Rath, President and CEO or NexSteppe, as recipient of the 2016 BIO Rosalind Franklin Award honoring an outstanding woman in the field of industrial biotechnology; Dr. Ganesh Kishore, CEO, […]

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World’s first plant-based polyester t-shirt created from Virent’s BioFormPX paraxylene

World’s first plant-based polyester t-shirt created from Virent’s BioFormPX paraxylene

April 25, 2016 |

In Wisconsin, Virent’s BioFormPX paraxylene was used in the world’s first 100% plant-based polyester shirts, demonstrating the potential of bio-based polyester for production of garments and textiles. A key raw material for the production of polyester is paraxylene, which today comes exclusively from crude oil.  Virent’s technology produces BioFormPX paraxylene from plant-based materials, resulting in […]

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Ginkgo Bioworks brings on Peter Boynton as CCO, John Pierce as advisor

Ginkgo Bioworks brings on Peter Boynton as CCO, John Pierce as advisor

April 25, 2016 |

In California, Ginkgo Bioworks has named Peter Boynton its new Chief Commercialization Officer, effective early this summer. The company is seeking to expand into industrial strain improvement, enzymes, and commodity chemicals. To assist with this effort, industry veteran John Pierce has joined as an advisor. In his new role as Chief Commercialization Officer, Peter Boynton […]

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NREL finds method for more sustainable ammonia production

NREL finds method for more sustainable ammonia production

April 25, 2016 |

In Colorado, researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have demonstrated the way a new process using light to reduce dinitrogen in ammonia could inspire the development of more sustainable processes for ammonia production. According to the study, photochemical (photon) energy can serve as a substitute for the adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP)-dependent electron transfer mechanism […]

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Palm residues can be removed from plantations without negative effects, says Malaysian study

Palm residues can be removed from plantations without negative effects, says Malaysian study

April 25, 2016 |

In Malaysia, a recent study published by Dr. Christopher Teh found that one-third of palm residues could be removed from plantations without negative impacts on soil erosion, nutrient balance, and soil carbon loss. The study reviewed different types of palm residues, including palm fronds, trunks, and empty fruit bunches, and concluded that empty fruit bunches, […]

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Green Biologics partners with Acme-Hardesty for n-butanol and acetone distribution

Green Biologics partners with Acme-Hardesty for n-butanol and acetone distribution

April 18, 2016 |

In Virginia, Green Biologics has partnered with Acme-Hardesty, a division of Jacob Stern & Sons, for the distribution of n-butanol and acetone to the U.S. market for high value applications in food ingredients, cleaning products, and biolubricants. This partnership comes on the heels of the recent announcement of Green Biologics’s partnership with Nexeo, which  will […]

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Genomatica announces expansion of Bioengineering Solutions program

Genomatica announces expansion of Bioengineering Solutions program

April 18, 2016 |

In California, Genomatica has announced an expansion of its Bioengineering Solutions business across the chemical, health, wellness, and food and beverage industries. The new offerings will extend to ten projects that span the product development lifecycle, are spread out internationally, involve both bacteria and yeast, for both large and small companies.In addition, the company added […]

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Pacific Ag hires beef and dairy veteran Brook Holstein Campbell for crop residue sales

Pacific Ag hires beef and dairy veteran Brook Holstein Campbell for crop residue sales

April 18, 2016 |

In Texas, Pacific Ag has hired Brook Holstein Campbell to assist with sales of corn and wheat residue forage to beef and dairy markets in the High Plains. A veteran of the agriculture and beef industry, Holstein Campbell brings more than 15 years of experience and relationships from across the livestock industry to Pacific Ag. […]

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Emily Skor to replace Tom Buis as CEO of Growth Energy

Emily Skor to replace Tom Buis as CEO of Growth Energy

April 18, 2016 |

In Washington, Growth Energy has named Emily Skor as Tom Buis’s successor as the Chief Executive Officer, effective May 16. Tom Buis will stay on as Co-Chairman of Growth Energy’s Board of Directors, a position he assumed in July 2015. Skor most recently served as the Vice President for Communications of the Consumer Healthcare Products […]

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Comet Biorefining hires Rich Troyer, formerly of Coskata, as CEO

Comet Biorefining hires Rich Troyer, formerly of Coskata, as CEO

April 18, 2016 |

In Canada, Comet Biorefining, has announced the appointment of Rich Troyer as the company’s CEO. Andrew Richard, Comet founder, has been appointed Chairman of the Board and Chief Technology Officer of the company. Troyer was previously the Chief Business Officer at Coskata and also served as a Managing Director at the Blackstone Group where he […]

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