In Switzerland, ABB is to automate NatureWorks’ (world’s leading manufacturer of polylactic acid) new bioplastics plant in Thailand which will convert sugar cane to sustainable plastics. The plant – set to produce 75,000 tons of biopolymer per year – will ferment and distill plant-based sugars, converting the sugars first to lactic acid, then lactide and […]
We know smartphones and electronics are huge resource sucks that utilize rare minerals, fossil fuels, and precious resources, so cheers to a China-based smartphone maker that is now using a biobased polycarbonate copolymer produced by Saudi Arabia’s SABIC. And in Japan, Kaneka is investing $130 million to triple production capacity for its biopolymer brand Green […]
In Colorado, a study conducted by scientists at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) shows for the first time that white-rot fungi are able to use carbon captured from lignin as a carbon source, which could be further exploited to simultaneously convert the biopolymer into value-added compounds. The research confirms a hypothesis from Davinia Salvachúa […]
As reported in The Digest recently, ADM (Archer Daniels Midland) and Japan-based Spiber partnered up to expand production of biobased polymers, called Brewed Protein polymers, produced through a fermentation process that utilizes sugars and microbes instead of petrochemical or animal-derived raw materials, for use in apparel, auto parts, high-performance foams, and other consumer products. In […]
In France, Lactips, a company specialized in producing a soluble plastic with zero environmental trace, is moving into a new industrial development phase with the launch of its project to build its new plant in Saint-Paul-en-Jarez (42), in the Gier Valley. From its launch, planned for 2021, this new plant will be able to produce […]
In Germany, BASF and Red Avenue New Materials Group signed a joint agreement that grants Red Avenue New Materials Group the license to produce and sell certified compostable aliphatic-aromatic co-polyester (PBAT). Red Avenue New Materials Group will build a 60,000 metric tons PBAT plant in Shanghai, using BASF`s process technology in exchange for the access […]
In California, W. L. Gore & Associates is collaborating with Checkerspot, bringing together Checkerspot’s expertise in bio-based polymers and biotechnology with Gore’s experience in high performance apparel. Together, they will explore innovative performance materials development with the goal of delivering high performance textile coatings with improved environmental profiles. According to the press release, Checkerspot’s team […]
It’s a big day for MEG. No, not Meg Ryan, though we are excited about her engagement with John Mellencamp. We are talking about monoethylene glycol which just got bigger with a new demo unit in operation. Brazil-based Braskem and Denmark-based Haldor Topsoe just commissioned their pioneering demonstration unit, located in Denmark, for the development of […]
In Colorado, researchers are fighting nasty, deadly, stubborn bacteria with chitosan, a material derived from shellfish shells like lobsters, crabs, and shrimps. The new material helps prevent superbug bacteria biofilms from forming in about 85 percent of their lab testing. Chitosan is also being used as an ingredient in biopolymers that form bioplastics and biodegradable […]
By Lorenz Bauer, PhD., Lee Consulting Enterprises Special to The Digest Sales of biopolymers and resins are predicted to grow to over $5 billion by 2021. Biomass derived materials have been used neat and as components in composites and blends for the last decade. Products made with high contents of cellulose, starch, proteins, chitosan are common. […]
