Foreword

In the bioeconomy we have a mixed relationship with lignin, the complex structural polymer that bind cellulose chains together in plant matter. In many respects it serves as a barrier to the production of biobased products, as it requires a great deal of energy to remove in order to leave behind the cellulose for processing. Development is continuing all the time into processes that extract cellulose from biomass efficiently, and a commercial-scale breakthrough would be a massive boon for the bioeconomy, but that is not the focus here. This month we have a story from Sweetwater Energy, who have developed a process to in-effect do the opposite: extract the lignin from biomass by dissolving the surrounding cellulose. Lignin is in itself a useful material, if perhaps for more specific applications: it is a source of activated carbon, which has a myriad of uses across a range of sectors from........

Other News this Month Includes:

Markets

• TIPA's compostable plastic packaging to see first applications
• New joint venture to operate Brazilian ethanol storage site
• Amyris sells Brazilian division to DSM
• Bio-On and AkzoNobel to continue partnership​

Research & Development

• New process produces pure lignin for activated carbons
• "Consortium" of bacteria produces polyhydroxybutyrate
• DuPont unveils new fermentation system
• Danish research into protein animal feed from biorefining​

Polymers

• Bio-On completes world's biggest biopolymer-producing fermenters
• Braskem's plastic to package sugar
• Biobased polyols for foam
• Leaf collection bags from Braskem plastic
• Novamont's biopolyester capacity doubles​

Chemicals

• Emery achieves 100% biobased status for herbicide
• First biobased ingredient shipped to L'Oreal
• Successful scale up of Lygos' malonic acid production
• Braskem to produce monoethylene glycol
• Collaboration seeks to produce chemicals from empty fruit bunches
• Gevo continues work towards balancing isobutanol sales with production costs
• Circa agrees distribution for Cyrene in Northwest Europe​

Consumer Products

• Official World Cup ball to feature biobased synthetic rubber
• Bio-On's cosmetic microplastics certified "100% natural"
• Braskem's plastic used in skincare packaging
• Report discusses potential for circular fashion economy

Patents

Events

Price Information