By Lorenz Bauer, Ph.D., Lee Enterprises Consulting Special to The Digest Sustainability has become a key concern in polyurethane industry. Reducing the environmental impact of polymers by replacing fossil derived carbon, using more environmental friendly processes and reducing and recycling the carbon used either directly or indirectly is a corporate goal of many producers. The use […]
This past week, in highlighting 29 technologies to watch, we put a spotlight on Calyxt, and we’d like to return to that technology in more depth today — as we look at real disruptive change not only in technology but in consumer attitudes, and buying patterns. Let’s explore that technology and company in more detail […]
In Tennessee, Oak Ridge National Laboratory scientists have reported in Nature a new high resolution approach to visioning the impact of biomass pre-treatment technology. By combining spectroscopy and emerging microscopy techniques, the team measured the nanoscale mechanical and chemical effects of pretreatments used to improve the breakdown of lignin, a woody component in plants. Data […]
In Florida, state legislators are looking to ease restrictions on industrial hemp research. According to the Florida State Senate, house bill 1217 that “authorizes specified universities in state to engage in industrial hemp research projects” has been “pending review of CS under Rule 7.18(c)” since Wednesday of last week. Representative Ralph Massullo, sponsor of the […]
In the Netherlands, Reverdia’s new Biosuccinium S grade has been registered under the ECOCERT Natural and Organic Cosmetics Standard, meaning it has been approved as 100% natural origin. This new grade of bio-succinic acid will enable high-quality bio-based personal care products such as body cleansers, shampoos and soaps. Biosuccinium S grade can also be used […]
In Germany, UFOP reports that an estimated area of 6.6 million hectares in the EU is planted with winter rapeseed for the 2017 harvest. This translates to a more than 100,000 ha rise from the previous year. The trends are very different in the different member states. According to information published by Agrarmarkt Informations-Gesellschaft (mbH), […]
In Washington, according to EIA data as analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Assocation, US ethanol production averaged 1.019 million barrels per day —or 42.8 million gallons daily. That is down 35,000 b/d from the week before and stands as the lowest weekly production volume in 18 weeks. The four-week average for ethanol production dipped slightly […]
In Washington, the Main Street Energy Alliance has launched to urge the Environmental Protection Agency to resist the efforts of a small group of special interests including Valero, Monroe Energy and investor Carl Icahn who are trying to alter the point of obligation requirement under the Renewable Fuel Standard in order to serve their own […]
In Illinois, Archer Daniels Midland commenced operations at the Illinois Industrial Carbon Capture and Storage (ICCS) project, a partnership to safely and permanently store more than 1 million tons of carbon dioxide a year, has begun. The project captures carbon dioxide, which is created as a byproduct at ADM’s Decatur corn processing facility, and stores […]
In Illinois, obtaining a certificate of occupancy on a building constructed of 60 Intermodal Shipping Containers is a huge accomplishment for Chip Energy, said company president Paul Wever, president of Chip Energy Inc. These types of containers are built out of at least 5,000 lbs. of steel each, and with 1 million units out of […]
