2020 showed us alot of things, but one thing it emphasized bigtime is that we are all connected on this planet. A virus spread like wildfire because of our connectedness with each other. If you had predicted we’d be in a global pandemic fighting an invisible enemy, cruises shut down, travel limited, healthcare workers hailed […]
Some of you may be celebrating the holidays with a bit of whisky – or ‘whiskey’ in some countries – but who knew this distilled alcoholic beverage could be so handy for the bioeconomy! The Whisky Project led by the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre, includes Horizon Proteins, MiAlgae, and BioPower Technologies working to maximize value […]
By Mike Timko, associate professor of chemical engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute Special to The Digest A recent study led by a team from Worcester Polytechnic Institute shows that metal-oxide-based catalysts reduce char build up during biofuel conversion processes, increasing bio-crude oil yield and decreasing yields of low-value byproducts. Have you ever wondered what happens […]
In Washington, a huge year-end spending package passed Congress yesterday. The $1.4 trillion spending package includes appropriation for Fiscal Year 2021, the COVID stimulus package, extensions of popular tax credits that otherwise expired on December 31st, and the Energy Act of 2020, a $35B version of a larger energy bill that has been drifting around […]
Today, let’s look at an alternative to carpet-bombing Midwestern corn fields with around 150 pounds per acre of nitrogen fertilizer, in hopes that the plants will take up about half of that, en route to a big corn yield. Leaving aside the debate over what happens to runoff nitrogen as it enters the rivers of […]
It’s Winter Solstice today and in the Earth’s Northern hemisphere, it’s when we experience the longest period of night all year. If you are a Harry Potter fan, you’ll recall when Dumbledore said, “Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” Or maybe you […]
“Think of the children” who won’t know that meat comes from life, not from labs, says the France ag minister who poo-poo’d cultivated meat, yet Israel’s prime minister championed cultivated meat calling it a “powerhouse” and a way to save the cows. While that debate goes on, milk rethinker Remilk raised $11.3 million for their […]
In Canada, the federal Department of Environment and Climate Change Canada has focused its new Clean Fuel Standard on liquid fossil fuels. released its updated climate and clean growth plan, A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy. The government said, “This is a progression in the design of the Clean Fuel Standard from its initial […]
From Norway comes word that Yara will build a 500,000 tonnes per year green ammonia production facility. Against this backdrop, Yara announces plans to fully electrify its ammonia plant in Porsgrunn, Norway with the potential to cut 800,000 tons of CO2 per annum, equivalent to the emissions from 300,000 passenger cars. Who is Yara? Yara’s […]
We have lots of moves going on in the bioeconomy recently with a new leadership position created at the National Biodiesel Board, a farewell to Steve Censky who leaves his USDA post to return to the helm of the American Soybean Association, not one but two new C-level hires at Haldor Topsoe, a new appointment […]
