From Finland comes the largest single corporate investment we’ve seen in years — UPM is taking it’s “next transformative growth step” and is investing in a biorefinery at Leuna, Germany to convert solid wood into next generation biochemicals: bio-monoethylene glycol, lignin-based renewable functional fillers, bio-monopropylene glycol and industrial sugars. UPM will invest €550 million ($611 […]
The Digest published today a 2020 Deal Review and Outlook Bioeconomy M&A visual guide that looks at the slurry of recent mergers and acquisitions in the bioeconomy like Lygos and Librede, NuSeed and Agrisoma, FinCo Fuels and GoodFuels, The Andersons and Marathon Petroleum, Aemetis and Goodland Fuels, and more. In today’s Digest, find out which ones […]
In Massachusetts, the global performance running and lifestyle brand Saucony aired a commercial during the Super Bowl to debut plans for its first biodegradable shoe, now in development − a major announcement that reinforces the brand’s commitment to sustainability and goodness. Saucony’s Super Bowl spot begins with a rhetorical question: “What if the shoes we […]
In California arrives the news that 80 years after nylon’s first commercial production, Genomatica achieved a new milestone for the material — its production of the world’s first renewably-sourced ton of the key ingredient for nylon-6, made from plants instead of crude oil. But what does this really mean for the future of nylon? A […]
From Washington state and from Georgia news arrives that Delta entered into one of the largest airline offtake agreements of its kind to purchase sustainable aviation fuel from NWABF. Yep, NWABF, which sounds an awful lot like Porky Pig trying to pronounce “Robert” but actually is Northwest Advanced Bio-Fuels. More on that, shortly. But let’s […]
Q: What was the reason for founding your organization – what was the open niche you saw that could be addressed with a new product or service? What was the problem, or gap, or opportunity? Vanguard Renewables’ leadership saw an opportunity to help the American farmer to improve manure and nutrient management and to provide […]
From big companies like Mattel and their first building block sets made from bioplastics, to smaller innovators and entrepreneurs, the bioeconomy had a busy week with innovations. A new plant-based faux fur that incorporates SORONA, a corn-based fiber manufactured by DuPont and produce packaging made from potato starch offer new, better alternatives. Also fascinating are […]
For those tracking the Democratic primary in New Hampshire and the Iowa caucuses as part of Decision 2020, it’s clear that Sanders is surging and there’s a Klobucharge in the making, too. What’s at stake? Hmm, farm prices, crop prices, rural development, carbon-reducing legislation, energy security — just to mention a few things along with […]
In Colorado, in an unanimous ruling, the Tenth Circuit of the US Court of Appeal has struck down three small refinery hardship waivers from compliance with the United States’ Renewable Fuel Standard. The court ruling stems from a May 2018 challenge brought against EPA by the Renewable Fuels Association, the National Corn Growers Association, the […]
No, we aren’t going to be riding on the backs of big bucks for transportation, but transportation will be changing with the big news from Washington, D.C. at the Washington Auto Show, that the U.S. Department of Energy is investing nearly $300 million in funding for research and development of sustainable transportation resources and technologies. […]
