Category: Top Stories

5 conferences, 12 events, 1 place, 1 time: ABLC Next 2017 line-up announced

5 conferences, 12 events, 1 place, 1 time: ABLC Next 2017 line-up announced

May 17, 2017 |

In Florida, The Digest announced that the Advanced Bioeconomy Leadership Conference on Next-Gen Technologies (ABLC Next) will be held October 16-18, 2017 at the Hotel Nikko in San Francisco, and outlined the agenda, themes and announced a first wave of event speakers. Here’s a special private column by Digest editor Jim Lane on “being seen, […]

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1 septillion reasons Dad’s CRISPR-Cas9 may already be Toast

1 septillion reasons Dad’s CRISPR-Cas9 may already be Toast

May 16, 2017 |

In the rapid-fire tech and political world of 2017, a day feels like a month, a year is like a generation, and sometimes it feels like 90% of the population hasn’t heard of a technology wave before it is swamped by the next tsunami, and that may well be the case with the first wave of CRISPR-Cas technology. It […]

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BIO World Congress agenda shows industrial biotech diversifying, differentiating, disrupting, disintermediating

BIO World Congress agenda shows industrial biotech diversifying, differentiating, disrupting, disintermediating

May 15, 2017 |

This July, industrial biotech returns to its largest and grandest stage at the BIO World Congress, which convenes in Montreal on July 23rd through the 26th, and the plenary program offers convincing proof that the industry is diversifying fast into chemicals, nutrition, packaging, personal care, Every day, it is touching the consumer more and more […]

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Interra and the pursuit of soil magic via affordable biochar

Interra and the pursuit of soil magic via affordable biochar

May 14, 2017 |

Around this time of the year, driving southeast out of Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley towards the Mexican border is an exercise in slow pyrolysis — the temperature soars from time to time into the low 120s and breathing in the gaseous fire they use for breathing air, you start to feel the oxygen […]

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BioAmber and the Charm of Making

BioAmber and the Charm of Making

May 11, 2017 |

If you remember the 1981 film Excalibur, there were numerous uses of what was described as the Charm of Making: Anál nathrach, orth’ bháis’s bethad, do chél dénmha Which roughly translates into Modern Bioeconomyese as, “O Lord, give me the power to make lots of succinic acid.” If you’re not chasing biosuccinic or at least […]

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LCFS vs RFS: As two contend for the Renewables Heavyweight Championship, who is the Greatest?

LCFS vs RFS: As two contend for the Renewables Heavyweight Championship, who is the Greatest?

May 10, 2017 |

What is different about a Low Carbon Fuel Standard — as compared to a Renewable Fuel Standard? There are 4 primary differences. 1. An RFS creates a standard, and any fuel that meets that standard can compete in that market. Once a fuel has met the low-carbon standard, it becomes entirely about fuel price — […]

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20 oil? $200 oil? Does it matter?

20 oil? $200 oil? Does it matter?

May 9, 2017 |

Part 1 of the 3-part Digest series: Carbon 2017 For the world of renewable fuels — the only significant carbon legislation on the books, it really doesn’t matter what the oil price is. The RFS creates a separate market for renewable fuels and they compete against each other as alternatives within that market. It’s not unheard […]

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DSM invests in Amyris

DSM invests in Amyris

May 8, 2017 |

In California, DSM led a round of investors that will put up to $95 million in equity financing into Amyris via a registered direct offering of convertible preferred stock, and private placements of convertible preferred stock and warrants. Amyris is in the process of reducing its debt by approximately $75 million. DSM has agreed to […]

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More More RHD: REG expanding drop-in diesel?

More More RHD: REG expanding drop-in diesel?

May 7, 2017 |

From Iowa we received news that Renewable Energy Group has agreed to acquire approximately 82 acres of land at its Geismar, Louisiana biorefinery from Lion Copolymer, for $20M. The goal? To improve and utilize to support existing production capacity and future expansion opportunities.  Previously, the land was leased. The near-term gain The transaction is expected […]

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Hi Octane Fans and Ethanol Haters

Hi Octane Fans and Ethanol Haters

May 4, 2017 |

Now it is springtime and the water is high on the Crooked River in north central Oregon, but you’ll find the anglers there all the same. If they are not casting today  on the most beautiful stretch of rainbow trout-heavy river in America, you can find them unlocking the secrets caches of the caddisfly, and […]

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