Global Bioenergies commercialization in momentum

France-based renewable chemicals company, Global Bioenergies, has speeded up its commercialization plans as it sets up its new industrial fermentation pilot unit in Pomacle, France, which is expected to be commissioned by the end of September, and be ready for a first fermentation run producing bio-based isobutene this fall.

The pilot plant has a maximum capacity of 10 tons/year and will focus on the production of methacrylic acid using bio-based oxidation-grade isobutene in collaboration with Arkema. Global Bioenergies said it is currently producing kilograms of bio-isobutene at its site in Evry using a conventional fermentation pilot, which was adapted for isobutene production.  The new fermentation unit in Pomacle will go through the mechanical and functional commissioning by the end of September.

More on this post...

Genomatica enters bio-polyamides market

So far, Genomatica's business model seems to be doing pretty well as the company tries to stay out of burning cash through manufacturing, letting its partners from the chemical industry do the commercial production and marketing, and Genomatica instead focuses on R&D of various fermentation-based chemicals for its technology licensing portfolio.

The company announced this week that it has entered the bio-based nylon intermediates market focusing on hexamethylenediamine (HMDA), caprolactam, and adipic acid.  Genomatica is developing complete process technologies for the bio-based production of these intermediates, which it will then license to major firms in the nylon value chain.

More on this post...

Lesaffre acquires Butalco

There were several bio-butanol news last month and these were all reported at Tecnon OrbiChem's Bio-Materials newsletter. In the meantime, here was one from Lesaffre, a France-based manufacturer of yeast and other fermentation products.

The company said it has acquired Butalco, a Swiss start-up bio-butanol technology developer, for an undisclosed amount.

More on this post...

Solazyme, AkzoNobel expand surfactant partnership

Algal oils producer, Solazyme, has expanded its algal oil supply agreement with specialty chemicals company, AkzoNobel,  with a new five-year supply of up to 10,000 tons/year of Solazyme's Tailored™ algal oil for surfactant production pending successful joint product development.

The parties expect that the algal oil under the joint development agreement would be able to replace both petroleum and palm oil-derived chemicals.  The target product is designed to have improved functional and environmental performance, as well as a lower overall cost to AkzoNobel.

More on this post...

M&G forms JV with Anhui Guozhen

Tecnon OrbiChem's Bio-Materials Issue 11 newsletter is now done and out, and we have some interesting news that came from China.  In the meantime, there were also several recent announcements that came out and I will post some of them starting with M&G Chemicals and Anhui Guozhen's joint venture announcement.

More on this post...