February 16, 2009
Money in butterfly's wings
Scientists from China and Japan discovered that butterfly wings have scales that act as tiny solar collectors, which can lead to a design of a more efficient dye-sensitized solar cells.
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Weekly News Roundup
I will be in Illinois on Tuesday attending Elevance's renewable chemistry round table as well as the opening of their new Bolingbrook facility. The round table panelists include Robert Grubbs of the California Institute of Technology, John Warner of Warner Babcock Institute for Green Chemistry, David Long of Environmental Sustainability Solutions, Andrew Gilicinski of Clorox Company, Bryce Lee of Alternative Energy Group, and Elevance's CEO K'Lynne Johnson.
That should be interesting and I'll let you know how it goes. For now, here are this week's green news:
Elevance's compostable wax
Elevance Renewable Sciences says certain of its NatureWax™ vegetable wax products, when blended with paraffin, have met universally accepted compost specifications. Elevance collaborated with The International Group, Inc. (IGI) to sponsor the testing.
Big renewable energy user
Dow Corning will purchase more than 14,000 megawatt hours of wind generated renewable energy through Consumers Energy's Green Generation program, making the company one of the largest private purchasers of renewable energy in the State of Michigan.
More on this post...
That should be interesting and I'll let you know how it goes. For now, here are this week's green news:
Elevance's compostable wax
Elevance Renewable Sciences says certain of its NatureWax™ vegetable wax products, when blended with paraffin, have met universally accepted compost specifications. Elevance collaborated with The International Group, Inc. (IGI) to sponsor the testing.
Big renewable energy user
Dow Corning will purchase more than 14,000 megawatt hours of wind generated renewable energy through Consumers Energy's Green Generation program, making the company one of the largest private purchasers of renewable energy in the State of Michigan.
February 13, 2009
Samsung's new solar touch screen phone
Samsung seems to be leading the next generation high-tech mobile gadget with its new solar-powered full-touch screen phone "Blue Earth."February 12, 2009
Chemistry: The alternative energizers
I just finished an alternative energy article featuring chemical companies that contribute on making clean energy technologies more affordable. Companies included in my interviews were Dow Chemical, Rohm and Haas, Air Products, Evonik, and Dow Corning.
Here are some of what they said regarding chemistry and alternative energy:
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Here are some of what they said regarding chemistry and alternative energy:
"While energy is crucial to the chemical industry, the business of chemistry is essential to reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. Chemistry makes possible energy-saving products including building insulation, lightweight vehicle parts, thin-film solar panels and wind turbines." - Rich Wells, Dow Chemical.
Wind farm UFO attack
Excitement was in the air last month in the sleepy town of Lincolnshire, UK, after a mangled 65 ft. wind turbine blade was discovered. Several local folks blamed it on a UFO attack when some reportedly have seen strange, bright lights near the wind farm vicinity.February 11, 2009
How corn plastic is made?
Here's a very nice video from Discovery Channel's "How Stuff Works" (love the show!) featuring corn-based plastic and how it is made. Bioplastic producer Cereplast is featured in this show. (Pls. bear the few seconds advertising).
Alternative fuel interest highest ever
Yesterday, I attended a press conference hosted by BIO (Biotechnology Industry Organization) on the launch of a biofuel study conducted by Sandia National Laboratory and General Motors.In the study, Sandia reported that it is feasible to produce 90bn gallon/year cellulosic ethanol by 2030 to replace one-third of US gasoline demand, which is around 60bn gallons/year. No need to diversify land to grow corn crops; projected capital expenditures of about $250bn will be almost the same as that of future petroleum-related investments of similar magnitude; and infrastructure issues are workable, according to Sandia.
All of those optimistic conclusions of course have to depend on technology advancement of cellulosic ethanol as well as policy incentives. I guess optimism is really badly needed in the ethanol market these days what with the successive news of bankruptcy, plant closing, delayed projects, divestments and slowing R&D (because of tight financing).
February 9, 2009
Adult biz gone green
Who says the adult novelty industry is not environment-friendly??Dreamscapes, an adult business company, said that they are setting "good example" for businesses across the board by getting green certification from the Institute for Green Business Certification (IGBC) Inc. - making them "an environmentally conscious organization" starting January 31, 2009.
Green products are recession-proof
A recent survey commissioned by certification firm Green Seal and advertising/PR agency EnviroMedia Social Marketing reported that four out five people they surveyed are still buying green products and services despite the current recession.Half of the 1,000 people surveyed are said to be buying just as many green products now as before the economic downturn, while 19 percent say they are buying more green products.
Are you eating mercury?
The group Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) reported that nearly one-third of 55 popular brand name food and beverage products such as Quaker, Hershey's, Krafts and Smuckers, are said to contain traces of mercury. IATP said this is because of mercury-contaminated high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) found in most of these products.On average, Americans are said to consume about 12 teaspoons per day of HFCS, said IATP, as HFCS is used in many processed foods such as in sweetened beverages, breads, cereals, breakfast bars, lunch meats, yogurts, soups and condiments.
Weekly news roundup
This week, I'm working on a biobutanol article for ICIS Chemical Business so stay tune for snippets of information as I dig deep into this hush-hush (as far as BP and DuPont are concerned) market development.
For now here are this week's news roundup:
SiGNa's new center
SiGNa Chemistry opened its new Alternative Energy Research Center in Davis, California, to support the company's Hydrogen Generator Beta program, which will begin in second quarter 2009. The program will use SiGNa’s technology to create a unique hydrogen storage alternative for general industrial hydrogen, and portable fuel cell applications.
3M's Renewables division
3M has formed its new Renewable Energy Division focusing on Energy Generation and Energy Management. The products within the new division will include products currently sold to the industry, new-to-the-world products invented for the renewable energy market, and products adapted from existing technologies.
More on this post...
For now here are this week's news roundup:
SiGNa's new center
SiGNa Chemistry opened its new Alternative Energy Research Center in Davis, California, to support the company's Hydrogen Generator Beta program, which will begin in second quarter 2009. The program will use SiGNa’s technology to create a unique hydrogen storage alternative for general industrial hydrogen, and portable fuel cell applications.
3M's Renewables division
3M has formed its new Renewable Energy Division focusing on Energy Generation and Energy Management. The products within the new division will include products currently sold to the industry, new-to-the-world products invented for the renewable energy market, and products adapted from existing technologies.
February 6, 2009
Agriculture developments
The green blogger is very sick (101.5 F fever) and so she leaves you for today with recent developments from the US Department of Agriculture's Agriculture Research Service (USDA-ARS).One interesting development is the use of the native Southwestern shrub guayule not only as a natural latex but its leftovers called bagasse can also be feedstock for ethanol, bio-oil or syngas manufacture. I wrote an article about guayule and other interesting plant-based alternative chemical feedstock that you can access in this link from ICIS Chemical Business.
February 5, 2009
Natural cosmetics healthy despite recession
A new report from consulting firm Kline & Company said that the US natural personal care market will still have healthy growth this year despite the economic downturn.The market last year was up 19% at over $2bn in sales at the manufacturers' level, according to Kline. Although it is not certain if consumers will still be willing to pay premium for natural and organic products given the current economic condition, Kline noted that major marketers are in good position to compete because of their stronger supply chain negotiating advantage and well-developed distribution channels.
February 4, 2009
US and China top wind race
The US has become number one in installing wind power bypassing Germany last year, according to a recent report from the Global Wind Energy Council based in Belgium. China, meanwhile, has doubled its total capacity for the fourth straight time.Global wind energy capacity last year was said to have grown by 28.8% reaching a total global installations of more than 120.8 gigawatt. Over 27 gW of new wind power generation capacity came online in 2008, 36% more than in 2007, according to GWEC.
The global wind market for turbine installations in 2008 was said to be worth around EUR 36.5bn ($47.5bn). Here are the stats!
New soy group established
There might be a soy war going on but all soy-loving/producing groups in the US are still working together to help their industry overcome the current economic hardship.
The United Soybean Board (USB), the American Soybean Association (ASA), the Ohio Soybean Council (OSC) and six other state soybean checkoff boards recently formed the Soy Transportation Coalition (STC), which will comprehensively examine some of the major transportation issues impacting soybean farmers and find ways for them to save on transportation costs.
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The United Soybean Board (USB), the American Soybean Association (ASA), the Ohio Soybean Council (OSC) and six other state soybean checkoff boards recently formed the Soy Transportation Coalition (STC), which will comprehensively examine some of the major transportation issues impacting soybean farmers and find ways for them to save on transportation costs.“With all the railroad infrastructure and intermodal developments taking place in Ohio, it is important for OSC to be represented on the STC board,” said Patrick Knoff, an OSC and STC board member. “The goals of this organization will benefit all of agriculture. It is my hope that the projects STC is investing in will help level the playing field for agriculture when compared to other industries.”Like the corn industry, the soybean industry is becoming an important feedstock source for the biobased chemicals/products market. According to the USB, 28 new soy-based products in the areas of plastics, inks, coatings, adhesives and solvents were launched last year.
Chemical rules in kids products cause panic
The incoming anti-toxic chemical rules in children's products, which will become effective February 10, is causing several protests this week especially in NYC.The rules are part of the Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) which was passed last year as a result of the massive recalls of toys and other consumer good products tainted with lead and other supposed toxic chemicals.
For lead content and pthalate limit rules, manufacturers and importers are required to issue testing and certification that newly manufactured or imported childrens products for 12 years old and under comply with the requirements.
The problem, according to several manufacturers, retailers and small business owners, is that existing inventory products that have not been tested or certified on their lead or pthalate content should no longer be sold or distributed. Products can include toys, garments, kids' furniture, jewelry, accessories and even books.
February 3, 2009
Green chemicals of the month
2009 started with a lot of new green chemical offerings ranging from the cleaning industry, to automobile and construction. Here are some of the selected ones mostly in the plastic arena.
Hint: If you want your newly launched green chemicals/technology to be included in my monthly list, pls. email the press release to me at doris.de.guzman@icis.com
1. Nissan's eco-paint - Nissan Motor Co. launched in Japan its environment-friendly, water-based paints for aftermarket application under the "PITWORK" brand. The paint is said to contain half the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) compared with conventional paints in the marketplace.
2. NatureWorks new bioplastic - NatureWorks LLC introduced its Ingeo™ 3251D, a new and improved injection molding grade of Ingeo™ biopolymer. The new Ingeo™ grade is designed specifically for the consumer goods segments such as electronics, cosmetics, housewares, toys and custom molding.
More on this post...
Hint: If you want your newly launched green chemicals/technology to be included in my monthly list, pls. email the press release to me at doris.de.guzman@icis.com
1. Nissan's eco-paint - Nissan Motor Co. launched in Japan its environment-friendly, water-based paints for aftermarket application under the "PITWORK" brand. The paint is said to contain half the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) compared with conventional paints in the marketplace.
2. NatureWorks new bioplastic - NatureWorks LLC introduced its Ingeo™ 3251D, a new and improved injection molding grade of Ingeo™ biopolymer. The new Ingeo™ grade is designed specifically for the consumer goods segments such as electronics, cosmetics, housewares, toys and custom molding.
February 2, 2009
Perfluorinated chemicals may reduce fertility
Thanks to my colleague Lara McNamee for sharing this article about a study on perfluorinated chemicals and their effects on women's fertility.According to research scientists from University of California's Department of Epidemiology, exposure to perfluorinated chemicals such as PFOA (perfluorooctanoate) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate) - which are widely used in many consumer products and industrial processes because of their heat resistance and ability to repel water and oil- can lead to increase in infertility for women.
Green Informex
There had been a lot of green news from the InformexUSA tradeshow that colleagues from ICIS filed last week.According to the director of Warner Babcock Institute for Green Chemistry, John Warner, education barriers are preventing chemists from gaining the know-how to produce safer chemicals despite increasing demand for environment-friendly products and compounds.
Most of the attention given to chemistry is said to be negative thus giving the industry a bad reputation for students. Warner said the industry has done a very bad sales job which lessened the industry's efforts in attracting the brightest students.
Weekly News Roundup
The green blogger was trying to multitask: writing this post, watching the Superbowl, and eating popcorn. She failed.
The Steelers won and the blogger lost her office pool bet. Oh well...Here is this week's news roundup:
DSM joins green roundtable
DSM Pharmaceutical Products joined the Green Chemistry Institute® Pharmaceutical Roundtable of the American Chemical Society as an associate member. The roundtable promotes sustainable manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) by integrating the principles of green chemistry and engineering into drug discovery and manufacturing.
Waste recycling tech
Catalyx, Inc. successfully piloted its patent-pending Two-Way Osmosis system for recycling of difficult to treat, high biochemical oxygen demand and high chemical oxygen demand carpet dyeing wastewater. Catalyx's eventual goal is to design a system which can utilize the membrane for desalination of seawater.
More on this post...
The Steelers won and the blogger lost her office pool bet. Oh well...Here is this week's news roundup:
DSM joins green roundtable
DSM Pharmaceutical Products joined the Green Chemistry Institute® Pharmaceutical Roundtable of the American Chemical Society as an associate member. The roundtable promotes sustainable manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) by integrating the principles of green chemistry and engineering into drug discovery and manufacturing.
Waste recycling tech
Catalyx, Inc. successfully piloted its patent-pending Two-Way Osmosis system for recycling of difficult to treat, high biochemical oxygen demand and high chemical oxygen demand carpet dyeing wastewater. Catalyx's eventual goal is to design a system which can utilize the membrane for desalination of seawater.
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