All Knowledge & Insights By Date

Predictions and Outlook for EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP) 2017 Click here for a PDF brochure of the memorandum 2016 was full of surprises, two of which will drive much of the agenda for OCSPP during 2017. First, Congress significantly amended the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The changes are intended to reform the program to address the widely recognized deficiencies in the law, especially regarding existing chemicals, chemical testing,...

Lynn L. Bergeson was quoted in the December 28, 2016, Bloomberg BNA Daily Environment Report story "Biobased Chemical, Fuel Makers Seek Parity For Their Products Under Trump" (subscription required): Biobased chemical and fuel manufacturers want their products to be treated equally with their fossil fuel-based counterparts under the incoming administration's policies. [...]  Lynn Bergeson, managing partner of the Washington D.C.-based Bergeson & Campbell, P.C., which...

Lynn L. Bergeson was quoted in the December 28, 2016, Bloomberg BNA Daily Environment Report story "Biobased Chemical, Fuel Makers Seek Parity For Their Products Under Trump" (subscription required): Biobased chemical and fuel manufacturers want their products to be treated equally with their fossil fuel-based counterparts under the incoming administration's policies. [...]  Lynn Bergeson, managing partner of the Washington D.C.-based Bergeson & Campbell, P.C.,...

On December 15, 2016,  the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) of up to $8 million dollars, subject to appropriations, for innovative technologies that assist in the advancement of algae bioenergy and bioproducts.  The FOA consists of two topic areas, including strain improvement for the development of enhanced algal strains, and algae cultivation biology improvement for the development of increased areal productivity and biofuel yield....

?  U.S. Energy Information Administration , “ EIA Forecasts Continued Biomass-Based Diesel Growth Due to Final 2017 RFS Targets”   ?  Renewable Fuels Association, “DOE Data:  Half of United States Broke Through So-Called “Blend Wall” in 2015”   ?  Corbion, “Corbion and Kraton Receive First European Certification for Biobased Products”   ?  The Lenzing Group, “Lenzing Invests in New TENCEL®...

?   Tetra Pak, “Tetra Pak Gets Closer to Fully Renewable Packaging Goal with New Aseptic Carton”    ?   Danimer Scientific, “MHG Debuts New Corporate Identity”    ?   Leaf Resources, “Leaf Resources And Novozymes Launch Biomass-to-Sugars Collaboration”    ?   Amyris, “Amyris Partners with Queensland to Create the Leading Industrial Biotechnology Hub in Southeast Asia”    ?   Suez,...

?   Aimplas,“Improved Bioplastics for Sustainable Food Packages”   ?   European Bioplastics, “‘Rethinking Plastics’ -- Insights into the Bioplastic Materials of the Future”   ?   Renewable Fuels Association, “RFA Welcomes New Member Valero Renewable Fuels Company LLC”   ?   California Institute of Technology, “Bringing Silicon to Life”   ?   University of Wisconsin-Madison, “Food...

On November 29, 2016, Green Biologics, Inc. (Green Biologics) announced that its high purity biobased n-butanol and acetone received certification under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) BioPreferred® program.  Both products, which are produced through the fermentation of sugars from renewable feedstocks, were certified as 100 percent biobased.  In the early stages of its first commercial production facility, Green Biologics aims to produce commercial n-butanol and...

?   Department of Energy, “Fact Sheet: Obama Administration Announces New Financing For Renewable Energy Projects and Actions to Spur Innovation and Promote Energy Access Globally”    ?   Department of Agriculture, “USDA Resumes Incentives to Grow the Bioeconomy and Improve Forest Health”   ?   Iowa State University, “Iowa State University Scientists Explore Environmental Advantages of Horticultural Bioplastics”    ?...

?   BP, “BP Announces Investment of $30 Million in Biojet Producer, Fulcrum”    ?   European Coatings, “Sustainable Coatings from Bio-based Polyesters with Enhanced Functionalities”    ?   PR Underground, “Advanced Biofuel Center Reports Moringa Biodiesel Breakthrough"     ?   Biofuels International, “Hungarian Company to Build Biogas and Ethanol Plant in Nigeria”   ?   Washington...

ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics and CEN TC411 issued a call for presentation abstracts for the Workshop on Degradable, Biodegradable, and Biobased Products Standards.  The 2017 workshop is designed to facilitate a discussion on standards development and implementation regarding testing and specification of biobased, degradable, and biodegradable materials.   Topics for presentation and panel discussions include:   ?   Biobased/renewable resource content testing,...

On November 8, 2016, the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) announced its members voted unanimously to publish revised Principles & Criteria that streamline the requirements and make them more user-friendly. The decision was announced at the Annual Assembly of Delegates meeting in Hanoi, Vietnam.   RSB stated the amendments will offer:   ?   A new user-friendly format, enabling easy understanding of how to apply the standard;    ?   Streamlined and...

On November 3, 2016, the European Commission announced that 144 new green and low-carbon projects from 23 Member States will be funded by a €222.7 million investment from the European Union (EU) budget, which will be combined with €175.9 from additional investments.  The funding comes from the LIFE programme, the EU’s funding body for the environment and climate action, with the goal of progressing Europe towards a more sustainable future.   The selected projects align...

? University of Minnesota News and Events, "Researchers Invent ‘Perfect’ Soap Molecule" ? Beverage Daily, "Cargill Pairs with Start-Up to Make Spirulina from Malt Waste" ? Braskem, "Polarbröd Changes to Bio-Based Packaging" ? City of South Portland, "South Portland Pilots Locally Made Biodiesel in Vehicle Fleet" ? DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products, "DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products Celebrates 10 Years of Bio-Based...

On November 9, 2016, Inside EPA published “ New TSCA Requirements Raise Challenges To EPA Biotech Review Staff” (subscription required), outlining what EPA has done to adapt to revised Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) requirements for engineered microorganisms.   Richard E. Engler, Ph.D., Senior Chemist with Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®), was quoted in the article discussing what to expect from approaching biotechnology regulations:   Richard Engler, a...

?   BioPilotsUK, “Landmark Alliance Launched to Support the Growth of the UK Bioeconomy”   ?   The Prowers Journal, “National USDA Official Highlights Biofuels Investments in Colorado”   ?   UDaily, “Biofuel Breakthrough:  PNAS Paper Reports New Approach to Methanol Utilization”   ?   MSU News Service, “MSU Awarded Grant to Research Biofuel, Carbon Capture Technologies For Upper Missouri River Basin”...

On October 26, 2016, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced an open meeting of the Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee via notice in the Federal Register.  This meeting will work to develop advice and guidance promoting the research and development (R&D) of biobased fuels and products.  The agenda for the meeting includes an update on U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) biomass R&D activities, an update on DOE biomass R&D activities, and...

?   Inside Sources, “Data Dispel the Myth of The Blend Wall”   ?   My Sunshine Coast, “Queensland Government Goes Global for Bio Opportunities”   ?   The Philadelphia Inquirer, “New $170M Delaware River Chemical Plant”   ? ars technica, “Turning Plants into Better Fat Factories”

On October 17, 2016, the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC) announced over £3 million in investments over six synthetic biology projects.  IBioIC was founded by Ingenza Ltd, GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK), and INEOS to connect academic expertise in synthetic biology with industrial capabilities from businesses in the area.  IBioIC focuses on biotechnology in health, industrial, agriculture, and marine areas.  Recipients of the £3 million in funding are:...

As previously reported in the Biobased and Renewable Products Advocacy Group’s (BRAG®) Biobased and Renewable Products Update of September 22, 2016, Clarifying Current Roles and Responsibilities Described in the Coordinated Framework for the Regulation of Biotechnology (Update to the Coordinated Framework) was published in the Federal Register .  The Update to the Coordinated Framework provides a comprehensive summary of the roles and responsibilities of the U.S. Environmental...

On October 25, 2016, Richard E. Engler, Ph.D., Senior Chemist with Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®), presented “Under-appreciated Regulatory Barriers to Commercialization of Algae and Algal Products” at the Algae Biomass Summit in Phoenix, Arizona. Dr. Engler’s presentation was part of the Legal, IP and Regulatory Issues -- Challenges and Opportunities track of the summit, and explored how algae processing and use is regulated by the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic...

The Algae Biomass Summit is the largest algae conference in the world.  This is where leading producers of algae products go to network with industry suppliers and technology providers, where project developers converse with utility executives, and where researchers and technology developers rub elbows with venture capitalists.  Biobased and Renewable Products Advocacy Group (BRAG®) affiliate Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®) is a proud sponsor.  B&C Senior...

On October 11, 2016, Microvi Biotechnologies Inc. (Microvi) announced that it had been awarded a grant by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for work on new biocatalytic technology that converts the methane and carbon dioxide (CO2) found in biogas into valuable liquid chemicals.  This technology utilizes the biogas created at landfills and wastewater treatment plants that is usually burned off into the atmosphere due to the current burdensome conversion process.  Microvi’s...

On October 18, 2016, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it has opened nominations for the 2017 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards (PGCCA).  Since 1996, these awards have honored companies and institutions that develop processes and products to help protect public health and the environment.  EPA’s strong support for the adoption of green chemistry has helped strengthen the development and commercialization of green chemistry products, leading...

?   Verdezyne, “Verdezyne Signs Distribution Agreement with Aceto Corporation:  Exclusive Agreement with Leading Distributor of Specialty Chemicals in the U.S. to Power Regional Sales of Verdezyne’s BIOLON® DDDA”   ?   REG, “REG Celebrates Completion of $34.5 Million Upgrade Project at Danville Biorefinery”   ?   Finance & Commerce, “Rosemount Mulls Plan to Convert Waste into Ethanol”   ?   BASF,...

On October 12, 2016, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a public meeting on the draft Algae Guidance for the Preparation of [Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)] Biotechnology Submissions (Algae Guidance) in the Federal Register.  This meeting will receive public input and comments on the draft Algae Guidance that describes EPA’s data needs for supporting risk assessments of genetically engineered algae and cyanobacteria that are manufactured, imported, or...

Amyris, "Amyris Expands In Global Nutraceuticals Market With New Collaboration and Partner Funding of $30 Million" Loyola, "Loyola Biology Professor Wins $50,000 National Science Foundation Grant to Create a Network to Prep Students for Careers in Biotechnology" Neste, "Henrik Erämetsä from Neste to Co-Chair EU Initiative for Advanced Biofuels in Aviation" National Science Foundation, "NSF Awards $94 Million to Create Four New Science and Technology...

On October 4, 2016, Lisa Mensah, Under Secretary for U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Development, posted a blog item “The Bio-Based Economy and Renewable Energy: USDA’s Record of Success,” reviewing the history of USDA’s work with the biobased economy.  USDA Rural Development has spearheaded the effort to promote economic growth through expansion of the biobased industry.  Lisa Mensah outlines positive impacts of USDA’s programs,...

BioAmber, "BioAmber Achieves Important Milestone in U.S. DOE Loan Guarantee Process" BusinessWire, "JetBlue Announces One of the Largest Renewable Jet Fuel Purchase Agreements in Aviation History" WSU News, "Researchers Make Breakthrough in Biobased Materials" Times of Malta, "France Bans Plastic Plates, Cups and Cutlery"

On September 22, 2016,  Clarifying Current Roles and Responsibilities Described in the Coordinated Framework for the Regulation of Biotechnology (Update to the Coordinated Framework) was published in the  Federal Register . This proposed update provides a comprehensive summary of the roles and responsibilities of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) with respect to the regulation of...

? Danforth Center, "National Science Foundation Supports Stony Creek Colors And Danforth Center Collaboration for Bio-Based Indigo Business Project" ? Business Wire, "Cardolite Corporation Earns USDA Certified Biobased Product Certification For Cardanol Product Line -- a Versatile Building Block for High Performance Biomaterials" ? RSC Bio Solutions, "RSC Bio Solutions Launches First-Of-Its Kind EAL Designed to Improve Performance, Increase Uptime and Enhance System...

On September 16, 2016, the White House posted a blog item, "Building on 30 Years of Experience to Prepare for the Future of Biotechnology" and released two documents intended to modernize federal regulation of biotechnology products. In July 2015, the White House directed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to develop a long-term strategy to ensure that the system is prepared for the...

On September 16, 2016, the White House posted a blog item, "Building on 30 Years of Experience to Prepare for the Future of Biotechnology," releasing two documents intended to modernize federal regulation of biotechnology products. In July 2015, the White House directed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to develop a long-term strategy to ensure that the system is prepared for the future...

By Lynn L. Bergeson and Margaret R. Graham On September 16, 2016, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), in collaboration with the White House, released two documents that will update the Coordinated Framework for the Regulation of Biotechnology (Coordinated Framework) that was first rolled out by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) in 1986 and updated in 1992. ...

? The Hill, "Energy Groups Push For Renewal Of Tax Credits" ? Neste, "Neste and Ikea of Sweden Announce Partnership to Deliver Renewable, Bio-Based Plastics" ? Packaging Europe, "Croda Offers CrodaTherm™ 21 for Temperature Controlled Packaging Applications" ? The University of New Orleans, "UNO Computer Science Faculty Awarded More Than $500k for Vital Research" ? Airforce Technology, "US Air Force to Produce Biofuels for US DoD...

On September 7, 2016, the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) released the report "Advancing the Biobased Economy: Renewable Chemical Biorefinery Commercialization, Progress, and Market Opportunities, 2016 and Beyond." This report documents substantial growth in the renewable chemical industry, and covers domestic policies impacting renewable chemical commercialization. Policy drivers that are explored include the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), the 2014 Farm Bill, draft...

? Plastics Industry, "100 Percent Compostable Single Serve Coffee Pod Wins International Innovation Award" ? Market Wired, "Seventh Generation Develops EPA Safer Choice Certified Laundry Detergent Packs Mission-Led Household and Personal Care Products Company Introduces New Line Of Solid Laundry Detergent Packs Formulated With Plant-Based Ingredients" ? Synthetic Genomics, "Synthetic Genomics Team Engineers Vmax™, an Advantaged Next-Generation Host Organism for a...

On September 1, 2016, the Safety Equipment Institute (SEI) announced that it was selected to manage the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Biobased Certification Program for the next five years. SEI is a subsidiary of ASTM International (ASTM), and has previously held the five-year contract with USDA to administer the USDA certification program that labels products as "biobased." This announcement comes on the heels of an update of ASTM's test method (D6866), that...

On September 1, 2016, the Algae Biomass Organization (ABO) announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be hosting an "Opportunity for Public Comment on Algae Guidance for The Preparation of [Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)] Biotechnology Submissions." This meeting will receive public comments on EPA's algae guidance document, and will inform the development of EPA's "Algae Guidance for The Preparation of TSCA Biotechnology Submissions"...

? Growing Produce, "Better Biocontrol Options Becoming Available to Organic Growers" ? Joint Genome Institute, "Expanding the Stable of Workhorse Yeasts" ? Scientific American: ClimateWire, "Engineered Bacterium Turns Carbon Dioxide into Methane Fuel" ? DVIDS, "Fueling The Future: Air Force Title III Program Working To 'Home-Grow' Biofuels for DOD, Industry" ? NEC, "NEC Develops Non-Edible-Plant-Based Bioplastic Featuring the Elegance of...

Monday, September 12, 2016 8:00 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time/11:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time/16:00 British Summer Time Register Today Biobased and Renewable Products Advocacy Group (BRAG®) affiliate Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®) and Chemical Watch have collaborated to present a series of complimentary webinars on the reformed Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Webinar 3 -- Inventory, CDR, and CBI will cover: Section 8 Reporting and Retention of Information   Small...

? Food Navigator, "Gelzen Seeks To Disrupt The Gelatin Market With Potentially Game-Changing Animal-Free Alternative" ? Solegear, "Solegear Awarded U.S. Patent For High Performance Bioplastics" ? Ethanol Producer Magazine, "EU Cannot Ignore Ethanol's High GHG Savings"

ASTM International's Committee on Plastics recently approved revisions to standard D6866, Test Methods for Determining the Biobased Content of Solid, Liquid, and Gaseous Samples Using Radiocarbon Analysis. This standard was originally approved in 2004, and is used by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) BioPreferred® Program, by EPA when it is determining the sustainability of plastics, and by other corporations using biobased plastics. D6866 is used to determine the percent...

? Ship & Bunker, "Competitively Priced, ECA Compliant, Sustainable Biofuel Bunkers Will Be a Reality in The Near Future" ? Plastics Today, "New Catalyst Offers a Route to Cost-Effective Biobased, Biodegradable Plastics" ? LabMate, "York Chemists Lead Breakthrough in Carbon Capture" ? Scicasts, "New Protein Process in E. Coli Could Lead to Production of Better Biofuels" ? Neste, "Neste Renewable Diesel to Power County of Sacramento's Fleet in...

On August 2, 2016, Lynn L. Bergeson, Managing Partner of B&C, presented the webinar "New TSCA's Impact on Biotechnology," with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NAS). This webinar, available for free on the NAS website, includes an overview of TSCA updates resulting from the passage of the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act. Ms. Bergeson focused specifically on how these updates could impact the regulation of biotechnology,...

? Plastics Today, "A Scientific Look At The Value Proposition Of Biobased Plastics" ? MIT News, "Microbial Engineering Technique Could Reduce Contamination In Biofermentation Plants" ? IFAS, "UF/IFAS Study: Sweet Potato Crop Shows Promise As Feed And Fuel" ? UPS, "'Rolling Laboratory' Of More Than 7,200 Alternative Fuel Vehicles Helps Deliver On Sustainability Innovations And Drive Market Adoption" ? Tehran Times, "Italy To Invest $450m In...

On August 8, 2016, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced an open meeting of the Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee in the Federal Register. The purpose of the meeting is to develop advice and guidance promoting research and development (R&D) for biofuel and bioproducts production. A tentative agenda includes: Update on U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Biomass R&D Activities   Update on DOE, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy...

On August 3, 2016, 24 farmer and public interest organizations wrote to the Obama Administration expressing their disappointment with the direction that the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) has taken with the proposed modernization of the Coordinated Framework for Regulation of Biotechnology (Coordinated Framework). The letter argues that an overly permissive regulatory framework for genetically engineered (GE) products has resulted in negative consequences, and that GE...

? Apparel, "Accelerating the Impact of Bio-Based Materials to Improve Apparel Industry Sustainability" ? Lancaster Farming, "USDA Advances On-Farm Biofuel Production" ? Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, "When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Growing" ? Forbes, "How to Make Biobased Policy Work" ? The Guardian, "Dabbling in Duckweed: Environmental Uses for a Green Menace" ? The Lane Report, "Owensboro Grain Forms Partnership with...

Don't miss the upcoming European Commission (EC) Knowledge Exchange Platform (KEP) workshop "From bio-waste to bio-based products: the potential for regional innovation development." This Brussels-based session of the KEP Bioeconomy Showcasing Event will present the EC's biotechnology initiative and policy framework, as well as case studies on regional growth of biobased products. This workshop is scheduled for October 11, 2016, as part of the European Week of Regions and...