Category: Biobased Chemicals and Products

October 28, 2016

Comment Deadline Approaches On Update To The Coordinated Framework For The Regulation Of Biotechnolo

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...
October 25, 2016

“Under-appreciated Regulatory Barriers to Commercialization of Algae and Algal Products”

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...
October 21, 2016

Don’t Miss The Algae Biomass Organization Summit, October 23-26, 2016, In Phoenix, Arizona

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...
October 21, 2016

Microvi Announces DOE Grant For Biocatalytic Technology Utilizing Waste Biogas

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...
October 21, 2016

EPA Opens Nominations For The 2017 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards

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...
October 14, 2016

Weekly Roundup of Other Biobased News

?   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,...
October 14, 2016

EPA Announces Public Meeting To Comment On Algae Guidance Documents

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...
October 7, 2016

Weekly Roundup of Other Biobased News

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...
October 7, 2016

USDA Looks Back On Growth Of Bio-Based Economy And Renewable Energy

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,...
September 30, 2016

Weekly Roundup of Other Biobased News

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"