Category: Biotechnology/Synthetic Biology

February 22, 2019

Weekly Roundup of Other Biobased News

Biofuels Digest, “Pilot Plant Pushes Forward Economic Research on Sugarcane Waste to Biofuels” Chemical Engineering Online, “Circa Group’s Commercial Demonstration Plant for ‘Green’ Solvent Comes Online” Biobased World News, “‘One-of-a-kind Peacock-inspired’ Bio-based Dress to Be Showcased at International Clothing Exhibition” Forbes, “Midwest Corn Farmers Put New Fertilizer Alternative to the Test” Labiotech.eu,...
February 22, 2019

University Of Manchester Is Awarded £10 Million For A Biomanufacturing Research Hub

By Lynn L. Bergeson On February 13, 2019, the University of Manchester was awarded £10 million by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), an organization sponsored by the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to foster research and innovation. These funds are to be used in the launching of a country-wide biomanufacturing research hub to lead the way in new medicines and sustainable energy solutions. To be led by Professor Niguel Scrutton, the Future...
February 21, 2019

EPA Releases Updated TSCA Inventory

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released on February 19, 2019, an update of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Chemical Inventory (TSCA Inventory), which lists chemicals that are “active” versus “inactive” in commerce in the U.S.  EPA’s News Release states that a “key result of the update is that less than half of the total number of chemicals on the current TSCA Inventory (47 percent or 40,655 of the 86,228 chemicals) are currently in commerce.”...
February 15, 2019

Weekly Roundup of Other Biobased News

POET, “POET’s Jive Improves, Rejuvenates Asphalt in Roads Across the US” Project Cargo Global, “Coalition Provides Sustainable Marine Biofuels Verification” Firstpost., “Govt Allows Export of Biofuels from Special Economic Zones and Export-oriented Units” Arab News, “Indonesia to Challenge ‘Discriminative’ EU Directive on Palm Oil” Biofuels Digest, “Biobased Smart Bombs for Pests: Two New Strategic Investments in...
January 25, 2019

Weekly Roundup of Other Biobased News

European Biotechnology Life Science and Industry Magazine, “VTT Turn Waste into Biofuels and Chemicals” EPPM, “Lund University Develops Promising Bioplastic Derived from ‘Poo Molecule’” Biofuels Digest, “Covestro Launches Biobased Polyurethane Film Formers for Cosmetic Industry” The Progressive Farmer, “Wheeler:  E15 Rule Might Be Delayed” Euractiv, “Time is Running Out for Biofuels Sustainability Criteria” Renewable...
January 11, 2019

B&C Releases 2019 Forecast On U.S. Federal And International Chemical Regulatory Policy

On January 8, 2019, B&C and its consulting affiliate The Acta Group (Acta®) published the 2019 Forecast.  The document details the legal, scientific, and regulatory trends in U.S. and global chemical law, providing informed judgment as to the shape of key developments we are likely to see in 2019.  Sections on biobased products and biotechnology are included in the document.  The full document can be accessed here.
January 8, 2019

Forecast for U.S. Federal and International Chemical Regulatory Policy 2019

Click here for a PDF brochure of the memorandum Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®) and its consulting affiliate The Acta Group (Acta®) are pleased to offer you our Forecast 2019. In this richly detailed document, the legal, scientific, and regulatory professionals of B&C and Acta distill key trends in U.S. and global chemical law and provide our best informed judgment as to the shape of key developments we are likely to see in the New Year. Our unique business platform and growing...
January 4, 2019

MTI Releases RFP For Innovation Challenge

By Lynn L. Bergeson The Maine Technology Institute (MTI) announced on December 14, 2018, a request for proposals (RFP) for Maine’s Forest Resources. Managed by Biobased Maine on behalf of MTI, the RFP for the Emerging Technology Challenge aims to deploy a forest industry technology in Maine, where forest biomass is used in the production of a value-added product for sale. MTI is a “publicly funded, nonprofit corporation with the core mission to diversify and grow Maine’s...
January 4, 2019

EPA Authorizes Contractor To Access Information Submitted Under TSCA

By Lynn L. Bergeson On December 21, 2018, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced in the Federal Register that the Syracuse Research Corporation (SRC) will be assisting the EPA Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT) in the creation of a database that will cover key data from past biotechnology submissions, and the creation of a biotechnology literature database with documents provided or referenced in Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) biotechnology submissions. The...
December 7, 2018

Weekly Roundup of Other Biobased News

Chemical & Engineering News, “To Fulfill Biofuels’ Promise, Scientists Boost Plant Oils with Gene Editing” Ethanol Producer Magazine, “New Tax, Oversight Bill Aims to Extend Biofuel Tax Credits” MuscaDaily.com, “Omani Woman Scientist Wins UNESCO Fellowship for Research in Biofuels” The Times of India, “CSIR Working on Developing Biofuels on a Commercial Scale” Biofuels International, “Biodiesel By-product Has Potential as Clean...
November 30, 2018

Weekly Roundup of Other Biobased News

Biofuels International, “Biogas-to-Biofuel Technology Accepted for Testing” Biofuels International, “Prospects Raised for Large Scale Algae Biofuel Production” Reuters, “Biofuel Groups Ask Federal Judge to Freeze U.S. Refinery Waiver Program” Packaging Gateway, “Leaf Resources Extends Leafcoat License to Europe” Reuters, “Iowa Senator Says Expect Fewer Biofuel Waivers from Wheeler’s EPA” Fronteras, “Food Biotechnology Added...
November 16, 2018

Weekly Roundup of Other Biobased News

Phys.org, “New Method Enables Large-Scale Production of Bio-Based Plastic Bottles” Mercom India, “India Joins the Club for Collaboration on New and Alternate Fuels” Biofuels Digest, “University of Delaware Start-Up Creates Renewable Oil that Can Be Used from Cosmetics to Lubricants” Reuters, “Britain’s Renewable Electricity Capacity Overtakes Fossil Fuels -- Report” Renewable Energy Magazine, “APPA Claims Biofuel a Key Ingredient in...
November 9, 2018

Call For Candidate Chemicals For Equivalency Determinations

By Kathleen M. Roberts Is your company engaged in Class 2 chemistries that are similar to existing Class 2 chemicals but are derived from an innovative bio-source? We are looking for pioneering companies working on new biobased Class 2 chemicals to assist in advancing an important project with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).   ISSUE:  While EPA sustainability goals would seemingly include adoption of improved biobased technologies, EPA’s policies under the...
November 2, 2018

FDA Releases Statement On A New Plant And Animal Biotechnology Innovation Action Plan

By Lynn L. Bergeson On October 30, 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a statement by FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D., and FDA Deputy Commissioner Anna Abram regarding FDA’s new action plan to advance plant and animal biotechnology innovation.  Aimed at ensuring the safety of plant and animal biotechnology products and avoiding unnecessary barriers to future innovation, the Action Plan focuses on three key priorities: Advancing public health by promoting...
October 12, 2018

Trump Talks Biofuels; BIO Applauds

By Lynn L. Bergeson On October 9, 2018, during a rally in Council Bluffs, Iowa, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he will order the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to expand its sales of corn ethanol. This action, which farmers across the U.S. have been waiting for, will allow for year-round sales of 15 percent biofuels (E15) ethanol blends. Currently, E15 sales are restricted during the summer months in certain states, limiting the expansion of the market space for biofuels....
October 5, 2018

U.S. Government Funds Project On Biofuel Development

By Lynn L. Bergeson In late September 2018, Northwestern University announced a new bioengineering project funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) under their joint program called the Biomass Research and Development Initiative (BRDI). Led by Michael Jewett, professor of chemical and biological engineering, the project aims to combine innovative bioengineering and biotechnology to develop biofuels and bioproducts. It is expected that through...
September 28, 2018

House Passes Pandemic And All-Hazards Preparedness And Advancing Innovation Act of 2018

By Lynn L. Bergeson On September 25, 2018, the U.S. House of Representatives passed without objection the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness And Advancing Innovation Act of 2018. Introduced on July 16, 2018, by Congresswoman Susan W. Brooks (R-IN), this Act reauthorizes certain programs under the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act, and amends the Public Health Service Act and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Amongst these reauthorized programs are the federal...
September 21, 2018

Bergeson & Campbell’s Insight On TSCA

By Lynn L. Bergeson On September 11, 2018, Bloomberg Environment Insights published a three-part article series, written by Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®), on the impact of the new Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Section 5 and its implementation. Despite the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) overall timely and balanced efforts in the implementation of TSCA, EPA’s approach to TSCA Section 5 implementation has proved itself less successful. With emphasis on...
September 14, 2018

5th Biotechnology World Congress Announced For 2019

By Lynn L. Bergeson The 5th Biotechnology World Congress has been scheduled to take place in Bangkok, Thailand, from February 13-15, 2019.  The Welcome Letter states that the conference will “feature a variety of lectures in a number of key sessions in biotechnology, including a commercial exhibition and poster sessions” and the sessions given will include “strategic alliances in biotechnology, pharmaceutical biotechnology, medical biotechnology, plant and environmental...