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Reuters, “Facing Farmer Anger, Trump Scrambles Cabinet to Brainstorm on Biofuel Policy: Sources” Cosmeticsdesign.com, “Sulapac: The Startup Making Biodegradable, Plastic-Free Beauty Packaging a Reality” The Times, “EU Curbs Used Cooking Oil in Biodiesel Due to Fears of Fraud” Plastics News, “Resin Distributors Taking Different Paths to Sustainability” Engineering.com, “Algae Filter Paper Offers New Hope for Stopping Waterborne Illness”...

Redshift, “Bamboo Transcends the Tropics for Carbon-Negative Construction”   New Age, “Trump’s EPA Grants 31 Refinery Waivers from Biofuel Laws, Angering Corn Lobby”   Plastemart.com, “New Bio-Based Thermoplastic Adhesive for the Bonding of Compostable Plastic Coating”   AgWeek, “EPA Official Talks about Future of Biofuels and Carbon Sequestration”   FoodBev Media, “Unilever Debuts Magnum Tubs Created from Recycled...

PlasticsToday, “A Visual Tour of Packaging and Products from Ocean Plastics” geek.com, “Scientist Creates Bioplastic from Mango Peels and Seaweed” foodingredientsfirst.com, “European Scientists Call for EU Rethink of ‘Retrograde’ Gene-Editing Legislation” New Atlas, “Wormy Chemicals Used to Trick Crops into Protecting Themselves” Regulatory Focus, “Industry Groups Support FDA’s Latest Biosimilar Analytic Assessment...

The Intelligencer, “Buckingham Center Offers Biotech Startups $50 Million” Science Codex, “Solar Energy Becomes Biofuel without Solar Cells” ScienceDirect, “Development of a Biorefinery Scheme to Produce Biofuels from Waste Cooking Oil” Sierra Sun Times, “U.S. Senators Renew Bipartisan Effort to Repeal Ethanol Mandate” Feedstuffs, “EPA Issued RFS Exemptions against DOE Advice” The Philadelphia Inquirer, “Trump Administration...

World Economic Forum, “Cheese Energy Could Power Hundreds of UK Homes” Iran Front Page, “Iran Ready to Tackle Biotechnology Sanctions: VP” Digital Journal, “Switching to Biobased Plastics: IDTechEx Research Asks Why So Slow?” The Yucatan Times, “Yucatan Cenotes to Be Sanitized with Biotechnology” World Economic Forum, “Your Next Pair of Sneakers Could Be Made from Coffee” CleanTechnica, “NextEra Energy Predicts 50% Renewable...

By Lynn L. Bergeson On July 22, 2019, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) highlighted small businesses funding under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. Having received $43.6 million in funding from DOE thus far, small businesses continue to grow as DOE announces Phase II awards. Last week, DOE announced Phase II Release grants that demonstrate commercial feasibility for innovations during the second phase of small...

By Lynn L. Bergeson On July 8, 2019, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) announced the winners of the Consider Corn Challenge II, a challenge intended to highlight the range of biobased materials that can be produced with field corn feedstock. The three winners included: ExoPolymer, Inc. for a plan to create a new profile of customizable, polysaccharide-based hydrocolloids that are domestically produced by microbial fermentation using corn sugar as a feedstock. These new hydrocolloids...

By Lynn L. Bergeson On July 10, 2019, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced that researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) have developed a model that predicts commercial biocrude outcomes from algae hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) significantly more accurately than previous analyses. “Techno-economic uncertainty quantification of algal-derived biocrude via hydrothermal liquefaction,” funded by DOE’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s...

By Lynn L. Bergeson On July 10, 2019, Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Representatives Steve Stivers (R-OH) and Bill Foster (D-IL) reintroduced the STRONGER (Support Technology & Research for Our Nation’s Growth and Economic Resilience) Patents Act of 2019. This legislation, an improvement on legislation introduced last year under the same name, would reform the inter partes post-grant review process, ensure all fees paid to the Patent and Trademark Office (PTO)...

Youris.com, “Surfing on Bio-based Boards” Kemira, “Kemira to Participate in the Development of 100% Bio-based Chemicals for Paper and Cardboard Production as Part of an EU Funded Project” Green Car Congress, “Researchers in Netherlands Exploring Use of Lignin as Alternative Asphalt Binder” Asian Scientist, “Supercharging Bacterial Biofuel Production” The Express Tribune, “Biofuels Can Help Reduce Current Account Deficit” MediaPost,...

By Lynn L. Bergeson On June 27, 2019, the Government of Canada’s Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) opened the application process for a grant to develop next generation biobased foam insulation products. Called the Plastics Challenge, this funding opportunity seeks solutions that result in foam insulation products (either spray foam or rigid foam board) that: Are predominantly derived from Canadian forest residue;   Have similar insulation values (within 20 percent) as currently...

NREL, “ExxonMobil Partnership Will Support National Lab Research for Future Energy Solutions at Scale” Energy.gov, “Co-Optima Identifies Innovation Needed to Continue Momentum in Fuel Economy Gains” Kemira, “Kemira to Participate in the Development of 100% Bio-Based Chemicals for Paper and Cardboard Production as Part of an EU Funded Project” NYNAS, “Nynas’ First Bio-Based Tyre Oil Supports Tyre Producer’s Sustainability Goals” Attis,...

Endpoints News, “Luck and Unicorns? Who Needs That? Sante Ventures’ New $250M Fund is Looking for Biotech Upstarts” Renewable Energy Magazine, “Neste and Air BP Deliver Sustainable Aviation Fuel to Swedavia Operated Airports” SportsMole, “F1 Eyes Carbon-Neutral Fuel for 2021” XinhuaNet, “Hong Kong Researchers Discover New Stem Cells Offering New Avenue for Biotechnology Study” Phys.org, “Study Identifies Most Promising Feedstocks for...

By Lynn L. Bergeson Two food-producing companies have jointly launched an initiative to drive the adoption of products and services on-farm at scale to increase sustainability on Earth. The initiative invites companies and entrepreneurs with new and emerging on-farm sustainability products and services, focused on greenhouse gases (GHG) reduction, to submit solutions to the leading companies’ experts. In August 2019, participants will be selected to present their solutions to an audience...

Chemical Engineering, “Bio-based Aromatics Plant Achieves Commercially Targeted Yields, Anellotech Says” Renewable Energy Magazine, “Neste MY Renewable Jet Fuel Wins Award for Reduction of Black Carbon Emissions” BBC News, “Coffee Waste ‘Could Replace Palm Oil” Big Ten Network, “How Michigan State Is Building Better Bioplastics: BTN LiveBIG” Pune Mirror, “Bacteria Turn Agri Waste to Biofuelm First-of-its-kind Research Conducted by SPPU...

By Lynn L. Bergeson On May 2, 2019, DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) announced funding of approximately $11 million for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase II research projects. Small businesses that demonstrated technical feasibility for innovations during Phase I were required to compete for Phase II funding. Eleven projects have been awarded the funds, which will be used to build prototypes or...

Boston Herald, “Massachusetts Researchers Find Way to Produce Biofuels ‘Greener’” Treehugger, “From Old Duvets to Corn Stalks, a Look at Bio-based Insulations” Virtual Strategy Magazine, “DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences Launches Biobased Enzymes for…” ScienceDaily, “Green Plastic Production Made Easy” Purdue University, “Free Networking Conference for Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, Medical Research Fields Planned at...

Reuters, “U.S. EPA Revives Provision That May Name Refiners Applying for Biofuel Waivers” Washington Examiner, “2020 Democrats Embrace Green New Deal at Their Peril in Iowa, Land of Ethanol” Reuters, “U.S. EPA May Grant Fewer Biofuel Waivers Due to Low Credit Prices: Wheeler” The Chemical Engineer, “BP Joins Effort to Make Paraxylene from Biological Sources” The Western Producer, “Canola-based Plastic May Hit Market Soon” The Hindu,...

Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. TSCAblog™, “EPA Releases Budget Justification that Increases Budget for Chemical Risk, Review, and Reduction Program”              Phys.org, “Technology Turns Municipal Wastewater Algae into Specialty Chemicals for Biofuels, Bioplastics” RealClear Energy, “The Unintended Consequences of the Renewable Fuel Standard” Quad-City Times, “Biofuels Are Not the Answer on Climate Change”...

By Lynn L. Bergeson The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is offering an opportunity for funding to advance a bioenergy or biochemical production technology toward commercial scale through the construction and operation of a pilot plant. To be eligible for the AGRI Bioenergy/Biochemical Pilot Project Grant, applicants must be a Minnesota-based company, learning institution, local government unit, Native American Tribal community, or individual (including for-profit businesses and...

Science Daily, “Novel Role of Water in Production of Renewable Fuels” AgWeb, “Gene Editing Promise Stalled at FDA” World Economic Forum, “This Mexican Company is Making Biofuel from Cactus Plants” Feedstuffs, “Biofuel Groups Testify at EPA Hearing on Year-round E15” KFGO, “Aerion Designing Supersonic Jet to Run Completely on Biofuels: CEO” The Hill, “Ocasio-Cortez Says She Encouraged Senate Dems to Vote ‘Present’ on...

Plastics News, “Sealed Air, Kuraray Join Forces for Plant-based Packaging” CNBC, “Starbucks Announces Trials for Recyclable and Compostable Cups” Baltimore Sun, “Maryland Senate Passes Renewable Energy Bill; House Outcome Uncertain” ScienceDaily, “First Evidence Bacterial-induced Apoptosis in Algae” Coatings World, “Clariant Launches First Bio-based Pigment Red 254” North Carolina Biotechnology Center, “bluebird bio Dedicates New...

CNBC, “Trump Energy Secretary Rick Perry ‘Absolutely’ Would Talk with Ocasio-Cortez About Green New Deal” Reuters, “Malaysia Threatens WTO Challenge to EU’s Move to Drop Palm Biofuel” CompositesWorld, “Bio4self Bio-based Autocomposite Wins JEC Innovation Award” Feedstuffs, “EPA’s RFS Waivers Cut Corn Demand by 900m bu.” NCSU News, “Transcription Factor Network Gets to Heart of Wood Formation” NHK World-Japan,...

By Lynn L. Bergeson In February 2019, the University of Utah published the article Algal lipid extraction using confined impinging jet mixers.  The article outlines the University of Utah engineers’ latest discovery of a new method for rapid lipid harvesting which is essential to energy parity for microbial derived biofuels.  This newly developed technique is not only faster but also more efficient, and uses confined impinging jet mixers (CIJM) to improve lipid extraction from...

K5News, “Port of Seattle Pushing to Use More Biofuels on Flights” Sioux City Journal, “Letter: Biofuels Industry Needs Support from Leaders in Washington” Trade Arabia, “Boeing to Offer Biofuel to Fly New Airplanes Home” Green Tech Media, “US Energy Storage Broke Records in 2018, but the Best Is Yet to Come” Reuters, “Senators Propose Bill to Extend Biodiesel, other Expired Tax Provisions” Olive Oil Times, “Environmentally...

Biofuels International, “Coconut Biodiesel Increase Suggested by Lawmaker in Philippines” Chemical Engineering, “BP, Virent and Johnson Matthey Partner on Production of Bio-based Paraxylene” The Express Tribune, “Biotechnology Can Transform Pakistan’s Economy” Energy AgWired, “GROWMARK Offers Pre-blended E15 at More Terminals” Reuters, “U.S. EPA Gets 37 Bids for Small Refinery Waivers through Mid-February” PhysicsWorld,...

By Lynn L. Bergeson On February 21, 2019, scientists Abdon Pena-Francesh and Melik C. Demirel, at Pennsylvania State University, published an article on the use of squid teeth tandem repeat proteins that can be functionally used for biodegradable fibers and films.  The flexible and tough material results from a protein present in the squid teeth, which can be grown biosynthetically by E. coli bacteria.  This biosynthetic expression of squid teeth proteins presents a number of...

By Lynn L. Bergeson On February 28, 2019, DOE announced that scientists at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) have been working on molecular tools that reside naturally within microbial cells.  Microbes typically use these tools to carry out their metabolism and other life-sustaining processes; LANL researchers, however, have been using the tools to produce fuel precursors and bioproduct building blocks.  With the addition of a biosensor in the microbes, light allows the...

Green Car Congress, “DSM and Roquette Change Their Relationship for Bio-based Succinic Acid Production” Bio-based World News, “French Tech Firm Afyren Secures €60m to Develop Bio-based Acids” Bio-based World News, “New Dutch Programme Launched to Help European Biotech Start-ups” Phys.org, “AllThings.Bio Presents its Second Series of Videos Clips About Bio-based Products” Packaging Europe, “Biome Bioplastics and Futamura Present Biobased...

By Lynn L. Bergeson On February 14, 2019, scientists in China published an article revealing a new methodology developed to safely transform methanol into ethanol.  Given methanol’s toxicity, this recently uncovered method allows for a more secure, user-friendly, sustainable technology that can be more broadly applied.  The scientific article reports a photo-driven one-step conversion of methanol to ethanol at ambient temperature.  A relatively simple process, the...

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,...

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...

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...

SuccessfulFarming, “High-oleic Soybeans Out of the Lab, into the Field” North American Wind Power, “N.Y. Laymakers Propose Legislation in Support of Existing Renewable Energy Facilities” Biofuels Digest, “Bio-based Lingerie? Of course, in Paris!” Reuters, “EPA Says to Finish E15 Gasoline Rule before Summer, Despite U.S. Shutdown” Biofuels International, “ExxonMobil and Clariant Team Up on Cellulosic Biofuels” snews, “Picture...

By Lynn L. Bergeson In January 2019, scientists at the University of Groningen, in the Netherlands, published a study on the application of enzymatic polymerization techniques in the preparation of sustainable furan-based copolyesters. With increased content of aromatic units, two different synthetic approaches are introduced in the article. Financially supported by the Indonesian Endowment Fund for Education, the study provides the necessary background to design sustainable, high-performance...

E&E News, “‘Science is Back’: New Governor Aims for Renewable Boom” AsianScientist, “Catalyzing a Path Towards ‘Greener’ Plastics” eureporter, “Organic and Safe Fertilizers in the EU” ASC, “From Health Food to Biofuels: Meet the First Algae Farm to Attain ASC-MSC Certification” Bio-based World News, “InSciTe Set to Open Bio-based Innovation Pilot Plant in April” Packaging Europe, “In Search of a...

By Lynn L. Bergeson In January 2019, scientists at the nova-Institut GmbH, in Hurth, Germany, published a study on the sustainability of first and second generation sugars as a resource for the biobased chemical industry. The study, which includes a comprehensive sustainability assessment, “shows that first generation sugars are as advantageous as second generation sugars for a feasible and sustainable resource strategy of Europe’s bio-based chemical industry.” Despite the...

By Lynn L. Bergeson On January 18, 2019, Assistant Professor Dr. Vatsan Raman at the University of Wisconsin-Madison announced a new biosensor that is capable of reporting on a microbe’s biofuel production capacity from within the cell. An expensive process, “in search of the best biofuel-producing microbes, scientists may need to make millions of genetic variants” to find the right one. This new biosensor developed by Dr. Raman and his team, however, greatly facilitates the...

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...

The Fence Post, “Grassley Talks Shutdown, RFS, Trade, Trump Speech” Reuters, “Biogas Guzzlers: Karachi’s Public Buses to Run on Cow Poo” Biodiesel Magazine, “Biodiesel an Underutilized Solution as US Carbon Emissions Climb” Reuters, “EPA Says it is Committed to Rule for Higher Ethanol Blend by Summer Driving Season” Canadian Biomass Magazine, “Developing High Performance Bioplastics from Wood” Channel NewsAsia, “NYP Team...

By Lynn L. Bergeson On January 10, 2019, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) announced that 32 of the 100 research and development (R&D) awards given out by R&D Magazine have been won by DOE researchers. One of the winning R&D projects was BETO-funded and focused on a green nitration process to produce acrylonitrile. These awards are annually distributed to developers of exceptional new products/processes introduced into the marketplace. Since...

Renewable Energy Magazine, “$400 Billion US Farm Bill a Boon to Bioenergy Production” Phys.org, “Carbon Fuels Go Green for Renewable Energy” FoodNavigator.com, “Alkion CEO on Biostimulation to Scale Up Sweet Proteins: ‘Our Technology Massively Amplifies What Nature Can Do’” Reuters, “Exclusive: Exxon Mobil Secured U.S. Hardship Waiver from Biofuels Laws – Sources” BBC News, “Wooden Clothes on the Recycled Christmas...

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...

By Lynn L. Bergeson On December 17, 2018, the University of California San Diego (UCSD) announced that a team of biologists and chemists has received $2 million in funding from DOE. These funds are to be used in the development of platforms to produce biobased monomers, which will be used in the manufacture of renewable and biodegradable plastic polymers called polyurethanes. The funded research will also involve improved tools for accelerated algal production systems. UCSD...

Berkeley Lab, “Greener Days Ahead for Carbon Fuels” StockMarketWire, “Biome Receives Further Grant Funding to Support Project Aimed at Eliminating Plastic Waste” Biofuels International, “Gevo and Renmatrix to Evaluate Creation of Renewable Jet Fuel” Phys.org, “Researchers Advance Biomass Transformation Process” University of Arkansas News, “Grants Fund Research on Biofuel Production, Reduced Fertilizer Use” Ireland AgriLand, “Road...

Energy Reporters, “Norway to Ban Palm Oil from Biofuels” Euractiv, “Biofuels and Electromobility Are Key in Portugal’s Transport Decarbonisation” BiofuelsDigest, “Biofuel Opportunities Could Abound with Maersk’s Net Zero CO2 Target” GovDelivery.com, “Winners of the Fourth Wood Stove Design Challenge Announced” Biofuels International, “Finnair to Launch Biofuel Offsetting Service in 2019” Des Moines Register, “Tax...

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...

By Lynn L. Bergeson On December 4, 2018, as part of its efforts to crowdsource solutions to increase energy productivity, DOE announced it will issue two new prizes as part of its Manufacturing Innovator Challenge.  The first new prize focuses on Biobased Additive Manufacturing (BAM) and will be distributed to three winners.  BAM involves the production of rapid prototyping of complex structures through biobased three-dimensional printing.  To qualify for the BAM prize, candidates...

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...

By Lynn L. Bergeson On November 16, 2018, scientists at the Israeli Ben-Gurion University (BGU) of the Negev announced the discovery of a new technique to produce biofuel from human excrement. In an attempt to reduce carbon footprint and address poor sanitation in Global South countries, scientists at BGU developed a technique called hydrothermal carbonization. By hydrothermally carbonizing raw solid human waste biomass, hydrochar, a coal-like sterilized substance, can be produced and used for...