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By Lynn L. Bergeson At Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, Dominik Kopp, a Ph.D. student, has developed a method for turning coffee waste into biodegradable plastic coffee cups. Because of its properties, sugars are an efficient source that is often converted into biobased chemicals. According to this study, coffee grounds consist of 50 percent sugars that can be converted into lactic acid. Once this is done, lactic acid can be used to produce biodegradable plastics. “You could use...

By Lynn L. Bergeson In a research study conducted at the University of Nottingham School of Biosciences, a team of scientists has uncovered how to refine seawater to produce bioethanol. When fermented, marine yeast of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae AZ65 strain and yeast extract peptone dextrose (YPD) aid in the production of biofuels. Not only is this discovery key in the development of renewable energy sources, but it also reduces the water footprint of ethanol. Through the use of seawater, the...

EurekAlert!, “Renewables Could Drastically Cut Tailpipe Emissions” AP News, “US Says Conserving Oil Is No Longer an Economic Imperative” Reuters, “Gene-editing Startups Ignite the Next ‘Frankenfood’ Fight” Stora Enso, “Stora Enso and Orthex Combine Wood Fibre and Bioplastic into Durable Consumer Products” U.S. Department of Energy, “New Members of Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee Announced”

By Lynn L. Bergeson On August 17, 2018, researchers from the Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) announced its progress in accelerating the process of biofuel-making. Through the use of biotechnology, their research demonstrates that an enzyme, glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT) from the red algae Cyanidioschyzon merolae, can contribute to the biofuel production process. Algae is often used to produce biofuels because it contains high amounts of triacyglycerols (TAG) under...

By Lynn L. Bergeson Researchers from the University of British Columbia, in Canada, have discovered a new technique that can be used to transform “fatbergs” into green fuel. What scientists now refer to as “fatbergs” consist of oils and greases that cause blockages in the sewer systems accumulating disposed solids. These Canadian scientists revealed a new method in which “fatbergs” can be recycled into green fuel within the sewer system through a...

By Lynn L. Bergeson Researchers in Lithuania and Egypt have discovered how to use N, N-dimethylcyclohexylamine (DMCHA) to break down multilayer flexible packaging (MFP) that pose a threat to the environment. MFP is used in making blister pill packages, candy wrappers, chip packets, and related products, and can contain aluminum, among other toxic substances, which when leaked or incinerated is hazardous to the environment. Although some practices exist to separate the multilayered packaging...

By Lynn L. Bergeson On July 24, 2018, a research team at the North Carolina State University announced that biobased glucaric-acid or lignin additives can increase the robustness of polyvinyl alcohol fibers, which can be used in biofriendly products including polymers, detergents, paints, and diapers.  The team plans to continue its R&D as a movement towards greener alternatives to support industries using additives with known varying levels of toxicity.  This discovery could...

The Guardian, “Researchers Race to Make Bioplastics from Straw and Food Waste” Imperial College London, “New Enzyme Boost Could Hasten Biofuel Production” GreenBiz, “Ambitious Alliance Mobilizes Value Chain for Bio-Based Polymers”

DOE, "EERE Success Story -- from Breakfast to Biocrude:  Study Identifies Production Potential across Nation"  Avantium, “Avantium Starts Construction of Bio-MEG Demonstration Plant in the Netherlands” Triple Pundit, “US EPA Drops the Biofuel Ball, Energy Dept. Picks It Up”

Cathay Pacific, “Cathay Pacific to Fly New Aircraft Home Using Alternative Jet Fuel” Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, “PNNL Technology Clears Way for Ethanol-Derived Jet Fuel” Oak Ridge National Laboratory, “Critical Plant Gene Takes Unexpected Detour that Could Boost Biofuel Yields” Velocys, “Development Funding Secured for Next Stage of UK Project”

By Lynn L. Bergeson On May 24, 2018, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced that, as part of the DOE’s Bioenergy Technologies Office’s (BETO) support to small businesses, BETO has awarded approximately $2 million, out of $13 million awarded by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), to 13 Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer grants.  DOE states that these small businesses are “improving the state of...

Sandia National Laboratories, “Riding Bacterium to the Bank” Biomass Magazine, “NREL Discovers Enzyme Domains that Improve Performance” Neste, “City of San Leandro in California Switches Its Municipal Vehicles to Run on Neste MY Renewable Diesel”

By Lynn L. Bergeson On May 1, 2018, DOE Secretary Rick Perry announced that up to $68.5 million in funding will be available for early-stage research of advanced vehicle technologies through DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE).  The announcement states that the available funding “will enable more affordable mobility, strengthen domestic energy security, and enhance U.S. economic growth.”  Projects selected through this Vehicle...

Bloomberg, “Your Regular Audi Could Run on Straw Soon” Youris, “A New Sustainable Initiative in Bristol, in the UK, Uses Bio-Based Materials to Face the Need for Additional and Affordable Housing Supply” Science Daily, “Researchers Developing Renewable Energy Approach for Producing Ammonia” Times of Oman, “Omani Researchers Make Bio-Plastic Out of Fish Scales”

Anellotech, “Anellotech Achieves Key Process Technology Operating Milestone” Veolia, “Veolia Grows Biomass Leadership, To Operate Two Additional Projects in Georgia”  Plastics Today, “PHA Bioplastics a ‘Tunable’ Solution for Convenience Food Packaging” Reuters, “South Africa Signs $4.7 Billion of Delayed Renewable Energy Deals”

Biotechnology Innovation Organization, “The U.S. Biobased Economy:  Economic Impact” DuPont Tate & Lyle BioProducts, “DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products Expanding Bio-based Propanediol Production in Tennessee” Hasbro, “Hasbro to Roll Out Plant-Based Packaging” University of Wisconsin, “Protein Studies Inform Biofuels Research” GCB Bioenergy, “Field-Grown Transgenic Switchgrass (Panicum Virgatum L.) with Altered Lignin Does Not...

Reuters, “White House Pushes For More Talks After 'No Deal' On Biofuels” International Air Transport Association, “Aim For 1 Billion Passengers To Fly On Sustainable Fuel Flights By 2025” Colorado State University, “How Biofuels From Plant Fibers Could Combat Global Warming” Lego, “First Sustainable Lego® Bricks Will Be Launched In 2018” Coursera, “Introduction to Algae”

DOE, “Catalyst Collaboration: Argonne Accelerates Biofuel Production Technology” Safety-Kleen, “Safety-Kleen Uses New Bio-Based Cleaner To Aid NASCAR Green Effort” Great Lakes Bioenergy, “The New Bioenergy Research Center: Building On Ten Years Of Success” The Conversation, “How Plastics Made From Plants Could Be The Answer To The World’s Waste Problem” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, “Synthetic Addiction Extends The...

Environment and Climate Change Canada, “Minister McKenna Releases Framework To Make Canada’s Fuels Cleaner” Goodshipping Program, “DHL And The Goodshipping Program Reduce Ocean Freight’s Carbon Footprint” Co. Design, “The Creators Of This Algae Plastic Want To Start A Maker Revolution” Advanced Science News, “UV Responsive Bio-based Polymer from Broccoli Seed Oil” Popular Science, “Greek Yogurt Creates A Ton Of Wheyst—But...

By Kathleen M. Roberts On December 14, 2017, General Automation Lab Technologies (GALT) announced that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) awarded Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) a three year $3.5 million grant to improve the growth and efficiency of biofuel-producing algae.  LLNL and GALT will collaborate on the project, which also aims to reduce wasted byproducts of photosynthesis by targeting microbiomes that can more efficiently recycle it back to carbon dioxide...