In Washington, Reuters reports that Senator Chuck Grassley believes that the fate of the ethanol industry is in the hands of the secretary of agriculture after Senate Republicans failed to include specific support to biofuel industries in its most recent COVID-19 bailout package proposal. The $1 trillion HEALS proposal allots $20 billion to the agriculture […]
Today, let us mark the passing of Larry Johnson, following a stroke. Johnson was 76. He was formerly the president of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association and a director of the National Corn Growers Association, , he was “the Ethanol Answer Man” to many, a friend to all, a long-time Minnesota farmer whose embrace of […]
By Joel Stone, ConVergInce Advisers and member of Lee Enterprises Consulting Special to the Digest Many of those who have listened to me talking about the transition to a bioeconomy, have heard and seen my presentations regarding the use of existing bioethanol infrastructure and facilities to be expanded into producing an array of value-added products. […]
At ABLC Digital, Anellotech shared their vision of converting large volumes of mixed waste plastics directly into valuable chemicals using their Plas-TCat technology and they talked about progress with the new joint venture company with 12 Japanese cross-industry partners to make it all happen. From how they got here to where they are going, check out […]
In Switzerland, textile company HeiQ is seeing an uptick in interest for its virus-killing technology. Two fashion brands, Warp + Weft and DL1961, have begun using HeiQ’s Viroblock, which imparts sanitizing properties to jeans and creates a germ-resistant surface. Certified 72% biobased, Viroblock is added during the manufacturing process and kills 99.9% of COVID-19 within […]
In New Jersey, Lycored, a company commercializing pigments and health supplements based on lycopene, has invested millions to more than double production. Lycopene is a carotenoid found in tomatoes and other red produce. The investment included a new production facility in Branchburg, New Jersey that will help support expansion into new markets globally. “The expansion […]
In the Netherlands, footwear company Mercer Amsterdam has announced it will launch a sneaker made from wine waste, recycled polyethylene terephthalate, and algae-based ethylene vinyl acetate. Dubbed W3RD Wine Pack, Mercer Amsterdam partnered with Vegea for the wine waste material. The company says the soft vegan leather is made from the waste skins, stalks, and […]
In France, shoe brand Veja is set to launch a vegan sneaker manufactured using corn waste. Dubbed Urca, the shoe is the next generation of Veja’s V-12 leather trainers. The vegan leather is made from 50% corn waste and waxed canvas, while the laces are organic cotton. The sneakers are part of the company’s fall/winter […]
In California, CAGE Bio Inc. says it has discovered a novel hand sanitizer that kills germs on contact and provides more than four hours of protection against COVID-19. The sanitizer contains ethyl alcohol to remove contamination and a proprietary ionic liquid technology comprised of natural compounds—called IonLast—that extends antiviral protection. Conventional hand sanitizers only offer […]
In Germany, a recent trade show has illustrated how “all in” the home goods is on incorporating renewable materials into products. Heimtextil 2020, held in pre-pandemic Frankfurt, featured products manufactured using everything from banana waste to fig bark. Qwstion, headquartered Switzerland, showcased cloth totes made with its Banatex-brand banana-plant fiber, while the Netherland’s Nienk Hoogvliet […]
