In Colorado, Gevo announced that it will file a motion for preliminary injunction against Butamax and DuPont to halt ongoing infringement of a Gevo patent covering the production of isobutanol with genetically engineered microorganisms. “Isobutanol is an extremely versatile molecule that can be used for production of everything from the gasoline blendstock of the future to jet […]
In London, Novamont’s Mater-Bi bioplastic is being used by Ecozema and SEDA to supply both catering and packaging at the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. In an article by Plasteurope.com, London Bio Packaging and McDonalds are also using Mater-Bi bioplastic. Mater-Bi is both compostable and biodegradable. The materials were chosen in response to the […]
In California, Genomatica announced it has raised an additional $41.5 million in a Series D round of preferred stock financing. The investment featured strategic partners, including new investor and partner Versalis, the largest Italian chemical company. Existing investors Alloy Ventures, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Mohr Davidow Ventures, TPG Biotech, VantagePoint Capital Partners and Waste Management also […]
In California, Cobalt Technologies and Rhodia announced they will begin joint development and operation of a biobutanol demonstration facility in Brazil. The Cobalt/Rhodia plant will utilize sugarcane bagasse to make n-butanol; bagasse is used at sugar mills to provide process energy to drive the mill and to supply power to the local grid; the Cobalt […]
In Spain, Metabolixannounced that it has signed a letter of intent with Antibioticos S.A. for production of Mirel(TM) biopolymer resin at its manufacturing facility in Leon, Spain. Under the terms of the LOI, Metabolix will begin work immediately with Antibioticos to conduct a series of validation production runs to demonstrate fermentation and recovery of Mirel […]
In Massachusettes, Lux Research’s report, “Pruning the Cost of Bio-Based Materials and Chemicals” states that harvesting technologies can cut feedstock costs by $25/ton. According to Lux Research’s model, algae cultivation yields a 48% loss, calling into question its long-term prospects. The problem lies in the high capital costs for growing algae at industrial scale, which […]
In Colorado, Gevo was awarded its 11th patent by the USPTO, #8,232,089 which futher enhances biobutanol production in yeast. Brett Lund, Excecutive VP and General Counsel stated the patent as another in a series that makes changes in the yeast pathway by eliminating byproducts and improving efficiency, that altogether “… enable a process efficiency exceeding […]
In New York, Transparency Market Research has released a new new market report titled “Biosurfactants Market – Global Scenario, Raw Material and Consumption Trends, Industry Analysis, Size, Share and Forecasts, 2011 – 2018.” According to TMR, the global biosurfactants market was worth USD 1,735.5 million in 2011 and is expected to reach USD 2,210.5 million […]
In Israel, Yissum Research and Development Company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, had introduced a biocontrol agent that is based on naturally-occurring fungi that increase the plant’s resistance to fungal and bacterial infestations as well as enhances growth. It is based on a species of the epiphytic yeast Pseudozyma that isolated from strawberry leaves. […]
In California, iDiverse reports discovering a yeast gene that when inserted into yeast and properly modulated can increase ethanol production yield by up to 34%. “The gene functions by protecting the yeast against some of the lethal stresses encountered in the bioproduction process,” said John Serbin, Chief Business Officer at iDiverse. “Also, our technology is […]
