In Montana, Rivertop Renewables announced a $1.5 million bridge round investment in the company from Cultivian Ventures. This funding will allow Rivertop to continue the commercialization of its first products – sustainable, high performing, cost-competitive, bio-based detergent builders and corrosion inhibitors. It will also allow the company to expand their facilities for continued research and […]
In California, a group of top researchers announced the launch of the VTT/MSI Center for Bioengineering, focused on basic and applied research for engineering cells and molecules. The Center is located in Berkeley. The VTT/MSI Center for Bioengineering will include international, collaborative research projects between researchers at the Molecular Sciences Institute of Berkeley and VTT […]
In the United Kingdom, Compisax has developed a 100% compostable, bioplastic waterproof rain coat. The raincoat has a small clay ball that contains either cucumber or tomato seeds, that should sprout after planting the raincoat in your garden. The bioplastic is sourced from potato starch, and is appropriately dubbed, the SpudCoat.
In Italy, Cereplast has completed the purchase of a manufacturing plant in Assisi, that will serve as the hub for the company’s European bioplastics production. This initiative enables Cereplast to further expand its capabilities to produce and deliver bioplastic products to the European marketplace. Italian bank Monte De Paschi di Sienna is providing funding that […]
In Iowa and Maryland, DuPont and Plant Sensory Systems have entered into a collaboration to evaluate proprietary genes for increasing nitrogen use efficiency in corn. Dupont will recieve an exclusive, worldwide research and commercial license to nitrogen use efficiency genes for corn. This agreement complements Pioneer’s ongoing research related to NUE. Corn products developed using […]
In Massachusetts, Novomer was selected for the prestigious 2011 ICIS Innovation Award. Lauded as the “Innovation with Best Environmental Benefit,” for their work in pioneering a family of plastics, polymers and other chemicals from renewable feedstocks such as carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. The award recognized Novomer in particular for their use of carbon dioxide […]
In France, Arkema’s Technical Polymers business has strengthened its Rilsan fine powder solution for water treatment and water desalination applications through a new working partnership with RMB Products, Inc., which specializes in large-scale coating of steel piping in the fabrication and plastic lining/coating of large metal structures. Rilsan is manufactured from a vegetable-based, renewable resource. […]
In California, UC San Diego researchers have unraveled the complete biochemical reaction chain for the synthesis of auxin, the plant growth hormone, which regulates almost all plant growth and development. Using genetic approaches and analytical biochemistry, the researchers identified the two step chain of tryptophan to indole-3-acetic acid in Arabidopsis, a genetic model plant. The […]
In Japan, Teijin announted that it has developed film and sheet versions of its BIOFRONT highly heat-resistant bioplastic, which already is available as fiber and resin, opening up many new possibilities for this versatile, plant-based bioplastic. BIOFRONT film and sheet can be used for a wide range of applications, including packaging and printing substrate requiring […]
In California, Solazyme, announced that they will begin producing its lead microalgae derived food ingredient, Whole Algalin Flour, at Roquette’s commercial production plant in Lestrem, France. It is anticipated that the 300 metric ton Phase I facility will be completed on-schedule by year end 2011 and operational in early 2012. This facility will be expanded […]
