Mining bio-ore for nickel
Two weeks ago I visited Cyprus to discuss a pilot project as part of our Alyssum initiative. The alyssum plant can absorb nickel and can concentrate extremely high levels of this metal in its tissues when grown in the right soil. We want to prove that this can be developed into an economically feasible mining
Algae: researchers move away from energy
Algae are not going to be the solution to our energy problem. It’s their low productivity, says prof. Kevin Flynn of Swansea University to NNFCC. It’s their high production costs, says Elie Duran, director of Phycosource, to Formule Verte. Which boils down to the same problem, aggravated by present low energy prices. Researchers redirect themselves
Natural fibre composites: a natural look and feel, and sustainable
Natural fibre composites are plastics reinforced with natural fibres: mostly wood, bamboo, flax or hemp. They are increasingly used in consumer goods like watchcases, toys, combs and trays. The unique look and feel of these composites give the impression of a high-value product. German nova-Institute devoted a conference to them this month, the sixth in
Biobased industry review 2015
It’s been another busy year for the biobased chemicals and fuels team at NNFCC; as 2015 draws to a close we take a look at some of the year’s highlights. NNFCC, based in York, is one of the leading European biobased consultancy firms. With their kind permission we re-publish their 2015 review. By Adrian Higson
Lignin makes a take-off across the board, says Ludo Diels (Vito)
Ludo Diels, senior researcher sustainable chemistry at Vito, the Flemish institute for research of sustainable technologies, is very positive about the future of lignin. This third major wood component (after cellulose and hemicellulose) used to be a waste product, useful at most for energy production; now, research institutes and companies develop many applications. Three R&D
Better biomass utilisation in the biobased economy
Nova-Institute, together with industry and universities (notably the University of York), developed a new tool for policy and investment decisions: the Biomass Utilisation Efficiency (BUE). BUE analysis will answer two important questions regarding the bioeconomy and bio-based chemicals: how efficiently is biomass utilised? And: what share of biomass ends up in the final product? On
Another biobased dicarboxylic acid moves toward commercial production, by Verdezyne
At EFIB in Brussels last month, Tom Beardslee proudly presented Verdezyne’s achievements in the production of biobased chemicals. His company will be the first to sell biobased dodecanedioic acid in the market; conveniently called DDDA among insiders. DDDA is a dicarboxylic acid containing 12 C-atoms. It is a component of performance products like 6,12-nylon, used
Biobased economy: slow but steady
Although some impatience can be heard among the stakeholders of the biobased economy, there are developments – slow but steady. Here we highlight some of them, though this might still not convince the sceptics. In a recent article, my colleague Paul Reinshagen reported about the general feeling that more ‘guts’ would be needed to drive
