CTS 2.0 can convert virtually any plant material -- grasses, wood, paper, farm waste, yard waste, forestry products, fruit casings, nut shells, and the cellulosic portion of municipal solid waste -- into sugars and subsequently into biofuels, and bioplastics, without the use of enzymes or liquid acids. CTS stands for Cellulose to Sugar. The cellulose is converted into sugar and lignin. The sugar is further converted into bio-ethanol and other biofuels; the lignin may be further converted into bioplastics. The company notes that biofuel originating from the CTS process will receive the generous D3 cellulosic Renewable Fuel Credits (RINs) which are currently $1.40/gallon of ethanol. (Source: Alliance Bioenergy, PR, 9 April, 2020) Contact: Alliance Bioenergy Plus, Inc., Ben Slager, CEO,
Ben.slager@alliancebioe.com; www.Alliancebioe.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Cellulosic, Biomass, Alliance BioEnergy, Biomass, Biofuel,
Since 2018, Novozymes has released four yeast solutions as part of its Innova platform. Yeast and its development are a strategic growth area where Novozymes will continue working with innovation partners in the industry. Its Innova yeast products are the result of a dedicated development partnership with Microbiogen to bring new yeast technology to the market.
Australian-based Microbiogen is an industrial biotechnology company specializing in the development of improved, industrial yeast strains, according to the company website. (Source: Novozymes, PR, GreenCar Congress, 11 Feb. 2020) Contact: Novozymes, Brian Brazeau, VP Bioenergy Commercial, Peder Holk Nielsen, CEO, Michael Burns, Biorefining Business Development North America,(919) 496-6926, www.novozymes.com;
Microbiogen, Geoff Bell, CEO, (02) 9418 3182 geoff.bell@microbiogen.com,
www.microbiogen.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Microbiogen, Novozymes , Yeast, Ethanol,
Fortiva is added into liquefaction the same as traditional alpha amylase technologies, but once introduced, it solubilizes more difficult starch than all other amylases on the market
Novozyme's Innova Force targets ethanol plants seeking flexibility to achieve operational targets without sacrificing performance. It allows producers to achieve throughput and yield targets without losing ethanol yield to common stressors, such as high temperature and organic acids. Force gives producers the flexibility to push for yield without compromise, and to choose the format that best fits their operation, dry or cream.
Usimat will also deploy ICM's Selective Milling Technology (SMT) and Base Tricanter System (BTS) to improve ethanol and corn oil recovery yields while reducing enzymes and chemical usage. In total, the ICM technologies packages will increase ethanol, corn oil, and DDG yields, and provide operational efficiencies.
(Source: ICM, Bioenergy, 18 Jan., 2019) Contact: Usimat, Marcos Altenburger, CEO, www.novacana.com/usinas_brasil/fabrica/usina-usimat; ICM Inc., David VanderGriend, CEO, (316) 796-0900, www.icminc.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News ICM, ICM Ethanol, DDGs,
Attis has successfully converted the pulp extracted from its patented biomass processing into high yields of sugar using Novozymes' proprietary enzyme cocktails.
Initially, Attis and Novozymes will focus on optimizing the value of the biotechnology utilized in the Attis process. (Source: Attis Industries, Chemical Engineering, Jan., 2019) Contact: Attis Ind., Jeff Cosman, CEO, 678-580-5661, www.attisind.com; Novozymes, Peder Holk Nielsen, President and CEO, Tina Sejersgard Fano, VP Bioenergy, +45 44 46 00 00, www.novozymes.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Attis Industries, Novozymes, Biofuel,
In the study, the glucosidase enzyme that helps break down the complex carbohydrates present in biomass was modified the chemical structure of the enzyme to let it withstand heat of up to 137 degree C so that it can be used in ionic liquids instead of the usual water. The scientists found that the combined effect of heat resistance and solubility in ionic liquids increased the glucose output 30-fold. If the technique is taken up on a large scale, fuel-related carbon emissions could fall by 80-100 per cent.
According to researcher Dr. Alex Brogan, "We've made bioprocessing faster, which will require less equipment and will reduce carbon footprint. One major advantage of this will be increased biofuel production -- potentially helping biofuels become more widespread as a result. Furthermore, this alteration can be applied to a wide variety of enzymes, for various applications such as making fuels from waste and recycling plastics, thereby making bioprocessing more efficient." (Source: Imperial College London, Coherent Times, 24 Nov., 2018)Contact: Imperial College London, Department of Chemical Engineering, Dr. Alex Brogan, +44 (0) 20 7594 9028, www.alexbrogan.co.uk
More Low-Carbon Energy News Imperial College London, Biofuel,
The research is intended to create a way to protect and enhance enzymes in the process to turn organic material into fuel. Ceballos will use a protein derived from microorganisms that live in acidic geothermal pools and springs to enhance the conversion process.
(Source: University of Arkansas, 30 Aug., 2018)
Contact: University of Arkansas, Prof. Ruben Michael Ceballos, 479-575-5643,
ceballos@uark.edu, https://ceballoslab.uark.edu; National Science Foundation, www.nsf.gov
More Low-Carbon Energy News National Science Foundation, University of Arkansas, Biofuel,
Novozymes also noted that organic sales growth for the bioenergy segment is expected to be driven mainly by new product launches and innovation. (Source: Novozymes, AgraNet, Various Media, 14 Aug., 2018) Contact: Novozymes, Tina Sejersgard Fano, VP Bioenergy,
+45 44 46 00 00, www.novozymes.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Novozymes , Enzymes, Bioenergy, Biofuel,
Syngenta's patented Enogen corn has enzymes genetically engineered into the kernels. Ethanol plants normally purchase enzymes to help turn corn starch into sugar as part of the fermenting process. Enogen is classified as an "identity preserved crop" and must either go to the ethanol plants that contract for it or be used as livestock feed. The product is presently being used or tested in over 30 ethanol plants nationwide, including Tharaldson Energy at Casselton, N.D., and Midwest AgEnergy Group plants at Spiritwood, N.D., and Underwood, N.D.
Syngenta International, which was acquired by China's state-run enterprise ChemChina in 2017, operates research and development facilities in Research Triangle Park in North Carolina and in Beijing.
(Source: Syngenta, New Age Business, United News of Bangladesh, 8 Aug., 2018) Contact: Syngenta, Eric Fyrwald, CEO, +41 61 323 11 11, www.syngenta.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Syngenta, Biouel Feedstock, Enogen,
The new process utilizes an artificial pathway and highly active enzymes to create cells which have excellent isoprene-synthesizing capability. The new technology is used to make cells which have the capability to generate isoprene from a biomass (sugar) that serves as the starting material. The in-vivo generated isoprene is then polymerized to achieve synthesis of polyisoprene rubber. The research project effectively leveraged the cell design and plant science technologies of the RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science (CSRS) to develop this new technology.
The technology can be used for butadiene-based synthetic rubber and other diene rubbers, according to a Yokohama release. (Source: Yokohama Rubber Co., Tires & Parts, Aug., 2018) Contact: Yokohama Rubber , www.y-yokohama.com/global
More Low-Carbon Energy News Biomass, Sugar Biomass,
Cellulase enzymes assist in hydrolyzing the corn kernel fiber which, broken down, releases more sugars to be fermented into ethanol.
Ethanol from corn kernel fiber may qualify for D3 RINS under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) which encourages producers to utilize non-starch components of grains and other waste products in the production of biofuels.
Initial product prototypes have proven successful in both laboratory and ethanol plant scale testing, and more evaluations are planned, the companies say.
(Source: ADM, DuPont, World-Grain, 21 June, 2018)
Contact: DuPont Industrial Biosciences, Troy Wilson, www.biosciences.dupont.com; ADM, Juan Luciano, Pres., CEO, (312) 634-8100, Collin Benson, VP Bioactives, Jackie Anderson, ADM Media, (217) 424-5413, media@adm.com, www.adm.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Archer Daniels Midland , DuPont Industrial Biosciences, Cellulosic, Enzyne,
In the wild, Ctx is nature's best cellulosic degrader, and since it is anaerobic, the technology has the potential of lowering enzymes costs via onsite CelZyme production, using part of the biomass as its feedstock.
WDL has developed a core competency for the isolation, selection, cultivation and engineering of Clostridia, a long known but less understood class of bacteria, with promising applications in biochemicals and fuels.
Cincinnati, Ohio-headquartered AdvanceBio provides renewable chemical and fuel process technology development and design services globally to first generation producers as well as companies developing second-generation, cellulosic ethanol processes.
(Source: White Dog Lab, PR, Business Wire, June, 2018) Contact: White Dog Lab., Bryan Tracy, (302) 220-4763,
btracy@whitedoglabs.com, www.WhiteDogLabs.com; White Dog Labs Israel, Alon Karpol, akarpol@whitedoglabs.com;
AdvanceBio, Dale Monceaux, monceaux@advancebio.com,
www.AdvanceBio.com; BIRD Foundation, Dr. Eitan Yudilevich, Executive Director, +972 3 698 8300, (650) 752-6485, www.birdf.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News White Dog Labs, BIRD Energy, ,
In the collaboration, BASF's enzyme portfolio will be used for applications in liquefaction and fermentation to improve fermentation performance. LBDS will use its TransFerm yeast product line which it claims provides increased ethanol yields and reduces the need for glucoamylase addition.
The BASF company portfolio is organized into five segments -- chemicals, performance products, functional materials & solutions, agricultural solutions and oil & gas.
LBDS supplies fermentation ingredients and 'value creating services' to the global fuel ethanol and distilled beverage industries. (Source: BASF, LBDS, PR, Biofuels Int'l, 12 June, 2018) Contact: Lallemand, Jim Steele, CEO, Angus Ballard, Pres., (815) 721-6165, www.lallemandbds.com; BASF Enzymes, Dirk Daems, Drector of Operations, (858)451-8500, https://www.bloomberg.com/profiles/companies/VRNM:US-basf-enzymes-llc, www.basf.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News BASF, Enzymes, Lallemand Biofuels, Ethanol,
The new XCELIS platform also will feature an online partner community for the industry, GRAIN CHANGERS. This online community and innovative product offerings represent a new age for DuPont's XCELIS biorefinery team. By improving performance, efficiency and fuel ethanol yields, XCELIS helps ethanol producers reach their goals with new products, tools and technologies.
"These three products are -- quite simply -- game-changers for the fuel ethanol market. Our team has done it once again -- listened to customer needs, engineered cutting-edge enzyme and yeast technologies and worked hand-in-hand with ethanol producers to bring products to market that provide the best possible yields and new options for efficiency," the release says. (Source: DuPont Industrial Biosciences,
PR, June, 2018) Contact: DuPont Industrial Biosciences , Judy Underwood, Global Marketing Leader Grain Processing, Wendy Rosen ,
(650) 284-6429, www.dow-dupont.com, http://biosciences.dupont.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News DuPont Industrial Biosciences , Ethanol, Biofuel, Enzymes,
Novozymes said ethanol fuel is one of the major opportunities the company sees in China, which plans to push nationwide use of bioethanol-gasoline blends by 2020 to cut emissions and fossil fuel consumption.
With a 48-pct market share in industrial enzymes, Novozymes provides biological solutions for producers of ethanol, bread, detergent and textiles in 130 countries. (Source: Xinhua, Novozymes, 27 May, 2018)
Contact: Novozymes, Sara Dai, Asia Pacific Regional Pres., +45 44 46 00 00, www.novozymes.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Novozymes, Enzymes, Ethanol,
Enogen is classified as an "identity preserved crop" and must either go to the ethanol plants that contract for it or be used as livestock feed.
The product is presently being used or tested in over 30 ethanol plants nationwide, including Tharaldson Energy at Casselton, N.D., and Midwest AgEnergy Group plants at Spiritwood, N.D., and Underwood, N.D.
(Source: INFORUM, AgWeek, 20 May, 2018) Contact: Syngenta, Jack Bernens, Enogen Technology Leader, (202) 737-6520, www.syngenta.com; Enogen, (877) 436-0436, www.enogen.net;
Tharaldson Energy, www.tharaldsonethanol.com; MidwestAgEnergy Group, www.midwestagenergygroup.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Tharaldson Energy, Syngenta, Enogen, Corn, Ethanol Corn Ethanol, AgEnergy Group ,
The plant processes as much as 10 tpd of agricultural waste in a single day using a pre-treatment phase that converted the waste into a form that was more digestible by microbial enzymes which can be reused for over 50 cycles.
(Source: DBT-ICT Centre for Energy Biosciences, The Hindu, 1 April, 2018)Contact: DBT-ICT Centre for Energy Biosciences, Prof. Arvind Lali, +91 22 2414 5616, www.dbt-ceb.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Biofuel, Ethanol, AgWaste-toEthanol,
A major focus of research at JBEI, and in the broader community of biofuel researchers, is the production of industrially and commercially relevant fuels and chemicals from renewable resources, such as lignocellulosic biomass, rather than from petroleum. The enzyme discovered in this study will enable the first-time microbial production of bio-based toluene, and in fact, the first microbial production of any aromatic hydrocarbon biofuel.
The enzyme discovery resulted from the intensive study of two very different microbial communities that produced toluene. One community contained microbes from lake sediment, and the other from sewage sludge. Since microbes in the environment are a reservoir of enzymes that catalyze an extraordinarily diverse set of chemical reactions, it's not unusual for scientists working in biotechnology to source enzymes from nature.
The toluene-synthesizing enzyme discovered in this study, phenylacetate decarboxylase, belongs to a family of enzymes known as glycyl radical enzymes (GREs). The radical nature of GREs allows them to catalyze chemically challenging reactions, such as anaerobic decarboxylation of phenylacetate to generate toluene.
In fact, metagenome analyses revealed that these microbial communities each contained more than 300,000 genes - the equivalent of more than 50 bacterial genomes. Another challenge was that the anaerobic microbial communities and many of their enzymes were sensitive to oxygen, forcing the scientists to manipulate cultures and enzymes under strictly anaerobic conditions.
The discovery process combined protein purification techniques used by biochemists for decades, such as fast protein liquid chromatography, with modern metagenomic, metaproteomic, and associated bioinformatic analyses, some of which were carried out in collaboration with the Joint Genome Institute, a DOE Office of Science User Facility. An important component of the discovery process was to validate the researchers' predictions of the toluene biosynthesis enzyme with experiments using highly controlled assays involving purified proteins.
The researchers believe that their study results have implications for fundamental and applied science. From a biochemical perspective, the study expands the known catalytic range of GREs, and from a biotechnological perspective, it will enable first-time biochemical synthesis of an aromatic fuel hydrocarbon from renewable resources.
(Source: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 26 Mar., 2018) Contact: DOE Joint BioEnergy Institute, www.jbei.org; LBNL, Harry Beller, Snr. Scientist, JBEI scientific lead, (510) 486-7321, HRBeller@lbl.gov,
www.lbl.gov
More Low-Carbon Energy News JBEI, LBNL, Enzyme, Biofuel ,
Novozymes claims that during fermentation, Innova Drive produces a higher-performing glucoamylase enzyme. Apparently, this enzyme is twice as effective as glucoamylases produced by other yeast products when it comes to converting sugar into ethanol.
(Source: Noovozymes, Feb., 2018) ,
Contact: Novozymes, Peder Holk Nielsen, CEO, Michael Burns, Biorefining Business Development North America, Peter Halling, VP Biofuel, (919) 496-6926, www.novozymes.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Novozymes, Yeast, Enzymes, Biofuel,
Alkol Biotech adapts plant varieties to grow in colder and drier climates, offering better resistance to pests and diseases, along with higher productivity. The first crop it is developing is EUnergyCane, a sugarcane variety.
BRD is a commercialization partner in Bioforever (BIO-based products from FORestry via Economically Viable European Routes), a consortium of 14 companies in Europe that aims to build a biorefinery to produce products normally sourced from oil. The consortium includes Avantium, Borregaard, Royal DSM, Green Biologics and MetGen. The consortium is addressing several pre-treatment technologies for the production of intermediates, such as cellulose, C5 and C6 sugars, lignin and humins. The consortium aims to create conversion routes from the intermediates to a variety of building blocks and end products, such as carbon binders, butanol, resin acid, enzymes and furan dicarboxylic acid (FDCA), and to demonstrate lignocellulosic value chains at pre-industrial scale for some final products.(Source: BRD, PR, Alkol Biotech, Jan., 2018) Contact: Bio Refinery Development BV, Anton Robek, CEO, +31 62 00 16964, amfrobek@brdbv.com, www.brdbv.com; Alkol BioTech Ltd., +44 20 3475 8387, www.alkolbiotech.co.uk; Bioforever, www.bioforever.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Bio Refinery Development, Biomass, Alkol BioTech, Bioforever, Biomass,
Merritt says by taking the cellulosic feedstock -- corn stover, cobs, leaves, husks -- and processing it so that enzymes and yeast can access the cellulosic sugars, it then ferments them into biofuel. The process benefits biofuel plants as well as farmers and the environment, according to Merritt. (Source: POET DSM, WNAX Radio, 6 Nov., 2017)Contact: POET LLC, Jeff Broin, CEO, Jeff Lautt, Pres., COO, (605) 965-2200, www.poet.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News POET DSM, Cellulosic, Ethanol, Corn stover,
The Indian research partner in IndZyme, VINSTROM, has collected microbial cultures from wildfire-prone areas of Indian rainforests and proven that they have a higher-than-normal resistance to inhibitor chemicals. During the project, these microbial cultures will be screened for new, more inhibitor-resistant cellulase enzymes as well as LPMO enzymes, whose activity may even be boosted by inhibitor chemicals. The next step will be studying the efficiency of these new enzymes in breaking down agricultural waste, such as straw, into fermentable sugars. The project will involve developing new enzyme screening methods and producing new information about compounds that inhibit or promote enzyme activity.
Lignocellulosic agricultural waste is among the most common renewable biomass resources. In Europe, wheat straw is one of the most abundant agricultural waste products. India has ample stocks of bagasse, the fibrous matter that remains after sugar cane stalks are crushed to produce sugar, but it is currently disposed of by incineration, causing considerable local emissions.
The three-year IndZyme project consortium consists of VTT (Finland), VINSTROM (India), RWTH (Germany) and the University of Tartu (Estonia). VINSTROM will screen the microbial cultures, after which VTT will analyse them for the enzymes they produce. RWTH will fraction the inhibitor compounds generated by biomass processing, after which VTT and the University of Tartu will characterise the enzymes and study their interactions with inhibitors. The project
The VTT coordinated project has a total budget of approximately €1 million. VTT and the Academy of Finland have together allocated €400,000 towards the project . (Source:
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd, PR, 2 Nov., 2017) Contact: VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland,
Kristiina Kruus, Research Prof., +358-50-520-2471, kristiina.kruus@vtt.fi,
www.vtt.fi
More Low-Carbon Energy News VTT news, Enzymes news,
The new 50,000 tpy plant will be constructed in southwestern Romania. technology at commercial scale thus supporting Clariant's Sunliquid® licensing business strategy. To further focus on the commercialization of bio-ethanol, licenses and enzymes, the company has established a new Business Line Biofuels & Derivatives, as part of the Business Area Catalysis. The new plant is expected to break ground in 2018 for startup and production in 2020when it will process approximately 250.000 tpy of locally sourced wheat straw and other cereal straw into fuel.
Clariant's Sunliquid® technology offers a completely integrated process using already established process technology. In order to achieve a strong commercial performance, feedstock production is integrated into the technology, alongside process specific enzymes and simultaneous C5 and C6 fermentation.
(Source: Clariant, NewsWire, Nasdaq, 31 Oct., 2017)
Contact: Clariant, Markus Rarbach, Head of Start-up Business Biofuels & Derivatives, Hariolf Kottmann, CEO, +41 61 469 5111,
Anja Pomrehn, Inv. Relations, +41 61 469 67 45
anja.pomrehn@clariant.com,
www.clariant.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Clariant, Cellulosic Ethanol, Biofuel,
The center's work will identify the enzymes and computationally predict biosynthetic pathways within clostridia that are necessary to produce biofuels, develop a technology platform for accelerating testing and pinpoint which iterations produce the highest yields, then demonstrate a Biosystems design approach to engineer clostridia for improved production of next-generation biofuels and bioproducts. (Source: Northwestern University Center for Synthetic Biology, Oct., 2017) Contact:
Northwestern Center for Synthetic Biology, syntheticbiology.northwestern.edu;
LanzaTech, Dr. Jennifer Holmgren, CEO, (630) 439-3050, jennifer@lanzatech.com, www.lanzatech.com; ORNL Center for Bioenergy Innovation, (865) 576-8141, www.ornl.gov
More Low-Carbon Energy News Biofuel, Biochemical, LanzaTech, ORNL, ,
Clariant’s sunliquid technology will be used alongside starter cultures from its proprietary enzyme and yeast platform to process Enviral feedstock into cellulosic ethanol.
The sunliquid technology offers a completely integrated process using already established process technology. In order to achieve a strong commercial performance, feedstock production is integrated into the technology, alongside process specific enzymes and simultaneous C5 and C6 fermentation. (Source: Clariant, Biofuel Int’l. 18 Sept., 2017) Contact:
Enviral, Matej Sabol, CEO, +421 33/735 2411, www.enviral.sk/en; Clariant, Hariolf Kottmann, CEO, +41 61 469 5111, www.clariant.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Clariant, Cellulosic Ethanol,
Yin specializes in bioinformatics, a blending of biology and computer science for analysis of highly complex biological data. He specifically seeks to shed light on enzymes known as carbohydrate active enzymes, or CAZymes, which are responsible for the synthesis, degradation, modification and recognition of all carbohydrates. Microbes use CAZymes to break down plant carbohydrates into simple sugars, which can be further converted into biofuels and other biomaterials.
Yin's research team will develop computer tools to better identify CAZymes from newly sequenced microbial genomes, sequence the genome of a green alga (Zygnma circumcarinatum) and peer into the evolutionary processes within early plants.
Yin will collaborate with Scott Grayburn, director of biology's Molecular Core Lab, on the algal genome sequencing work.
(Source: NIU News, 5 Sept., 2017) Contact: NIU, Professor Yanbin Yin, Prof. Scott Grayburn, (815) 753-0638, sgrayburn@niu.edu, www.niu.edu; National Science Foundation, www.nsf.gov
More Low-Carbon Energy News National Science Foundation, Algae, Biofuel,
According to the report, Novozymes' bioenergy division generated 18 pct of company's sales during the first six months of 2017.
The company
currently supplies enzymes to five biomass conversion facilities. (Source: Novozymes, Various Media, Aug., 2017)
Contact: Novozymes, Peder Holk Nielsen, CEO, Michael Burns, Biorefining Business Development North America, Peter Halling, VP Biofuel, (919) 496-6926, www.novozymes.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Novozymes, Biofuel, Enzymes, BViofuel Blend,
According to study senior author Shishir P. S. Chundawat, an assistant professor in the Rutgers Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering , "The bottom line is we can cut down the cost of converting biomass into biofuels." Typically, the enzymes tapped to help turn switchgrass, corn stover and poplar into biofuels account for 20 pct of production costs. Enzymes cost about 50 cents per gallon of ethanol, so recycling or using fewer enzymes would make biofuels more inexpensive.
"The challenge is breaking down cellulose (plant) material, using enzymes, into sugars that can be fermented into ethanol. So any advances on making the enzyme processing step cheaper will make the cost of biofuel cheaper. This is a fairly intractable problem that requires you to attack it from various perspectives, so it does take time," according to Chundawat.
(Source: Rutgers Univ., AAAS, EurekAlert, Public Release, 5 July, 2017)
Contact: Rutgers Univ., Prof. Shishir Chundawat http://www.rutgers.edu
More Low-Carbon Energy News Cellulosic, Biomass, Biofuel, Enzymes, Corn Stover,