NASA & Others Start LAUNCH, a Platform to Advance Green Chemistry Using Renewable Sources

LAUNCH is an open innovation platform that was founded by NASA, NIKE, The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and The U.S. Department of State to identify and foster breakthrough ideas for a more sustainable world. LAUNCH aims to move beyond incremental change and make an impact at a system-wide level.

LAUNCH is currently focused on positively transforming the system of materials and manufacturing, which can have dramatic social, environmental and economic impacts on the world. In order to harness the innovation needed to advance this system, LAUNCH has issued a series of global challenges to address key barriers. Its current challenge focuses on green chemistry, a crucial component in a sustainable materials and manufacturing system. A portfolio of approximately 10 innovators will be selected for support, networking, and mentoring from influential business and government leaders.

With this LAUNCH System Challenge: Green Chemistry, LAUNCH seeks innovations that leverage or advance 'green chemistry' to transform the system of materials and manufacturing to one that advances global economic growth, drives human prosperity and replenishes the planet's resources. When referring to green chemistry we are using the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry, the definition which the Environmental Protection Agency also uses, in order to provide a common framing.

LAUNCH SYSTEM CHALLENGE: Green Chemistry seeks innovations in:

• Solutions that reduce the use of hazardous chemicals in materials and processes.
• Solutions that enable the use of low environmental impact, renewable feedstocks.
• Chemistry that enables end-of-life recycling or maximize the potential for closed loop systems while minimizing hazard.
• Solutions that increase energy, water, and raw material efficiency, minimizing the use of constrained resources.
• Solutions that maximize community, worker, consumer, and environmental safety from hazardous chemicals.
• Enabling models, education, and tools to help industry and consumers select greener chemistry alternatives.

Source: LAUNCH

Genomatica to Focus on Nylon Intermediates for 3rd Set of Biobased Processes in Development

Genomatica announced that major nylon intermediates – including hexamethylenediamine, caprolactam and adipic acid (HMD, CPL and ADA) – are the focus of its third publicly-disclosed development program. Genomatica is developing complete process technologies for the biobased production of these intermediates, which it will then license to major firms in the nylon value chain. These three chemicals, with a total market of over $18 billion per year, are used primarily in the production of nylon 6 and nylon 6,6, also referred to as the polyamides PA 6 and PA 6,6.

Genomatica has been building a comprehensive set of nylon program assets over the last few years. The nylon program builds on a large body of intellectual property (IP), which includes but is not limited to eight issued U.S. patents and numerous pending applications worldwide, as well as trade secrets that include engineered strains, with some of the IP developed internally and some from a recent IP acquisition. A number of the concepts described by Genomatica’s patent filings have been validated in experimental proofs of concept, demonstrating feasibility. These include the successful demonstration of certain metabolic pathways; production of certain nylon intermediates in various microorganisms; and efficient methods to produce and recover certain nylon intermediates from the fermentation.

Genomatica’s nylon intermediates program follows commercialization and licensing of its GENO BDO™ process, and strong progress with its butadiene program, which has gained over $100 million in industry support, with Versalis and Braskem as anchor partners.

Nylon intermediates program targets important advantages

Genomatica is focused on developing biobased processes that deliver the exact same chemicals as those made with petroleum-based feedstocks, along with better overall economics and greater sustainability. For nylon intermediates, Genomatica’s processes are intended to provide on-purpose alternatives to current processes while avoiding the price volatility or limited supply sources of current raw materials such as benzene or adiponitrile. Genomatica’s technology also has the potential to avoid unwanted byproducts and waste streams characteristic of many current processes.

Genomatica’s integrated biotechnology platform, which combines process engineering, predictive computer models, and experimental biotechnology, has been key to Genomatica’s confidence in the feasibility of delivering commercially-advantaged processes in this field.

Development of commercial processes for nylon intermediates is expected to take several years, and follow a sequence of technical, partnership, scale-up and commercialization milestones.

Program sponsors gain opportunity for advantageous positions

As with its butadiene program, Genomatica is inviting leaders in the nylon value chain to join as development partners for its nylon intermediates program. Development partners have the opportunity to engage throughout the program, influence priorities and gain early access to the resulting process technology. Genomatica believes that such access can provide important time-to-market and competitive advantage to program sponsors.

Supporting quotes

“Genomatica’s team, broad IP portfolio and integrated biotechnology platform enable us to develop processes for multiple high-volume chemicals,” said Christophe Schilling, Ph.D., CEO of Genomatica. “Nylon intermediates are of high interest to us, and a natural target for our R&D and process engineering strengths. We’re excited to formally unveil our nylon program.”

Source: Genomatica

Fabri-Kal's Plant-based Greenware® On-The-Go Boxes Earn USDA's Biobased Certification

Foodservice packaging supplier, Fabri-Kal, recently announced that Greenware® On-The-Go Boxes have been recognized for being made entirely from plants, earning the USDA Certified Biobased Product Label. Containing 100 percent biobased content, the containers provide foodservice operators an innovative packaging solution to present food for grab-and-go consumption, increased consumer appeal and reduced environmental impact.

Under the USDA BioPreferred™ program, products are labeled "biobased" if they are composed wholly or significantly of biological ingredients, such as renewable plant material. The fundamental goals of the USDA BioPreferred™ program include spurring the development of the biobased industrial base to meet sustainability goals, enhancing energy security by substituting biobased products — such as Greenware® products — for petroleum-based products and promoting products that reduce environmental impact.

"Fabri-Kal's mission to act responsibly is demonstrated in our extensive line of annually renewable, plant-based products for foodservice operators," said Chuck Garlock, Vice President Sales & Marketing, Fabri-Kal. "Earning the USDA Certified Biobased Product Label affirms our commitment to the environment and our customers."

Greenware® On-The-Go Boxes allow the flexibility to display an assortment of creative food combinations and are available in 2-, 3- and 4-compartment designs that are shrink-band compatible for tamper evident applications. Crystal-clear, durable and stackable, the boxes have a compact, square shape to maximize cold case and shelf space.

Greenware® On-The-Go Boxes are the newest member of the Greenware® family, which includes cold drink cups in seven sizes and portion containers in three sizes. Matching flat and domed lids as well as cup inserts are available. All Greenware® products are made from Ingeo™ biopolymer, a PLA resin derived entirely from plants. All Greenware® products are made in the USA from plant sources that are domestically-grown and annually renewable. Greenware® is 100 percent compostable in actively managed municipal or industrial facilities, which may not exist in your area. Not suitable for backyard composting.

Source: Fabri-Kal

Teijin to Open Teijin FRA Tire Cord Co. in Thailand to Promote Auto Rubber Materials

Teijin Limited and Teijin Frontier Co., Ltd., the Teijin Group's fiber product converting company, jointly announced that they will accelerate their automotive rubber materials business in Thailand by establishing Teijin FRA Tire Cord (Thailand) Co., LTD. in partnership with Ayaha Corporation, a Japanese company specializing in tire cord production. Teijin also announced that it will expand the production capacity for automotive hose cord at a separate subsidiary, Teijin Cord (Thailand) Co., Ltd.

The Teijin Group will develop midstream business by accelerating sales to Asia's expanding automotive industry, aiming to strengthen its local supply of automotive rubber materials, such as tire cord and hose cord, to customers in China and the ASEAN region.

The new joint venture will be established on the premises of Teijin (Thailand) Limited located in Bang Pa-in Industrial Estate, Ayutthaya, in June. It will begin operating with a 16,000-ton annual capacity from October 2015. The company will start with capital of 380 million baht (11.7 million USD), which will be shared in the ratio of Teijin–10%, Teijin Frontier–56.66% and Ayaha–33.34%.

The new tire cord plant will be equipped with twisting, weaving and adhesion facilities. Combining Teijin and Ayaha's advanced processing technologies and Teijin Frontier's converting capabilities, the plant will produce highly processed rayon, aramid and PEN (polyethylene naphthalate) tire cords for high-performance tires that will help meet the expanding demand for automotive fuel efficiency. It also will produce polyester and nylon tire cords for general tires.

Future plans call for Teijin Cord (Thailand) Co., Ltd. to expand its automotive hose cord business as of April 2015. The company will increase its adhesion facility's annual capacity by 70% at a cost of 29 million baht (900,000 USD). Teijin Cord (Thailand) is located in the Rojana Industrial Park of Ayutthaya.

Sustainable transportation is one of five key business fields that the Teijin Group is targeting for long-term corporate growth. By optimizing the group's global production and sales structure, it now aims to expand its markets for automotive rubber, interiors and safety material.

Source: Teijin

DSM Showcased Dyneema® Force Multiplier Tech.-based Vehicle Armor Solutions at Eurosatory

At Eurosatory 2014, DSM Dyneema, the manufacturer of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMwPE) fiber, branded as Dyneema®, and among the world leader in life protection materials and high-performance fibers, showcased innovative vehicle armor solutions based on its industry-leading Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology. Aerospace and naval armor solutions from TenCate Advanced Armour and Rheinmetall Ballistic Protection GmbH, respectively, leverage this radical breakthrough in protection to address three major trends for light tactical interdiction vehicles: new operating environments, increasing weight from electronics and extended fuel supply chains. Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology platform delivers exceptional ballistic performance and the lightest weight and lowest profile for enhanced protection.

"We are spotlighting two major vehicle protection applications to showcase the extreme performance and multiple benefits of Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology," said Shitij Chabba, Global Business Segment Director, DSM Dyneema. "These game changing aerospace and naval solutions from two industry leaders epitomize the value of our revolutionary technology platform for vehicle armor and build on our success in personal protection applications. Our ongoing collaboration with both TenCate and Rheinmetall demonstrates the disruptive power of Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology to drive the evolution of leading-edge ballistic protection."

Both TenCate and Rheinmetall selected Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology to help strengthen their competitiveness in the fast-changing operating environments of light tactical vehicles for military, law enforcement and homeland security operations. In general, asymmetrical, unconventional warfare, low-intensity conflicts and homeland security needs have dramatically altered the traditional missions of smaller vehicles requiring enhanced light weight armor protection. Finally, they help meet the need for better fuel efficiency, which can reduce operating costs, expand vehicle range and enhance sustainability.

In contrast to vehicle armor made from traditional materials such as ceramics, glass, and aramid that can negatively impact speed, agility, range and payload capacity, solutions engineered with Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology can reduce weight by up to 25 percent.

Built on DSM Dyneema's Radical Innovation Platform, this technology combines breakthroughs in polymer science, next-generation UHMwPE fiber technology and unique uni-directional engineering.

Two Innovative Companies Change the Game in Aerospace Armor:

"We are very proud of our new helicopter armor solution made possible by DSM Dyneema's technology, expertise and support," said Steen Tanderup, Managing Director, TenCate. "The exceptional armor technology and low weight of Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology made it an obvious candidate as we set out to develop our solution. We know our customers in the aerospace sector will be very satisfied with the results."

Close Collaboration Brings Innovation to Naval Sector:

"Rheinmetall is known for innovative, high-quality naval solutions — a reputation that stems from creating consistently superior products," said Onno't Hart, Managing Director, Rheinmetall Ballistic Protection. "We are able to achieve this quality by selecting only top suppliers as collaboration partners, companies that bring their own valued solutions. With DSM Dyneema's advanced technology and expertise, we were able to pioneer a uniquely lightweight armor solution for our new anti-piracy protection solutions that does not compromise on protection."

Dyneema® and Dyneema®, the world's strongest fiber™ are trademarks of DSM. Use of these trademarks is prohibited unless strictly authorized. 
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.


Source: DSM

EPA Honors FRX Polymers with Environmental Merit Award for its Flame Retardant Plastics

FRX Polymers, Inc. (FRX), a manufacturer and marketer of Nofia®, a family of environmentally friendly inherently flame retardant plastics, announced that it has recently been awarded an EPA Environmental Merit Award. The company was presented the award during the EPA New England Merit Awards ceremony on April 22, 2014 at Faneuil Hall, Boston, MA.

The EPA's New England Environmental Merit Awards program honors businesses, among others, who have made outstanding contributions on behalf of the region's public health and natural environment.

In the last few years FRX Polymers has taken several important steps in making its products available globally, including the December 2013 start-up of its first commercial scale plant. Nofia® replaces halogenated flame retardants, which are widely used and are being phased out due to toxicity concerns. Nofia® products have been registered globally and have a very favorable toxicological profile. Also, Nofia® products are produced using sustainable green chemistry principles as FRX's process is solvent free, creates no waste biproducts and has near 100% atom efficiency.

"EPA sends our congratulations to FRX Polymers, a great example of an innovative New England company that is making a real difference by making products that reduce risks to human health and reduce environmental damage. EPA gave FRX Polymers a 2014 Environmental Merit Award for their development of safer alternatives to toxic, persistent brominated flame retardants, providing many industries with a safer solution for their product needs," said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA's New England office.

"We are honored to receive this award and we thank the agency for acknowledging our efforts and congratulate the other winners," said Marc Lebel, President and CEO. "This award represents what we are trying to accomplish — create a product that has a real need in the marketplace, while addressing an urgent need to protect our environment with sustainable products."

Source: FRX Polymers, Inc.

Industrial land sale in Chennai (India)

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