TerraVerdae Marks a Significant Milestone in Biobased PHA Production

TerraVerdae BioWorks Inc, an industrial biotechnology company developing advanced bioplastics and performance biomaterials from environmentally sustainable sources, announced that it has reached a major milestone—creation of its proprietary technology at a commercial scale. It has completed the scale-up optimization of its process to produce biodegradable PHA bioplastics from waste-derived methanol. 

Funded by a major grant from Alberta Innovates Bio Solutions, TerraVerdae’s process uses “green” methanol from, forestry, municipal, agricultural or industrial waste sources, instead of petroleum or sugar-based sources. The bioprocess produces polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), a biobased and biodegradable bioplastic that is the starting material for a range of advanced biomaterials utilized in a variety of applications and markets. 

“Our C1 based bioprocess represents a paradigm shift in economics and sustainability compared to traditional food or sugar-based bioprocesses,” said William Bardosh, CEO and founder of TerraVerdae BioWorks. “Successfully reaching this milestone is an important step to our ultimate goal of full commercial production of next generation industrial materials that are sustainable and engineered for performance applications.” 

The project optimized the process robustness and demonstrated the industrial scale economics of integrated methanol and PHA production to achieve productivity and competitiveness for commercial deployment. 

“Our C1 based bioprocess is very adaptable to a variety of high performance biomaterials,” continued Bardosh. “The first of our products using this technology, biodegradable microspheres, are a natural substitute for plastic microbeads commonly used in personal care and cosmetic products like toothpaste and body scrubs. We are also developing a range of additional performance products for the $200 billion global bioproducts market, including biodegradable 3D printing filaments, specialty films and performance coatings.” 

Source: TerraVerdae BioWorks 

Polymer Failure & Defects: Case-Histories of Problem Solving

This uniquely practical and industry’s UN-RIVALED course, to be offered in Atlanta, GA, USA, SEPT 22-24, 2015, “Polymer Failure & Defects: Problem Solving Case-Histories” has been attended by 500+ participants with representation from premier global companies. A highlight of the course is the presentation of 50+ Case-Histories of $MM business impact via skilled investigation of problems; solutions backed by PATENTS, PUBLICATIONS in prestigious journals & documented COMMERCIAL VALUE. There will be a major presentation on “How to Identify Innovation Opportunities During Routine Technical Operations”. 

EXAMPLE #1: During occasional longer breaks, the extruder froze resulting in lengthy tear-downs & cleaning, thus adversely affecting the productivity. "Melt-Polycondensation" was established as the root-cause. Rather than changing the “near Impossible” manufacturing process for the plastic resin, a change in lubricant system with an unexpected catalytic effect, solved the problem. The Case-History leading to $10M+ in preserved business will be discussed including technical fundamentals & product development. 

EXAMPLE #2: Multi-layered film upon shipping from Location-A to the Location-B shrank consistently by 0.5% along the TD creating "Nipping" problems during thermoforming. Upon returning the reject lots back to Location-A, only 0.2% shrinkage was identified, consistently. Both measurements were correct, although different. After understanding the root-cause, solution was based on handling the reversible effect of %RH differences at the A vs B locations and the irreversible effect of post-crystallization before slitting at Location-A. 

For more information, please visit 
http://innoplastsolutions.com/bio/courses.html

MHG Announces Large Scale PHA Production Using 1st Commercial Scale Fermenter

MHG’s Chief Executive Officer, Paul A. Pereira announced the company has become the world’s largest producer of PHA with the startup of their first commercial scale fermenter. This event, along with an advanced technology platform, continues to place MHG at the forefront of the bioplastics industry. 

This new fermentation vessel places MHG in an ideal position to meet the product delivery needs of their manufacturing customers worldwide. MHG has been working over the last couple years to ramp up the Bainbridge facility and in 2013, they brought in a world-class engineering and construction group to design and build out the plant. This expansion included the ordering and installation of custom equipment that will allow MHG to produce even greater quantities of PHA in the near future. 

“Every single person, whether they are inland or on the coast has been affected in some way by plastic debris,” remarked Pereira. “The plastic we have seen and touched will be there for several generations, adversely affecting our environment. At MHG, we believe PHA is the solution for a healthier planet and operating this new fermentation vessel will allow us to increase production of this solution to combat the problem of plastic waste.” 

MHG previously partnered with Tate & Lyle, global provider of specialty ingredients and solutions to test the scalability of Nodax™ PHA. The production rates and titers achieved exceeded the metrics needed for commercial production viability. This confirmed that MHG’s PHA can be scaled for commercialization. 

MHG’s PHA possesses properties that perform equal to, if not better than, most petrochemical plastics. Due to its unique molecular structure, MHG’s PHA can be custom formulated to create different types of polymers based on the specific purposes and client’s needs. The PHA can be used to manufacture many items commonly made of petroleum plastics including toys, cups, straws, utensils, single use plastic bags and many other disposable items that are entering the waste streams worldwide. Because products manufactured from NodaxTM PHA biodegrade in three months to one year, they provide a solution to plastic pollution and accumulation when used instead of conventional plastic. 

MHG’s PHA has been certified to degrade in soil, fresh water, marine water, industrial compost and home compost by Vinçotte International. The PHA is also approved for food substance contact by the FDA. 

In addition to this new piece of customized equipment, MHG will be presenting at the International Conference on Biopolymers and Bioplastics, which will be taking place August 10th through the 12th in San Francisco. 

Source: MHG 

General Motors uses advanced composites from CSP in its 2016 Chevrolet Corvette

“Through a joint continuous improvement effort, Chevrolet and CSP have significantly reduced the density of the Corvette body panels – from 1.9 specific gravity for the 2013 model year, to 1.6 specific gravity for the 2014 model year to 1.2 for the 2016 model year,” said Christopher Basela, Lead Engineer for Corvette Body Composites. 

The mass savings afforded by TCA Ultra Lite is accomplished through the use of a CSP-patented technology that uses treated glass bubbles to replace some of the calciumc carbonate filler, resulting in a lighter density material. On the C7, a total of 21 body panel assemblies, including doors, decklids, quarter panels and fenders, are molded from TCA Ultra Lite. 

When combined with CSP’s patented vacuum and bonding manufacturing processes, TCA Ultra Lite offers a premium Class A finish with paint and gloss qualities comparable to metals, including aluminum. The material is able to withstand the E-coat process, and passes all OEM paint tests. It also offers reduced costs at all volumes – and for production volumes under 150,000, tooling costs for composites can be as much as 50 to 70 percent less than those for stamping steel or aluminum. 

Source:cspplastics 

Bio-on and Cristal Union build France’s first facility for the production of PHAs bioplastic

An agreement signed yesterday by Italian biotech company Bio-on and Cristal Union will see France’s first facility for the production of PHAs bioplastic from sugar beet co-products.
The two companies, operating in sustainable biochemistry and sugar, alcohol and bioethanol production, will work together to build a production site with a 5 thousand tons/year output, expandable to 10 thousand tons/year.

Requiring a 70 million euro investment, the facility will be located at a Cristal Union site and will be the most advanced biopolymers production site in the world. The new factory will create 50 new jobs specialised in fermentation to produce this revolutionary bioplastic.

PHAs, or polyhydroxyalkanoates, are bioplastics that can replace a number of traditional polymers currently made with petrochemical processes using hydrocarbons. The PHAs developed by Bio-on guarantee the same thermo-mechanical properties with the advantage of being completely naturally biodegradable.“We are investing in purchasing the license for this new technology developed by Bio-on,” says Cristal Union CEO Alain Commisaire, “because this all-natural bioplastic is an extraordinary tool that can contribute towards the growth of the French sugar industry, but with a modern, eco-compatible and eco-sustainable approach”.

“We will create Europe’s first PHAs production facility with France’s leading sugar production and trading company,” explains Bio-on S.p.A. Chairman Marco Astorri.

“We have granted the first technological license in line with our expectations and will also be creating a cutting-edge collaboration for management and development of the promising high-performing biopolymers business developed by Bio-on S.p.A. and produced in France by Cristal Union”.The collaboration between Bio-on and Cristal Union reaches an important milestone and adds another building block in the construction of the platform for bioplastic production in the future.

$2 Million federal grant awarded for Port Angeles Composite Recycling Technology Center

The U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration announced a $2 million grant to the Port of Port Angeles to retrofit a building that will house the industrial and workforce training facilities for the Composite Recycling Technology Center (CRTC). 

“The Obama Administration has taken unprecedented steps to support workforce development and green initiatives and is deeply committed to strengthening America’s workforce and protecting the environment,” said Secretary Pritzker in the U.S. Department of Commerce news release. “This EDA investment supports recycling and environmental stewardship and will provide critical job training in Washington.” 

This federal grant was made possible by a $1 million commitment from the Washington State Clean Energy Fund, combined with an additional $1 million in local government funds for the needed dollar-for-dollar match. 

"This $2 million federal grant brings the Composite Recycling Technology Center one step closer to its goal of converting composite waste materials from our state’s advanced manufacturers into innovative new products,” Governor Jay Inslee said. “I’m pleased that our Clean Energy Fund matching grant contributed to this important funding milestone for the center. This is a tremendous example of a community with a vision for how clean technology will create jobs and opportunity to secure its economic future.” 

The Washington Legislature this year approved $40 million for 2015-17 Clean Energy Fund 2. The CRTC plans to apply for $1.35M in equipment funding, to be matched with local funding sources, to complete the final funding package needed for the CRTC to become operational. 

"Washington is already leading in carbon fiber production. Now we want to lead in carbon fiber recycling,” Senator Cantwell said. “Port Angeles is leading the way, and the Department of Commerce grant will help this community solve some of the recycling challenges,". Senator Cantwell has proposed S. 1432, the Carbon Fiber Recycling Act of 2015 (bill text and bill summary, to study technology and energy savings of recycled carbon fiber and directs the Department of Energy to collaborate with the automotive and aviation industry to develop a recycled carbon fiber demonstration project. At the hearing for this bill in front of the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, Sen. Cantwell commended the Port for their leadership and vision in converting a displaced workforce and unused facilities into an innovative market that is creating local jobs, reducing landfill waste and saving energy by recycling scrap fibers. According to Sen. Cantwell’s opening statement; “The commissioner and her colleagues are working on innovations in composite materials that help improve fuel efficiency, whether we’re talking about automobiles or aerospace—and that market is expected to grow to $26 billion by next year.” 

“I’m proud to support the Port of Port Angeles in their work to provide workforce training and economic growth in the region in an innovative way,” said Senator Murray. “This investment in the Composite Recycling Technology Center will help support the Port's efforts to lay down a strong foundation for long-term economic growth and job creation that would benefit the community, the environment, and the local economy.” 

“This investment is recognition that our region is ready to be a hub for composite breakthroughs” said Representative Derek Kilmer. “When the new facility opens its doors it will help us grow quality jobs and show the rest of the nation how we can turn yesterday’s recycled parts into tomorrow’s advanced products. Everyone involved had their oars in the water, everyone rowed in the same direction. As a result, now we are seeing progress for the community.” 

For more polymer related news,you can visit my blog http://polymerguru.blogspot.in

Evonik Expands Production Capacity of C4-based Products

Evonik Industries has strengthened its position in C4-based products and has successfully, and on time, put into operation new production plants in Antwerp (Belgium). Also in the Marl Chemical Park (Germany), the C4 capacities are being increased. For this, the company has invested a total amount in the three-digit million ranges (Euro) in the two sites. 

The new plants result in an expansion of capacities for butadiene in Antwerp, for the plasticizer alcohol Isononanol (Marl) as well as for the antiknock agent MTBE (Marl and Antwerp). According to market analyses, the global demand for these products increases by two to five percent per year. 

"By expanding our C4 capacities and the necessary and important investments into the supply of raw materials at our sites, we are sustainably strengthening our market positions. At the same time we are supporting our customers’ growth plans in Europe and worldwide," said Klaus Engel, Chairman of the Executive Board of Evonik. 

With long-term supply contracts, Evonik has sustainably ensured the raw material supply for the operation of the new plants. As a technology leader, Evonik has also for the first time made FCC- C4 material flows from refineries usable. This demonstrates Evonik’s technological excellence on C4 and is an important contribution to a sustainable production. 

Evonik has been a globally leading provider of C4 - based products such as butadiene, MTBE, isobutene, 1-butene, INA (Isononanol) as well as 2-PH (2-propylheptanol) and DINP (diisononylphthalat) for a long time. For this, Evonik operates integrated large-scale plants for the processing of C4 raw materials. The group offers its customers long-term logistics competence and an excellent global service network. 

With the expanded production networks in Antwerp and Marl, Evonik wants to further develop and strengthen its market positions in C4 chemistry for the long-term. 

Butadiene is mainly used in synthetic rubbers, for example for the manufacturing of tires. Furthermore, there is a wide range of application for elastomer and plastics. 

The anti-knock agent MTBE (Methyl -tert.-butylether) increases the octane number of fuels in petrol engines and results in an improved combustion of fuels in the engines. This way, MTBE contributes to a better air quality. 

Isononanol (INA) is mainly used as an alcohol component in the manufacturing of PVC plasticizers. Plasticizers based on INA are characterized by excellent properties, both in the plastisol and thermoplastic processing.

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