HEMP Biodiesel

 Did You Know Biodiesel is safe to handle and transport because it is as biodegradable as sugar, 10 times less toxic than table salt, and has a high flashpoint of about 300 F compared to petroleum diesel fuel, which has a flash point of 125 F Biodiesel can be made from domestically produced, renewable oilseed crops such as hemp.

Why Hemp Biodiesel?

Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel that runs in any conventional, unmodified diesel engine.

It can be stored anywhere that petroleum diesel fuel is stored. Biodiesel is safe to handle and transport because it is as biodegradable as sugar, 10 times less toxic than table salt, and has a high flashpoint of about 300 F compared to petroleum diesel fuel, which has a flash point of 125 F.

Biodiesel can be made from domestically produced, renewable oilseed crops such as hemp. Biodiesel is a proven fuel with over 30 million successful US road miles, and over 20 years of use in Europe.

Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel in the US to complete EPA Tier I Health Effects Testing under section 211(b) of the Clean Air Act, which provide the most thorough inventory of environmental and human health effects attributes that current technology will allow.

New Project to Develop Biodegradable Packaging System Using Avocado Waste

 AIMPLAS announces the development of the GUACAPACK Project to make use of waste produced when avocados are processed for use in food items and extend the shelf life of prepared products. Funded by the Valencian Innovation Agency (AVI), the project is led by the company ITC Packaging and the Universidad de Alicante’s research group on Polymer and Nanomaterial Analysis (Nanobiopol-UA) is also taking part.

Extended Shelf Life of Food by 15%:

The project aims to develop a new biodegradable packaging system from renewable sources that also extends the shelf life of food by 15%, thanks to a label with oxygen barrier function that prevents the oxidation of food, and to the incorporation of natural antioxidants extracted from the avocado itself, which also helps reduce the use of synthetic preservatives.

To achieve this, starch from the avocado seed will be extracted and purified to obtain a film that can be used to make multilayer IML labels that have oxygen barrier properties and prevent the oxidation of food. In addition, the active components of waste avocado skin and flesh with a high antioxidant capacity will be obtained and used as a component of a bioplastic (PLA) that will be injected molded to manufacture the packaging system. When food contacts this system, its shelf life will be extended by 15%.

Value-added Use of Agri-food Waste:

This option provides an alternative to the use of synthetic additives, as well as a new, high value-added use for agri-food waste to obtain biodegradable packaging from renewable sources. The project is therefore fully aligned with circular economy criteria.

This project will also help achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 3 on Good Health and Well-Being, SDG 9 on Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, and SDG 12 on Responsible Consumption and Production.

Source: AIMPLAS

India to augment hydrogen supply chain infrastructure

 India will augment its hydrogen supply chain infrastructure as it looks to accelerate plans to generate the carbon-free fuel, which may have an edge over other non-fossil fuel sources, Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said. “Hydrogen has great potential to emerge as a future source of energy,” he said. “The enthusiasm about hydrogen has a simple reason — whether it’s used in a fuel cell or burned to create heat, wherever hydrogen replaces fossil fuels, it slows global warming.”

Carbon-free hydrogen can be produced from fossils fuels, such as natural gas or coal, by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using a current of electricity. Hydrogen thus generated can be used as a transport fuel.

However, hydrogen supply and distribution in India face challenges such as high production costs and complimentary infrastructure requirements.

Speaking at a roundtable on hydrogen economy, Pradhan said the government is “committed to augmenting the hydrogen supply chain infrastructure in the country”, including integrating it with flagship programs like SATAT that generates compressed biogas from municipal and agri waste.

Stating that work was on pilot projects to produce blue hydrogen (from fossil fuels) and green hydrogen (from renewable sources), he said hydrogen was being blended with compressed natural gas (CNG) for use as a transportation fuel as well as an industrial input to refineries.

“Fifty buses in Delhi are plying on CNG blended with hydrogen on a pilot basis. We plan to scale it up in the coming months across the major cities of India,” he said.

Pradhan further said various initiatives for the greater use of hydrogen in India’s energy mix are being taken, including the recent budget announcement of a National Hydrogen Mission for making a hydrogen roadmap for the country.

Indian refineries, he said, are planning to leverage the available surplus hydrogen capacities for meeting the initial demand in mainstreaming hydrogen.

One of such projects is underway at Gujarat refinery of Indian Oil wherein the combination of hydrogen production through natural gas and its hyphenation with the carbon capture technology will result in the production of blue hydrogen.

Multiple buses powered by fuel cells will be covering various iconic routes.

“Efforts are underway to leverage the vast CNG pipeline infrastructure to reduce the transportation cost of hydrogen,” he said.

Stating that global efforts are focused on finding ways to develop a hydrogen economy, he said the contours of India’s energy transition roadmap include the development of emerging fuels, particularly hydrogen.

“Energy is integral to support our fast-growing economy. We are developing an energy sector which will be growth-centric, industry-friendly and environment-conscious,” he said. “This requires ample access to affordable energy to improve the lives of Indians coupled with the need to have a smaller carbon footprint.”

Source:Economic Times

Europe could operate 40,000 km of hydrogen pipelines by 2040 - operators

Europe could devote 40,000 km (24,800 miles) of natural gas pipelines to hydrogen by 2040 once production and imports of the alternative fuel take off, transmission systems operators (TSOs) said on Tuesday.

The hypothetical European hydrogen backbone scenario envisages how elements of 2020 "green" hydrogen strategies at the European Union and national level will fit together, said speakers during an industry webcast involving 23 grid operators from 21 countries.

On the road to decarbonization, European policymakers aim for the region to produce, transport, and market green hydrogen from renewable energy via electrolysis to replace “grey” hydrogen from gas and to substitute oil products across manufacturing industries and in heating and transport.

"We have found that it is technically possible and economically feasible to use the existing gas infrastructure to create this hydrogen backbone," chief coordinator Daniel Muthmann said during the webcast.

"It helps to integrate large amounts of renewable energy and it creates the basis for a liquid, cross-border market for renewable and low-carbon hydrogen," said Muthmann, who is head of corporate development, strategy, policy and communication at Open Grid Europe (OGE), a leading grid operator.

The TSOs estimate related costs at between 43 billion euros ($51.30 billion) and 81 billion euros.

Some 69% of the proposed hydrogen network could consist of repurposed natural gas pipelines, they said.

The remaining 31% would be needed to connect future hydrogen consumers in countries with currently few gas grids, but foreseeable high hydrogen demand and production.

The TSO report said transportation costs could be 0.11-0.21 euros per kg of hydrogen, which it estimated at a future production cost of 1-2 euros per kg.

Skeptics of the hydrogen drive argue that natural gas is not emissions-free and green hydrogen still uncompetitive.

Source:reuters.com

India’s first-ever floating LNG storage, regasification unit arrives:

 India’s first floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) FSRU Höegh Giant has arrived at H-Energy’s Jaigarh Terminal in Maharashtra on Monday, April 12, 2021, from Keppel Shipyard, Singapore.

An FSRU is a special type of ship used for transiting and transferring Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) through the oceanic channels.

The 2017-built Höegh Giant has a storage capacity of 170,000 cubic metres and an installed regasification capacity of 750 million cubic feet per day (equivalent to about 6 million tonnes, per year). H-Energy has chartered the FSRU for a 10 year period. Höegh Giant will deliver regasified LNG to the 56-kilometre long Jaigarh-Dabhol natural gas pipeline, connecting the LNG terminal to the national gas grid.

The facility will also deliver LNG through truck loading facilities for onshore distribution, the facility is also capable to reload LNG onto small-scale LNG vessels for bunkering services. H-Energy also intends to develop a small-scale LNG market in the region, using the FSRU for storage and reloading LNG onto smaller vessels.

Darshan Hiranandani, chief executive officer, H-Energy, said, “This will be India’s first FSRU based LNG regasification terminal, which marks a new chapter in India's mission for accelerated growth of LNG infrastructure. FSRU based LNG Terminals aim at providing the ability to enhance the pace of natural gas import capability in an environment-friendly and efficient manner”.

“We are committed to the growth of the LNG market in India. We aim to contribute to the overall development of the natural gas value chain, aligned with the prime minister’s vision of increasing the share of natural gas in India’s energy mix from precent 6 percent to 15 percent by 2030,” he added.

With the berthing of the FSRU Höegh Giant, the LNG regasification terminal will be ready to start testing and commissioning activities soon.

H-Energy has developed the LNG terminal in accordance with world-class engineering & safety standards. The LNG terminal is located at JSW Jaigarh Port in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra, on the west coast of India. The port is the first deepwater, 24/7 operational private port in Maharashtra.

H-Energy
H-Energy has been established to offer environmentally safe and sustainable energy solutions. H-Energy is currently developing LNG regasification terminals and cross-country pipelines on the west and east coast of India. These infrastructure projects will entail investments of up to $2.0 billion.

Source:Itln.in

Terpene Technologists Report Anti-Covid Breakthrough

 CANNABIS CULTURE – Israeli-based Technologies firm Eybna says a recently discovered combination of terpenes and CBD has the potential to manage the symptoms of COVID-19, and may even prevent infection altogether. 

We used our database and advanced data-mining and formulation design methodologies to research and isolate terpenes with elevated anti-inflammatory properties and optimize their ratios.” Says Nadav Eyal CEO and co-founder of Eybna. “This enabled us to develop and manufacture a patented data-driven terpene formulation that is effective, safe, and synergetic.

For the last 6 years, Eybna has been studying the therapeutic benefits of the cannabis plant and its phytochemicals for use in adult wellness products.  When COVID-19 first emerged, Eybna partnered with CannaSoul to analyze the potential of terpenes and cannabis phytotoxins.  Eyal states, “With the lack of safe anti-inflammatory pharmaceutical drugs, we decided to put our knowledge and formulation technology to the test – by demonstrating their efficacy versus dexamethasone, a steroid which has many unknown side effects. The results of this study exceeded our expectations.”  

NT-VRL terpene composition is being peer-reviewed in 11 studies currently, including studies that show protective agents could also prevent inflammatory illnesses in vitro directly related to COVID-19.  Testing is starting with Human Coronavirus strain E229 (HCoV-E229), which has similar properties to COVID-19 but is regarded as safer to work within lab settings.  There are a variety of COVID-19 strains now active worldwide, and Eybna plans to work with these in the near future.  

In reference to Eybna’s discovery and its value in relation to the pandemic, the journal Life wrote, “Even though the vaccination of the world’s population against COVID-19 has begun and is expected to proceed gradually, there is no clear expectation of completion. However, some individuals will not be vaccinated due to personal choice or health limitations. In addition, several population groups such as younger age groups will be the last to get vaccinated. A natural antiviral solution with minimal side effects that can be used alone or in conjunction with vaccines as a preventative treatment may be a safe and relatively easy way to reduce infection in those populations.”

Eybna looks forward to being able to continue their research into highlighting the proven scientific benefits of cannabis and evolving it into effective, safe, targeted use.  According to Eyal, “Research and technology are quickly evolving to help access the huge untapped potential of terpenes. We believe that we are positioned to have a major contribution to that evolution, and we’re working hard to continue investigating the full scope of cannabis phytochemicals functional uses for health and wellness.”

NT-VRL is already on the market along with partners such as Esteem and Provacan and Loop Labs with products such as the Nano Mist Inhaler and Oral Spray canister designed to optimize delivery, with more planned to be introduced to the US, Canada, and EU markets in Q3 of 2021.  

Eybna is currently expanding by opening a new facility in the United States and developing new partnerships, and their research potential is expected to continue to grow exponentially.  Cannabis has so much still-unrealized potential in the medical field, and Eybna plans to be at the forefront of this progress. 

European Plastic Industry Faces Extreme Raw Material Shortage and Price Increase

 The European plastics converting industry is facing severe shortages of raw materials and extreme price increases never experienced. This situation is threatening the economic survival of numerous SMEs but also endangering the production of countless products, ranging from applications in the building and automotive industry to essential goods for the food packaging and pharmaceutical supply chains.

Increased Raw Material Scarcity Impacting Businesses

The more than 50,000 SMEs that form the plastics converting industry in Europe are under severe pressure, still recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and now faced with a raw material scarcity that not only dramatically increased their cost of production but threatens to stop it altogether.

Recent surveys amongst plastics converters in several Member States have shown that more than 90% of them are affected by this supply crisis and many are forced to reduce their production and accept less or no new customers to be able to honor their existing agreements. If this situation continues further, the supply of essential goods for the food and pharmaceutical industries will no longer be guaranteed.

According to EuPC managing director Alexandre Dangis, “Manufacturers of plastic products all over Europe are experiencing serious bottlenecks in the supply of raw materials since the beginning of this year. Delivery problems have become increasingly widespread, affecting raw materials for example (not limited) such as polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, and polyethylene, as well as special additives that are crucial for the manufacture of compounds and plastic products.”

“The serious market disruptions currently taking place all over Europe are a symptom of the structural imbalance in Europe between the local production of and demand for raw materials and additives. Without restoration of that balance, periodic recurrence of gross disruption of the production chain is highly likely. Ultimately, end customers will also suffer damage due to disruptions in the delivery of (semi-) finished products.”

Limited Switch to Recycled Materials

In many cases, a switch to recycled material is only feasible to a limited extent. In several applications, legal safety regulations, technical hurdles, and quality requirements currently prevent the wider use of recycled materials. Especially for the mentioned essential goods. Recyclates are not available in sufficient quantities and consistent quality yet. Where recyclates are established alternatives, prices are rising significantly to parallel virgin material - and availability is declining.

“Europe is a net importer for polymer raw materials and is therefore above-average vulnerable to market disruptions. The current shortages are caused by the improving global economy in combination with exports of plastics from Europe to Asia and North America. Logistical problems due to a shortage of containers to Europe also contribute, as does the lower production of plastics in the USA. Furthermore, the demand for certain raw materials used for protective articles against COVID-19 is extremely high. In addition, we see an unprecedented great number of declarations of force majeure,” said Ron Marsh, chairman of the Polymers for Europe Alliance.

Source: EuPC