Ultramid polyamide of BASF to be used by Italon for production of sustainable yarn

BASF is again in discussion in the world of sustainable materials for offering it’s renewable raw material for production of yarns. Ultramid polyamide, the renewable raw material of the company is being used by Italon for production of sustainable nylon. Italon, is a textile manufacturer based in Taiwan that works for development of products based on renewable sourced materials.

Read more about this news here - http://www.bioplasticsmagazine.com/en/news/meldungen/20150305-BASF-makes-fashion-sustainable.php

According to Dr. Ramkumar Dhruva, Senior VP of Monomer Asia Pacific, BASF, the company works for replacement of fossil feedstock completely which is required for production of Ultramid polyamide with proven renewable material. During this process, it works for maintenance of high performance properties. The process is significant here for the reason that using biostock for production of ultramid polyamide helps in reduction of emission of greenhouse gases and saves fossil resources. He further adds that as consumers pay more attention now on the basic process of production of their clothes and kind of raw materials being used from eco-friendly point of view, it is important to introduce revolutionary changes in this field. The idea of employing mass balance method of creating fashion for sustainability is mind-blowing to leave good impact on environment. Also, application of ultramid polyamide does not require any modification in production process.

The Caserta plant of GFBiochemicals to become the biggest producer of Levulinic acid from biomass

GFBiochemicals, the biobased chemicals group in Italy has specialized in the research, development and manufacturing of various fuels and chemicals which are based on biomaterials. The company is going to start commercialization of levulinic acid as a result of proprietary breakthrough technology. Levulinic acid is nothing but a basic chemical having special potential for replacement of petroleum based products in biofuel and chemical industry. As the product is derived from biomass such as bagasse, manure, brewery waste and biomass, it is biodegradable. According to a latest study about Levulinic Acid Market, the market of this product has been analyzed for growth at a CAGR of 4.52 percent during the period of 5 years from 2014 to 2019.

Read more about this news here - http://www.bioplasticsmagazine.com/en/news/meldungen/20150303-Commercialization-Levulinic-Acid-from-GFBiochemicals.php

The company is working on development and testing of the processing technology from 2008. According to spokesperson of GFBiochemicals the commercial production of Levulinic acid will begin in Italy plant this year. An innovative production line in Caserta has been planned with efficiency of 2,000 MT that will make the plant the biggest producer of levulinic acid in the world. Designing and operational features of data have been planned with the prospectus of future production estimating the annual capacity for scaling up to 8000 MT per year by 2017.

BioAmber starts to commission the Sarnia Commercial Plant

One of the leading industrial biotechnology companies on international level, BioAmber Inc. made an announcement for beginning of commissioning the bio-succinic acid plant situated in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. The plant bears 30K MT capacity; start up of the plant may take about five months with the service of commercial operation. The project costs US$125 million as per an approximate budget +/- 10 percent.

Read more about the news here - http://www.bioplasticsmagazine.com/en/news/meldungen/20150304-BioAmber-commissioning-Sarnia-plant.php

The Company expects construction to be completed in two months and it is carrying out commissioning and start-up activities in parallel. The cost of the project continues to track within the original budget estimate of US$125 million +/- 10%. CEO of the company, Jean-Francois states that this is an important step for BioAmber that will start a period of swift growth. Further he adds that the commissioning phase will involve testing of the plant and start up of sales of products in order to meet goals. During this period, the company will also plan seeking reliable customers for take-or-pay contracts.

This new plant in Sarnia will become the biggest manufacturing unit of succinic acid of the world. The company has signed multiple supply agreements with non binding volume commitments increasing the capacity of the plant.

Study on biodegradation promoting additives for plastics has been done at Michigan State University

A study has been carried out at Michigan State University that displays the additive touted for promotion of biodegradation of PET and polyofins. Posted by the American Chemical Society, the study has been titled as ‘Evaluation of Biodegradation-Promoting Additives for Plastics’. The study is being recognized as an attempt for putting some uncertain things by investigation of influence of biodegradation promoting additives for plastic products. Under the study, effects of three various kinds of biodegradation promoting additives has been investigated under aerobic degradation, active anaerobic digestion and soil burial environment. All the three additives have been chosen on the basis of their oxo additive, non-oxo additive and a combination of both of these properties.  

Read more about the news here - http://www.bioplasticsmagazine.com/en/news/meldungen/20150302-biodegradation-promoting-additives-don-t-work.php

As per the authors, the basic research has been carried out for evaluation of all three types of environments for PE and both the additives in all the above mentioned environments. The research has been carried out with the objective of detailed understanding of effects of disposal of these polymers in the environment. The conclusion is that anaerobic and aerobic biodegradation cannot be considered as feasible disposal routes for non-compostable plastics bearing any of the tested biodegradation promoting additives.