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Oxo-biodegradable plastics: environment friend or foe
F O C U S for process developers, faced with global warming, energy shortages, waste mountains, air pollution, ozone holes, and financial crises. They have risen to the challenge. Alan E. Comyns *Encyclopedic Dictionary of Named Processes in Chemical Technology, Feb 2014, CRC Press, UK. ISBN 978-1466567764, 416 pp, £95
MARKETS AND BUSINESS Speciality companies in Europe invest in bio-based chemicals production At the European Forum for Industrial Biotechnology & the Biobased Economy (EFIB) held in Brussels, Belgium, on 30 Sep- 2 Oct 2013, several companies discussed their strategies, initiatives, and progress in moving towards a biobased economy in Europe. On 3 Dec 2013, EU Member States adopted the €80 bn Horizon 2020 research and innovation initiative. Most company executives cited the need for funding and consistent policy making in order for Europe to be competitive in industrial biotechnology and to reap its benefits to the fullest. The €2 trillion biotechnology industry could mitigate 1-2.5 M tonne/y of carbon dioxide equivalent in emissions by 2030. According to DSM’s biobased chemicals VP, the company has partnered with biobased companies such as Roquette and Poet to produce biobased materials like rapeseed oil-based thermoplastic elastomer Arnitel Eco. The company has also been developing its own biotech products from renewable feedstocks by fermentation and chemocatalysis. Clariant offers Sunliquid platform technology which uses enzyme fermentation to produce ethanol, C2 chemicals, and cellulosic sugars. Its pilot plant has been operational for four years and is awaiting conversion into industrial scale. In the US, DuPont is about to construct a €160 M commercial scale fuel-grade ethanol plant in Nevada, IA using corn stover as feedstock. The plant with 114 M litre/y is expected to be completed by mid-2014. The process includes milling, pretreatment with ammonia, saccharification, and
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fermentation using bacteria. After 20 years, Novamont, a Mater-Bi starchbased bioplastics and vegetable oilbased polyester producer has become a €160 M/y firm. It has opened a €500 M integrated biorefinery with 680 employees before end-2013. Original Source: Speciality Chemicals Magazine, Jan 2014, 34 (1), 18-20 (Website: http://www.specchemonline.com) © Quartz Business Media Ltd 2014
Global enzyme market to grow steadily and reach $7 bn by 2017 According to a new study by Freedonia Group Inc, global demand for enzymes will rise by 6.3%/y to almost $7 bn in 2017. The report predicts substantial improvements in developing countries with higher demand for such consumer goods as food and beverages, cleaning products and animal feed. The rapid growth of the middle class in such countries as China and India will be a main growth driver. The robust economic and industrial growth will also positively affect a number of industrial enzyme markets. These trends will lead to above-average increases in Central and South America, Eastern Europe, Africa and the Middle East. In speciality markets, demand would improve due to the lower costs of DNA sequencing, which will lead to increased use of enzymes in research and biotechnology and diagnostic applications. However, demand in North America will be limited by the rising opposition to grain-based biofuels and delays in commercializing next-generation cellulosic biofuel technologies. According to Freedonia, it is expecting niche opportunities to emerge with the support of the positive environmental profile offered by enzymes. A table presents world enzyme demand by region from 2007 to 2017. Original Source: Chemical Weekly, 11 Feb 2014, 167 (Website: http://www.chemicalweekly.com) © Sevak Publications & Chemical Weekly Database P Ltd 2014
Speciality enzymes market worth $4317 M by 2018 The report “Specialty Enzymes Market by Source (Microorganism, Plant, Animal), Type (Carbohydrases, Protease, Lipase, Polymerases & Nucleases), Application
(Pharmaceutical, Research & biotechnology, Diagnostic, BioCatalyst), and Geography - Global Trends & Forecasts to 2018”, defines and segments the speciality enzymes market with an analysis and forecast of the global value for speciality enzymes. It also identifies the driving and restraining factors for the speciality enzymes market with an analysis of trends, opportunities, burning issues, winning imperatives, and challenges. The market is segmented and its value is forecast on the basis of major regions such as North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World (ROW). Original Source: MarketsandMarkets, 2014. Found on PR Newswire, 1 Mar 2014, (Website: http://www.prnewswire.com)
Oxo-biodegradable plastics: environment friend or foe As reported by Freedonia, a 19% surge in annual global demand will push bio-based plastics output to 960,000 tonnes by 2017. Oxobiodegradable plastics (OBPs) are made from petroleum-derived polymers containing special additives like d2w to catalyze its oxidation process. OBP proponents like Symphony Environmental Technologies and Bioplastics International have been supported by independent studies conducted by the South African-based Roediger Agencies and UK-based Loughborough University’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)-commissioned study. Organizations such as European Bioplastics, the Biodegradable Products Institute, and the SPI Bioplastics Council have opposed the use of oxobiodegradable plastics due to their alleged negative effects on health and the environment. A group of French MPs has called for their suspension, while the Belgian trade association EuPC has sought a Europe-wide ban. Original Source: Plastics and Rubber Asia, Jan-Feb 2014, 29 (203), 14-16 (Website: http://www.plasticsandrubberasia.com) © Plastics & Rubber Asia Ltd 2014
Strong growth prospects seen for biobased materials and chemicals A report published by Lux Research revealed strong growth for the biobased material and chemical market MAY 2014
MARKETS AND BUSINESS Speciality companies in Europe invest in bio-based chemicals production At the European Forum for Industrial Biotechnology & the Biobased Economy (EFIB) held in Brussels, Belgium, on 30 Sep- 2 Oct 2013, several companies discussed their strategies, initiatives, and progress in moving towards a biobased economy in Europe. On 3 Dec 2013, EU Member States adopted the €80 bn Horizon 2020 research and innovation initiative. Most company executives cited the need for funding and consistent policy making in order for Europe to be competitive in industrial biotechnology and to reap its benefits to the fullest. The €2 trillion biotechnology industry could mitigate 1-2.5 M tonne/y of carbon dioxide equivalent in emissions by 2030. According to DSM’s biobased chemicals VP, the company has partnered with biobased companies such as Roquette and Poet to produce biobased materials like rapeseed oil-based thermoplastic elastomer Arnitel Eco. The company has also been developing its own biotech products from renewable feedstocks by fermentation and chemocatalysis. Clariant offers Sunliquid platform technology which uses enzyme fermentation to produce ethanol, C2 chemicals, and cellulosic sugars. Its pilot plant has been operational for four years and is awaiting conversion into industrial scale. In the US, DuPont is about to construct a €160 M commercial scale fuel-grade ethanol plant in Nevada, IA using corn stover as feedstock. The plant with 114 M litre/y is expected to be completed by mid-2014. The process includes milling, pretreatment with ammonia, saccharification, and
2
O N
C ATA LY S T S
fermentation using bacteria. After 20 years, Novamont, a Mater-Bi starchbased bioplastics and vegetable oilbased polyester producer has become a €160 M/y firm. It has opened a €500 M integrated biorefinery with 680 employees before end-2013. Original Source: Speciality Chemicals Magazine, Jan 2014, 34 (1), 18-20 (Website: http://www.specchemonline.com) © Quartz Business Media Ltd 2014
Global enzyme market to grow steadily and reach $7 bn by 2017 According to a new study by Freedonia Group Inc, global demand for enzymes will rise by 6.3%/y to almost $7 bn in 2017. The report predicts substantial improvements in developing countries with higher demand for such consumer goods as food and beverages, cleaning products and animal feed. The rapid growth of the middle class in such countries as China and India will be a main growth driver. The robust economic and industrial growth will also positively affect a number of industrial enzyme markets. These trends will lead to above-average increases in Central and South America, Eastern Europe, Africa and the Middle East. In speciality markets, demand would improve due to the lower costs of DNA sequencing, which will lead to increased use of enzymes in research and biotechnology and diagnostic applications. However, demand in North America will be limited by the rising opposition to grain-based biofuels and delays in commercializing next-generation cellulosic biofuel technologies. According to Freedonia, it is expecting niche opportunities to emerge with the support of the positive environmental profile offered by enzymes. A table presents world enzyme demand by region from 2007 to 2017. Original Source: Chemical Weekly, 11 Feb 2014, 167 (Website: http://www.chemicalweekly.com) © Sevak Publications & Chemical Weekly Database P Ltd 2014
Speciality enzymes market worth $4317 M by 2018 The report “Specialty Enzymes Market by Source (Microorganism, Plant, Animal), Type (Carbohydrases, Protease, Lipase, Polymerases & Nucleases), Application
(Pharmaceutical, Research & biotechnology, Diagnostic, BioCatalyst), and Geography - Global Trends & Forecasts to 2018”, defines and segments the speciality enzymes market with an analysis and forecast of the global value for speciality enzymes. It also identifies the driving and restraining factors for the speciality enzymes market with an analysis of trends, opportunities, burning issues, winning imperatives, and challenges. The market is segmented and its value is forecast on the basis of major regions such as North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World (ROW). Original Source: MarketsandMarkets, 2014. Found on PR Newswire, 1 Mar 2014, (Website: http://www.prnewswire.com)
Oxo-biodegradable plastics: environment friend or foe As reported by Freedonia, a 19% surge in annual global demand will push bio-based plastics output to 960,000 tonnes by 2017. Oxobiodegradable plastics (OBPs) are made from petroleum-derived polymers containing special additives like d2w to catalyze its oxidation process. OBP proponents like Symphony Environmental Technologies and Bioplastics International have been supported by independent studies conducted by the South African-based Roediger Agencies and UK-based Loughborough University’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)-commissioned study. Organizations such as European Bioplastics, the Biodegradable Products Institute, and the SPI Bioplastics Council have opposed the use of oxobiodegradable plastics due to their alleged negative effects on health and the environment. A group of French MPs has called for their suspension, while the Belgian trade association EuPC has sought a Europe-wide ban. Original Source: Plastics and Rubber Asia, Jan-Feb 2014, 29 (203), 14-16 (Website: http://www.plasticsandrubberasia.com) © Plastics & Rubber Asia Ltd 2014
Strong growth prospects seen for biobased materials and chemicals A report published by Lux Research revealed strong growth for the biobased material and chemical market MAY 2014