BACTERIA MAKE DIESEL FROM BIOMASS
Katherine Bourzac, Technology Review, January 28, 2010
Engineered bacteria, developed by LS9 in collaboration with researchers at UC- Berkeley, have been rewired with the genetic machinery necessary to convert cellulose into a range of chemicals, including diesel fuel. The bacteria make the necessary enzymes for every step along the synthesis pathway and can convert biomass into fuel without the need for additional processing.
> Read more: http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/24422/

BIOFUEL CROP DIVERSITY ADDS VALUE, MICHIGAN STATE RESEARCHERS SAY
BiobasedNews.com, January 26, 2010
Researchers at Michigan State University have found that diverse biofuel plantings such as native prairie attract more beneficial insects than do single crops such as corn. They suggest that biofuel policies should take such added value into account because lady beetles, bees and other beneficial insects provide numerous ecosystem services, including controlling pests and pollinating crops.
> Read more: http://www.biobased.org/node/25497

BIOFUEL CROPS: EUROPE CALLS FOR URGENT SCREENING 'INVASIVE' BIOFUEL CROPS REQUIRE MONITORING AND MITIGATION MEASURES
European Consumers Bioenergy Division, Environmental News Network, January 21, 2010
In late 2009, the 'Standing Committee of the Council of Europe Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats' (known as the Bern Convention) adopted a recommendation on potentially invasive alien plants being used as biofuel crops (Recommendation 141, 2009). They warn that some biofuel crops are able to escape as pests, and in so doing impact on native biodiversity. As rural communities plan to grow more biofuel crops, the likelihood of new and harmful 'invasions' will increase apace.
> Read more: http://www.enn.com/press_releases/3230

GREAT PLAINS DOUBLING CAMELINA ACREAGE IN 2010 AS AVIATION BIOFUELS DARLING GAINS TRACTION
Jim Lane, Biofuels Digest, 1/21/2010
Camelina has been much in the news of late, as a biofuels feedstock of strong promise, because of its position as one of the few “sustainable, affordable, reliable, available” feedstocks suitable for aviation biofuels. Great Plains, camelina company, has provided feedstock used to make the fuel for the KLM Royal Dutch Airlines biofuels test flight.  Great Plains announced a partnership with BioJet to produce 200 Mgy of camelina-based biofuels by 2012. Sustainable Oils, another camelina company, is providing camelina oil to its sister company AltAir towards a contract with 14 airlines to produce 100 Mgy of diesel and renewable jet fuel. This article includes information on the current geography for camelina, sustainability, and other common facts.
> Read more: http://www.biofuelsdigest.com

MILITARY GREEN: IT'S ABOUT THE MONEY
Winnipeg Free Press, January 9, 2010
Modern warfare burns a lot of fuel: from tanks to jets to electricity generators.   The need for alternative sources of energy is a military necessity.  This article outlines some of the initiatives the U.S. military is doing to reduce the consumption of electricity - anywhere from coating military tents with foam for insulation to converting trash into electricity.
> Read more: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/fyi/military-green-its-about-the-money-81059827.html

NEW ENZYMES TURN WASTE INTO FUEL
BiobasedNews.com, February 16, 2010
Novozymes launched the first commercially viable enzymes for production of biofuel from agricultural waste. Breakthroughs in enzyme technology enable cellulosic biofuel as a competitive alternative to gasoline -- potentially less than $2/gallon U.S.
> Read more: http://www.biobased.org/node/26017

30-SECOND SCIENCE: PLANTS TO THE RESCUE
Katharine Gammon, Popular Science, 12/10/2009
Popular Science provides a sneak peak at three organic options for fuel, fertilizer and rubber.  Blemished watermelons, dandelions, and the acacia tree have something to offer in the way of sustainable energy or products.
> Read more: http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2009-12/plants-rescue

BIOPLASTICS: TEN POINTS TO REMEMBER
BiobasedNews.com, February 4, 2010
Bioplastics are a family of different resin types, which are either bio-based or compostable or both. Bioplastics add new properties and performance characteristics to the huge family of plastics. So-called oxo-biodegradable polymer products, which fragment into small pieces, are not considered to be a bioplastic. This article is written as a response to European Plastics News and the EUPR Statement on Bioplastics.
> Read more: http://www.biobased.org/node/25689

GENE DISCOVERY MIGHT INCREASE BIOMASS
Biomass Magazine, February 11, 2010
University of Manchester scientists have identified genes that make plants grow fatter and plan to use their research to increase plant biomass in trees and other species.  With the concerns that the growing of biofuel products competes with essential food production, the part of the plant used in the gene study is the stalk, not the grain, so there will be no competition with food production.
> Read more: http://www.canadianbiomassmagazine.ca/content/view/1529/57/

MOBILE BIO-OIL SYSTEM PROCESSES WASTES
Lisa Gibson, Biomass Magazine, February 4, 2010
The Modular Bio-Oil Plant, manufactured by Three Seconds to Oil LLC, can process about 25 dry tons of biomass every day and can produce about 1 million gallons of oil per year, along with 1,400 tons of char.  The commercial units have just come to market.
> Read more: http://www.biomassmagazine.com/article.jsp?article_id=3479

NEW STUDY POINTS TO PROMISING BIO-FUTURE FOR CANADA’S FOREST PRODUCTS INDUSTRY
Press Release, Forest Products Association Canada, February 1, 2010
The Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) has released a comprehensive, first-of-its-kind study that shows how the forest products industry can build on its world-class forest management practices to emerge from the current recession as an engine of growth in the bio-economy.   The Future Bio-pathways Project is one of the first and most exhaustive studies in the world to examine a wide range of options for renewal of the Canadian forest products industry. The project involved more than 65 top Canadian experts in fields as diverse as bio-technology, investment banking and carbon pricing.  It places traditional products, especially lumber and pulp, at the heart of a new, green business model. 
> Read more: http://www.fpac.ca/index.php/en/press-releases-full/391/
> The report: http://www.fpac.ca/index.php/publications/publication-viewer/392/

WHEAT STRAW AND RECLAIMED CARPET; FORD SEEKS GREENER PATHS TO COMPONENTS
Tony Deligio, Modern Plastics Worldwide, January 12, 2010
Ford Motor Company recently released details on cylinder head covers made from post-consumer nylon that was most recently carpet, and storage bins that use wheat straw to fortify polyropylene (PP).   As part of Ford's sustainable building materials portfolio, the components also decrease weight, and thereby, fuel savings.
> Read more: http://www.plasticstoday.com/mpw/articles/materials-automotive-wheat-straw-and-reclaimed-carpet-ford-green-0121

WOOD RECYCLING AND PROCESSING TRENDS
Nora Goldstein, BioCycle, January 2010
Downturn in construction has caused a shortage of woody waste streams in some regions, while demand for biomass to produce energy has risen. The net effect has been challenging to wood recyclers while places are ramping up for biomass power stations.
> Read more: http://www.jgpress.com/archives/_free/002019.html

Manitoba BIOPRODUCTS News is available online at www.itc.mb.ca. Feel free to share it with your colleagues, or have them sign up to receive it directly by sending e-mail to library@itc.mb.ca. We would welcome your feedback.

Web: www.itc.mb.ca E-mail: library@itc.mb.ca Phone: 204.480.0336 Fax: 204.480.0345
The Manitoba BIOPRODUCTS News is produced by the Industrial Technology Centre with the assistance of NRC-IRAP.