THE ENZYME WARS
Jim Lane, Biofuels Digest, February 24, 2012
As Novozymes releases a new, high-performance enzyme for advanced cellulosic biofuels, one wonders: Will Novozymes win the enzyme wars? Will enzymes defeat gasification?  When will renewables defeat fossil fuels on cost?  Biofuels Digest looks at the big players in the field, reviews ‘enzymes vs. gasification,’ and postulates when the enzymatic pathway may produce renewable fuels at parity with fossil fuels. 
> Read more: http://www.biofuelsdigest.com

FISH OIL BIODIESEL RESEARCH SUPPORTED BY GOV'T
TheFishSite, February 24, 2012
The Centre for Aquaculture and Seafood Development will establish a demonstration bio-refinery that will convert fish oils into biodiesel with support from the Provincial Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.  A demonstration bio-refinery is an extension of previous work undertaken by the Marine Institute where a biodiesel refining unit was acquired and processed salmon oil and cod oil into a useable biodiesel. The oil that was used was acquired out of province.  The next stage of this research is to develop processing methodologies to utilize marine waste oils from the salmonid aquaculture, pelagics and the sealing industry as biodiesel feed stocks.
> Read more: http://www.thefishsite.com

'MINI-CELLULOSE' MOLECULE UNLOCKS BIOFUEL CHEMISTRY
ScienceDaily, February 16, 2012
A team of chemical engineers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst has discovered a small molecule that behaves the same as cellulose when it is converted to biofuel. Studying this 'mini-cellulose' molecule reveals for the first time the chemical reactions that take place in wood and prairie grasses during high-temperature conversion to biofuel.  The molecule, called α-cyclodextrin, solves one of the major roadblocks confronting high-temperature biofuels processes such as pyrolysis or gasification.
> Read more: http://www.sciencedaily.com

SOME AVIATION BIOFUELS COULD BE COMPETITIVE BY 2020
Bloomberg New Energy Finance, February 13, 2012
World airlines could start sourcing a proportion of their fuel from vegetable-oil-based alternatives within the next few years. But take-up of biofuels by airlines is likely to be modest in the near term unless governments introduce mandates requiring their use. Research from analysis company Bloomberg New Energy Finance, published to its clients this month, forecasts that the cost of some biofuels – such as those based on non-food vegetable oils – could be close to that of conventional jet fuel by 2018, if production efficiency continues to improve.
> Read more: http://www.bnef.com

STABENOW PROMOTES BIO-MANUFACTURING PLAN: 'IF WE GROW HERE AND WE MAKE HERE, THE JOBS WILL BE HERE'
Mlive, February 20, 2012
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow says her $5 billion "Grow it Here, Make it Here" initiative will benefit Michigan's two largest industries, stimulating the agriculture and manufacturing sectors which already combine for roughly half of the state's jobs.  Building on the strengths of the state, Stabenow is looking to boost bio-based manufacturing in Michigan and across the nation via standalone legislation and specific provisions in the 2012 Farm Bill.
> Read more: http://www.mlive.com

BIOPLASTICS POWERED BY PLANTS & METALS
Ann Thryft, Design News, February 22, 2012
A research team at the University of Rennes in Brittany has identified the ingredient that makes it possible to use plant oil, instead of fossil fuel-based oil, to produce polyamide precursors. The material that enables this type of chemical reaction is ruthenium, a metal. Polyamides are polymers used in a variety of applications, ranging from fibers such as nylon to highly resistant coatings that protect metal from corrosion.
> Read more: http://www.designnews.com

FIRST INDUSTRIAL SCALE FOAM FORMING RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT FOR FOREST SECTOR
Technical Research Centre of Finland News Release, February 8, 2012
Foam forming technology gives exciting opportunities to develop new recyclable and light weight wood fiber products. It also gives a possibility to decrease raw material and production costs remarkably compared to recent technology. VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, together with industry has started setting up a new pilot scale technology platform for foam forming applications.
> Read more: http://www.alphagalileo.org

FUNDING SPURS NEW BIOPRODUCTS FROM ALBERTA BIOMASS
Alberta Innovates News Release, February 27, 2012
Three companies developing industrial products from Alberta biomass in the agricultural, forestry and municipal waste sectors are now a step closer to the marketplace after receiving a total of $4 million in grants from Alberta Innovates Bio Solutions (AI Bio).
> Read more: http://bio.albertainnovates.ca

PACKAGING MATERIALS GROWN FROM MUSHROOMS
Ann Thryft, Design News, February 10, 2012
Ecovative has figured out how to do this by growing mushroom roots on plant trash, and it is expanding its operations by partnering with Sealed Air, the inventor of Bubble Wrap to produce, sell, and distribute Ecovative’s EcoCradle Mushroom Packaging.  Ecovative's plastics are based on mycelium, or mushroom roots.
> Read more: http://www.designnews.com

TRW DEVELOPS "GREEN" DRIVER AIRBAG MODULES
TRW News Release, March 1, 2012
TRW Automotive Holdings Corp., has developed a range of driver airbag modules made of regenerative plastic material, which offers a number of environmental benefits. The Company is the first to develop the new, greener module where components, including the airbag cover and retainer plate, are now made from a new, bio-based material.
> Read more: http://trw.mediaroom.com

YULEX, COOPER TIRES FORM BIO-BASED POLYMERS PARTNERSHIP
Yulex News Release, February 29, 2012
Yulex and Cooper Tires have entered into an agreement for the joint evaluation and development of guayule polymers and resins for tire applications.  Cooper will be supplying their advanced polymer and materials science expertise, while Yulex supplies their experience in developing biopolymers from the guayule plant.
> Read more: http://www.yulex.com

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