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UPM Signs Joint Development Agreement with Renmatix in Biochemicals
trategic collaboration to convert lignocellulosic feedstocks into cost competitive sugars HELSINKI, June 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — UPM (OMX: UPM1V) and Renmatix, Inc. , have entered into a non-exclusive joint development agreement (JDA) in the area of biochemicals. Under terms of the JDA both companies will further develop Renmatix’s water-based Plantrose™ process to convert woody biomass into low-cost sugar intermediates for subsequent downstream processing into biochemicals. Offering cost-competitive bio-alternatives for select petrochemicals on an industrial scale is the long term goal of this initiative. “We are very excited about this truly collaborative endeavor. It combines UPM’s core competencies in sustainable sourcing and efficient industrial processing of wood, with Renmatix’s unique conversion technology,” noted Michael Duetsch, Director of Biochemicals, at UPM. “Access to second generation, lignocellulosic, sugars through a process that uses almost no consumables is a crucial factor in Plantrose technology’s attractiveness.” The Plantrose process employs water at very high temperatures and pressures to breakdown biomass through supercritical hydrolysis. Under such conditions water can act as both a powerful solvent and catalyst, creating rapid reactions. “We believe this pioneering approach leads to real cost advantages over conventional methods. Our growing relationship with UPM gives Renmatix an opportunity to support them expanding the Biofore story,” commented Mike Hamilton, CEO of Renmatix. “Renmatix, as a U.S. based technology provider, takes great pride in working with global companies across the emerging bio-value chains. It reinforces the demand that exists for licensing Plantrose technology as the bridge between sustainable sources of upstream biomass, and downstream manufacturing of biochemicals and fuels.” “The joint development agreement with Renmatix is another milestone in the implementation of our biochemicals strategy and UPM’s Biofore vision. The co-operation further strengthens our position as the frontrunner in the innovation-driven integration of bio and forest industries,” adds Juuso Konttinen, Vice President of UPM. UPM leads the integration of bio and forest industries into a new, sustainable and innovation-driven future. Our products are made of renewable raw materials and are recyclable. UPM consists of three Business Groups: Energy and pulp, Paper, and Engineered materials. The Group employs around 22,000 people. UPM is present in 67 countries and has production units in 17 countries. UPM’s annual sales exceed EUR 10 billion. UPM’s shares are listed on the Helsinki stock exchange. UPM – The Biofore Company – www.upm.com UPM New Businesses and Development (NBD) is an important part of UPM’s renewal and Biofore strategy. The objective of NBD is to provide added value to renewable wood raw material by developing ideas into new products and businesses. The key projects are biocomposites, biofibrils and biochemicals. Renmatix is the leading manufacturer of cellulosic sugar, an enabling feedstock for petroleum alternatives used in the global biochemical and biofuels markets. The company’s proprietary Plantrose™ process challenges conventional sugar economics by cheaply converting cellulosic biomass – from wood waste to agricultural residue – into useful, cost-effective sugars. Renmatix’s supercritical hydrolysis technology deconstructs non-food biomass an order of magnitude faster than other processes and enhances its cost advantage by using no significant consumables. Renmatix is privately held, with operations in Georgia (USA) currently capable of converting three dry tons of cellulosic biomass to Plantro® sugar per day, and a world-class technical center in Pennsylvania (USA). www.renmatix.com For further information, please contact: Michael Duetsch, Director, Biochemicals, UPM, +49.821.310.9130 (German, English) Juuso Konttinen, Vice President, New Businesses & Development, UPM, +358.40.531.7405 (Finnish, English) Duncan Cross, Director, Marketing, Renmatix, +484.751.4000 (English, French) Tim Brown, Vice President, Corporate Strategy, Renmatix, businessdevelopment@renmatix.com UPM, Corporate Communications Media Desk, +358.40.588.3284 media@upm.com www.twitter.com/UPM_News Renmatix, Media Inquiries Katie Struble, +415.977.1928 renmatix@antennagroup.com www.twitter.com/renmatix SOURCE Renmatix RELATED LINKS http://www.renmatix.com Continue reading
European Biomass Conference and Exhibition 2013 Press Release
COPENHAGEN: SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH, MARKET AND POLITICS UNITE FOR EUROPE’S LARGEST GATHERING OF BIOMASS EXPERTS From the 3rd of June 2013 representatives from research, industry, finance and politics from over 60 nations have been gathering in Copenhagen for the 21st European Biomass Conference and Exhibition. This year the event features 270 plenary and oral presentations, more than 460 visual presentation and 80 exhibitors representing once again one of the most important and stimulating international key platforms in Europe and worldwide for knowledge exchange on the latest scientific and industrial results, developments in policies and deployment in the biomass and bioenergy sector. The political opening of the conference provided a clear reminder of Europe’s target of reaching 20% renewable energy by 2020 and the need to achieve this target in an environmentally sustained way. Denmark, the host country, presented their very ambitious target to become totally fossil-free by 2050 with biomass contributing a large proportion to the fossil-free future. In the fight to limit global warming to +2°C the conference was informed of China’s progressive plans for a large expansion of bioenergy to supply its growing energy needs. With many years experience in biofuels production, Brazil reported its plans to push ahead with environmentally sustainable biofuels and bioenergy projects that will no longer rely on economic support from the government. Bioenergy and biofuels are becoming of age. SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE Whether an energy newcomer or specialist, this annual event is seen by international research, governmental, and business communities as Europe’s leading science-to-science, business-to-business and science-to-industry biomass conference and exhibition. As every year the conference programme touches on all the different subjects of the biomass sector during the week. An important number of oral and poster presentations are focused on how to assess and ensure sustainability along biomass value chains, by means of certification, standardization and enacting correct policies. First and foremost, how do we secure a sufficient supply of energy for the future? Do we have sufficient biomass? Can we find the most efficient ways to use the sustainably produced biomass? How can we most efficiently handle and treat our waste – and in particular the biowaste – so that more is recycled and vital nutrients are returned to the soil? How can we develop technologies where we can use biomaterials in new areas, not least those that today are based on oil? These are just some of the questions being addressed this week in Copenhagen by global investors and decision-makers from research, industry, finance and politics. FURTHER INFORMATION: This conference is supported by: European and international organizations such as the European Commission, UNESCO – United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Natural Sciences Sector, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, DEA Danish Energy Agency, WCRE – the World Council for Renewable Energy, EUBIA – the European Biomass Industry Association, Copenhagen Cleantech Cluster, Danish Bioenergy Industries Association, INBIOM Innovation Network Biomass, City of Copenhagen, Wonderful Copenhagen and other organizations. Free download of high quality photos Press contact: Chiara Benetti, Tel. +39-055-5002174; Email: chiara.benetti@etaflorence.it Continue reading
Measuring Carbon In Soil Takes A Leap Forward
7 June 2013 Faculty of Agriculture and Environment research team consists of Robert Pallasser , Associate Professor Budiman Minasny and Professor Alex McBratney . “The agricultural sector in Australia has the potential to capture and store carbon emissions in soil. However there is no guarantee that the industry can benefit from the offsets in the current and future carbon economy because until now there has not been a good and efficient way of measuring soil carbon storage with statistical confidence,” said Professor McBratney. PhD researcher Robert Pallasser has been developing an instrument to extract and accurately quantify soil from cores up to a metre in length, which yield samples of 300 to 500 grams of soil for analysis after initial drying. “This is a new concept for measuring carbon stocks where it can be extracted from whole soil cores and analysed immediately,” said Associate Professor Minasny. “This is a great advantage over the current method that relies on ‘point analyses’ of a highly variable quality based on 0.5 gram amounts of soil at a time because current instruments are limited to these miniscule amounts. The current methods of soil carbon analysis are very labour intensive. To ensure a representative sample with elements from all parts of the core, they have to be crushed, homogenised and carefully sampled again. The new method can get an accurate representation of the variability of carbon in soil over space and depth without this costly process. Capturing carbon in soil or sequestration has been held back by the absence of an easy to use and reliable method. Sequestration promises major environmental benefits from capturing carbon which also, by increasing the organic matter in the soil, improves productivity and resistance to land degradation. “To pursue sequestration and the participation of farmers in a carbon market successfully we need cost-effective, accurate measurements of carbon in soil so the potential for this technology is exciting,” said Robert Pallasser. The researchers plan to continue field testing the SCB while working on automating its components. They have also created a YouTube presentation of the SCB in action . Continue reading
