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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
Here comes the ultra fuel-efficient car
Here comes the ultra fuel-efficient car Olivia Olarte-Ulherr (olivia@khaleejtimes.com) / 11 June 2013 Despite the lack of industrial facility in the region, engineering students at the Higher Colleges of Technology’s Ruwais Colleges, have finally completed their first ultra fuel-efficient ‘Made in the UAE’ car. The 17-member team is now ready to compete at the Shell Eco-marathon Asia 2013 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in July. According to team leader Abdulazeez Al Mehairi, graduating student of higher diploma in megatronic engineering at Ruwais Colleges, construction of the car took three months and was not without its challenges. “The first challenge was to build a very dynamic system that would enable us to consume less fuel (without affecting) the speed,” he told Khaleej Times. The material is also a challenge as Ruwais does not have the facility to supply their manufacturing needs. “We have to go to Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah,” Abdulazeez explained. Shell Eco-marathon is one of the world’s most innovative and challenging student competitions held annually in the Americas, Europe and Asia. Participants to the challenge have worked together to find solutions in making transportation more efficient while reducing its environmental impact. The marathon has long sparked debates about the future of mobility and inspired young engineers to push the boundaries of fuel-efficiency in vehicles. “The Shell Eco-marathon challenge has created a unique opportunity for our students … to apply their engineering and project management skills to a real-time project with global implications,” said HCT Vice Chancellor Dr Tayeb Kamali. “We feel honoured to be part of the group that will be representing the UAE at Shell’s 2013 Eco-marathon challenge in Kuala Lumpur. As a team we have achieved so much through this process that we feel like winners already,” said Abdulazeez. “Through this experience, we have gained project management skills and have tapped into our creative side to design and construct our fuel-efficient car. We have successfully raised awareness about the campaign and received support from both our university and local communities who we hope to make proud this July,” he added. For the competition, the team needed Dh250,000 which will be used not only for the car construction, but to ship the car to Malaysia, as well as, ticket and hotel of the entire team. “We got $10,000 as support from Shell and sponsorship from Borouge and the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC),” Abdulazeez said. The Ruwais team’s ultra fuel-efficient car will be put on display at various locations in the Western Region during the first two weeks of June, prior to flying it out to Malaysia for the competition. The HCT Ruwais Colleges will join six other teams from the UAE and a number of teams from the region including Egypt, Lebanon and Qatar to compete in Malaysia from July 4 to 7. Continue reading
Suggestion system boosts government services
Suggestion system boosts government services Staff Reporter (news@khaleejtimes.com) / 10 June 2013 Secretary-General of the Dubai Executive Council Abdulla Al Shaibani has emphasised the importance of the Unified Suggestion System to both customers and employees of the Dubai Government and added that it has boosted creativity. ‘‘Following the directives of Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the executive council, and in line with his constant drive to fulfill the vision of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, of a future that doesn’t set boundaries on ambitions, a team from the General Secretariat of the executive council developed the suggestions system to contribute in creating the positive transformation we all aspire to in order to maintain Dubai’s prestigious position and continuously advance government services by catering to customers”, he said in his speech at the forum titled ‘Dubai: The Model Centre and Dubai e-Government’. Till now, 26 government departments, agencies and organisations have joined the Unified Suggestion System for Employees and Customers, with 29,100 suggestions received so far. An integrated administrative system developed in coordination with a number of government authorities and in cooperation with the Dubai e-Government team for the technical aspect, the system provides a unified framework and a documented standard methodology for handling suggestions effectively, he added. Executive Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation and Director-General of Dubai Customs Ahmed Butti Ahmed said: “The crucial factor that determines the ability to utilise suggestions is the readiness of government departments and agencies …away from traditional thinking and routines”. He said the experience at Dubai Customs has proved that employees and customers’ suggestions can actively contribute to services improvement, noting an increase in the number of suggestions from 203 in 2004 to 2,566 suggestions in 2012. Continue reading
