Posts by Biobased Maine
Nov 21 EPA Delaying Revision of RFS
Today in Washington, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it is delaying finalization of the long-awaited 2014 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Renewable Volume Obligations until 2015. From EPA’s statement, “Today EPA is announcing that it will not be finalizing 2014 applicable percentage standards under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program before the end of 2014. In…
Read MoreNov 19 Solaplast Makes Plastic out of Algae
Solaplast, based out of Meridian, Mississippi, just opened a facility to make plastic out of algae, creating over 100 jobs. Solaplast is taking algae waste from biofuel companies, algae that grows in clean waterway — even algae from catfish farmers as its feedstock. Read more and watch a video here. More Solaplast news here from…
Read MoreNov 17 Post-Oil World View (Bangor Daily News Op Ed)
According to Reuben Hudson, a postdoctoral fellow in Chemistry at Colby College, taking a post-oil view of the world means a lot more than just solving our energy dilemma. Read his recent Opinion in the Bangor Daily News here.
Read MoreBiobased Polymers Infiltrate Supply Chains
High-performing biobased materials are showing up everywhere – from soda bottles to sneakers, tires, and yoga pants. According to a recent article in Chemical & Engineering News, Biobased Polymers, the reach of biobased materials into consumer products has expanded thanks to years of engineering work and corporate determination. Small start-ups and large corporations alike are increasingly…
Read MoreOld Town Fuel & Fiber to Re-Open
Old Town Fuel & Fiber will be purchased by Expera Specialty Solutions of Wisconsin. Expera intends to make significant investment in the mill and re-start pulp production, restoring 180 jobs. For more information, go to these links: Bangor Daily News Article Patriarch Press Release Expera Specialty Solutions
Read MoreOld Town Fuel & Fiber to Re-Open
Old Town Fuel & Fiber will be purchased by Expera Specialty Solutions of Wisconsin. Expera intends to make significant investment in the mill and re-start pulp production, restoring 180 jobs. For more information, go to these links: Bangor Daily News Article Patriarch Press Release Expera Specialty Solutions
Read More11/6 Mobile Pyrolysis of Wood Chips in WA
A 20-ton per day mobile pyrolysis unit is being used in Washington State to perform pyrolysis on wood chips near the place where they’re generated. Pyrolysis chemically decomposes organic matter (like wood chips) with heat but without oxygen. Turning small trees into a potentially useful feedstock is the first step. The second step is finding a use for…
Read MoreOct 31 Grow-Tech Announces BioStrate, Its Newest Hydroponic Growing Medium
Grow-Tech, a member partner of the Sustainable Bioplastics Council of Maine, recently announced the release of BioStrate Felt™, “a biobased textile specifically engineered for the growing of hydroponic microgreens and baby salad greens. BioStrate Felt™ was developed in-house with the support of USDA funding and is manufactured in Maine. The blend of biopolymers and natural fibers is…
Read MoreOct 30 Think Before You Print? Nope.
We’ve been told to “think before we print” to save trees. But some are arguing that reducing paper consumption is more harmful — both to the pulp and paper industry and to the environment. Reading an article on your computer emits more of the greenhouse gas CO2 than printing the article out. And what about electronic devices? Soon…
Read MoreGLOBEco to Manufacture Wood Fiber Cloths in Dover-Foxcroft
GLOBEco Maine makes a paper towel alternative that is compostable and more sustainable — and they want to manufacture these towels in Dover-Foxcroft. GLOBEco’s Chief Technology Officer, Bob Chiosi, said the benefits of manufacturing in Maine are reduced transportation costs and carbon footprint. Spun wood fiber from Canada would be woven, treated, cut, sown, and…
Read More