Posts by Biobased Maine
France Strengthens Bioplastics Market
Recently the French parliament adopted a law that includes a requirement that lightweight bags for fruits and vegetables be biobased and compostable in home composting set-ups beginning in January 2017. Read more about this and related legislation at Bioplastics Magazine.
Read MoreLEGO to Invest in Sustainable Plastic
The LEGO Group is investing approximately $148 million for a new LEGO Sustainable Materials Center to be established between 2015 and 2016 with a goal of replacing current materials with sustainable alternatives by 2030. LEGO pieces (they’re called “elements”) are currently made from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) resin. LEGO makes 6,000 tons of ABS plastic each year for its…
Read MoreUSDA Report Highlights Maine's Biobased Potential
The recent U.S. Department of Agriculture Report, entitled, “An Economic Impact Analysis of the U.S. Biobased Products Industry” reports that the biobased products industry in the U.S. contributed $369 billion to the U.S. economy in 2013. It also found that Maine has the third-highest concentration of jobs in the “biobased products.”
Read MoreUSDA Report Highlights Maine’s Biobased Potential
The recent U.S. Department of Agriculture Report, entitled, “An Economic Impact Analysis of the U.S. Biobased Products Industry” reports that the biobased products industry in the U.S. contributed $369 billion to the U.S. economy in 2013. It also found that Maine has the third-highest concentration of jobs in the “biobased products.”
Read MorePresidential Green Chemistry Award Winners Dominated by Biobased
Earlier this week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized this year’s winners of the Presidential Green Chemistry Award. Green chemistry (also known as sustainable chemistry) means designing processes and research in a way that minimizes the use and generation of hazardous substances. In other words, is there a way to make this without using so…
Read MoreEU Invests in Circular Bioeconomy Projects
It was recently announced that a public-private partnership between the European Union and the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC) has approved 120 million euros in funding to boost the EU’s capacity to stimulate and grow jobs in a circular, low carbon, and sustainable bioeconomy. This means advanced biorefineries were renewable materials are transformed into high-value products, chemicals, materials,…
Read MoreOrono Researchers get NSF grant for Eco-Friendly Wood-Based Foam
Researchers in Orono recently received a $225,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to continue their work on a foam-like insulation material that is made from wood fiber. Current products available in the insulation market are made from petroleum – even “eco-friendly” insulations are made from polystyrene. So creating a biobased insulation – especially from…
Read MoreBiobased Maine in the News: Letter to the Editor
In a recent Letter to the Editor of Portland Press Herald, Biobased Maine’s Executive Director, Charlotte Mace, agrees with the paper’s June 21 article entitled “Biobased products seen as vital for Maine’s growth,” and points out that businesses in Maine eager to learn more about biobased can rely on the growing trade association, Biobased Maine,…
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Read MoreNew Facility in Europe: Nanocellulose from Paper Mill Sludge
Europe’s first pilot plant for nanocellulose is being planned by MoRe Research, along with the Swedish pulp and paper company Holmen, and the SP Technical Research Institute. The pilot plant will be based on technology developed by Melodea, as Israeli-based startup that is working to extract nanocellulose from the pulp and paper process. The pilot plant…
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