| Biobased and Renewable Products Update |
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July 25, 2019 |
Federal
DOE EERE Continues To
Support Small Businesses
On July 22, 2019, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) highlighted small
businesses funding under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program.
Having received $43.6 million in funding from DOE thus far, small businesses
continue to grow as DOE announces Phase II awards. Last week, DOE announced
Phase II Release grants that demonstrate commercial feasibility for innovations
during the second phase of small businesses’ research. Nine EERE technology
offices will fund 42 awards ranging from $975,000 to $1,150,000, with a
two-year duration.
DOE Recognizes BBA Partner
For Leadership In Energy Efficiency
On July 23, 2019, DOE announced its recognition of
Gundersen Health System (Gundersen), a Better Buildings Alliance (BBA) partner,
for its portfolio-wide energy efficiency advances at its Sparta Clinic in
Sparta, Wisconsin. Gundersen, as part of its Envision Sustainability Program,
continues to pursue energy efficiency through low-energy design standards and
renewable energy combined. According to DOE, since 2008, Gundersen
has saved over $11 million dollars through energy efficiency upgrades. Today,
Gundersen’s Sparta Clinic uses less than 50 percent of the energy used by an
average clinic. DOE is, as it should be, proud of its BBA program and has now
more than 900 organizations as partners. Energy costs have reduced by $8.4
billion to date. BBA provides leaders in the private and public sectors to make
commercial buildings, industrial plants, and homes more energy efficient.
House Subcommittee Will
Hold Hearing On Innovations In Sustainable Chemistry
The House Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Research and
Technology is holding a hearing today on “Benign by Design: Innovations in Sustainable Chemistry.”
Witnesses include:
- Dr. Tim Persons, Chie Scientist
and Managing Director, Science, Technology Assessment, and Analytics, U.S.
Government Accountability Office (GAO);
- Dr. John Warner, President and
Chief Technology Officer, Warner Babcock Institute for Green Chemistry;
- Dr. Julie Zimmerman, Professor
and Senior Associate Dean, School of Forestry and Environmental Studies,
and Deputy Director, Center for Green Chemistry and Green Engineering,
Yale University;
- Ms. Anne Kolton, Executive Vice
President, Communications, Sustainability, and Market Outreach, American
Chemistry Council; and
- Mr. Mitchell Toomey, Director of Sustainability, BASF in North America.
International
U.K. Announces Open
Consultation Call For Evidence To Develop Standards For Compostable, And
Biobased Plastics
On July 22, 2019, the United Kingdom (U.K.) Department
for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and Department for Environment,
Food and Rural Affairs announced an open consultation for the development of
standards for biodegradable, compostable, and biobased plastics. The
consultation welcomes views from any interested parties to identify gaps and
provide expert advice on:
- The overall sustainability of
biobased and biodegradable plastic products in comparison with other
materials;
- Existing relevant plastic
degradation standards and how they are promoted without adverse
environmental effects; and
- The design and implementation of standards for biodegradable plastics to ensure they are fully biodegradable in a reasonable timeframe.
With a focus on obtaining robust evidence backed
by scientific theory, direct practical experience, or analysis, rather than
opinion, views from environmental scientists, bioscience or biotechnology
practitioners, standards authorities, manufacturers, waste processors,
consumers, producers, and certification authority experts are welcome.
Consultation responses must be submitted by October 14, 2019. For further details, the
call for evidence can be accessed here.
Brazil Approves Measures To
Clarify Agrochemical Classification In Accordance With GHS
On July 23, 2019, the Agencia Nacional de Vigilancia
Sanitaria (ANVISA — National Sanitation Surveillance Agency) in Brazil
approved measures that clarify the toxicological classification of
agrochemicals. Under the approved rules, the evaluation criteria of
agrochemicals’ toxicity categories are established and label requirements are
updated to include clearer warnings and pictograms. The changes established by
ANVISA were based on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and
Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), aligning Brazil’s regulations with European Union
(EU) and Asian countries, among others. With the aim of strengthening the
commercialization of national products abroad, the approved rules allow one
year for stakeholders to begin implementation. Out of the 2,300 agrochemicals
registered in Brazil, ANVISA has already received information for the reclassification
of 1,981 products.
Events
10th European Algae
Industry Summit
From April 29-30, 2020, Active Communications International (ACI) will be
hosting the 10th European Algae Industry Summit in Reykjavik, Iceland.
Bringing together key players within the algae industry in cosmetics, food, feed,
nutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals, the summit aims to provide attendees with
an overview of recent industry developments and economically viable
applications.
Other News
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World Economic Forum, “Cheese Energy Could Power Hundreds of UK Homes” |
| ■ |
Iran Front Page, “Iran Ready to Tackle Biotechnology Sanctions: VP” |
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Digital Journal, “Switching to Biobased Plastics: IDTechEx Research Asks
Why So Slow?” |
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The Yucatan Times, “Yucatan Cenotes to Be Sanitized with Biotechnology” |
| ■ |
World Economic Forum, “Your Next Pair of Sneakers Could Be Made from Coffee” |
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CleanTechnica, “NextEra Energy Predicts 50% Renewable Energy in US by
2030” |
| ■ |
inhabitat, “Sustainable Toiletries Packaged in Soap Aim to
Eliminate Single-use Plastics” |
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Futurism, “A Finnish Startup Is Making Food Out of Carbon Dioxide” |
| ■ |
Progressive Farmer, “Agencies Continue to Modernize Biotech” |
| ■ | laboratory news, “Algal Biofuels Face Diverse Pathogens” |
Biobased and Renewable
Products Advocacy Group
2200 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Suite 100W
Washington, D.C. 20037
(202) 833-6580
www.braginfo.org