6 February 20264 February 2026 Elkem’s MIRASIL™ N‑DML 15 named Environmental Initiative of the Year by SEAL Awards MIRASIL™ N‑DML 15 is a blend of high molecular weight dimethiconol gum in a renewable C15‑19 alkane derived from sunflower seed
ECN’s reaction to the adoption of the Bioeconomy Strategy The ECN has developed 12 policy recommendations accordingly
Prometheus’ New e-Kerosene Tech Drives SAF Cost Below $2.50-per-Gallon, Makes Fischer-Tropsch Obsolet Prometheus announce their new e-kerosene pathway – the first technology since Fischer-Tropsch a century ago to convert electricity and CO2 into carbon neutral jet fuel in a single proces
Endspiel für Europas Chemie Die europäische Chemieindustrie steckt in einer tiefen strukturellen Krise. Es handelt sich nicht um eine vorübergehende Schwächephase, sondern um einen fundamentalen Umbruch
5 February 20264 February 2026 Asahi Kasei, Mitsui Chemicals, and Mitsubishi Chemical enter basic agreement to promote decarbonization of ethylene production in western Japan The three companies have signed a basic agreement to establish a new joint operating entity for the two ethylene production facilities in western Japan, and to subsequently discontinue operations of the Asahi Kasei Mitsubishi Chemical Ethylene Corp
Asahi Kasei, Mitsui Chemicals und Mitsubishi Chemical schließen Grundsatzvereinbarung zur Förderung der Dekarbonisierung der Ethylenproduktion in Westjapan Kasei, Mitsui Chemicals und Mitsubishi Chemical haben Maßnahmen zur Förderung der Dekarbonisierung und zur Optimierung der Produktionskapazität ihrer beiden Ethylenproduktionsanlagen im Westen Japans geprüft
EU to phase out damaging soy biofuels Soy biofuels will no longer count towards EU renewable targets, with new EU Commission research confirming they contribute significantly to deforestation
4 February 20263 February 2026 Bio-based car parts reach market-readiness Bio-based auto parts are finally on the verge of scaling
Perpetual Next USA to develop three biomethanol facilities in Southeastern U.S With the introduction of new governmental policies, such as Europe’s FuelEU program, and voluntary industry initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions, global demand for biomethanol is anticipated to grow substantially by 2050
3 February 20264 February 2026 Several roadblocks identified on the way to a net-zero chemical industry New RCI report outlines barriers and points to solutions
Kemvera, formerly New Iridium, Advances Commercialization of Bio-Acetic Acid and Bio-Ethyl Acetate Manufacturing Process Aligning with the company’s next phase of growth, Kemvera announces that it has been renamed from New Iridium to reflect its vision to scale bio-based chemical solutions using domestic agricultural feedstock
Monthly News from the Renewable Carbon Initiative (RCI), January 2026 January Highlights: RCI Publications on extended LCA Case Studies Brochure & Policy Barriers, Participation in WGs of CCA, Roundtables of BASF and Molecule Group
Bio-based fibers with good flame retardancy Fibers made from bio-based plastics reduce dependence on fossil raw materials and promote the circular economy. The covalent bonding of flame-retardant additives can open the way for these fibers to enter the mass market
Biobasierte Fasern mit gutem Flammschutz Fasern aus biobasierten Kunststoffen verringern die Abhängigkeit von fossilen Rohstoffen und fördern die Kreislaufwirtschaft. Die chemische Anbindung flammhemmender Additive kann diesen Fasern den Weg in den Massenmarkt öffnen
Gärtnern ohne Torf: Auftakt des Runden Tisches Torfminderung auf der Internationalen Pflanzenmesse in Essen Torf speichert in intakten Mooren Kohlenstoff, setzt ihn jedoch frei, sobald er abgebaut wird und mit Sauerstoff in Kontakt kommt
2 February 202629 January 2026 Spotlight on Cellulose Fibres nova talks – the ideal dialogue format for generating valuable stakeholder engagement and multiple leads in your target group
New AI Method Revolutionises the Design of Enzymes Researchers at TU Graz and the University of Graz can use the technology to construct artificial biocatalysts. These new enzymes are significantly faster, more stable and more versatile than previous artificial biocatalysts
Neue KI-Methode revolutioniert das Design von Enzymen Mit der Technologie können Forschende der TU Graz und Uni Graz artifizielle Biokatalysatoren konstruieren. Diese neuen Enzyme sind deutlich schneller, stabiler und vielseitiger einsetzbar als bisherige artifizielle Biokatalysatoren
Ohne Kohlenstoff keine Chemieindustrie, ohne Öl und Gas sehr wohl – IN4climate.NRW zeigt Lösungswege auf Ob Waschmittel, Klebstoffe, Lacke, Farben oder Kunststoffe – die Produkte der Chemieindustrie sind allgegenwärtig
Precision insect control using programmable modular phage therapy platforms Invasive pest Spodoptera frugiperda, known as the fall armyworm (FAW), evolves rapid resistance to chlorantraniliprole (CAP) via symbionts, reducing traditional control efficacy and causing economic losses
30 January 202628 January 2026 Sustainable Materials Discovery Interview with Josua Vieten (CEO ExoMatter)
AMSilk’s silk protein yarns debut in Balenciaga collection The designs include a sharp-collared white shirt and a black shirtdress that cinches at the waist with a ribbon tie, complete with an embroidered tone-on-tone Balenciaga logo on one gleaming-buttoned cuff
Safer receipt paper from wood EPFL researchers have developed formulations for the kind of paper used in cash receipts or shipping tags using wood-based chemicals that reduces reliance on toxic bisphenols while keeping print performance
Holzchemikalien ersetzen giftige Bisphenole in Kassenbons Lignin macht Quittungen, Fahrkarten und Versandetiketten sicherer
Addressing the released Strategic Framework for a Competitive and Sustainable EU Bioeconomy, an opportunity to align circular economy and biodiversity goals. IUCN supports the ambition to reduce pressure on ecosystems and advance Europe’s climate and environmental goals
Die Chemie revolutionieren – Reaktion für Reaktion Die Publikation mit dem Titel „Excited-state configuration controls the ability of nitroarenes to act as energy transfer catalysts“ schließt eine Reihe von Studien ab
29 January 20263 February 2026 Take advantage of the extensive networking opportunities at the 2026 Renewable Materials Conference now Taking place from 22 to 24 September 2026 in Siegburg/Cologne, Germany, the Renewable Materials Conference (RMC) is a global meeting place for the renewable carbon economy, held under the motto “Defossilisation through Innovation”
Networking im Mittelpunkt der Renewable Materials Conference 2026 Die Renewable Materials Conference (RMC) als globaler Treffpunkt für die erneuerbare Kohlenstoffwirtschaft findet vom 22. bis 24. September 2026 in Siegburg bei Köln unter dem Motto „Defossilisation durch Innovation” statt
ICOS Capital invests in Mevaldi B.V., a producer of cost-effective, bio-based chemical building blocks, to support its further industrial scale up and commercial roll-out Dutch biotech company Mevaldi B.V. announces an investment by ICOS Capital, alongside High-Tech Gründerfonds and ICIG Ventures
ICOS Capital investiert in Mevaldi B.V., einen Hersteller kosteneffizienter, biobasierter chemischer Bausteine, um die weitere industrielle Skalierung und kommerzielle Einführung zu unterstützen Das niederländische Biotech-Unternehmen Mevaldi B.V. kündigt eine Investition durch ICOS Capital an, gemeinsam mit High-Tech Gründerfonds und ICIG Ventures
Biofilms at work: what limits efficient consortia for industrial production? Biofilms, complex and structured microbial communities encased within extracellular polymeric substances, represent an emerging area of interest in bioprocesses for the production of value-added chemicals
Biotechnikum wird mit 7,3 Millionen Euro modernisiert Förderung aus Europäischem Fonds für regionale Entwicklung / Schub für Lehre und Forschung in der Biotechnologie
BASF Agricultural Solutions to acquire biological insect control group AgBiTech Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, AgBiTech has pioneered the use of nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV) technology to develop insect control solutions based on naturally occurring viruses
BASF Agricultural Solutions übernimmt AgBiTech, einen Anbieter für biologische Lösungen zur Kontrolle von Schadinsekten AgBiTech wurde im Jahr 2000 in Fort Worth, Texas gegründet, und ist Pionier beim Anwenden der Nucleopolyhedrovirus-Technologie, um Schadinsekten auf Basis natürlich vorkommender Viren zu kontrollieren
28 January 202627 January 2026 EmpowerDPP: Data management meets digital product passport – support for companies The introduction of the digital product passport (DPP) presents new challenges and opportunities for industry
EmpowerDPP: Datenmanagement trifft digitalen Produktpass – Hilfestellung für Unternehmen Mit der Einführung des digitalen Produktpasses (DPP) ergeben sich neue Herausforderungen und Chancen für die Industrie
Wie Mikroben Plastik abbauen und verwerten können Es gibt verschiedene Methoden, gebrauchtes Plastik sinnvoll zu verwerten. Ein Ansatz ist der Einsatz von Mikroben, Pilzen und Enzymen: Sie bauen Kunststoff nicht nur ab, sondern verwandeln ihn in nützliche Produkte – bis hin zu Medikamenten
Microbes Convert Methane to Green Plastics, Fuel Methane is a potent greenhouse gas with a global warming impact roughly 28 times higher than carbon dioxide over 100 years, yet much of the world's methane still escapes from landfills, farms, mines, and wastewater systems into the air
27 January 202626 January 2026 And the Winners are: CeraSleeve, ElementarHy and Primogene A jury of experts has selected three start-ups as winners of the CHEManager Innovation Pitch 2025
And the Winners are: CeraSleeve, ElementarHy und Primogene Eine Expertenjury hat drei Start-ups zu Gewinnern des CHEManager Innovation Pitch 2025 gewählt.
European biochemicals expand in Asia Large European producers are opening capacity in Asia to dodge headwinds at home
26 January 202623 January 2026 Renewable Carbon-based Materials Show Significant Lower CO2 Footprint Than Fossil Counterparts The Renewable Carbon Initiative (RCI) published their latest report “Case Studies Based on Peer-reviewed Life Cycle Assessments – Carbon Footprints of Different Renewable Carbon-based Chemicals and Materials (Second, Extended Version)”. The report was conducted by the sustainability experts from nova-Institute
Sappi introduces the market’s widest portfolio of heat-sealable papers for recyclable packaging Sappi has expanded its range of functional packaging papers with a full set of heat-sealable solutions designed for converters, printers, and brand owners who want fibre-based alternatives to plastic
23 January 202624 January 2026 Making CO2 valuable Novis GmbH creates added value from exhaust gases with a radically new approach. Unavoidable CO2 emissions can create added value for companies
CO2 werthaltig machen Mit einem radikal neuen Ansatz schafft die Novis GmbH Mehrwert aus Abgasen. Unvermeidbare CO2 Emissionen schaffen Mehrwerte für Unternehmen
Europe could cut bio-waste by making food producers help to fund collection The report, produced by the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC) and Zero Waste Europe(ZWE), shows that the EU will struggle to meet its 2030 food waste and climate targets without a new way to pay for food waste prevention and collection, and proposes introducing Extended Producer Responsibility for Food Products (EPRFP
Bio-naphtha, SAF economics drive interest in waste-carbon palm oil substitute as feedstock race intensifies: Lanzatech CEO Efforts to decarbonize aviation cannot rely solely on sustainable aviation fuel, and balancing fuel and chemical production will be crucial to improving project economics and scaling low-carbon pathways
Die trügerische Klimabilanz der Landwirte Hat die deutsche Landwirtschaft ein Klimaproblem? Die Prognosen sagen: bis 2030 nicht