Issue 01/2016

News
daily upated news at
www.bioplasticsmagazine.com
Newlight, Innogas and FGV collaborate in Malaysia
on biodegradable polymers from palm oil waste
The world’s largest crude palm oil producer - Malaysia-based Felda Global Ventures Berhad – is collaborating with Newlight
Technologies and Innogas Technologies on a project aimed at the development of biodegradable polymers from palm oil biomass
waste in Malaysia. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the three companies late December 2015. The MoU will
remain valid for six months or such extended period as will be agreed in writing by the parties FGV-Newlight-Innogas MoU.
Based in California, Newlight Technologies has developed a carbon capture technology that combines air with methanebased
greenhouse gas emissions to produce a thermoplastic material called AirCarbon. Innogas Technologies is a Malaysiabased
consulting company specialized in process plant engineering and technology for chemical and renewable energy.
FGV Group President and CEO Dato’ Mohd Emir Mavani Abdullah said as part of the company’s commitment to sustainability,
it is always looking for innovative ways to manage its palm oil waste effectively. The collaborative sustainable biomass project
is also aimed at diversifying and further developing the company’s new revenue streams, in line with a core pillar in its five-year
transformation strategy of revenue enhancement. “This waste to wealth project will elevate the sustainability standards of the
palm oil industries in Malaysia and the region as a whole, significantly reducing carbon emissions emitted,” said Dato Emir.
“FGV is keen to partner with Newlight Technologies and Innogas Technologies through this MOU to bring the first cost
effective technology in the world to produce biodegradable plastic by processing 100 % of bio-waste from our palm oil mills.”
Newlight Technologies will convert biogas from FGV’s palm oil mills into AirCarbon thermoplastics. “Together, FGV and
Newlight Technologies have the opportunity to make important economic and environmental progress, and we look forward to
working together in this project,” said CEO Mark Herrema.
The project will launch in Q2 2016. Construction of the first plant will take around 14 months and is slated to begin in Q4 2016.
The partners plan to expand the project to ten palm oil mills over the next five years.
Innogas Technologies CEO Denny Yeoh said; “Innogas Technologies holds an exclusive license for a patented state-of-the
art technology to process ligno-cellulosic biomass material such as palm oil mill waste which generates a significant amount
of biogas, compared to conventional technologies. “The Company will transfer this license to the joint-venture company, which
will then have the exclusive use of this license in Malaysia.” KL
www.feldaglobal.com
Anellotech brings 100 % biobased PET
another step closer
Anellotech, Pearl River, New York, USA, a sustainable technology company focused on producing
cost-competitive renewable chemicals from non-food biomass, has announced that it has entered
into the next phase of its strategic partnership with Osaka, Japan-based Suntory Holdings Limited,
one of the world’s leading consumer beverage companies
This marks a major milestone in making 100 % biobased polyester and biobased PET bottles a
reality.
The partnership, which began in 2012 under a collaboration agreement that has provided
more than USD 15 million in funding to date, is focused on advancing the development and
commercialization of cost-competitive 100 % biobased plastics for use in beverage bottles as part
of Suntory’s commitment to sustainable business practices.
Suntory currently uses 30 % plant-derived materials (sugar cane derived monoethylene glycol
MEG) for their Mineral Water Suntory Tennensui brands and is pursuing the development of a
100 % biobottle through this partnership. Approximately 54 million tonnes of PET are manufactured
globally each year. Despite strong industry demand, there is no commercially-available, biobased
paraxylene, the key component needed to make terephthalic acid, und thus 100 % biobased
polyethylene terephthalate (PET) for use in beverage bottles, on the market today.
The Anellotech alliance with Suntory supports the development of bio-aromatics including
bio-paraxylene. As an integral component in the biobased value chain, Anellotech’s proprietary
thermal catalytic biomass conversion technology (Bio-TCat) cost-competitively produces drop in
green aromatics, including paraxylene and benzene, from non-food biomass. MT
www.anellotech.com | www.suntory.com
6 bioplastics MAGAZINE [01/16] Vol. 11