Braskem launches biobased LDPE line
Braskem (São Paulo) has launched its line of biobased low-density polyethylene (LDPE) derived from sugarcane ethanol, the company has announced. Annual production of biobased LDPE will amount to approximately 30,000 m.t./year, and the product will be made available in the market starting in January...

EU needs fixed target for renewables in the energy mix by 2030, parliament says
Members of the European Parliament have agreed in a nonlegislative resolution that the European Union needs a fixed target for the share of renewables in the overall energy mix by 2030. The need for a better integrated system at EU level to promote renewable energy, the possibility of adopting a mandatory...

EU to impose dumping duties on biodiesel from Argentina, Indonesia
The European Union will impose provisional antidumping duties on biodiesel imports from Argentina and Indonesia, according to various media reports. Argentinean biodiesel will face a provisional tariff of 7–11%, and Indonesian biodiesel will face a provisional tariff of 0–10%, the reports add...

Report: European Union plans to reduce energy prices for industry
The European Union plans to reduce energy prices for industry to stimulate growth, create jobs, and improve the competitiveness of European companies, according to a report in German newspaper Die Welt. These are the main points to be discussed at a summit meeting at Brussels today. The European Commission...

Two firms jointly develop multifeed biodiesel plant in Colorado
Bio Plant Technologies (BPT; Boulder, CO) and GHP Biodiesel (Neumarkt i.d.Oberpfalz, Germany) are joining forces to establish a multifeed biodiesel plant that will consume used cooking oil (UCO) at Boulder, BPT announced. The oil-processing portion of the plant is already built and is being expanded...

NatureWorks names distributor for Brazilian market
NatureWorks (Minnetonka, MN) has named Cromex (São Paulo) as its distributor for Ingeo biobased polymers in Brazil, NatureWorks has announced. Cromex will distribute NatureWorks' biobased polymers to its customer base of thermoformers, film extruders, and injection molders in Brazil. "We...

Myriant and PTT Global Chemical form JV
The board of PTT Global Chemical (PTTGC; Bangkok) has approved the formation of a biobased chemicals joint venture with Myriant (Quincy, MA) to commercialize biobased technology in Southeast Asia. PTTGC holds 54% in the jv, Auria BioChemical, with Myriant holding the remainder. PTTGC owns 47.25% in Myriant...

Cobalt signs biobased butadiene deal
Cobalt Technologies (Mountain View, CA) says it has partnered with two unnamed Asian companies for the development of biobased butadiene. The deal calls for the construction of a commercial-scale biorefinery in Asia, with the option to build or license additional plants. Both partners made an undisclosed...

Cereplast restructures
Cereplast (El Segundo, CA) says it will relocate its corporate headquarters to Seymour, IN, to save costs and move its European headquarters to Milan in order to focus its efforts on the most dynamic bioplastics markets in Europe. The company says both its El Segundo and Bonen, Germany, offices will close...

Finland's UPM and Neste Oil in court dispute over biodiesel patent
Industrial group UPM- Kymmene (Helsinki) has registered a court request with the Helsinki District Court to invalidate Neste Oil's (Espoo, Finland) biodiesel patent, alleging it does not differ from previously patented innovations, UPM tells CW.  UPM group operates three business divisions: pulp...