"New Review on Lignocellulosic Bioethanol Published"

📢 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭: 𝐁𝐢𝐨𝐟𝐮𝐞𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 2025 We are excited to announce the release of the September 2025 issue of Biofuel Research Journal (BRJ), featuring cutting-edge research that pushes the boundaries of bio-based innovation and sustainability. 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞: ● Rewiring 𝘌𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘪 central carbon metabolism for the sustainable bioconversion of waste glycerol into biodegradable polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) ● Microbial photoproduction of n-heptane as a renewable hydrocarbon fuel ● Distillable amine-based solvents enabling effective pretreatment of diverse biomass feedstocks ● Metabolic engineering of 𝘒𝘭𝘶𝘺𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘺𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘹𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘶𝘴 to boost the biosynthesis of succinic acid These contributions reflect the journal’s mission to advance transformative solutions in biofuels, bioproducts, and the sustainable bioeconomy. 📖 Read the full issue here: https://lnkd.in/dkZBqiF #Biofuels #Sustainability #Biotechnology #Bioeconomy #BRJ #RenewableEnergy #GreenChemistry #CircularEconomy #SyntheticBiology #MetabolicEngineering #WasteValorization #ClimateAction #CleanEnergy #FutureFuels

These are some excellent examples of how biotechnology is paving the way for a sustainable future. My work in Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) reinforces the critical role that microbial cell factories play in the broader bioeconomy

🔬 New Publication Alert! 🌱 Excited to share our latest research article, now published in the journal Biofuels: 📖 "Two-stage cultivation of microalga for sustainable biofuel production" 🔗 Read the full article here https://lnkd.in/grnBs8Pz In this study, we present a two-stage cultivation strategy using Scenedesmus sp. GTAF_01 IU to significantly enhance lipid accumulation for biofuel production: ✅ Stage 1: Controlled biomass generation in a closed photobioreactor ✅ Stage 2: Lipid induction under nutrient stress in open ponds This two step approach balances efficiency, scalability, and cost-effectiveness, marking a step forward in the development of sustainable algal biofuels. 🧪 Key contributions: Improved lipid yield without genetic modification Cost-optimized process suitable for scale-up A feasible model for biofuel production in developing regions We hope this adds meaningful insight to the ongoing global conversation around green energy and carbon-neutral fuel alternatives. 📚 DOI: 10.1080/17518253.2025.2543909 #Biofuel #Microalgae #SustainableEnergy #ResearchPublication #GreenTechnology #AcademicResearch #AlgalBiotechnology #CleanEnergy #IITBHU #IntegralUniversity

🌱 Towards a More Sustainable Economy: Moving towards a more sustainable society requires developing processes that can produce, from renewable sources, the monomers that are currently obtained mainly from non-renewable feedstocks, such as petroleum. Unlike petrochemistry, many reactions in biorefineries take place in the liquid phase, which calls for the design of new catalysts tailored to these conditions. And to make the whole process truly sustainable, these catalysts must be heterogeneous, active and selective. 🔬 From Biomass to 1,5-Pentanediol One of our research lines focuses on producing 1,5-pentanediol from biomass residues, specifically from furfural. This process involves a hydrogenation with ring opening that requires bifunctional active sites: metallic sites to activate hydrogen and Lewis acid sites to activate the furan ring. ⚙️ Our Latest Advance In our recent study just published in Chemical Engineering Journal —linked to the PhD work of Asier Barredo— we have developed a CoMgAl catalyt in which cobalt sites are able to perform both roles. Metallic cobalt sites activate hydrogen, while the “coordinatively unsaturated sites” (Coδ+ closed to an oxygen vacancy) provide the Lewis acid centres required for ring opening. By tuning the pretreatment temperature, we can engineer the balance between the two kinds of sites. Remarkably, although its activity is still moderate, this catalyst also manages to open the hydrogenated ring —a step that until now was thought to require noble metals. https://lnkd.in/dqVRBymA

🚨 New project alert! The CBE JU-funded #SOLRESS project is developing an innovative biorefinery system that will turn coffee waste and plant biomass into safe, bio-based solvents such as ethyl acetate, ethyl lactate and butyl acetate. These greener alternatives will help industries reduce emissions and health risks without compromising performance. What SOLRESS will deliver: ▶️ Production of bio-based solvents from coffee grounds and wood waste ▶️ Conversion of CO₂ and biomass hydrolysates into lactic and acetic acids ▶️ Scale-up of bioethanol, biobutanol, and furfural for solvent synthesis ▶️ Demonstration of 400 litres of ester solvents and 50 litres of furfural solvents from 2 tonnes of biomass waste ▶️ Recycling of 100,000 tonnes of coffee and wood waste annually, producing up to 50,000 tonnes of solvents ▶️ More than €100 million in revenues and 300 new jobs in the EU bioeconomy The project is supported with €7.04 million in CBE JU funding and has 15 partners from 11 countries.

📢 We are proud to share that last week, GALACTIC and the 16 other European actors participating in the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU), called Solress, held their first kick-off meeting in Spain, led by the project coordinator, AIMPLAS · Technological Institute of Plastics. Our two project managers, Pieter Van der Weeën and Carlos Antonio López Fletes, represented Galactic, which plays a key role in the success of this European project. Our efforts will focus on developing an innovative biorefinery system that will turn coffee waste and plant biomass into safe, bio-based solvents such as ethyl acetate, ethyl lactate and butyl acetate. Discover more about the project in the carousel below 👇 or via the website: https://lnkd.in/enUY8mjF And if you're interested in the project and want to know more, don't hesitate to contact us!

HighChem and Hokkaido University Establish Joint Lab for Mass Production of Plant-Based PET Bottles HighChem and Hokkaido University have established the "HighChem Hokkaido University R&D Lab" under their Industry Creation Program. On June 13, a joint press conference was held at the Hokkaido University Centennial Memorial Hall. During the press conference, presentations were made on the groundbreaking research aimed at the commercialization of plant-derived future PET bottles and fibers. The two companies discussed how their collaboration would generate synergistic effects and advance these technologies. Today, we’ll introduce the highlights of the press conference and an overview of the presentation! Groundbreaking Joint Research with Hokkaido University, a Leader in Catalysis Research, and a Trading Company with Multiple Commercialization Achievements At the press conference, Keiichi Aoshima, Director of HighChem Tokyo Research Lab, explained the background of the establishment of the "HighChem Hokkaido University R&D Lab." Regarding the groundbreaking nature of the joint development, Director Aoshima emphasized, groundbreaking aspects of this joint development: "Research on creating polymers from biomass is being pursued both domestically and internationally, but the challenge has been that the entire process from raw material procurement to application development has not been connected in a coherent line. This collaboration between a trading company and a university aims to expedite the societal implementation of the products."  In advancing research towards societal implementation, HighChem presented examples of its achievements in implementing ethylene glycol, a key material for PET bottles, derived from non-petroleum sources, and its ongoing work since 2021 on PLA (polylactic acid) fiber production. Additionally, they highlighted that Hokkaido University is one of the few organizations in Japan with top-tier catalytic research capabilities. Due to Hokkaido's natural resources, the university is actively advancing research in biomass utilization. Director Aoshima emphasized, "We aim to leverage HighChem’s commercialization achievements and the network we have cultivated to harness the catalytic expertise of Hokkaido University, the synergy of the catalyst research institute, and accelerate the commercialization of biomass-derived PET bottles and fibers."  Please refer to the following link for more details. https://lnkd.in/gfkjZK5W

https://lnkd.in/dcM_SfR5 🚀 Turning waste into sustainable energy! This study explores the hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of bio-oil derived from sisal residue using platinum-impregnated, hierarchically structured HZSM-5 zeolites synthesized from coal fly ash silica ♻️. 🔬 Key highlights: ✅ Silica extraction: 35 wt% yield, 97% purity ✅ HZ05Pt catalyst (moderate desilication) boosted hydrocarbon yield to 68.8% ✅ Selectivity enhanced for C9–C12 (15.89%) and C13–C20 (30.86%) fractions – ideal for biofuels ✅ Oxygen reduced to 14.26 wt% (O/C = 0.15), improving energy density ❌ Excessive desilication (HZ20Pt) caused lower activity and structural degradation ⚠️ Nitrogen compounds showed limited conversion, pointing to restricted hydrodenitrogenation 🌱 By integrating moderate hierarchization with platinum incorporation, this work demonstrates a synergistic pathway for stable, energy-dense biofuels, while valorizing coal fly ash under the circular economy concept. #SustainableEnergy #CircularEconomy #WasteToValue #GreenChemistry #Catalysis #Biofuels #RenewableEnergy #HZSM5 #Zeolites #Platinum #EnergyTransition #CleanEnergy #Sisal #CarbonNeutral

Prof J Pieter H van Wyk (Ph.D), presented his plenary Valorization of biomass waste for medicinal purposes. He highlighted how biomass can replace fossil fuels in building a circular economy and shared his team’s innovative use of garden snails as a source of cellulase enzymes to convert waste like sawdust, peanut shells, and paper into glucose. This research is opening pathways to products such as nanocellulose, a renewable material with potential as a drug carrier. #SASBCP #SASBCP2025 #PharmacologySA #UKZN

Emerging Catalysts and Techniques in Microalgae-Based Biodiesel Production Full access: https://lnkd.in/g9GCZQ6R By PARTHA PROTIM BORTHAKUR and Pranjal Sarmah From the 3rd International Electronic Conference on Catalysis Sciences Check more Proceedings: https://lnkd.in/gTb3_Xic The production of biodiesel from microalgae presents a sustainable and renewable solution to the growing global energy demands, with catalysts playing a critical role in optimizing the transesterification process. This study examines the emerging catalysts and innovative techniques utilized in converting microalgal lipids into fatty acid methyl esters, emphasizing their impact on reaction efficiency, yield, and environmental sustainability. Sulfuric acid demonstrates excellent performance in in situ transesterification, while NaOH/zeolite achieves high biodiesel yields using ultrasound- and microwave-assisted methods. Metal oxides such as CuO, NiO, and MgO supported on zeolite, as well as ZnAl-layered double hydroxides (LDHs), further enhance reaction performance through their high activity and stability. Enzymatic catalysts, particularly immobilized lipases, provide a more environmentally friendly option, offering high yields (>90%) and the ability to operate under mild conditions. However, their high cost and limited reusability pose significant challenges. Ionic liquid catalysts, such as tetrabutylphosphonium carboxylate, streamline the process by eliminating the need for drying and lipid extraction, achieving yields as high as 98% from wet biomass. The key novelty of this work lies in its detailed focus on the use of ionic liquids and nanocatalysts in microalgae-based biodiesel production, which are often underrepresented in previous reviews that primarily discuss homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts. #Microalgae #GreenChemistry #RenewableEnergy