• Login
    • Join
  • Subscribe Free
    • Magazine
    • eNewsletter
    Checkout
    • Magazine
    • News
    • Exclusives
    • Labels & Packaging
    • Markets
    • Technology
    • Equipment
    • Supplies
    • Buyers' Guide
    • Events
    • Jobs
    • More
  • Magazine
  • News
  • Exclusives
  • Labels & Packaging
  • Markets
  • Technology
  • Equipment
  • Supplies
  • Buyers' Guide
  • Events
  • Jobs
  • Current / Back Issues
    Features
    Editorial
    Columns
    Digital Edition
    eNewsletter Archive
    Our Team
    Subscribe Now
    Advertise Now
    Top Features
    The 2023 TLMI Label Awards

    Digital Printing Report

    Laser Diecutting

    Labelexpo Europe 2023 Post-Show Report

    Narrow Web Profile: TLF Graphics
    Breaking News
    Converter News
    European Label News
    Industry News
    Industry People
    M&A News
    New Products
    Expert's Opinion
    Live From Shows
    Top News
    Dantex and ACTEGA successfully collaborate

    Prati celebrating 50th anniversary

    All4Labels Group acquires Uniflexo

    Rosas Maschinenbau introduces new RFID label converting line

    Lecta unveils new functional Metalvac papers
    Blog
    Video Bites
    Beauty & Personal Care Labels
    Beer Labels
    Beverage Labels
    Flexible Packaging
    Folding Carton
    Food Labels
    Glue-Applied
    In-Mold
    Industrial Labels
    Medical Labels
    Pharmaceutical Labels
    Pressure Sensitive
    Prime Labels
    Promotional Labels
    Security Labels
    Shrink
    Smart Labels
    Specialty Labels
    Spirits Labels
    Wine Labels

    DOC's 'circumvention' decision drives American jobs offshore

    Rosas Maschinenbau introduces new RFID label converting line

    Amid sanctions and isolation, hard times for Russia’s label industry

    Lecta unveils new functional Metalvac papers

    Avery Dennison announces atma.io updates
    Africa
    Asia
    Australia
    China
    Europe
    India
    Latin America
    Middle East
    North America

    DOC's 'circumvention' decision drives American jobs offshore

    All4Labels Group acquires Uniflexo

    Amid sanctions and isolation, hard times for Russia’s label industry

    Xeikon brings digital expertise to Labelexpo Asia

    Flint Group presents EkoCure Dual Cure at Labelexpo Asia 2023
    Flexography
    Digital Printing
    Prepress
    Finishing
    Sustainability

    Dantex and ACTEGA successfully collaborate

    Prati celebrating 50th anniversary

    Amid sanctions and isolation, hard times for Russia’s label industry

    Attracting new talent – human resources and AI opportunities

    Cartes elevates brands with digital label embellishment
    Digital Printers & Presses
    Flexo Presses
    Label Converting Equipment
    Label Finishing Equipment
    Prepress Equipment

    Rosas Maschinenbau introduces new RFID label converting line

    Xeikon brings digital expertise to Labelexpo Asia

    Mark Andy names Duane Pekar CEO

    India’s Maharshi Labels installs Baldwin’s Guardian OLP

    Arrow Systems adds Ron Brown to sales team
    Dies And Tooling
    Flexo Supplies
    Ink & Coatings
    Prepress Supplies
    Pressrooom Supplies
    Substrates

    Lecta unveils new functional Metalvac papers

    Avery Dennison achieves +Vantage Vinyl verification

    Flint Group presents EkoCure Dual Cure at Labelexpo Asia 2023

    UPM Raflatac targets label waste recycling with new partnership

    APR joins Canada Plastics Pact
    All Companies
    Categories
    Company Profiles
    Label Converters
    Trade Associations
    Add New Company
    International Buyers Guide Companies
    Ashe Converting Equipment

    Epson America, Inc.

    Meech International

    Lemu Group America

    Delta ModTech
    Industry Events
    Webinars
    Live from Show Events
    • Magazine
      • Current & Past Issues
      • Features
      • Editorial
      • Columns
      • Digital Edition
      • eNewsletter Archive
      • Subscribe Now
      • Advertise Now
    • Breaking News
    • Buyers' Guide
      • All Companies
      • Categories
      • Company Profiles
      • Label Converters
      • Trade Associations
      • Add Your Company
    • Labels & Packaging
      • Beauty & Personal Care Labels
      • Beer Labels
      • Beverage Labels
      • Flexible Packaging
      • Folding Carton
      • Food Labels
      • Glue-Applied
      • In-Mold
      • Industrial Labels
      • Medical Labels
      • Pharmaceuticals Labels
      • Pressure Sensitive
      • Prime Labels
      • Promotional Labels
      • Security Labels
      • Shrink
      • Smart Labels
      • Speciality Labels
      • Spirits Labels
      • Wine Tables
    • Markets
      • Africa
      • Asia
      • Australia
      • China
      • Europe
      • India
      • Latin America
      • Middle East
      • North America
    • Equipment
      • Digital Printers & Presses
      • Flexo Presses
      • Label Converting Equipment
      • Label Fishing Equipment
    • Supplies
      • Dies And Tooling
      • Flexo Supplies
      • Ink & Coatings
      • Prepress Supplies
      • Substrates
      • Pressrooom Supplies
    • Online Exclusives
    • Slideshows
    • Experts Opinions
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Infographics
    • Blog
    • Whitepapers
    • Events
      • Industry Events
      • Live from Show Events
      • Webinars
    • Jobs
    • Resources
      • Supplier Gallery
      • Literature Showcase
      • Homepage Showcase
    • About Us
      • About Us
      • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms of Use
    Letters From The Earth

    Biology and Balance

    ...

    Calvin Frost09.11.17
    Earlier this year I mentioned that I would write a column on “bio” or green chemistry. It’s complicated and requires a chemistry primer. But, the real key, after you understand the chemistry, is that bio technology helps make life cycle assessment (LCA), circular economy, and growth and focus on sustainable packaging successful. Indeed, you cannot help but be aware of a growing interest in ecofriendly alternatives to synthetics: cashew nutshells (CNSL) into phenolic compounds; cellulose to sugars; sustainable proteins replacing latex. These are just a few of the really exciting developments that ultimately, in my view, will change global packaging, making it more friendly while creating less of an impact on our daily lives.

    So, the primer: “Biochemistry is the study of chemical processes within and relating to living organisms.” Inevitably, biochemistry takes us back to our days in biology class where information flows through “biochemical signaling and the flow of chemical energy through metabolism,” which gives us life.  Today, the main focus of biochemistry is an understanding of how biological molecules give rise to the processes that occur within living cells (KARP 2009, Page 2). Biochemistry is really all about biopolymers, which, as mentioned above, are living organisms. There are three classes of biopolymers: polynucleotides (RNA and DNA), polypeptides (amino acids), and polysaccharides (carbohydrates).

    Cellulose is, without a doubt, the most common organic and biopolymer on earth, according to my research. About 33% of all plant matter is cellulose. For example, the cellulose content of cotton is 90% while wood is 50% (I will discuss cellulose at greater length).

    If I haven’t confused you yet, try to understand the major difference between biopolymers and synthetic polymers. A major difference can be found in their structure. All polymers are made of monomers. (Okay, not much more). Biopolymers have a reasonably well defined structure.  The chemical composition is called “the primary structure,” in the case of proteins. Many biopolymers spontaneously “fold into compact shapes, and this determines their biological function, which depends on their primary structure. In contrast, synthetic polymers have much simpler and more specific structures. This leads to the creation of very defined chains of “molecular mass distribution” that we don’t see in biopolymers. Hence when we talk about polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, etc., we have managed their composition versus the random monomers in biopolymers. Just think of the discourse and discussion on natural medicine (for example, cannabis) versus synthetics like prednisone, ibrutinib and so on. The debate rages. I think the answer is that both have their place. Both have their strengths and weaknesses. Aren’t we back to one of my favorite words? Balance. Most of what I have written, if you’ve made it this far, was obtained from an old chemistry book that I found covered with dust in our basement. Now I can defend my position to keep stuff. Suffice it to say, I read more and more about natural and biopolymeric structures. Change is happening, and I’ll give you several examples in the remainder of this column.

    I introduced cashew nutshell liquid (CNSL) to you in my last column. Therefore, I’ll move directly to the 10-ton gorilla, cellulose to sugar. This subject isn’t without controversy because historically we’ve used corn as the primary feedstock. This obviously means we’re using a major food source to make fuel and understandably that can’t be taken lightly. But, listen up. There’s a new technology that is allowing us to use different feedstocks to make ethanol from cellulose. First, according to Allied Market Research, the global bio-ethanol market will reach about $10 billion by 2020, which is double its value in 2015.  This kind of growth wouldn’t be possible without using a new technology that uses non-food sources as its feedstock. The feedstock is “common cellulosic waste,” instead of corn, for the ethanol manufacturing process.  This is incredibly exciting and is driven by understanding what tricks or tips enzymes.

    In this new process we are able to extract low grades of sugar from cellulosic waste. This “waste” is abundant, and much of it comes from agricultural and residential sources such as discarded corn stalks, leaves (remember when we used to burn leaves?), yard clippings, grass, paper and wood chips, and so on, anything cellulosic. We have known for years that these feedstocks have sugar. The challenge has been to extract the sugar at a cost that is affordable to both producers and consumers.  Now cellulose to sugar (CTS) is capable of converting cellulose waste to ethanol economically.
    CTS is a simple mechanical process that converts any cellulose material into inexpensive sugars, which can then be used to create cellulosic ethanol or other products, including fine chemicals, construction products, pharmaceutical or nutraceutical products and carbon fiber nanotubes. By combining common waste with a proprietary dry catalyst in a CTS reactor, a mechanochemical reaction is created within minutes, breaking down the cellulose into its base components of C5 and C6 sugars plus pure lignin. The costs for this process are leaned out even further by the elimination of additional process components, including expensive enzymes, liquid acids, applied heat or pressure.

    On the surface, ethanol is the same whether it’s made from corn, yard clippings or any other type of waste. As a result, it performs the same when used as fuel. However, what makes CTS cellulosic ethanol unique is its versatility and the ability to create it from nonfood sources on nonfarm lands in larger quantities and at lower costs. This flexibility is leading to wider acceptance and use. The racing industry, including NASCAR and Indy car, has adopted ethanol as its primary fuel source because of its high performance and remarkably low greenhouse gas emission. Ethanol’s applications are far reaching and can be seen in jet and diesel fuel, as well as in industrial grade alcohols.

    The cost comparison is really interesting. Using corn and traditional ethanol processing, a gallon of ethanol costs between $1.30 – 1.60/gallon. Using other cellulose waste and the CTS process, the cost of production is less than $1.00 per gallon and this is projected to decrease another 20 cents per gallon. This is equivalent to $18.00 per barrel of oil. There are several other advantages: location of a processing facility near the feedstock source, which reduces raw material transportation costs; the actual cost of producing ethanol from a non-food cellulosic source is cheaper than the traditional source; and, “strategic location of production facilities is much simpler because the feedstock is, quite literally, all over the place.”

    Very simply, cellulose waste to sugar and sugar to ethanol means 85 – 90% lower greenhouse gas than traditional petroleum based fuels, not to mention less volatility and less fumes. Finally, not only do we have a reduction in CO2 but you have less material sitting in landfills, which creates methane, an extremely undesirable gas. “The CTS process actually consumes CO2 instead of creating it. While consuming very little energy, it creates a carbon neutral food product and a fuel product that is markedly cleaner than more conventional products.” Indeed, the prediction by Daniel DeLiege, chairman of Alliance Bio-Products, Inc. and author of Something from Nothing, my source for much of the above, is that waste-based ethanol could replace petroleum gasoline in the next 20 years. This is biochemistry at its best.

    In my next column, I’ll continue the discussion on biobased technology by introducing a Dutch initiative that has helped accelerate the development of biobased materials, along with caterpillars that eat plastic waste.

    Another Letter from the Earth.


    Calvin Frost is chairman of Channeled Resources Group, headquartered in Chicago, the parent company of Maratech International and GMC Coating. His email address is
    cfrost@channeledresources.com.
    Related Searches
    • primary
    • polypropylene
    • green
    • primer
    Suggested For You
    Channeled Resources Group Channeled Resources Group
    Momentive launches new release coating Momentive launches new release coating
    Maan Engineering launches Hybrid coating technology Maan Engineering launches Hybrid coating technology
    Worlds Collide Worlds Collide
    Constantia Flexibles invests in film technology in Germany Constantia Flexibles invests in film technology in Germany
    Channeled Resources: Channeled Resources: 'Stop landfilling!'
    Sonoco’s Corporate Responsibility Report shows steady progress Sonoco’s Corporate Responsibility Report shows steady progress
    The Packaging School debuts Sustainable Packaging online course The Packaging School debuts Sustainable Packaging online course
    TruTag wins technology award TruTag wins technology award
    SIG Combibloc launches digital solution for traceability SIG Combibloc launches digital solution for traceability
    CTI’s new technology assists food companies with FSMA compliance CTI’s new technology assists food companies with FSMA compliance
    Omet takes on Omet takes on 'Industry 4.0'
    Addressing challenges of change in an era of transformation Addressing challenges of change in an era of transformation
    H.B. Fuller receives Sonoco H.B. Fuller receives Sonoco's 2017 Quality and Innovation Award
    Carbon tax: the political football Carbon tax: the political football

    Related Buyers Guide Companies

    • Channeled Resources Group

      Channeled Resources Group

      ...
      Cindy White, President 03.29.23

    • Momentive launches new release coating

      SilForce* SL7562S can enable higher productivity and efficiency for label manufacturing, converting and dispensing.
      09.27.17

    • Maan Engineering launches Hybrid coating technology

      The coating line allows users to produce both laminate and linerless labels.
      09.26.17


    • Worlds Collide

      ...
      Steve Katz, Editor 09.11.17

    • Europe | Flexible Packaging | Food Labels | Substrates

      Constantia Flexibles invests in film technology in Germany

      As part of the investments, the company has installed two blown-film (polyethylene) extrusion lines in Wieden.
      09.05.17

    Loading, Please Wait..

    Breaking News
    • Dantex and ACTEGA successfully collaborate
    • Prati celebrating 50th anniversary
    • All4Labels Group acquires Uniflexo
    • Rosas Maschinenbau introduces new RFID label converting line
    • Lecta unveils new functional Metalvac papers
    View Breaking News >
    CURRENT ISSUE

    November/December 2023

    • DIVE INTO DIGITAL
    • THE 2023 TLMI LABEL AWARDS
    • Digital Printing Report
    • Laser Diecutting
    • Labelexpo Europe 2023 Post-Show Report
    • Narrow Web Profile: TLF Graphics
    • View More >

    Cookies help us to provide you with an excellent service. By using our website, you declare yourself in agreement with our use of cookies.
    You can obtain detailed information about the use of cookies on our website by clicking on "More information”.

    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms And Conditions
    • Contact Us

    follow us

    Subscribe
    Nutraceuticals World

    Latest Breaking News From Nutraceuticals World

    Lion’s Mane Extract Linked to Better Cognitive Performance, Subjective Stress
    NutraShure Introduces SA3X as Exclusive US Supplier
    NPA Lawsuit Claims New York Age Restriction on Supplements is Unconstitutional
    Coatings World

    Latest Breaking News From Coatings World

    Sherwin-Williams Introduces 858 Series Skyscapes Single Stage Topcoat
    PPG to Support Automotive Refinish Education in France
    U.S. Has Tools it Needs to Reach Climate Goals: USGBC
    Medical Product Outsourcing

    Latest Breaking News From Medical Product Outsourcing

    Medtronic Terminates $738M Deal for EOFlow, Citing Agreement Breaches
    Medtronic's Rechargeable Percept RC Deep Brain Stimulation Gets EU Nod
    FDA OKs Bering's BraveCX AI-Based Chest X-Ray Triage Software
    Contract Pharma

    Latest Breaking News From Contract Pharma

    Taiwan Bio, TRACT Therapeutics Partner on Organ Transplant Rejection
    Dr. Reddy’s, Coya Therapeutics Partner on ALS Therapy
    IMIDomics, BMS Expand Partnership to Advance IMID Treatment
    Beauty Packaging

    Latest Breaking News From Beauty Packaging

    Respect Wellness Introduces Facial Balm for Women Navigating Menopause
    Kara Beauty Unveils Eyeshadow Palette Inspired by Royal Dansk Danish Butter Cookies
    Shiseido Establishes University in Ginza, Tokyo
    Happi

    Latest Breaking News From Happi

    Dollar Shave Club Introduces Two Electric Grooming Tools to Product Portfolio
    It’s a 10 Founder Acquires Canadian Hair Care Company Nisim
    ACI to White House Interagency Panel: Remove the Bottleneck to Sustainable Chemistry
    Ink World

    Latest Breaking News From Ink World

    CPIPC Hosts November 2023 Technical Dinner Meeting
    Müller Martini Adds the Hunkeler Group
    ITMA ASIA + CITME Concludes on High Note
    Label & Narrow Web

    Latest Breaking News From Label & Narrow Web

    Dantex and ACTEGA successfully collaborate
    Prati celebrating 50th anniversary
    All4Labels Group acquires Uniflexo
    Nonwovens Industry

    Latest Breaking News From Nonwovens Industry

    INDA Seeking Abstracts for World of Wipes International Conference
    Monadnock Introduces New Generation of Veils
    G-P Invests in Oregon Facility
    Orthopedic Design & Technology

    Latest Breaking News From Orthopedic Design & Technology

    HOPCo Acquires MyACTome Digital Health Platform
    OSSIOfiber Scores FDA OK to Fix Bone Fractures in Children
    Bone Health Technologies Earns 4th Patent for Osteoboost Device
    Printed Electronics Now

    Latest Breaking News From Printed Electronics Now

    Pragmatic Semiconductor Secures $231 Million Investment
    SRI Unveils Transformative New Brand Identity
    ALMA Lens Promises New Hope for Patients with Vision Disorders

    Copyright © 2023 Rodman Media. All rights reserved. Use of this constitutes acceptance of our privacy policy The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Rodman Media.

    AD BLOCKER DETECTED

    Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors.
    Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker.


    FREE SUBSCRIPTION Already a subscriber? Login