DEINOVE and Arbiom aim to develop a ‘carbon free’ chemical industry

DEINOVE, a biotech company developing innovative processes for producing biofuels and bio-based chemicals by using Deinococcus bacteria, and Arbiom, a biotechnology company dedicated to the development of a bio-refinery process from non-food biomass, have announced the start of a collaboration. Both companies decided to combine their respective technologies to provide a complete value proposition integrating different links in the biorefinery value chain.

Combining technologies of excellence

By combining their technologies, both emerging from French biotechnology research, the companies aim to develop more efficient integrated industrial processes in terms of performance and production costs.

Arbiom develops biorefinery units for the conversion of non-food biomass into fermentable sugars and lignin. The company has developed a patented process for the pre-treatment and hydrolysis of plant biomass, with a particular focus on lignin rich forest residues. It aims to provide ready made recycling solutions to industries producing plant waste (sawmills, furniture, construction, pulp and paper industries, etc).

DEINOVE develops biomass hydrolysis and fermentation methods for the production of compounds of interest used in plastics, food, feed, cosmetics, etc.

Initial evaluation phase

The initial phase of the collaboration involves the characterisation of the Arbiom biomass (forestry residues pre-treated with phosphoric acid and hydrolysed) and the evaluation of Deinococcus potential for assimilating the sugars extracted from this biomass.

Prior to the conclusion of the collaboration agreement with Arbiom, the DEINOVE teams conducted assimilation tests in the laboratory, which show promising results. On this basis, further tests will be conducted to define the molecules that can be produced by fermentation. The work could continue in the Arbiom pilot unit in Norton, Virginia.

"Our goal is to contribute to the development of a responsible bioeconomy. This collaboration with DEINOVE broadens the range of applications of our biorefineries and the solutions we offer to industry" said Gilles Amsallem, CEO of Arbiom.

"This collaboration agreement with Arbiom constitutes a new market potential for our technology. We are pleased that our technology also works on wood, opening the way to multiple applications for the valorisation of wood residues," said Emmanuel Petiot, CEO of DEINOVE.

Adapted from press release by Francesca Brindle

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/clean-fuels/21032016/deinove-arbiom-collaborate-on-a-carbon-free-chemical-industry-2811/