ASIAWATER 2012
The ASIAWATER 2012 is the largest and most comprehensive Asian trade show for water and wastewater industry, was held from 27-29 March, 2012 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and was concurrently held with ASIAWATER Expo & Forum is the international conference hosted by the Malaysian Water Association.
The Conference in the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center (KLCC) is located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, right next to the breathtaking Petronas Towers. Among the range of topics and exhibitors were in Water Resource Management, Municipality Water Management, Sewerage, Irrigation, Wastewater Treatment & Management, Industrial Water Treatment, Ultra Pure Water and Bottled Water Production.
Algaetech’s CEO Syed Isa Syed Alwi was invited to speak on behalf of Indah Water Konsortium, the Malaysian national sewerage company. His abstract “Bio-Remediation of Wastewater Using Algae for Energy Sustainability” garnered a lot of attention and interest, as Malaysia was designated to be the leading country in Water Technology in emerging nations, many people are keeping their eyes on the development of the project.
Joint Venture Agreement for the Production, Promotion and Marketing of Biofuels from Algae via Nano-Emulsion & Polarization Technology
April 19th 2012 marked a memorable day in Algaetech’s path to becoming a global leader in algae, as Algaetech Sdn Bhd and BATC Development Bhd signed a Joint Venture Agreement for the Production, Promotion and Marketing of Biofuels from Algae via Nano-Emulsion & Polarization Technology. The BIONAS team headed by Executive Chairman Mohd Safi’e M. Jaffri visited the Algaetech Head Office and Laboratory at Technology Park Malaysia.
BIONAS Chief Executive Officer Ms. Zurina Amnan and Algaetech CEO Mr. Syed Isa Syed Alwi signed the Joint Venture Agreement that sees the link-up of the two Malaysian companies in the development and implementation of large scale algae bio-fuels production with Malaysian technology and knowhow. The Nano-emulsion Technology sees the blending of fossil fuel, algae feed stock and specific types of chemicals which are mixed to form stable bonds and create B20 Biofuels and B10-B25 Bio Jetfuel.
Bionas Agropolitan Technology Corridor Development Berhad or better known as BATC Development Berhad is a Malaysian public-listed company incorporated in 2004 and operates under its tradename “BIONAS”. The company’s objective was to promote Jatropha Curcas planting for fuel production as well as to generate wealth creation within the Malaysian Economy. Its assets portfolio in Malaysia consists of over 790,000 acres planted areas, 3.3 million acres land bank, 313 nurseries and collection centers, 4 pressing mills, and 2 processing& blending plants as well as storage facilities.
BIONAS’ production capacities to date are 2.5 million tons of seeds, 0.85 million tons of Crude Jatropha Oil (CJO), 1.7 Million tons of seed cakes (bio‐mass) and 8.5 Million tons of Jatropha based “Drop‐In” additives which in return are able to produce 85 Million tons of bio‐fuels. BIONAS has extended its global presence in Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Philippines, Taiwan, China, Kenya, Pakistan, Middle East, Ethiopia, Sudan and Nigeria, and has recently expanded into North and South America.
Algaetech Sdn Bhd is a Malaysian-based holding company that was founded in 2004 by current CEO, Syed Isa Syed Alwi. The company specializes in microalgae research and development as well as consultancy services, technology providing and has various industrial partnerships and research collaborations around the world. The adaptability of Algaetech’s services and offerings has attracted companies from various countries all over Asia, such as South Korea, India, Thailand, Indonesia; who are interested in incorporating algae systems into their industrial activities.
Algaetech aims to be a turnkey company in the field of algae technology and intends to provide their clients with the choice of a range of possible solutions to help them achieve a greener future. The company has received various awards for its dedication to sustainability and green technology.
World Biofuel Markets Attracts 1500 to Rotterdam
Europe’s largest annual gathering on biofuels, World Biofuels Markets, brought together over 1500 international delegates March 13-15 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Experts and executives from across the sector showed up to analyze the commercialization of biofuels, as well as discuss challenges and developments in aviation, food versus fuel, algae, waste-to-fuel, emerging markets for biofuels, the investment challenges facing the industry as the global economy ebbs and flows, and the ongoing issues of indirect land use facing biofuels producers.
In the final keynote session the conference delegates heard from the US Navy on the strategic importance of using biofuels in their aircraft, ships, and vehicles, from Solazyme on their advancements in sustainable fuels for aviation and transportation, and from Flagship Ventures regarding investments in innovation and new technologies.
Day 3 concluded with sessions dedicated to the up-and-coming algae industry, waste-to-fuel technologies, and the future of biorefining. Delegates heard from entrepreneurs, investors, and scientists regarding the use of macroalgae (seaweed) for fuels and chemicals, algae growth in photobioreactors, and the use of waste products such as municipal solid waste and forest residue for fuels and other bio-based products.
The algae sessions drew an overflow crowd to see Will Thurmond, from Emerging Markets’ panel featuring Syed Isa from Malaysia, Israel’s Ohad Zuckerman and Joel Butler from the U.S. compare their microalgae views and experience.
Survey Results
Also during the event, WBM announced the results of its annual industry survey. With more than 100 biofuels leaders participating, several trends were evident:
feedstocks are shifting to non-food and waste;
the biggest growth opportunities for biofuels are in Asia;
the commercial aviation industry and the US Military will lead in advancing aviation biofuels; but,
government policy and high oil prices will be the triggers for continued global growth
Leaders were asked which next generation feedstocks they thought would be the most promising in 2012. The responses were fairly evenly split among municipal solid waste (at 26%), non-food energy crops such as camelina and jatropha (24%) and algae (20%). Cellulosic trailed slightly (17%), and waste gas (8%).
Respondents were clear in their beliefs that the future investments in biofuels companies in the coming decade will be in Asia – with nearly half of recipients identifying this region. Europe (17%) and North America (15%) placed a distant second and third, respectively.
By far the global price of oil is seen as the major driver of continued investment, with 44% calling that the biggest factor. But government mandates followed with more than 27% driven by mandates and policies in Asia spurring development of clean energy, whereas in the US and Europe policies are subject to the forces of political parties that have not yet been able to fully commit to long term clean energy policies.
One sector that is truly global is the aviation industry, and more than two of three respondents (68.7%) believe this industry will be most influential in driving use of biofuels in the future. The US Military, which has conducted significant tests of a range of biofuels and has committed to fueling half of its fleet with biofuels by 2020 was also seen as a major driver of use (22%).
Source: Green Power Conferences and Syed Isa
Trieste Conference Considers Algae in Developing Economies
The International Centre for Science and High Technology (ICS-UNIDO) presented an Expert Group Meeting on Emerging Technologies for the Production of Biofuels and Chemicals from Algae, March 19-21, in Trieste, Italy. The basic issues discussed related to the questions: will algae shape the future of biomass; and if it does, what are the steps to be taken to assist emerging nations into making this a reality?
The meeting, held in the high AREA Science Park, on the border triangle of Slovania, Italy and Austria, included representatives from Malaysia, India, China, Brazil, South Africa, Egypt, and other specialists of the ICS UNIDO organization. The participants were all experts in the field of algae biomass valorization technologies.
A primary objective in holding this conference was to recognize that many developing countries rely primarily on biomass to satisfy their energy needs. For some countries biomass has been the starting point of a strong industrial development, such as palm oil in Malaysia and sugar cane in Brazil.
First generation biofuels have been widely criticized for their land and water use and for causing food prices to increase. It is therefore essential, noted the conference leaders, that their further development is carried out in accordance with the principles of sustainability.
To that end, this program on utilization and valorization of biomass focused on processes and technologies for production of next-generation biofuels and added value products from non-food crops – such as algae and ligno-cellulosic biomass – and biowaste feedstocks, in particular agricultural, industrial and forestry waste. Special attention was dedicated to innovative biomass conversion and waste treatment technologies relying on the application of thermochemical, chemical catalytic and biochemical methods, and biorefineries.
The program’s presentations and activities all aimed at establishing the relevant innovation, R&D, and production capacities in developing countries to enable them to build sustainable low-carbon chemical and biofuel industries of the future. Participants also conferred to identify the first list of partners for the new network of institutions on algae biomass valorization for future activities and discussed potential cooperation initiatives between ICS, UNIDO, institutions in developing countries, and other partners.
Bio Borneo 2012
THE inaugural Bio-Borneo 2012 exhibition here has received an overwhelming response from exhibitors, comprising mostly bioindustry players from all over the country.
More than 40 booths, exhibiting products of biotech research and development from both the government and private sectors, were erected at the Pullman Hotel.
The three-day exhibition, which lasts until today, is a good opportunity for visitors to witness the latest technology and research advances in the biotechnology industry as well as participate in business matching sessions.
Jointly organised by the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (Mosti) and Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (SBC), the Bio-Borneo aims to increase public awareness and understanding about biotechnology.
“Bio-Borneo is part of the Bioeconomy Initiatives that specifically focuses on driving the biotechnology innovation agenda forward inBorneo,” said Science, Technology and Innovation Deputy Minister Datuk Fadillah Yusof.
He said the Bio-Borneo would be made an annual event, withSabahhosting one next year.
Apart from the bioindustry exhibition, the event here also includes a biotechnology seminar and business matching session.
Bio-Borneo also has activities to create awareness on science and technology through an interactive school programme MyBio@School at the venue, and MyBio Carnival held concurrently at the Hills shopping mall.
Apart from the bioindustry exhibition, the event here also includes a biotechnology seminar and business matching session
Bio-Borneo also has activities to create awareness on science and technology through an interactive school programme MyBio@School at the venue, and MyBio Carnival held concurrently at the Hills shopping mall.
