Energy

Improved peptide manufacturing process of etelcalcetide, the active ingredient in, Parsabiv™— a drug for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in adult patients with chronic kidney disease. This novel process reduces chemical solvent use by 71%, manufacturing operating time by 56%, and manufacturing costs by 76%. This could eliminate over 14,400 cubic meters of waste, including 750 cubic meters of aqueous waste, while increasing profits.

Pulp and paper enzymes. MetZyme® is a family of enzymatic solutions for all lignin-based biomass applications. These enzymes treat and enhance reused pulp, allowing clients to substitute virgin fiber with recycled fiber (RCF). Products made from RCF require less energy and chemicals to produce. MetZyme® PUREECO™ enzyme process lignocellulosic feedstock to create sustainable and renewably-sourced chemical building blocks for bioplastics, sorbitol, xylitol, furfural, 5-HMF, FDCA, organic acids, and other technologies that support biofuels. Lignin is often treated as waste and burned.

High-power ultrasonic homogenizers. Ultrasonic power is an effective and energy-efficient alternative to high-shear mixers, high-pressure homogenizers, and agitated bead mills. It is used to apply high shear and intense stress to liquids, powder-liquid mixtures, and slurries. This device is used for mixing, dispersing, particle size reduction, extraction, and chemical reactions. This extraction process generates no impurities or hazardous chemicals. Liquid regeneration also allows for prolonged use of cleaning liquids.

Electricity-free mobile refrigeration technology using only sun and water. Refrigeration unit that is lightweight, easy to carry, and fully portable. Product requires no electricity and emits no greenhouse gas emissions. Uses PhaseTek™ technology; when the internal reservoir of the product is filled with any water source, the product undergoes evaporative cooling, reducing the internal storage space by 10-15 degrees Celsius. Refrigeration reduces spoilage, which reduces waste.

Higher quality quantum dots for LED screens that use much less toxic feedstock. This technology replaces the traditional centrifugation method with filtration and uses less toxic solvents. Conventional methods of producing LED screens make substantial use of toxic solvents and are inefficient. This new technology could potentially reduce the use of toxic solvents by 150,000 liters per year in the United States. This technology is also more efficient, reducing energy usage. 

Production of propylene oxide via hydrogen peroxide. Propylene oxide (PO) is a chemical building block for detergents, polyurethanes, de-icers, food additives, and personal care items. The traditional production of PO creates byproducts and significant waste. This novel route produces PO with hydrogen peroxide by using a catalyst, eliminating most of the waste and significantly reducing water and energy use. The production of wastewater is reduced by 70-80%, and energy use is reduced by 35%. This process has high yields and only produces water as a byproduct.

Alumina processing aid designed to prevent the formation of sodalite. Sodalite scale commonly accumulates in the Bayer Process. Traditionally, sodalite scale was addressed after its formation, resulting in a costly and inefficient treatment process. MAX HT® reduces energy and freshwater consumption in alumina processing by addressing sodalite scale before it becomes problematic.

Carbon recycling technology. This technology uses bacteria to convert waste gas (pollution) to fuels and chemicals. Carbon gas streams are common byproducts of established processes. LanzaTech utilizes these gas streams to produce fuels such as ethanol and chemicals such as 2,3-butanediol at high selectivities and yields. LanzaTech's microbes can also consume H2-free CO-only gas streams due to a biological water-gas shift reaction with CO2 and CO catalyzed by carbon monoxide dehydrogenase.

Gasification systems that convert non-recyclable organic waste (bark, sawdust, clean construction/demolition debris, biosolids from sewage sludge) into a product called "syngas" that can be used to fuel heat and power. This novel process has low air emissions and particulate carryover, reducing emissions controls and permits costs. The design is also very simple and has few moving parts. The gasification system can process many challenging renewable waste feedstocks with moisture contents ranging from 6-60% and sizes up to 75 mm.