Page 172 - CW E-Magazine (28-11-2023)

News from Abroad

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL SOLUTIONS

Bayer, Bioweg join up to develop new biodegradable

seed coatings and formulation materials

German biotech startup, Bioweg, facilitating easier planting, enhancing
has announced a partnership with Bayer seed quality through the application
focused on the development and test- of active compounds, and providing
ing of sustainable formulation materi- protection against both biological and
als for seed coatings and encapsulation environmental stresses.
of controlled-release plant protection
products that are bio-based and bio- Seed coatings typically comprise
degradable. polymers, binders, colorants, minerals,
agricultural product know-how, seam- and various additives. These compo-
As part of the deal, Bioweg’s mate- lessly fused with the dynamic, agile, nents fall under stringent regulations
rial R&D team will relocate onsite to and innovative work culture of the and are often non-biodegradable. Bioweg
Bayer LifeHub Monheim facilities, startup, Bioweg, on the same campus.” has developed biodegradable and
fostering a dynamic and synergistic bio-based alternatives to agricultural
partnership. LifeHub Monheim strives “We are happy to welcome the first coatings and beyond to other agricul-
to support and leverage innovative start-up company on the campus of tural formulation materials. According
start-ups by hosting them in Bayer Bayer’s global Crop Science Division to the company, its sustainable and cus-
facilities to allow for close interaction headquarters in Germany as part of tomisable solutions are solving several
and collaboration. Bioweg’s collabo- our open innovation strategy and our challenges, such as tuneable release,
ration with Bayer has been supported efforts to further complement our loading of actives or micronutrients,
by Chemstars and Circular Valley. innovation capabilities through close and increasing the microbial load
Notably, Chemstars has played a pivot- interaction with young and innovative capacity for optimised crop yields.
al role in facilitating Bioweg’s transi- start-up companies,” said Mr. Axel “The development of biodegradable
tion to Bayer LifeHub Monheim. Trautwein, Head of Regulatory Science seed and fertiliser coatings not only
at Bayer’s Crop Science Division. expands the options for growers to get
Dr. Prateek Mahalwar, Bioweg’s more value from their production, both
CEO said, “This innovative collabo- Today, seeds undergo a coating economically and environmentally.
ration not only promises to expedite process to achieve uniformity in shape, This radically new approach can also
sustainable solutions to the market, but size, weight, and surface. This coating help make agriculture and our food
also harnesses the strengths of Bayer’s serves multiple purposes, including system more resilient,” it added.

PROJECT PROGRESS
Asahi Kasei, Gentari, and JGC move ahead on Malaysia

green hydrogen project

Japanese firms, Asahi Kasei and randum of understanding (MoU) for a Organization (NEDO). Pursuant to the
JGC Holdings Corporation (JGC), front-end engineering design (FEED) MoU, the parties are preparing for the
along with Malaysia’s Gentari Hydro- study for the project. FEED study to commence in January
gen, a wholly-owned subsidiary of 2024, and start-up is planned for 2027.
Petronas clean energy arm, Gentari, have This project is supported by the
announced the completion of a detailed Green Innovation Fund for Large-scale The collaboration will advance the
feasibility study for production of up Alkaline Water Electrolysis System deployment of a 60-MW water electro-
to 8-ktpa of green hydrogen using a Development and Green Chemical Plant lyser, paired with an integrated control
60-MW class alkaline water electrolyser Project by Japan’s New Energy and system, to produce green hydrogen.
system. The parties also signed a memo- Industrial Technology Development “We are pleased to collaborate with

172 Chemical Weekly November 28, 2023

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