Core Points - The "2025 (Fifth) Non-Grain Biomass High-Value Utilization Forum" will be held from November 27-29, 2025, in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, focusing on innovations and commercialization in the non-grain biomass sector [2] - The forum aims to promote large-scale applications of non-grain biomass utilization to support carbon neutrality goals [2] Event Details - The forum will feature nearly 50 reports discussing key strategic directions such as green pretreatment of biomass, non-grain sugars, biomass-based chemicals and materials, and biomass energy including methanol, fuel ethanol, biogas, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) [2] - Registration and check-in will occur on November 27 from 12:00 to 20:00, with various activities scheduled throughout the event [4][9] Organizing Institutions - The forum is co-hosted by DT New Materials and the National Key Laboratory of Biomass Transportation Fuel Technology, with notable figures from various academic and research institutions involved [8][6] Agenda Highlights - The agenda includes specialized forums on non-grain biomass chemicals and materials, as well as biomass energy, with sessions dedicated to topics like biomass methanol, fuel ethanol, and biogas [9][30] - Keynote speeches will be delivered by prominent experts, including academicians and industry leaders, discussing advancements in biomass conversion technologies and sustainable fuel production [23][30] Networking Opportunities - The forum will also host a special session for industry exchanges on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), inviting over 20 guests from relevant sectors to discuss trends and collaborative opportunities [20][9] Technology Showcase - A technology showcase will be held to connect innovative projects with commercial potential in the biomass utilization field, encouraging industry-academia collaboration [35]

Core Viewpoint - The research led by Zhang Yiheng's team at the Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology has achieved a breakthrough in converting cellulose into starch with a conversion rate of 93.3%, significantly improving the previous theoretical limit of 50% and addressing food security issues in China [4][11][12]. Group 1: Food Security Challenges - China faces a food security dilemma with 1.58 billion tons of imported grain in 2024, including 26.4 million tons of starch-based grains and approximately 100 million tons of soybeans, while 600 million tons of straw are wasted annually [9][10]. - The annual production of terrestrial plants generates about 2 billion tons of lignocellulose, which is 26 times the current grain production, indicating a potential to create a new agricultural scale by utilizing just 4% of this resource [10]. Group 2: Technological Breakthroughs - The new "multi-enzyme molecular machine" technology allows for the conversion of cellulose to starch with a theoretical yield of nearly 100%, overcoming the limitations of traditional microbial metabolism [4][11]. - The innovative design includes a "recycling system" for glucose, which was previously wasted, and employs a seven-enzyme system to achieve the conversion [11][12]. Group 3: Industrial Applications - The first application target is in the chiral drug separation market, where the newly synthesized starch can meet high precision separation needs, previously dominated by Japanese companies [14][19]. - The team has established a collaboration with Suzhou Nano Micro Technology to utilize their expertise in surface modification, enhancing the performance of the new starch for drug separation [14][19]. Group 4: Commercialization Strategy - Zhang Yiheng emphasizes the importance of aligning technology with market needs, introducing the concept of "PC value" (Product Cost ratio) to guide the commercialization of biomanufactured products [15][18]. - The strategy includes a three-step approach to maximize the value of lignocellulosic resources, starting with the extraction of hemicellulose for high-value products before processing cellulose into starch [17][18]. Group 5: Future Directions - The team aims to reduce enzyme costs and scale up the production process while exploring applications in plant-based capsules and biodegradable materials [18][19]. - Zhang Yiheng's vision includes transforming agricultural waste into valuable food sources, contributing to China's food security and economic growth [18][22].

Core Insights - Xiushi Biopharmaceuticals (Nantong) Co., Ltd. has completed nearly 100 million yuan in Series A financing, led by existing shareholder Huatai Zijin, with additional investments from Shicui Capital, Jinding Capital, and Hunan Aichen [2][3] - Established in 2020, Xiushi Biopharmaceuticals focuses on synthetic biology and innovative peptide synthesis, becoming a national high-tech enterprise [2] - The company has developed a peptide innovation biosynthesis technology platform, overcoming industry bottlenecks in the biosynthesis of complex cyclic peptides, and is a leader in large-scale biosynthesis of complex short peptide drugs in China [2][3] Company Development - Xiushi Biopharmaceuticals has built an AI-enabled R&D center of over 5,000 square meters and a 13,000 square meter intelligent peptide drug production base, capable of flexible production from gram-level R&D samples to ton-level commercial products [3] - The company can meet both small-batch clinical sample needs and support large-scale commercial supply, positioning itself as a leading enterprise in the peptide biosynthesis field [3] - The successful completion of this financing round reflects continued recognition from existing investors and interest from new strategic investors, highlighting the company's growth potential [3]

Core Points - The "2025 (Fifth) Non-Grain Biomass High-Value Utilization Forum" will be held from November 27-29, 2025, in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, focusing on innovations and commercialization in the non-grain biomass sector [2] - The forum aims to promote large-scale applications of non-grain biomass utilization to support carbon neutrality goals [2] Event Details - The forum will feature nearly 50 presentations discussing key strategic areas such as green pretreatment of biomass, non-grain sugars, biomass-based chemicals and materials, and biomass energy including methanol, fuel ethanol, biogas, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) [2] - Registration and check-in will occur on November 27 from 12:00 to 20:00, with various activities scheduled throughout the event [4][9] Organizing Institutions - The forum is co-hosted by DT New Materials and the National Key Laboratory of Biomass Transportation Fuel Technology, with notable figures from various academic and research institutions involved [8][6] Agenda Highlights - The agenda includes a youth forum on non-grain biomass innovations, a SAF industry exchange meeting, and thematic forums on biomass chemicals, materials, and energy [9][30] - Keynote speakers include prominent researchers and industry leaders discussing advancements in biomass utilization and sustainable fuel technologies [23][30] Supporting Units - The event is supported by several academic institutions and associations, including Zhejiang University and various research laboratories focused on biomass materials and technologies [8][6]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses a significant breakthrough in the synthesis of starch from cellulose, which is crucial for food security and industrial applications. The new method achieves a theoretical starch yield of 100%, addressing carbon loss issues and enhancing the potential for industrial-scale production [2][3]. Summary by Sections Breakthrough in Starch Synthesis - The research team led by Zhang Yiheng at the Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology has restructured the synthesis pathway to achieve full carbon utilization in starch production from cellulose [3]. - A new glucose recovery and activation mechanism has been designed, increasing the theoretical starch yield from 50% to 100% [3]. - The stability of enzyme components has been improved, allowing the reaction temperature to rise to 50°C, which enhances enzyme activity and reduces the amount of enzyme needed per unit output [3]. Efficiency and Application - The actual conversion rate of cellulose to starch has been raised to 93.3%, producing ultra-pure amylose with a highly controllable polymerization degree and narrow molecular weight distribution [3]. - This ultra-pure amylose has unique applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and materials sectors, including its use as a chiral separation filler for efficiently separating chiral drug molecules like thalidomide [3]. Expert Opinions - Academics have praised the research as a new breakthrough in synthetic biology, highlighting its potential to address food security and non-grain biomass manufacturing [4]. - The work has received support from national key research and development programs and has been published in the National Science Review [4]. Future Events - The article mentions the upcoming NFUCon 2025 forum, which will focus on the high-value utilization of non-grain biomass, featuring discussions on various strategic directions in biomass technology [5][7].

Core Viewpoint - The 2025 Non-Grain Biomass High-Value Utilization Forum (NFUCon 2025) will focus on innovations and commercialization in the non-grain biomass sector, aiming to promote large-scale applications and support carbon neutrality goals [2]. Group 1: Event Overview - NFUCon 2025 will be held from November 27-29, 2025, in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, at the Kaiyuan Mingting Hotel [2]. - The theme of the forum is "Gathering Talents from All Directions, Supporting Non-Grain Initiatives" [2]. - The forum is co-hosted by DT New Materials and the National Key Laboratory of Biomass Transportation Fuel Technology [3]. Group 2: Key Topics and Activities - The forum will cover important strategic directions such as biomass green pretreatment, non-grain sugars, biomass-based chemicals and materials, and biomass energy including methanol, fuel ethanol, biogas, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) [2]. - Special activities include a Youth Forum focusing on innovative achievements in the non-grain industry and an SAF industry exchange meeting [5][14]. Group 3: Agenda Highlights - The agenda includes various thematic forums and special sessions on topics like biomass green pretreatment, non-grain sugars, and biomass energy [5][21]. - Notable speakers include academicians and industry leaders from prestigious institutions such as Zhejiang University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences [16][22]. Group 4: Supporting Organizations - Supporting units include Zhejiang University and various research institutes and associations related to polymer science and biomass materials [4]. - Special acknowledgments are given to local government and several companies involved in the biomass sector [4]. Group 5: Participation and Networking - The forum will facilitate technology transfer and networking opportunities for participants, encouraging collaboration between academia, industry, and government [26]. - There will be a call for innovative projects in the biomass utilization field to be showcased during the forum [26].

Core Viewpoint - Lignocellulosic biomass, a renewable organic resource, can be efficiently converted into fermentable sugars using engineered strains of Clostridium thermocellum through consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) and consolidated bioconversion (CBS) strategies, which significantly reduce costs and enhance economic feasibility [2][3]. Group 1: Engineering Strains Development - The research team at Qingdao Energy Institute introduced an exogenous β-glucosidase (CaBglA) into Clostridium thermocellum to address feedback inhibition from cellobiose, resulting in the development of a third-generation CBS strain that significantly improved cellulose saccharification performance [3]. - The fourth-generation CBS strain, GB2, was constructed by integrating the CaBglA gene into the genome, achieving a cellulose-glucose conversion rate of up to 94% without relying on antibiotics, demonstrating stable and efficient cellulose degradation capabilities [4]. - Further enhancements were made by introducing a bifunctional xylanase/xylosidase (CcXyl0074) from Clostridium clariflavum into GB2, which improved the hemicellulose degradation ability of Clostridium thermocellum [4]. Group 2: Performance and Cost Efficiency - The engineered strain expressing CcXyl0074 was able to convert 84% of xylan into xylose within three days while maintaining high cellulose conversion efficiency, indicating a significant enhancement in hemicellulose degradation [4]. - The integration of both CcXyl0074 and CaBGL into the genome resulted in the GBX1 strain, which exhibited a 1.5 times higher maximum saccharification rate compared to GB2, showcasing synergistic degradation of cellulose and hemicellulose components [4]. - Optimization of the saccharification medium formulation led to an 87.3% reduction in cultivation costs, further improving the technical and economic viability of the CBS process [4]. Group 3: Research Contributions and Recognition - The research findings were published in the journal Bioresource Technology, with significant contributions from doctoral and master's students, as well as researchers from the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences [6]. - A patent application has been filed for the engineered strain expressing bifunctional enzymes, indicating the potential for commercialization and industrial application of the developed technology [6].

Core Insights - The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) of China has released two significant documents regarding the development of biological manufacturing, focusing on high-performance bioreactors and pilot-scale platforms, which aim to advance this emerging productive force in the industry [2][11]. Summary by Sections High-Performance Bioreactors - On November 4, MIIT published a notice listing the selected units for the innovation tasks related to high-performance bioreactors, with 9 key bioreactors and 23 leading universities, research institutes, and enterprises included in the list [2][4]. - Notable participants include companies and institutions such as Womei Biotech, the Chinese Academy of Sciences Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, and East China University of Science and Technology [2][5]. Pilot-Scale Platforms - On November 10, MIIT announced the first batch of units selected for the biological manufacturing pilot-scale capability construction platform, comprising 43 units [2][8]. - Among these, 12 units received ratings of four stars or above, including Tianjin University Frontier Research Institute of Synthetic Biology and Beijing University of Chemical Technology Qinhuangdao Bohai Biological Industry Research Institute [3][9]. Key Participants - The list of selected units for high-performance bioreactors includes various leading organizations such as: - Womei Biotech - East China University of Science and Technology - Dibeier Biotechnology - Chutian Technology [5][6]. - The pilot-scale platform includes institutions like: - Beijing Zhaoyan Biotechnology Co., Ltd. - Tianjin University - Chinese Academy of Sciences Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology [9][10].

Core Viewpoint - The "NFUCon 2025" forum will focus on innovations and commercialization in the non-grain biomass sector, aiming to promote large-scale applications of biomass and support carbon neutrality goals [2][11]. Group 1: Event Overview - The forum will take place from November 27-29, 2025, in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, and is co-hosted by DT New Materials and the National Key Laboratory of Bio-based Transportation Fuel Technology [2]. - The theme of the forum is "Gathering Talents from All Directions, Assisting Non-Grain Initiatives" [2]. Group 2: Organizing Institutions - The forum is organized by DT New Materials and the National Key Laboratory of Bio-based Transportation Fuel Technology, with prominent figures such as Zhu Jin and Li Zhenglong serving as co-chairs [3]. - Supporting institutions include Zhejiang University and various associations related to polymer science and bio-based materials [4]. Group 3: Featured Activities - The forum will feature a Non-Grain Biomass Youth Forum with over 20 cutting-edge reports highlighting innovations in non-grain biomass [6]. - A special session on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) will invite over 20 industry representatives to discuss trends, technology routes, and sustainable certification [7]. Group 4: Keynote Speakers and Topics - Notable speakers include Ren Qilong from the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Xu Chunbao from Hong Kong City University, discussing topics related to biomass conversion and applications [8][9]. - The forum will also host thematic discussions on non-grain biomass chemicals, materials, and energy, featuring experts from various universities and research institutions [10]. Group 5: Innovation and Collaboration - The forum will include a technology showcase and matching session for 50 innovative projects in biomass utilization, promoting industry-academia collaboration [11]. - The National Key Laboratory of Bio-based Transportation Fuel Technology focuses on four core areas, including fiber ethanol technology and CO2-based polycarbonate technology [15].

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of biomass conversion and utilization due to challenges such as resource depletion and environmental pollution, highlighting the complexity of biomass composition and structure, which necessitates graded conversion methods for effective chemical production [2]. Biomass Conversion Strategies - The article discusses the implementation of graded strategies for biomass conversion, focusing on hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin. These strategies enable the production of platform compounds like HMF and lactic acid, with a particular emphasis on achieving high stereoselectivity for chiral lactic acid and hydroxyacetic acid [3]. - The lignin priority strategy allows for the production of phenolic compounds and lignin-based materials, including structural color materials [3]. Research Contributions - Professor Hu Changwei's team at Sichuan University has conducted extensive research on the effective utilization of biomass resources, resulting in high-value products such as D-lactic acid, FDCA, furfural, high optical purity D-glyceric acid, biomass liquid fuels, and lignin structural color materials [3]. - Professor Hu will present a report titled "Research on the Preparation of High-Value Chemicals from Graded Conversion of Biomass" at the 2025 Non-Food Biomass High-Value Utilization Forum [3]. Forum Information - The 2025 Non-Food Biomass High-Value Utilization Forum will take place from November 27-29 in Hangzhou, featuring 50 reports and participation from industry experts [8]. - Keynote speakers include prominent figures from Zhejiang University and various research institutions, discussing innovations in biomass utilization and related technologies [8][9].