Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the participation of Suzhou Juwei Yuanchuang Biotechnology Co., Ltd. in the fourth New Leaf Award, focusing on their innovative products in the bio-based sector, including bio-based 1,4-diaminobutane, fully bio-based packaging materials, and straw-derived glucose [2][3]. Group 1: New Leaf Award - The New Leaf Award is a global, comprehensive award dedicated to innovation in the bio-based field, often referred to as the "Oscar" of the bio-based industry [2]. - The fourth New Leaf Award ceremony will take place during the 11th Bio-based Conference and Exhibition in 2026 [2]. Group 2: Participating Company and Products - Suzhou Juwei Yuanchuang focuses on straw-based bio-manufacturing and is competing for three awards: "Innovative Materials Award," "Innovative Applications Award," and "Most Commercially Valuable Award" [3][4]. - The company has entered the DT New Materials global bio-based and bio-manufacturing industry service platform [3]. Group 3: Award Categories - The four award categories include: Innovative Materials Award, Innovative Applications Award, Most Commercially Valuable Award, and Innovative Industry Solutions Award [4]. Group 4: Product Innovations - **Bio-based 1,4-diaminobutane**: This product is a core monomer for high-temperature nylon, synthesized from straw using proprietary technology, overcoming the reliance on petrochemical or food sources, and significantly reducing production costs [15][8]. - **Fully Bio-based Packaging Materials**: Developed using agricultural by-products, these materials are 100% bio-based and fully biodegradable, addressing both high-value utilization of straw and the greening of packaging materials [10][16]. - **Straw-derived Glucose**: This glucose is produced from straw and offers over 40% carbon reduction compared to traditional glucose sources, providing a stable and economical green raw material for bio-manufacturing [12][17]. Group 5: Market and Production - The company has completed the construction of a large-scale production base and has established application collaborations with leading industry players, indicating strong market competitiveness [15]. - The glucose product has undergone extensive testing with positive feedback from hundreds of universities, research institutions, and enterprises, demonstrating its market acceptance and scalability [17].

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights a significant breakthrough in the biosynthesis of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) by a research team led by Professor Wang Dan from Chongqing University, utilizing engineered Escherichia coli and bamboo waste as a substrate, achieving a production yield of 9.05 g/L in a 5 L fermentation tank [2][5]. Group 1: Research Breakthroughs - The research team constructed an efficient synthesis pathway in E. coli by deleting specific genes to block β-oxidation and enhance the utilization of multiple carbon sources, resulting in an initial MCFA yield of 2.29 g/L [4]. - Further enhancements were made using protein engineering techniques, achieving a yield of 5.83 g/L and the first synthesis of C6 fatty acids [4]. - The introduction of a carbonic anhydrase gene from Anabaena sp. 7120 improved CO₂ conversion efficiency, raising the yield to 6.72 g/L, and subsequent overexpression of a fatty acid regulatory factor led to a final yield of 9.05 g/L [5]. Group 2: Economic and Environmental Impact - The economic analysis indicates that using bamboo waste hydrolysate instead of glucose as a carbon source reduces the production cost of MCFAs by approximately 17% per ton, showcasing both economic and environmental advantages of this biosynthetic route [5]. Group 3: Institutional Background - Chongqing University is a key national research university, actively contributing to regional and industrial development, with significant achievements in research funding and project approvals [7][8]. - The university's chemical engineering and technology programs rank highly globally, reflecting its strong academic capabilities and commitment to innovation in fields like bio-manufacturing [8]. Group 4: Research Team and Leadership - Professor Wang Dan leads the research team, focusing on biosynthesis of chemical products and new materials, with numerous publications in high-impact journals and significant contributions to national research projects [9].

Core Viewpoint - The non-grain raw material synthetic biological manufacturing industry in China has made significant progress, with partial industrialization in areas such as bio-based plastics, fibers, and rubber, driven by independent research and development and supportive government policies [2][5]. Group 1: Industry Development - The industry has seen increased capital attention, with local governments enhancing financial support, such as the establishment of a 5 billion yuan fund in Changde City for technology research and project implementation [2]. - The recent Fifth Biomass High-Value Utilization Forum in Hangzhou served as a crucial platform for promoting technological innovation and industry integration [2]. - The development of bio-based composite materials from straw is highlighted as a key opportunity to tap into a trillion-level market for bio-based new materials [2][5]. Group 2: Motivations for Development - Traditional biological manufacturing relies on food crops like corn and glucose, which can lead to conflicts over food and land resources. Utilizing approximately 900 million tons of straw produced annually in China can alleviate these issues while providing sustainable raw materials for large-scale production [6]. - The chemical industry’s heavy reliance on non-renewable resources like oil is becoming unsustainable. Non-grain raw material biological manufacturing can reduce this dependency and ensure a stable supply of raw materials for the green materials industry [6]. Group 3: Strategic Timing and Policy Support - The "14th Five-Year Plan" and "15th Five-Year Plan" emphasize biological manufacturing as a key economic growth point, with a target to increase the non-grain raw material proportion from less than 5% to 30% by 2030 [7]. - Continuous policy support from the State Council and relevant ministries aims to cultivate potential sectors like biological manufacturing, reinforcing the strategic direction for industry development [7]. - The current period is identified as a golden development phase for biological manufacturing, driven by national strategy, addressing food security concerns, and facilitating low-carbon industrial transformation [7].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the technological transformation and intelligent upgrade project of Hubei Meiqi Health Technology Co., Ltd.'s functional health food production line, highlighting its investment and production capacity [1]. Project Basic Information - Project Name: Technological transformation and intelligent upgrade of the functional health food production line at Hubei Meiqi Health Technology Co., Ltd. [2] - Construction Unit: Hubei Meiqi Health Technology Co., Ltd. [2] - Location: 189 Xiaoting Avenue, Xiaoting District, Yichang City, Hubei Province [2] - Nature: Expansion and renovation [2] - Project Investment: 43.77 million yuan [2] - Construction Period: 2 months [2] - Construction Content: The project will produce MQ001 fermentation powder (annual output of 240 tons), MQ003 fermentation powder (annual output of 64 tons), MQ004 fermentation liquid (annual output of 3000 tons), MQ005 fermentation liquid (annual output of 3200 tons), and MQ009 (annual output of 16 tons) [2]. Company Overview - Hubei Meiqi Health Technology Co., Ltd. was established in December 2021, jointly invested by Hubei Angel Yeast Group Co., Ltd., Hangzhou Zhongmei Huadong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., and Zhejiang Huinda Biotechnology Co., Ltd. [3] - The company is headquartered in Yichang City, Hubei Province, focusing on the research, production, and sales of nutritional health food raw materials and personal care functional raw materials in the industrial microbiology field [3].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the advancements in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) technology, particularly focusing on Junheng Biotechnology's innovative approach to converting waste cooking oil into clean aviation fuel, addressing the challenges of traditional methods and highlighting the potential for significant carbon emissions reduction in the aviation industry by 2050 [2][3]. Group 1: SAF Market and Technology Overview - The global aviation industry is projected to emit over 2 billion tons of carbon annually by 2050, with SAF technology expected to contribute 65% of the necessary emissions reductions to achieve carbon neutrality [2]. - Junheng Biotechnology has delivered over 300,000 tons of SAF to the international market and is constructing the world's largest SAF production facility, capable of processing 1 million tons of waste oil annually [3][25]. - The HEFA (Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids) technology is identified as the most commercially viable route for SAF production, expected to dominate the Chinese SAF market by 2030 [7][25]. Group 2: Challenges in SAF Production - Traditional SAF production methods face significant challenges due to the complex composition of waste oils, which contain various contaminants that can damage catalysts [10][12]. - The stringent requirements for feedstock purity in conventional methods lead to high costs and environmental concerns due to waste generation from extensive pre-treatment processes [16][20]. Group 3: Junheng's Innovative Approach - Junheng's strategy simplifies the pre-treatment process by allowing waste cooking oil to undergo only basic washing before entering the hydrogenation unit, significantly reducing investment costs and environmental impact [19][20]. - The company has developed a robust catalyst capable of withstanding high levels of contaminants, enabling efficient conversion of waste oils into SAF without extensive pre-treatment [21][23]. Group 4: Comparative Analysis of SAF Technologies - Other SAF production technologies, such as AtJ (Alcohol-to-Jet) and G-FT (Gasification-Fischer Tropsch), face their own challenges, including high raw material costs and technical issues like tar formation [28][34]. - PtL (Power-to-Liquid) technology, while theoretically capable of high emissions reductions, currently suffers from low energy efficiency and high production costs, making it less competitive without policy support [39][43]. Group 5: Future of China's SAF Industry - The Chinese SAF industry is still in its pilot phase, with a lack of comprehensive policy frameworks compared to the EU's established blending mandates [48][50]. - Junheng's advancements demonstrate that technological innovation can lower costs and enhance competitiveness in the SAF sector, with expectations for HEFA technology to lead in the short term while G-FT may gain traction in the medium term [51][53].

Core Viewpoint - During the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, China's bio-manufacturing industry has experienced significant growth, becoming a crucial force for optimizing and upgrading the economic structure, with a total scale reaching 1.1 trillion yuan [2][3]. Industry Overview - The bio-manufacturing industry in China has steadily expanded, achieving a total scale of 1.1 trillion yuan, with bio-fermentation products accounting for over 70% of global production [3][4]. - The annual output value of sub-sectors such as food additives and biopharmaceuticals exceeds 400 billion yuan, establishing bio-manufacturing as a new economic growth point [3][4]. Technological Innovation - China's bio-manufacturing sector holds over 20% of global patent applications, with the establishment of several national key laboratories and industrial innovation platforms [4]. - New instruments such as domestic high-throughput gene sequencers and large-scale fermentation tanks have been successfully industrialized [4]. Industrial Cluster Development - Regions like Beijing and Tianjin have emerged as innovation hubs for bio-manufacturing, while provinces such as Shandong, Heilongjiang, and Henan have developed into major manufacturing bases for bulk bio-fermentation products [5]. - The "14th Five-Year Plan" has fostered the growth of numerous backbone enterprises with annual revenues exceeding 10 billion yuan, along with the emergence of several national-level manufacturing champions and specialized "little giant" enterprises [5]. Policy and Recognition - The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has released a list of 35 landmark bio-manufacturing products, with companies like New Hope Liuhe, Blue Crystal Microbiology, and Huaxi Biological among the applicants [6][8].

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the New Leaf Award, a global and comprehensive award focused on innovation in the bio-based sector, aimed at discovering, showcasing, and recognizing outstanding products and companies in the bio-based industry, often referred to as the "Oscar" of the bio-based sector [2]. Group 1: Award Information - The New Leaf Award includes categories such as Innovation Materials Award, Innovation Applications Award, Most Commercially Valuable Award, and Innovative Industry Solutions Award [3]. - The deadline for the fourth selection activity is March 13, 2026 [8]. Group 2: Company Profile - Yuan Yi (Tianjin) Biotechnology Co., Ltd. is a leading company in synthetic biology solutions, competing for the 2026 New Leaf Awards in the "Innovation Materials Award" and "Most Commercially Valuable Award" categories [3]. Group 3: Product Details - The company offers recombinant humanized collagen, which is 100% homologous to human collagen sequences, featuring high activity, low allergenicity, and the ability to support large-scale production and precise applications in various scenarios [9]. - The product is advantageous for promoting cell adhesion and enhancing cell repair functions, with high purity and low allergen rates, and it does not pose risks of endotoxin contamination [10]. Group 4: Applications and Benefits - In the medical aesthetics field, the heat-resistant properties of the gel prevent dissolution due to body temperature, ensuring longer retention at target sites, thus improving tissue repair and anti-aging effects [10]. - In skincare products, the heat-resistant gel can withstand emulsification temperatures above 80°C, preventing loss of activity during production and expanding the range of collagen skincare products [10]. - In the biomedical field, the heat-resistant collagen gel can endure high temperatures during sterilization and provide sustained moisture and repair barriers for high-temperature wounds, enhancing clinical treatment efficiency [10]. Group 5: Product Range - Yuan Yi Biotechnology has developed various types of collagen, including 18 different molecular weights, allowing for tailored solutions to multiple issues, achieving a self-research, self-production, and self-sales closed loop [10].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the strategic partnership between Lude Technology and Hanghua New Materials, focusing on the development of high-value utilization of brewing waste resources in the fields of bio-fermentation, functional feed, and functional food [2]. Group 1: Company Overview - Lude Technology, established in 2006, specializes in the resource utilization of high-water-content waste and has recently focused on bio-manufacturing, particularly in bio-fermentation feed [4]. - The newly established Lukan Bio-Technology (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd. has a registered capital of 30 million [4]. Group 2: Strategic Partnership - The partnership with Hanghua New Materials aims to leverage their strong R&D and industrialization capabilities in synthetic biology, enzyme preparations, and industrial strains development [5]. - Hanghua New Materials is a subsidiary of Hangzhou Shihua Group, which is focusing on advanced manufacturing, smart IoT, biomedicine, and new energy materials to promote urban industrial transformation and modernization [5].

Core Viewpoint - The bio-based 1,3-propanediol (PDO) industry in China is transitioning from "technology validation" to "scale production" by 2025, driven by the demand for green transformation in downstream markets such as textiles and cosmetics [2]. Group 1: PDO Production Capacity and Technological Advances - By 2025, multiple companies are accelerating the construction of large-scale production bases for bio-based PDO, with significant investments and technological breakthroughs [4][5]. - Companies like Qingda Zhixing and Heng Carbon Technology have successfully developed fermentation methods for PDO production, breaking the technological monopoly of foreign firms [5][6]. - Heng Carbon Technology has established a unique production base with an annual capacity of 15,000 tons, utilizing a revolutionary "three non-four no" technology that is highly environmentally friendly [6][7]. Group 2: Market Expansion and Applications - PDO is widely applicable in various industries, including polyester, cosmetics, polyurethane, pharmaceuticals, and coatings [10]. - The global bio-based PTT market, which utilizes PDO as a core monomer, is projected to grow from approximately 3.4 billion yuan in 2023 to 8.3 billion yuan by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.1% [13]. - Companies are forming strategic partnerships to create integrated industrial bases that enhance competitiveness in the bio-based PTT market [13][14]. Group 3: Emerging Companies and Innovations - New companies are emerging with innovative production techniques, such as Shandong Xiangchi Jianyuan Biotechnology, which is implementing advanced fermentation methods to enhance production efficiency [9]. - Zhongke Baiyijin has successfully produced bio-based PDO with a purity of 99.9% using biomass as a raw material [9]. - The industry is witnessing a structural expansion in downstream markets, particularly in textiles and cosmetics, benefiting from reduced raw material costs and increased production capacity [14].

Core Viewpoint - SynBioCon reports that the biomanufacturing company, Saito Bio, has announced a change in part of its fundraising investment projects, adjusting the total investment of the original project from 367 million yuan to 229 million yuan, and reallocating 124 million yuan to a new project focused on biosynthetic technology research and industrialization [3]. Group 1: Investment Project Changes - The new investment project, "Biosynthetic Technology Research and Industrialization Project," has a total investment of 237 million yuan, with the implementation led by its wholly-owned subsidiary, Jinweiduo, aiming to establish production lines for 1,000 tons/year of Tartrate Tylosin and 200 tons/year of Phosphate Tylosin [5]. - Tartrate Tylosin and Phosphate Tylosin are commonly used drugs for preventing and treating mycoplasma infections in animals, significantly reducing the incidence of respiratory diseases in livestock, indicating strong market demand [5]. Group 2: Company Background and Strategy - Established in 2010, Saito Bio was the first to utilize genetic engineering and synthetic biology for the large-scale production of steroid drug raw materials, becoming a leading supplier of steroid drug raw materials in China [5]. - In 2019, Saito Bio set a long-term industrial upgrade strategy to create a biomanufacturing enterprise integrating "pharmaceutical intermediates - active pharmaceutical ingredients - formulations," successfully producing five major steroid raw material series using synthetic biology [5]. Group 3: Strategic Collaborations - In 2024, the company formed a strategic partnership with AI pharmaceutical company, InSilico Medicine, to leverage cutting-edge AI technology and optimize key steps in the engineering transformation process for synthetic biology research and innovative drug development [6].