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Bologna (Italy) 5 June 2017 – Some innovations bring truly revolutionary change to the planet and this is why Bio-on is proud to present its new technology, Minerv Biorecovery, which enables hydrocarbon sea pollution to be eliminated within approximately three weeks. "From today we offer the world and the market the technology to take effective, natural and ecological action in the event of environmental disasters such as oil spills into the sea," explains Marco Astorri, Chairman and CEO of Bio-on, which announces the success of its research conducted in collaboration with IAMC-CNR in Messina. "We have discovered," explains Astorri, "that the particles forming our PHAs bioplastic are the ideal environment for hosting and feeding the special microorganisms that eliminate oil from the sea." The World Bank Group will support Bio-on in raising awareness of the benefits of this technology for safeguarding the oceans as part of the Connect4Climate programme.

Marco Astorri, Chairman and CEO of Bio-on, shares more about the new technology Minerv Biorecovery in a Facebook Live session with Max Thabiso Edkins, Connect4Climate, at the SDG Media Zone in Bologna, Italy, as part of #AllTheGreen week of activities in the lead up to the G7 Environment.

Minerv Biorecovery: How it works

Minerv Biorecovery is a technological solution made of micro powders, measuring just a few microns and of a particular shape, created out of Bio-on's revolutionary PHAs bioplastic that is natural and 100% biodegradable. The particles of these micro powders are thrown into polluted sea waters and form a porous structure housing a series of bacteria, naturally present in the marine environment, which feeds on the bioplastic, multiply and grow stronger until they attack the oil. The biodegradation processes activate within approximately 5 days and the degradable fraction of the hydrocarbons (e.g. oil) is eliminated in approximately 20 days.

"It is nature looking after itself," explains Astorri, "because of our bioplastic, which is biobased, helps protect and feed these bacteria, thus accelerating their natural action." The micro powders in Minerv Biorecovery are 100% biodegradable and therefore do not release any residue into the sea unlike many solutions used to date in these cases. The biodegradation process for PHAs powder is sufficiently slow (1-2 months depending on conditions) to allow the bioremediating action of the microorganisms which, after having eliminated the pollutants, return to normal levels in the marine environment.

Tests on Minerv Biorecovery have been ongoing for several months at IAMC-CNR in Messina, which has tested, measured and validated the technology. Thanks to these studies, Bio-on is able to define an entirely new application in the oil-bioremediation field - a targeted activity that aims to “remediate” the negative impact on the environment of polluting molecules and products such as hydrocarbons, thanks to the metabolic degradation, and biodegradation, of microorganisms.

This activity is carried out by companies specializing in environmental remediation, Harbour Master's Offices, Navy, sea traders, etc.

"The principle of oil-bioremediation," explains Dr Simone Cappello, leading the Bioremediation project at IAMC in Messina, "is based on the existence of microorganisms, bacteria mainly, which are capable of attacking the molecular structure of many of the components in the naturally complex formulation of hydrocarbons. These microorganisms," explains Cappello, "are present in the marine environment but in metabolic, physiological conditions and not in sufficient quantities to enable a substantial reduction of the hydrocarbon spills. It is thanks to PHAs bioplastic that it is now possible to encourage and accelerate the otherwise prolonged transformation to CO2, the end product of biodegradation. Using PHAs bioplastic is also safe for the environment and marine life because it leaves no trace."

In the coming weeks, further tests will be conducted in the seas around the world: at ports and at industrial sites such as the refineries and cisterns at major oil companies. The application of this new technology will allow cleaning not only in the event of disasters but also in the everyday maintenance of ports or industrial sites.

"We are proud to announce this extraordinary discovery and contribute to protecting the marine environment," says Marco Astorri, Chairman and CEO of Bio-on, "We will license this technology, which is a further example of the many applications made possible by the PHAs bioplastic micro powders we will produce at the plant in Castel San Pietro Terme (Bologna) from 2018. We will continue to extend our direct presence even more in the bioremediation, cosmetics, biomedical and nanomedical sectors. Working with IAMC, a point of global excellence in marine research fills us with pride."

Minerv Biorecovery, like all the PHAs bioplastics (polyhydroxyalkanoates) developed by Bio-on is made from renewable plant sources with no competition with food supply chains. It is 100% eco-sustainable and naturally biodegradable at ambient temperature.

Bio-on will license the Minerv Biorecovery technology in the course of 2017. Marine pollution remediation products will be available from 2018

Press information:  Angèlia S.r.l. Simona Vecchies; +393351245190; press@bio-on.it

Twitter: @BioOnBioplastic

Banner Photo Credits to Riccardo Savi/Connect4Climate

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres issued a call to action this Tuesday, May 30th, to meet the climate challenge. Speaking to students, business leaders and academics at the New York University Stern School of Business, Mr. Guterres described both the increasing risks from climate change and the compelling opportunities provided by climate action to create jobs, generate economic growth and build the foundations for a safer and more stable world.                                                                                                            

“The effects of climate change are dangerous and they are accelerating,” he said. “It is absolutely essential that the world implements the Paris Agreement – and that we fulfill that duty with increased ambition.”

Mr. Guterres stressed that climate action is already under way and that countries and companies that are involved will reap the rewards.

“Thousands of private corporations, including major oil and gas companies, are taking their own action”, Mr. Guterres said. “They know that green business is good business.  It is not just the right thing to do, it is the smart thing to do.”

“The sustainability train has left the station. Get on board or get left behind. Those who fail to bet on the green economy will be living in a gray future. “Those who embrace green technologies will set the gold standard for economic leadership in the 21st century.” 

Mr. Guterres layed out a five-point action plan to mobilize the world behind climate action.

First, intensified political engagement to raise the bar on efforts to limit temperature rise to well below 2 degrees and as close as possible to 1.5 degrees.

Second, stronger, integrated support by the entire United Nations development system for Governments as they strive to meet climate commitments and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Third, engagement with Governments and major actors, including the coal, oil and gas industries, to accelerate the global transition to sustainable energy.

Fourth, heightened efforts to mobilize national and international resources for adaptation, resilience, and the implementation of national climate action plans. 

Fifth, new and strengthened partnerships, including with the private sector and through North-South, South-South, and triangular cooperation. 

The Secretary-General intends to convene a climate summit in 2019 and is strongly committed to working with all Governments and partners to bridge divergent views and forge a shared vision of the way forward to address climate change -an unprecedented threat but also an an unparallelled opportunity.

  Recap United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres' speech:

The best corporate films, documentaries and spots on sustainable development, eco-innovation and social responsibility from all over the world are joining the internationally renowned competition, the Deauville Green Awards.

Until the 12th of May, professionals can go online and register their best spots, corporate films and documentaries in the 3 competitions and 14 categories available, covering themes of sustainable development, eco-innovations, and CSR.

The 2016 record of more than 300 films in competition has already been broken! The festival allows professionals to promote their films and messages by winning an internationally recognized trophy; the Golden Green Award, which has rewarded excellence in green and responsible audio-visual media since 2012.

The 2017 international jury is made up of around 20 professionals from the fields of audio-visual media, communications, and journalism as well as representatives of international key players such as the BBC, the World Bank, Euronews, France Télévisions, the French Ministry of Culture, Publicis, WWF etc.

For this 6th edition, in addition to the networking sessions, cocktails, meals and after-parties, a rich program rich await the profession on June 27th and 28th in Deauville, France:

             > Roundtables focused on innovation in 2017: on digital, new mobility, etc.

             > Workshops of key players

             > A rich program focused on the guest country of honor 2017; Belgium

             > The projection of the 100 finalist films in the presence of their teams

             > A prestigious première of Jean-Michel Cousteau

This will include Jean Jouzel, Nobel Prize winner in 2007 with the IPCC, who will accompany the festival as chairman of the Scientific Committee. His leitmotiv: "when one seeks, it is not enough to find, you must make it known!". This is precisely the essence of the festival for the past five years; the use of images in order to reveal, denounce, value, explain and sensitize the statistics.

Register your best spots, corporate and documentary film now!

Rediscover the 2016 winning entries here.

Meet this year's jury here (a special reference to Giulia Camilla Braga, Senior Communications Consultant, Connect4Climate)