US-based refiner, Marathon Petroleum, has announced that it has applied for permits to convert its Martinez, California, refinery to a renewable diesel facility.

A little context:

Rumors of the conversion were mentioned not too long ago, and it was just a couple of months ago that Phillips 66 announced the conversion of one of its refineries. If Marathon goes through with it the facility would pump out 736 million gallons of renewable fuel per day (compared to the 2 million at Phillips 66). If the project moves forward it would be the second time Marathon does one of these conversions.

So are they doing it?

Marathon is aiming to reduce its emissions by 30% from 2014 levels by 2030, and this project would definitely put a dent in that. The company is still evaluating the project economics and feasibility, but applying for permits certainly sounds like it's getting serious.

Read the press release here.

American biotechnology start-up, Spiber, and food processing corporation, ADM, have announced a partnership to produce a novel biobased polymer.

So what are they making?

It's called "Brewed Protein" and its development was inspired by spider's silk (hence the company's name—Spiber). Essentially the company created a strand of DNA based on a spider's DNA, incorporated it into a microorganism, and now uses fermentation to grow the cells and produce the protein molecule (here's your gentle reminder that proteins are polymers). The company first made headlines last year when it debuted the polymer's use in a North Face jacket.

How are they doing it at scale?

ADM has "expertise in large-scale fermentation technologies, engineering, operations and extensive agricultural supply chain.". The fermenters will be fed plant-based dextrose, the proteins produced will be separated from the cells, and dried into pellets for shipment. The dried pellets will enter Spiber's facility, be dissolved into a solution, extruded from a nozzle, and then hardened into a fiber ready for sale.

Read the press release here.

Leading chemical process technology licensor, Lummus Technology, has announced that it has been selected to provide ethane cracking furnaces for the Shurtan Gas Chemical Complex in Uzbekistan.

Some context:

Lummus's ethane cracking technology represents more than 40% of the ethane cracker capacity globally. If you need a little refresher on why we have ethane crackers, you can check this out. Ethylene (what comes out of these crackers) is the most common feedstock for countless other chemicals and products.

What are they saying?

Once the new furnaces are installed, the facility in Uzbekistan will be able to produce twice as much ethylene. Of course, with more capacity comes more emissions, but Lummus added that the expansion project will reduce "relative emissions and operating costs at the Shurtan Gas Chemical Complex.".

Read the press release here.