Conagen starts first commercial production of sustainable Tyrian purple for textile dye

New era for green tech alternatives to replace petrochemical synthesized dyes.

Bedford, Mass., Jan. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Conagen announced the successful scale-up of its sustainable, cost-effective Tyrian purple, a historically coveted and expensive dye found in rare and limited sources in marine nature.

Conagen is the world’s first and only biotechnology company commercializing a sustainable Tyrian purple by fermentation. As with any biologically-sourced textile dye, this color-fast compound reduces pollution and carbon footprints when used as an alternative to petrochemically synthesized dyes commonly used in the textiles industry today.

Also known as Phoenician purple, royal purple, imperial purple, or imperial dye, this rare dye dates back several millennia to the bronze age when the Phoenicians from Tyre, Lebanon, on the Levantine coast, produced it for the ancient Greeks, Persians, Byzantines, and the Roman empire to clad emperors and kings with luxury textiles. Tyrian purple was once worth more than its weight in gold for its prized deep rich purple. In 301 CE, during the Roman Empire, one pound of Tyrian purple dye was priced at approximately three Troy pounds of gold, roughly $66,000 in today’s currency.

Current producers extract and harvest Tyrian purple from the murex shellfish in much the same way as the ancient Phoenicians. Thousands — approximately 10,000 or (54 kilograms (119 lb.) of these predatory sea snails are required to make diminishing quantities of Tyrian purple to produce 1 gram of the dye, making it impracticable, expensive, and environmentally unfriendly. Ancient dye producers all but drove the murex species to extinction along the coasts of Phoenicia, evident in the vast deposits of the shells excavated on the outskirts of Sidon, Tyre, and across the Mediterranean.

Conagen’s Tyrian purple, produced by precision fermentation and bioconversion, is a natural, sustainable dye ideal for textile companies under pressure to deliver fashions more sustainably and with a reduced global environmental footprint, especially from manufacturing.

“Conagen is democratizing the exclusive use of a color once reserved for royalty — now obtainable on a global scale,” said Casey Lippmeier, Ph.D., senior vice president of innovation. “Our fermentation and bioconversion technologies enable us to offer true-to-nature products. By leveraging Conagen’s bioengineering and commercial manufacturing capabilities, we’re unlocking Tyrian purple’s great potential as an accessible and sustainable dye. We expect Tyrian purple to inspire fresh ideas in multiple industries, making this rare and exciting color more marketable with planet-conscious consumers.”

The Tyrian purple technology is based on two of Conagen’s many key bioengineering platforms, which enable accelerated product development timelines for its competitive phenolics, terpenoids, proteins, and peptide molecules.

As an example, Conagen’s phenolics platform was used to make an important antioxidant, hydroxytyrosol, the active health ingredient found in oil, juice, and fruit in olives. Using another platform, Conagen has optimized the production of different amino acid-based products, including the nutraceutical antioxidant ergothioneine, a “longevity vitamin” currently branded as “Ergoactive” by Conagen’s pipeline partner Blue California. To produce the Tyrian purple, Conagen drew from both proprietary platforms to develop novel enzymes which increase the conversion efficiency of precursors to the dye.

“Conagen has further solidified its leadership in the bioeconomy by rapidly producing multiple novel and interesting molecules, such as Tyrian purple,” said Lippmeier. “Our technology platforms have been meticulously engineered and improved upon for over a decade, and they are extremely efficient at making targeted compounds from an expanding array of molecular classes for our internal product development and collaborative ventures.”

Conagen aims to replace petroleum-based ingredients and reduce carbon footprints with green technologies. Tyrian purple adds to Conagen’s natural color offerings, including several carotenoids made by fermentation which have been scaled to global production. As a dye, Tyrian purple is ideal for textile fabrics, clothing, handbags, and related accessories.

About Conagen

Conagen is making the impossible possible. Our scientists and engineers use modern synthetic biology tools to program micro-organisms and enzymes on a molecular level to produce high-quality, sustainable, natural products manufactured worldwide via precision fermentation and bioconversion. We focus on the bioproduction of high-value ingredients for food, nutrition, flavors and fragrances, pharmaceuticals, and renewable materials.

Attachments

Ana Arakelian, Head of Public Relations and Communications
Conagen
+1-781-271-1588
[email protected]

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8725973

Hitachi Energy awarded major orders to integrate two large offshore wind farms with Poland’s power grid

Grid connection and power quality solution for the MFW Baltyk II and MFW Baltyk III offshore wind farms will help Poland progress towards its renewable energy goal and provide emission-free electricity for more than 2 million Polish homes.

Zurich, Switzerland, Jan. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Zurich, Switzerland, January 9, 2023 – Hitachi Energy, a global technology leader that is advancing a sustainable energy future for all, today announced it has won two major orders from Equinor and Polenergia to provide an AC grid connection and power quality solution for their jointly owned MFW Baltyk II and MFW Baltyk III offshore wind farms, with a combined generating capacity of 1,440 megawatts in the Polish sector of the Baltic Sea.

Hitachi Energy will provide each of the two wind farms with an offshore grid connection that will receive the power from the wind turbines and transfer it to shore, a mainland grid connection that will transmit the power into the national transmission system, and a STATCOM power quality solution to ensure that power flows reliably and stably at optimal capacity and at all times, despite the often high variability of wind power.

MFW Baltyk II and MFW Baltyk III are pending a final investment decision in 2024, and are scheduled to deliver first power in 2027. They will be one of the first offshore wind farms in Poland and part of the country’s ambitious program to develop its offshore wind potential and increase the use of renewables in its electricity mix, which historically is dominated by coal. The government aims to have around 11 gigawatts of offshore wind capacity either operational or under development by 20271.

Hitachi Energy was selected in a competitive procurement process on the strength of its front-end engineering and design (FEED) studies and optimized solutions, its long track record of project execution excellence, and its close working relationships over many decades with Equinor and PSE (Poland’s transmission system operator) and, most recently, Polenergia.

“Integrating large-scale renewable energy sources with the power grid is a key enabler of the energy transition and a field in which we have been a pioneer for decades,” said Niklas Persson, Managing Director of Hitachi Energy’s Grid Integration business. “Our grid connection technologies feature in offshore wind farms worldwide, and our power quality solutions resolve bottlenecks and keep the voltage stable and the energy flowing in power systems globally.”

These project awards further underscore Hitachi Energy’s position as a global leader in the offshore wind market and the partner of choice for wind farm developers, combining solid experience with grid technologies to help make the world’s energy system more sustainable, flexible and secure by enabling new solutions and business models to be deployed at scale and with speed.

The company has been continuously developing its portfolio to better serve this market with the recent launch of its Grid-eXpand™ range of modular and prefabricated grid connection solutions that make it faster, simpler and more efficient to connect offshore wind farms to mainland grids, and with its complete portfolio of STATCOMs and E-STATCOMs for all power ranges, ensuring grid stability and power quality at all times.

The announcement follows a recent global agreement between Hitachi Energy and Equinor to collaborate on high-voltage transmission systems (AC and DC) to connect Equinor offshore wind farms and production facilities to mainland power grids worldwide.

1Global Wind Energy Council – Global Offshore Wind Report 2022

About Hitachi Energy Ltd.

Hitachi Energy is a global technology leader that is advancing a sustainable energy future for all. We serve customers in the utility, industry and infrastructure sectors with innovative solutions and services across the value chain. Together with customers and partners, we pioneer technologies and enable the digital transformation required to accelerate the energy transition towards a carbon-neutral future. We are advancing the world’s energy system to become more sustainable, flexible and secure whilst balancing social, environmental and economic value. Hitachi Energy has a proven track record and unparalleled installed base in more than 140 countries. Headquartered in Switzerland, we employ around 40,000 people in 90 countries and generate business volumes of approximately $10 billion USD.

https://www.hitachienergy.com

https://www.linkedin.com/company/hitachienergy

https://twitter.com/HitachiEnergy

About Hitachi, Ltd.

Hitachi drives Social Innovation Business, creating a sustainable society with data and technology. We will solve customers’ and society’s challenges with Lumada solutions leveraging IT, OT (Operational Technology) and products, under the business structure of Digital Systems & Services, Green Energy & Mobility, Connective Industries and Automotive Systems. Driven by green, digital, and innovation, we aim for growth through collaboration with our customers. The company’s consolidated revenues for fiscal year 2021 (ended March 31, 2022) totaled 10,264.6 billion yen ($84,136 million USD), with 853 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 370,000 employees worldwide. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company’s website at https://www.hitachi.com.

Attachment

Jocelyn Chang
Hitachi Energy
+41793847775
jocelyn.chang@hitachienergy.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8725982

Nikkiso Clean Energy & Industrial Gases Group Acquires Cryotec Anlagenbau GmbH, Wurzen, Germany

TEMECULA, Calif., Jan. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nikkiso Cryogenic Industries’ Clean Energy and Industrial Gases Group (“Group”), a part of Nikkiso Co., Ltd (Japan), has entered into an agreement to acquire Cryotec Anlagenbau GmbH, (Wurzen close to Leipzig, Saxony, Germany) for an undisclosed amount.

A global plant engineering and construction company, Cryotec provides planning, project management, manufacturing and engineering services of skid-mounted/containerized air separation and liquefaction plants, and CO2 technologies offering tailored solutions to their customers.

Cryotec will operate as part of the Group’s GmbH facility, based in Neuenburg am Rhine, Germany. The Group consists of six functional business units: Cryogenic Pumps, Heat Exchanger Systems, Process Systems, Fueling & Solutions, Energy Infrastructure & Strategic Projects and Service.

“Our acquisition of Cryotec will allow the Group to expand our footprint in Europe, and broaden our expertise in carbon capture and biogas technologies”, according to Ole Jensen, Vice President, Europe.

“We look forward to bringing Cryotec into our Nikkiso family. This acquisition exemplifies our passion to provide, efficient, performance-based products and service,” according to Peter Wagner, CEO of Cryogenic Industries and President of the Group.

This acquisition represents their commitment to and support of the European market. The acquisition is expected to close during Q1, 2023

ABOUT CRYOGENIC INDUSTRIES
Cryogenic Industries, Inc. (now a member of Nikkiso Co., Ltd.) member companies manufacture, and service engineered cryogenic gas processing equipment (pumps, turboexpanders, heat exchangers, etc.), and process plants for Industrial Gases, Natural gas Liquefaction (LNG), Hydrogen Liquefaction (LH2) and Organic Rankine Cycle for Waste Heat Recovery. Founded over 50 years ago, Cryogenic Industries is the parent company of ACD, Nikkiso Cryo, Nikkiso Integrated Cryogenic Solutions, Cosmodyne and Cryoquip and a commonly controlled group of approximately 20 operating entities.

For more information, please visit www.NikkisoCEIG.com and www.nikkiso.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Anna Quigley
+1.951.383.3314
[email protected]

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8725755

Nikkiso Clean Energy & Industrial Gases Group fait l’acquisition de Cryotec Anlagenbau GmbH, à Wurzen, en Allemagne

TEMECULA, Californie, 09 janv. 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nikkiso Cryogenic Industries’ Clean Energy and Industrial Gases Group (le « Groupe »), qui fait partie de Nikkiso Co., Ltd (Japon), a conclu un accord visant l’acquisition de Cryotec Anlagenbau GmbH (à Wurzen près de Leipzig, dans la Saxe, en Allemagne) pour un montant qui n’a pas été divulgué.

Société opérant dans l’ingénierie et la construction d’installations à l’échelle mondiale, Cryotec fournit des services de planification, gestion de projets, fabrication et ingénierie d’installations de liquéfaction et de séparation de l’air conteneurisées/montées sur plateforme, ainsi que des technologies axées sur le CO2 offrant des solutions personnalisées à ses clients.

Cryotec opèrera dans le cadre de l’installation GmbH du Groupe, basée à Neuchâtel-sur-le-Rhin, en Allemagne. Le Groupe se compose de six unités commerciales fonctionnelles : Pompes cryogéniques, Systèmes d’échangeur de chaleur, Systèmes de processus, Ravitaillement et Solutions, Infrastructure énergétique et Service et projets stratégiques.

« Notre acquisition de Cryotec permettra au Groupe d’étendre son empreinte en Europe et d’élargir son expertise dans le captage de carbone et les technologies de biogaz », a déclaré Ole Jensen, vice-président pour l’Europe.

« Nous sommes impatients d’accueillir Cryotec au sein de notre famille Nikkiso. Cette acquisition illustre notre passion, à savoir, fournir des produits et services efficaces et axés sur les performances », a commenté Peter Wagner, PDG de Cryogenic Industries et président du Groupe.

Elle représente son engagement et son soutien envers le marché européen et devrait se conclure dans le courant du premier trimestre 2023.

À PROPOS DE CRYOGENIC INDUSTRIES
Cryogenic Industries, Inc. (aujourd’hui membre de Nikkiso Co., Ltd.) et ses entreprises membres fabriquent et entretiennent des équipements de traitement du gaz cryogénique (pompes, turbodétendeurs, échangeurs thermiques, etc.), et des usines de traitement pour les gaz industriels, la liquéfaction du gaz naturel (GNL), la liquéfaction de l’hydrogène (LH2) et le cycle organique de Rankine pour la récupération de la chaleur perdue. Fondée il y a plus de 50 ans, Cryogenic Industries est la société-mère d’ACD, de Nikkiso Cryo, de Nikkiso Integrated Cryogenic Solutions, de Cosmodyne et de Cryoquip, et d’un groupe administré en commun comptant une vingtaine d’entités opérationnelles.

Pour tout complément d’information, veuillez consulter les sites www.NikkisoCEIG.com et www.nikkiso.com.

Contact auprès des médias :
Anna Quigley
+1.951.383.3314
[email protected]

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8725757

Clean Energy & Industrial Gases Group da Nikkiso Adquire Cryotec Anlagenbau GmbH, Wurzen, Alemanha

TEMECULA, Califórnia, Jan. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — O Clean Energy and Industrial Gases Group (“Grupo”) da Nikkiso Cryogenic Industries, parte da Nikkiso Co., Ltd (Japão), celebrou um acordo para a aquisição da Cryotec Anlagenbau GmbH (Wurzen, perto de Leipzig, Saxônia, Alemanha) por um valor não revelado.

Uma empresa global de engenharia e construção de plantas, a Cryotec fornece serviços de planejamento, gerenciamento de projetos, fabricação e engenharia de plantas de separação e liquefação de ar montadas em skid/em contêineres e tecnologias de CO2 que oferecem soluções personalizadas para seus clientes.

A Cryotec será operada como parte das instalações da GmbH do Grupo, com sede em Neuenburg am Rhine, Alemanha. O Grupo é composto por seis unidades funcionais de negócios: Bombas Criogênicas, Sistemas de Troca de Calor, Sistemas de Processo, Abastecimento e Soluções, Infraestrutura de Energia, e Projetos e Serviços Estratégicos.

“Com a nossa aquisição da Cryotec o Grupo poderá expandir a nossa presença na Europa e ampliar nossa experiência em tecnologias de captura de carbono e biogás”, disse Ole Jensen, Vice-Presidente da Europa.

“Estamos preparados para trazer a Cryotec para a nossa família Nikkiso. Essa aquisição é um exemplo da nossa dedicação para com o fornecimento de produtos e serviços eficientes e com base em desempenho ”,disse Peter Wagner, CEO da Cryogenic Industries e Presidente do Grupo.

Esta aquisição é um exemplo do compromisso e do apoio da empresa para com o mercado europeu. A aquisição deverá ser concluída durante o primeiro trimestre de 2023

SOBRE A CRYOGENIC INDUSTRIES
A Cryogenic Industries, Inc. (agora parte da Nikkiso Co., Ltd.) fabrica e presta serviços para equipamentos de processamento de gás criogênico projetados (bombas, turboexpansores, trocadores de calor, etc.) e plantas de processamento de Gases Industriais, Liquefação de Gás Natural (GNL), Liquefação de Hidrogênio (LH2) e Ciclo Rankine Orgânico para Recuperação de Calor de Resíduos. Fundada há mais de 50 anos, a Cryogenic Industries é a empresa controladora da ACD, Nikkiso Cryo, Nikkiso Integrated Cryogenic Solutions, Cosmodyne e Cryoquip, e de um grupo comumente controlado de aproximadamente 20 entidades operacionais.

Para mais informações, visite www.NikkisoCEIG.com e www.nikkiso.com.

CONTATO COM A MÍDIA:
Anna Quigley
+1.951.383.3314
[email protected]

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8725757

Sex Trade Survivors, Women’s and Human Rights Advocates, and Anti-Trafficking Organizations from Around the World Call on South Africa to Reject New Bill Decriminalizing the Sex Trade

NEW YORK, Jan. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Nearly 2,000 sex trade survivors, women’s and human rights advocates, anti-trafficking organizations, frontline service providers, and concerned individuals from over 60 countries signed an open letter urging the South African government to reject the Bill proposed by the Minister and Deputy Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Ronald Lamola and John Jeffery, respectively. The Bill repeals all criminal offences related to prostitution, effectively decriminalizing the sex trade (the “Jeffery Bill”).

Along with the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women (CATW), the signatories include CAP International, Equality Now, the European Network of Migrant Women, the Sisterhood is Global Institute, SPACE International, the Survivor Empowerment & Support Programme (SESPE), and World Without Exploitation. American author and feminist activist Gloria Steinem is also among the signatories.

The letter outlines the grounds for opposing the Jeffery Bill, citing the devastating harms a decriminalized sex trade would unleash in South Africa. An estimated 131,000 and 182,000 people are currently in prostitution in South Africa, almost all disenfranchised Black women and girls. If the Jeffery Bill passes, that number will exponentially increase.

“This Bill does not address the violence, terror, trauma, or even death that we suffer at the hands of sex buyers, pimps, or because of the system of prostitution itself,” said Mickey Meji, of SESPE, based in Cape Town. “In fact, the Jeffery Bill would condemn generations of poor and vulnerable Black women and girls to the sex trade with the blessing of my government.”

The Jeffery Bill would allow prostitution to occur in any “dwelling-house, building, room, out-house, shed, tent, place, field, enclosure, space, vehicle, boat…or any part thereof…”. Concurrently, the Jeffery Bill’s elimination of penalties for sex buyers and commercial sex establishments will dramatically grow the sex trade, increasing the demand for purchased sexual acts, which leads to sex trafficking. South Africa would also become a global destination for sex tourism.

“The South African government would in effect authorize and profit from the sexual exploitation of women, girls, and marginalized groups in violation of its Constitution and commitments under international law,” said Taina Bien-Aimé, CATW’s executive director. “The Jeffery Bill is a gift to sex traffickers and brothel owners.”

The signatories of this open letter call on South Africa to adopt a law known as the Abolitionist or Equality Model, a legal framework that solely decriminalizes those bought and sold for sexual acts, while still holding sex buyers and exploiters accountable for the grievous harm they perpetrate. The Equality Model also mandates that the government provide prostituted persons comprehensive medical services, educational opportunities, and exit strategies.

South Africa has pledged to combat and eradicate abuse and violence against women and children, end gender-based discrimination, prevent sex trafficking, and suppress the exploitation of prostitution, especially of women and children. Progressive legislation such as the Equality Model promotes the human rights all South Africans are entitled to enjoy.

For more information, contact:
Nora Hennick
[email protected]

Mickey Meji
[email protected]