Welcome to CBiRC

The Center for Biorenewable Chemicals (CBiRC) is developing the tools, components and materials needed to transform carbohydrate feedstocks into bio-based chemicals. Core know-how and technologies include bioengineering of fatty acid and polyketide biochemistry in microorganisms, as well as an innovative and complimentary portfolio of developments in chemical catalysis. By combining biocatalysis and chemical catalysis CBiRC creates new know-how and powerful systems that have the potential to nurture a sustainable bio-based chemical industry. CBiRC believes the existing petrochemical supply chain can be transformed with key bio-based foundational intermediates that deliver an array of drop-in chemistry or similar functionality to existing fossil-carbon-based chemicals.

Jim Dumesic, University of Wisconsim-Madison

Jim Dumesic to receive NACS Award in March

The North American Catalysis Society congratulates three of our members that have been recognized with significant American Chemical Society National Awards for 2012. The award recipients are Dr. Thomas F. Degnan Jr, ExxonMobil, Professor James A. Dumesic University of Wisconsin, Madison, and Professor Enrique Iglesia, University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Degnan has been named as [...]

$12 Million Investment to Promote Clean Energy & Jobs

Obama Administration Announces $12 Million i6 Green Investment to Promote Clean Energy Innovation and Job Creation WASHINGTON - The Obama Administration recently announced the six winners of the i6 Green Challenge, an initiative to drive technology commercialization and entrepreneurship in support of a green innovation economy, increased U.S. competitiveness and new jobs. Projects in Florida, Iowa, [...]

Governor Terry Branstad visits CBiRC

Governor Branstad Visits CBiRC

Professor Jackie Shanks shares her research with Governor Terry Branstad – Oct. 2011 Following the groundbreaking ceremony for phase two of Iowa State University’s Biorenewables Research Complex, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds, State Representative Linda Upmeyer, Craig Lang, president of the Board of Regents and Bruce Rastetter, president pro tem of the [...]