Business News/Analysis – Advanced BioFuels USA

ACE Conference: USGC Optimistic about Future of Ethanol Exports

by Matt Thompson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The American Coalition for Ethanol kicked off its annual conference in Omaha today. While there was some discussion of the state of the industry and the harm done by small refinery exemptions, there were also messages of optimism. One of those messages came from Ryan

August 24, 2019 Read Full Article

Estimating Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Costs Across Major U.S. Metropolitan Areas

(The International Council on Clean Transportation/Our Energy Policy) This paper analyzes the capital costs of the electric vehicle charging infrastructure needed for public, workplace, and home charging for the most populous 100 metropolitan areas in the United States from 2019 through 2025. The 100 metropolitan areas analyzed represent 88% of all

August 24, 2019 Read Full Article

Neste Introduces IMO 2020 Fuel, Announces New US Partnership

by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) Renewable diesel producer Neste Corp. announced Aug. 15 it will introduce a new fuel, Neste Marine 0.5, in the fourth quarter of this year, helping shippers comply with the International Maritime Organization’s 2020 sulfur cap of 0.5 percent to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions. Come Jan. 1,

August 24, 2019 Read Full Article

U.S. Recycling Industry Is Struggling to Figure Out a Future without China

by Christopher Joyce (National Public Radio) The U.S. used to send a lot of its plastic waste to China to get recycled. But last year, China put the kibosh on imports of the world’s waste. The policy, called National Sword, freaked out people in the U.S. — a huge market for

August 23, 2019 Read Full Article

Department of Energy Announces $40 Million in Funding for 29 Projects to Advance H2@Scale

(U.S. Department of Energy) Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced approximately $40 million in FY 2019 funding for 29 projects to advance the H2@Scale concept. The focus of H2@Scale is to enable affordable and reliable large-scale hydrogen generation, transport, storage, and utilization in the United States across multiple sectors.

August 23, 2019 Read Full Article

If We Really Want to Sequester More Carbon, Agriculture Can’t Be Made the Enemy, Says Microbial Input Startup Locus

by Lauren Manning (Ag Funder News) … Carbon sequestration is a phrase that’s becoming commonplace in the media, in food policy circles, and more recently around the dinner table. Put simply, Zorner says, carbon sequestration describes the process that plants use to absorb carbon from the air through photosynthesis, convert it

August 23, 2019 Read Full Article

Commercializing Conventional and Advanced Transport Biofuels from Biomass and Other Renewable Feedstocks — Co-processing

(IEA Bioenergy Task 39) Many petroleum refiners in Europe, North America, Latin America and Asia are thinking about upgrading bio-feedstocks using existing infrastructure. Approximately 40 refineries around the world have so far implemented or tested some type of hydroprocessing of mixed petroleum and bio-intermediate feedstocks, co-processing these feeds at biointermediate levels

August 23, 2019 Read Full Article

The Future of Hydrogen — Seizing Today’s Opportunities

(International Energy Agency) “Hydrogen is today enjoying unprecedented momentum. The world should not miss this unique chance to make hydrogen an important part of our clean and secure energy future.” — Hydrogen and energy have a long shared history – powering the first internal combustion engines over 200 years ago to

August 23, 2019 Read Full Article

Biofuel Retailers Have What It Takes

by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) Mike Lewis co-founded Pearson Fuels in 2003 as an “alternative fuels” station in San Diego, California. Today, Pearson Fuels is the largest distributor of E85 in California, supplying over 140 locations and about 76% of the market. Receiving the Paul Dana Marketing Vision Award at the American Coalition

August 23, 2019 Read Full Article

Fossil Fuels Offer a Poor Return on Energy Investment

(University of Leeds) An evaluation of the global energy return on investment for fossil fuels and renewable sources reveals a much more level playing field than previously believed. An enduring argument for the ongoing use of fossil fuels is their high energy return on energy investment – the ratio of

August 23, 2019 Read Full Article

Kamper Biodiesel Boss Cees B. Has to Be in Jail for 20 Months

by Caspar van Oirschot (DE Stentor (Google Translation)) Owner Cees B. (51) of Biodiesel Kampen has been sentenced to 30 months imprisonment, 10 of which are suspended, for falsification of documents and money laundering. His wife Janine B. (47) received a 240-hour work sentence for fraud and money laundering. Biodiesels

August 23, 2019 Read Full Article

Anapo, CAO and Gravetal Seek to Invest in Biodiesel

(Pagina Siete/Page Seven) The Association of Producers of Oilseeds and Wheat (Anapo), the Agricultural Chamber of the East (CAO) and Gravetal Bolivia expressed their willingness to invest together with Bolivian Fiscal Oil Fields (YPFB) in projects related to biodiesel. “Having the opportunity to achieve a new industry there would be no

August 23, 2019 Read Full Article

Indian Oil Corporation to Invest Rs 25,000 cr in Green Energy

by Sanjeev Choudhary (Economic Times) Rising environmental concerns are increasingly swaying government energy policies across the globe, prompting energy companies to invest in greener options. — Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), the nation’s largest refiner and fossil fuel retailer, plans to invest Rs 25,000 crore in green energy projects, including solar and wind

August 23, 2019 Read Full Article

Trader BB Energy Seeks Growth in Biofuels, Petrochems

by Ahmad Ghaddar (Reuters) Commodity trader BB Energy has expanded into renewables and petrochemicals as it seeks to diversify away from the more crowded conventional oil markets, it said on Thursday. The company has hired two traders in Singapore to venture into biofuel and petrochemical trading in the Asia Pacific region, where

August 23, 2019 Read Full Article

Cutting Edge Sustainability for Cutting Edge Tech: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Sustainability is such a vague term that some throw around to make them sound good in a consumer environment that is asking for greener and more socially conscious products. The Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials is tackling sustainability head on with its cutting edge sustainability tools for

August 23, 2019 Read Full Article

Petroleum Companies Ramp up HVO Production in Europe

(Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen (UFOP)/Biodiesel Magazine) Production of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) in the European Union has picked up pace since 2012. Petroleum companies, such as Neste, Eni and Total, were the main entities promoting the creation of corresponding capacities. From the perspective of the Union zur Förderung

August 22, 2019 Read Full Article

Trump Set to Discuss Biofuels Thursday with USDA, EPA: Sources

by Humeyra Pamuk and Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) President Donald Trump, faced with mounting anger in the farm belt over policies that allowed oil refineries to use less corn-based ethanol, is set to meet with cabinet members on Thursday to discuss ways to boost biofuel demand, four sources familiar with the matter said.

August 22, 2019 Read Full Article

Opinion: How The Airline Industry Can Wage War On Climate Change

by James N. Krebs (Aviation Week & Space Technology) …Accelerate clean-fuel production: By 2030, 4 billion gal. per year of clean fuels should be refined in the U.S. for its airlines. To virtually eliminate carbon emissions by 2050, the global industry will need to scale up production to 100 billion gal.

August 22, 2019 Read Full Article

2020 Dems Aim to Capitalize on Trump’s Ethanol Policy

by Brian Dabbs (National Journal) Democratic presidential candidates are exploiting a controversial White House ethanol policy to try to generate support among President Trump’s staunchest backers. The Environmental Protection Agency waived ethanol blending requirements for more than 30 petroleum refiners earlier this month, in a move that continues to infuriate

August 22, 2019 Read Full Article

From Chicken Kiev to ZEV: The Birth of Electro-Active Technologies, and Hydrogen Fuel for Zero Emission Vehicles, the Newfangled Way

by jmlhydrogen (Hydrogen Digest) From Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee comes news that Electro-Active Technologies has exclusively licensed two biorefinery technologies to convert organic waste into renewable hydrogen gas for use as a biofuel. The Technology The system combines biology and electrochemistry to degrade organic waste—such as plant biomass or

August 22, 2019 Read Full Article

From Lignin to Value: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to MetGen’s Enzymes

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) MetGen are pioneers in industrial enzymes for lignocellulosic biomass and are trying to empower industries to get the most out of biomass with their enzymatic technologies. Alex Michine, CEO of MetGen gave this enlightening overview of MetGen’s ‘how’, the Sweetwoods project and its integrated biorefinery flagship, enzymatic

August 22, 2019 Read Full Article

Biofuel Lobby Sues EPA Over Renewable Fuel Standard Exemptions

by Michael McGrady (Inside Sources) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is facing a legal challenge from a coalition of biofuel and agriculture industry groups regarding the agency’s proposal for reduced renewable fuel volumes. According to a press release from the coalition, the organizations filed a petition in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the

August 21, 2019 Read Full Article

Governors Ask EPA to Clarify Biogenic CO2 Not Regulated under CCA

by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) Governors representing Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Nebraska and North Dakota recently sent a letter to U.S. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler urging the agency to clarify biogenic CO2 is not a pollutant subject to regulation under the Clean Air Act. “We respectively request that you prioritize regulatory reform

August 21, 2019 Read Full Article

Gevo Discusses Plans for Hydrocarbon, RNG Production

by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) … During an earnings call, Gevo CEO Patrick Gruber discussed the company’s future plans for aviation fuel production and announced plans to launch a renewable natural gas (RNG) division. Gruber opened the call by discussing progress the company has made with its commercial off-take agreements, referencing

August 21, 2019 Read Full Article

Ethanol Board Offers Fuel Retailer Training to Install E15 Blends and Higher

(Nebraska Ethanol Board) Since the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lifted regulations against the sale of E15 throughout the summer months, the market and industry feedback has proven positive. For the first time ever, consumers driving 2001 or newer vehicles can access the fuel with up to 15% ethanol year-round. Because

August 21, 2019 Read Full Article

Lufthansa Innovation Hub launches the “Compensaid” Sustainability Platform and Focuses on CO2 Neutral Aviation Fuels

(Lufthansa Group) Travelers can use the new platform to replace the fossil fuel of their flights with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF); Airline passengers can reduce up to 80 percent of their CO2 emissions; “Compensaid” provides a transparent overview of a person’s travel history and associated CO2 emissions across all airlines

August 21, 2019 Read Full Article

NFU Writes to Government for Biofuel Policy

(National Farmers Union) The NFU has written to Government ministers calling for E10 – a type of petrol which contains 10% renewable bioethanol – to be introduced by 2020 to help the UK reach its net zero targets. Currently commonplace on UK forecourts is E5 which only contains 5% renewable bioethanol.

August 21, 2019 Read Full Article

All About Algae: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to DOE’s Advanced Algal Systems

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Algae has a lot of recent federal support, and this presentation takes us there. The Advanced Algal Systems is working on a host of strategies to focus on enhacing productivity, feedstock, quality and robust yields while developing higher-value bioproducts. Alison Goss Eng, Program Manager, Feedstock

August 21, 2019 Read Full Article

Oh My Neste MY: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Neste’s Renewable Diesel

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Neste’s MY renewable diesel is the best part of ‘diesel molecules’ and diesel specs, according to Neste. Check out this presentation by Dirk Vaughn, Head of Renewable Diesel Sales North America for Neste given at ABLC 2019 in Washington, D.C.to get the details on how

August 21, 2019 Read Full Article

It’s Time to Rebuild: Farmland as Critical Infrastructure

by Michael A. Fatigati (Vantaggio Renewables/Biofuels Digest) … We believe that one of our nation’s important natural resources, while protected in some ways, is being neglected to our peril and should be re-classified as infrastructure. This segment of infrastructure supplies 95% of the food requirements of our nation. This segment

August 21, 2019 Read Full Article

DOE Announces $59 Million and 43 Projects to Accelerate Advanced Vehicle Technologies Research

(U.S. Department of Energy) U.S. Department of Energy Under Secretary of Energy Mark W. Menezes announced $59 million for 43 projects for new and innovative advanced vehicle technologies research. Funded through the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, these projects address priorities in advanced batteries and electric drive systems, co-optimized

August 21, 2019 Read Full Article

Dominion Energy, Smithfield Foods Break Ground on RNG Project

(Smithfield Foods Inc./Biomass Magazine) Dominion Energy and Smithfield Foods Inc. are pleased to announce that the companies are breaking ground on North Carolina’s largest renewable natural gas (RNG) project through their joint venture, Align Renewable Natural Gas (RNG). Located in Duplin and Sampson counties, this project will generate enough energy to power more than

August 21, 2019 Read Full Article

Cellulose Microbeads, Sequins and Eyeware, 3D Printed Sandals and Menswear, Biobased adhesives, and more: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of August 21st

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This week, it’s all about cellulose and 3D printing and these Top 10 Innovations are so cutting edge you can literally dress yourself from head to toe in it. From cellulose sequins and cellulose eyeware to 3D printed cornstarch menswear and 3D printed sandals using coconut

August 21, 2019 Read Full Article

Wound up over Waivers

by Alex Guillén (Politico’s Morning Energy) EPA’s internal watchdog is being asked to determine how the agency decided to grant the vast majority of exemptions from the Renewable Fuel Standard that oil refiners have requested. EPA approved 31 petitions for waivers from the 2018 requirements, while rejecting just six, and

August 21, 2019 Read Full Article

Vancouver Considers Anaerobic Digestion to Tackle Dog Waste DEADLINE: September 17, 2019

(Bioenergy Insight) The Canadian city of Vancouver is considering processing dog waste using anaerobic digestion. … Currently, dog waste is collected in plastic bags that do not quickly or easily break down, so diverting the waste from landfill has become a priority for the city. Vancouver is considering a contracted

August 20, 2019 Read Full Article

Three UK Companies Join Forces to Create Waste Plastic to Hydrogen Facilities

(Bioenergy Insight) Three companies have joined forces to create waste plastic to hydrogen facilities across the UK. Peel Environmental has signed a collaboration agreement with Waste2Tricity and PowerHouse Energy which will see 11 waste plastic to hydrogen facilities developed. The £130 million (€140 million) investment follows the announcement that the

August 20, 2019 Read Full Article

US Biomass Plant Demolished to Make Way for Biogas Facility

(Bioenergy Insight) The first power plant fuelled by turkey manure and wood chips in the US has been demolished, but a new biogas facility may take its place. The Fibrominn biomass plant in Benson, Minnesota, was built in 2007 to provide an alternative to land-spreading turkey litter. It was the

August 20, 2019 Read Full Article

Amended California Regulation a ‘Major Victory’ for Biodiesel

by Betsy Lillian (NGT News) California recently cleared the way for storing biodiesel blends of up to 20% (B20) in underground storage tanks, says the National Biodiesel Board (NBB). The California State Water Resources Control Board amended California Underground Storage Tank (UST) Regulations on Aug. 6. The regulations now say that

August 20, 2019 Read Full Article

Bioenergy Startup Licenses ORNL Food-Waste-to-Fuel System

(Oak Ridge National Laboratory) Electro-Active Technologies, Inc., of Knoxville, Tenn., has exclusively licensed two biorefinery technologies invented and patented by the startup’s co-founders while working at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The technologies work as a system that converts organic waste into renewable hydrogen gas for use as

August 20, 2019 Read Full Article

British Airways and Shell to Build Europe’s First Facility to Convert Rubbish into Jet Fuel

by Oliver Gill (The Telegraph) British Airways and Royal Dutch Shell have submitted plans to build Europe’s first plant that converts household waste into jet fuel. The duo will work with Velocys, a sustainable fuel specialist, on the site near to the Humber estuary in North Lincolnshire. It is hoped that around

August 20, 2019 Read Full Article

Jumbo and GoodFuels Partner to Take Sustainable Bio-Fuel Oil to the Offshore Support Market

(Goodfuels) Dutch company partnership paves the way for a low carbon energy transition in the offshore support sector. — Leading global heavy lift shipping and offshore transportation and installation contractor Jumbo, and the world’s first commercial, sustainable marine biofuel company GoodFuels, today announced a joint initiative to test marine Bio-Fuel Oil on

August 20, 2019 Read Full Article

The Digital Deluge: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Praj’s Digital Biology

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Digital biology is a phrase that seems as mystical as a unicorn, but Vineet Rajgarhia, Senior VP of Biochemicals at Praj Industries, shared this presentation at ABLC 2019 in Washington, D.C. on how the oil industry is using digital tools and how biofuels, biochemicals, and

August 20, 2019 Read Full Article

Group of Top CEOs Says Maximizing Shareholder Profits No Longer Can Be the Primary Goal of Corporations

by Jena McGregor (Washington Post) A group representing the nation’s most powerful chief executives on Monday abandoned the idea that companies must maximize profits for shareholders above all else, a long-held belief that advocates said boosted the returns of capitalism but detractors blamed for rising inequality and other social ills. In

August 20, 2019 Read Full Article

Revisit Your Facility’s Grease Waste Process and Turn Fog Into an Asset

(Greasezilla) You may be flushing a valuable resource down the metaphorical drain when disposing of grease trap waste. Yes, the big bad wolf of commercial plumbing that the industry has struggled to combat over the past two decades may be hiding a gem in that mess of congealed fats, oils and

August 19, 2019 Read Full Article

Addressing Two Objections to My Midwest Ethanol Plan

by Robert Rapier (Forbes) … My proposed solution is for the Midwestern states to band together to provide sufficient state incentives to develop a major Midwest corridor where E85 — a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline — is the primary fuel of choice for consumers. There is enough

August 19, 2019 Read Full Article

Purdue Ag Economist Tyner Passes Away

(Hoosier Ag Today) Via the department’s Facebook page, Purdue Agricultural Economics announced that Professor Dr. Wallace (Wally) Tyner passed away on Sunday. The post read, “Today we were saddened by the news of Dr. Wally Tyner’s passing. His contributions to the agricultural economics field made impacts across the globe. He will

August 19, 2019 Read Full Article

The Golden Cow – Is India the Place to Be for Biofuels?

by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) … Is India the cash cow for biofuels? Or even the golden cow? If Aemetis’ recent 200% year over year increase in biodiesel sales is any indication…well, let’s just say we see the value. The market It is estimated that the ethanol market in India

August 19, 2019 Read Full Article

Replacing Crude Oil with Waste Plastics

(Neste) The aim is to proceed to an industrial scale trial during 2019. By 2030, Neste targets to process more than one million tons of plastic waste annually by 2030. Neste is already the world’s largest producer of renewable diesel from waste and residues and now it’s target is to

August 19, 2019 Read Full Article

To Global Automakers – Offer More Ethanol Vehicles in U.S.!

by Paul Kamp, in conjunction with Chris Schwarck (ipetitions) To: CEO’s of Global Automakers: We are consumers of your vehicles and we request that you manufacture cars and trucks of all models, engines and trim levels that will allow the use of higher ethanol blends such as E15, E20, E30 and E85

August 19, 2019 Read Full Article

Report: Trump Ordered Waivers: Ongoing Court Challenges May Be Only Avenue Left for Biofuels

by By Todd Neeley and Chris Clayton (DTN Progressive Farmer) …The president sided with oil refiners over ethanol producers and corn farmers, just two months after reiterating his support for ethanol at a rally held at Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy in Council Bluffs, Iowa, to celebrate the approval of year-round

August 19, 2019 Read Full Article

E15, E30, and Blender Pumps May Become Generally Available, but Refinery Exemptions Make the RFS Irrelevant

by Doug Root* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Farm Fest in southern Minnesota is always a forum on the health of the agriculture sector of the economy and biofuels. This year was no exception as Rep. Colin Peterson hosted a listening session with Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and six members of

August 17, 2019 Read Full Article

Trade Dispute Affecting Ethanol Production in Midwest

by Andy Knight (The Herald Bulletin) Officials with POET Biorefining in Alexandria are monitoring the ongoing trade dispute between the United States and China, which has resulted in significant tariffs on U.S. ethanol shipments to that country. POET employs more than 40 people in Madison County and, according to the company’s

August 16, 2019 Read Full Article

Audio Available from 2019 American Coalition for Ethanol Conference

(Ag News Wire) The 32nd annual American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) conference is taking place August 14-16, 2019 in Omaha, Nebraska. The event includes a welcome from Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts, followed by industry updates and a keynote presentation by new U.S. Grains Council CEO Ryan LeGrand, as well as panels and

August 16, 2019 Read Full Article

Zimbabwe: Government Revives Jatropha Project As Fuel Crisis Persists

by Leopold Munhende (AllAfrica) Government, desperate to end a recurrent fuel crisis, has revived its Jatropha fuel project abandoned during ex-President Robert Mugabe’s era. Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa revealed this during a Post Cabinet media briefing Wednesday, where she emphasised on the need for alternative sources of fuel to ease the

August 16, 2019 Read Full Article

Plans Turn to Waste Gases at Port Talbot Steelworks into Biofuel

byElizabeth Bradfield (Business Live) The plant could generate 30 million gallons of biofuels for the aviation industry each year –Plans are in place for a pilot project which will look at turning waste gases from the Tata steelworks in Port Talbot into a biofuel which could then be used in

August 16, 2019 Read Full Article

RFA to Australia: Choose Ethanol, Not Petroleum Reserve

(Renewable Fuels Association) In a letter sent today (August 15, 2019), the Renewable Fuels Association encouraged Australia’s energy minister to strongly consider U.S. ethanol imports as a cleaner, more affordable alternative to purchasing oil from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve. According to RFA, opening the Australian market to ethanol imports would

August 16, 2019 Read Full Article

Low-Carbon Neste MY Renewable Diesel Now Available in Oregon, US

(Neste) With climate change at the forefront of the global conversation, Neste, the world’s largest producer of renewable diesel fuel, is making reducing CO2 emissions more accessible to fleet owners in Oregon, US. The company is proud to announce an exclusive partnership with a distributor in Oregon, McCall Companies. Through this partner,

August 16, 2019 Read Full Article

Mineral Oil Groups Ramp up HVO Production in the EU

(Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen (UFOP)/Biodiesel Magazine) Production of hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) in the European Union has picked up pace since 2012. Mineral oil groups, such as Neste, Eni and Total, were the main entities promoting the creation of corresponding capacities. From the perspective of the Union

August 16, 2019 Read Full Article

Scars Are Beautiful: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Gevo’s Market Perspectives

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Scars are a sign you’ve been there and survived. You overcame. You learned something, maybe the hard way. And Patrick Gruber, CEO of Gevo, a company that produces low-carbon, renewable, high-performance fuel products, shows us just how beautiful scars can be. Check out his illuminating presentation where

August 16, 2019 Read Full Article

Available for Viewing: Public Workshop: Low-Carbon Transportation Investments, Strategies, and Outcomes

(Transportation and Climate Initiative/Georgetown Climate Center) On Tuesday, July 30, more than 300 community members, transportation, environmental and social justice advocates, business and industry representatives, and state and local officials participated in the Transportation & Climate Initiative workshop on Low-Carbon Transportation Investments, Strategies, and Outcomes in Baltimore, Maryland. At the workshop

August 15, 2019 Read Full Article

How to De-Fossilize Your Fleet: Suggestions for Fleet Managers Working on Sustainability Programs

by Joanne Ivancic* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Cities, companies, universities, organizations pledge to be 100% renewable (or 50%) by a certain date. But how often does that pledge include renewable transportation energy? I’m guessing just about never. But it doesn’t have to be that way. At conferences, sustainability events, by phone

August 15, 2019 Read Full Article

Report: India to Use, Produce a Record Volume of Ethanol in 2019

by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A report recently filed with the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service’s Global Agricultural Information Network shows the average ethanol blend rate in India is expected to reach a record 5.8 percent this year, up from the record of 4.1 percent set last year. India currently aims

August 15, 2019 Read Full Article

California Clears Final Hurdle for Underground Storage of Biodiesel Blends

(Biofuels International) The state of California in the US has approved the storage of biodiesel blends of up to 20% (B20) in underground storage tanks, removing the final barrier to ensuring the state has access to sufficient volumes of the biofuel. The campaign began over 10 years ago, with the

August 15, 2019 Read Full Article

How to Fix the Ethanol Industry

by Robert Rapier (Forbes) …In this model, the entities that control the model are the same as those that benefit from it: The Midwestern states that produce essentially all of the nation’s ethanol. The key goal here is to get the federal government out of the position of strongly impacting the market for

August 15, 2019 Read Full Article

Small Refinery Waivers: Is EPA Breaking The Law?

by Anna-Lisa Laca (Farm Journal’s Ag Pro) For the past two years the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been issuing small refinery hardship waivers, which allow the awarded refiners to forgo blending ethanol with their fuels. Is EPA breaking the law by issuing such waivers? It depends on who you

August 15, 2019 Read Full Article

Biodiesel Fuels the Clean Cruiser Project

by Don Scott (Biodiesel Sustainability Blog) What started as a couple of pals looking for their next adventure soon turned into a carbon-cutting crusade for Steven Ploog and Nathan Stuart. After the initial idea of fixing up two old Toyota Land Cruisers and driving down to Panama, the two came

August 15, 2019 Read Full Article

SoCalGas and Electrochaea Announce Commissioning of New Biomethanation Reactor System Pilot Project

(Southern California Gas Co./PR Newswire) Innovative project with U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory converts renewable electricity into renewable methane for storage in existing natural gas pipelines — Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) and Electrochaea today announced the commissioning of the nation’s first scalable biomethanation reactor system at the U.S. Department of

August 15, 2019 Read Full Article

Gevo Enters into Purchase and Sale Agreement for Sustainable Aviation Fuel to Supply Air TOTAL International

(Gevo) Gevo, Inc. (NASDAQ: GEVO) announced today that Air TOTAL International SA (“Air TOTAL”) and Gevo have entered into a partnership agreement to produce and supply sustainable aviation fuel (“SAF”) for use and distribution in France and other parts of Europe. With the finalization of this new supply contract, Gevo

August 15, 2019 Read Full Article

Dalradian Rules out Cyanide Use, Says Sperrins Gold Mine Will Be First in Europe with Zero Carbon Footprint

by Kevin Mullan (Derry Journal) Dalradian has said its proposed mine and processing plant in the Sperrins will be cyanide-free and that the mine will be the first in Europe with a zero carbon footprint. The company, whose proposals to prospect for gold and silver in the Sperrins has run into

August 15, 2019 Read Full Article

No Carbon Left Behind: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to LanzaTech

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) LanzaTech has produced 5.5 million gallons of ethanol since start up and has compelling project economics to back it up. Jennifer Holmgren, CEO of LanzaTech gave this ‘Carbon Smart’ overview of how LanzaTech is recycling carbon from industrial off gas biomass and MSW syngas and

August 15, 2019 Read Full Article

Weathering the Storms: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to ADM

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Like many other companies in the agriculture and food ingredient markets, ADM is affected by the weather. But bad weather isn’t stopping this company as indicated in their Q2 presentation especially with health and wellness and animal nutrition up on year over year numbers. Check

August 15, 2019 Read Full Article

Robocar’s Biobased Seat Cushions, Miscanthus Bedding, Churro Waste Fat Based Diesel, Edible Spoons, Cellulose-Based Fabric, Sausage without the Sausage, and More: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of August 15th

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) As the end of summer approaches, county fairs are popping up around the U.S. and with it, churros and other waste. But innovators are turning churro waste fats into renewable diesel, using edible flavored spoons to avoid fair waste, rain ponchos made from sugarcane-based bioplastic, packaging

August 15, 2019 Read Full Article

O’Brien: Retailers, Prime the Pump Set the Stage for E15 Adoption

by Matt Thompson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) For retailers who are still looking to add E15 to their product mix, Growth Energy’s vice president of market development, Mike O’Brien believes there’s no better place to learn about and ask questions than the Prime the Pump program. Retailers who have already made the

August 14, 2019 Read Full Article

Aemetis Cuts Carbon Score of Keyes Ethanol Plant

by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Aemetis Inc. released second quarter 2019 financial results Aug. 8. The company reported strong growth for its biodiesel business in India, outlined improvement projects underway at its corn ethanol plant, and discussed planned renewable natural gas (RNG) and cellulosic ethanol production. During an earnings call,

August 14, 2019 Read Full Article

Jobsites and Machines of the Future: Diesel, Hybrid, Renewable, Connected, Autonomous and Electric

by Allen Schaeffer (Construction Executive/Diesel Technology Forum) … Achieving the U.S. EPA Tier 4 emissions requirements means near-zero particulate matter (PM 2.5) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. This performance is accomplished through a combination of strategies, ranging from selective catalytic reduction and diesel particulate filters to advanced catalysts. No matter

August 14, 2019 Read Full Article

33 Million Reasons Why Your Garbage Is Worth More than You Think: Breakthrough, Cox et al Investing, Accelerating Sierra Energy in Waste-to-X Race

(Hydrogen Digest) … In 2015, we reported that the Defense Logistics Agency awarded Sierra Energy a $100,000 Small Business Innovation Research grant $100,000 grant to further explore the production of hydrogen fuel from waste. Sierra Energy’s patented FastOx gasifier converts waste into an energy-dense gas with high hydrogen content. The system’s

August 14, 2019 Read Full Article

RNG Continues to Move Passengers on the Big Blue Bus, LAX

(Clean Energy Fuels Corp/Biomass Magazine) The demand for clean, cost-effective renewable natural gas (RNG) as a transportation fuel continues to rise. Clean Energy Fuels Corp. announced it has inked contracts to provide its Redeem renewable natural gas (RNG) to power fleets across multiple sectors that include transit, trucking, airports, solid waste and service

August 14, 2019 Read Full Article

Congratulations to the 2019 GWRCCC Achievement Award Winners!

Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition is pleased to congratulate the recipients of the 2019 GWRCCC Achievement Awards for exemplary transportation initiatives in the DMV. GWRCCC will present the awards during our Annual Awards Luncheon on August 28th at Clyde’s of Gallery Place located at 707 7th Street, NW, Washington,

August 14, 2019 Read Full Article

Golden Grain Receives LCFS Certification for Cellulosic Ethanol Production

(Biofuels International) The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has approved Golden Grain Energy for cellulosic ethanol production from corn kernel fibre, according to biotechnology company Edeniq, which has supplied the technology for production. Golden Grain operates a corn ethanol plant in Mason City, Iowa, which has a capacity of 120

August 14, 2019 Read Full Article

Minnesota Funds E15, E85 Fuel Infrastructure Project

by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The Minnesota Department of Agriculture announced Aug. 6 funding for a bioenergy pilot plant and three biofuel blending infrastructure projects, including one that that focuses on E15 and E85 distribution. The MDA has awarded $82,687.40 to Denco II LLC, a 24 MMgy ethanol plant in

August 14, 2019 Read Full Article

Ethanol Brings down Price of Gasoline at the Pump below Biodiesel in Zimbabwe

by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Zimbabwe, the national broadcasting corporation reports that the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority says prices for gasoline blended with 10% ethanol have fallen below diesel prices at the pump which typically doesn’t happen. Using 150,000 liters per day of domestic ethanol reduces the foreign exchange burden

August 14, 2019 Read Full Article

Chinese Demand Heats up Brazil’s Ethanol Industry

by Sarita Reed and Vinicius Fontana (China Dialogue) Adding ethanol to Chinese petrol will decrease emissions but could worsen Brazil’s deforestation — There are 332 million cars on the road in China, more than anywhere in the world. Most run on pure petrol, but from next year Chinese fuel companies

August 14, 2019 Read Full Article

Growth Energy and GasBuddy Partner to Launch Unleaded 88 on GasBuddy App

(Growth Energy) Today (August 13, 2019), Growth Energy and GasBuddy announced that drivers across the nation can now take advantage of Unleaded 88’s affordable prices through GasBuddy’s database and app. Unleaded 88 is a fuel with 15 percent renewable biofuel approved for cars 2001 and newer, and thanks to the recent

August 14, 2019 Read Full Article

Innovate AND Implement: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to ICM’s Ethanol and Biorefining

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Innovation is great but without implementation, the story ends there. Not so for ICM, a Kanasas-based company that took its small business roots in a farming community and an idea and turned it into 1/3 of the world’s ethanol produced every year by ICM technologies. With

August 14, 2019 Read Full Article

Vegan Renewable Diesel, Futurol Tech: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Axens’ Fuel Feedstocks

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Axens Solutions is covering the entire project development cycle and working on things like BioTfuel and Vegan which are renewable diesel and jet fuels, Futurol, a cellulosic ethanol using biomass enzymatic fermentation, Atol made from ethylene using ethanol dehydration, and other feedstocks for fuel. David

August 14, 2019 Read Full Article

FAME Is Fleeting: FAEE as a More Sustainable Option for Biodiesel in the US: Filling the Tank on the Road to the Future

by Ron Cascone and Steven Slome (Nexant/Biofuels Digest) The term “fatty acid methyl ester” or FAME has been synonymous with biodiesel for the better part of the last two decades that have seen its widespread promotion and use. This has been due to the historical low price of methanol, and the

August 14, 2019 Read Full Article

DOE Seeks Information on Opportunities to Leverage Bioethanol Production Facilities, Food Waste Streams, High-Impact Data, and Algal Biomass to Advance the Domestic Bioeconomy –DE-FOA-0002150: FY 2019 BETO-WIDE RFI DEADLINE: September 6, 2019

(U.S. Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s (EERE’s) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) is requesting information on the following research opportunities to help inform its priorities and funding strategies: advanced processes and retrofits to co-produce cellulosic biofuels and other products at existing

August 13, 2019 Read Full Article

Indonesia Threatens Tariff Hike on EU Dairy in Trade Spat

(Agence France Presses/ RTL Today) Indonesia’s trade minister Friday threatened to impose higher tariffs on EU dairy imports in response to the bloc’s proposed move to hit biodiesel made from palm oil with anti-subsidy duties. The warning could escalate a trade dispute with the European Union after Indonesia — the world’s

August 13, 2019 Read Full Article

Jokowi Wants 30% Biodiesel in Cars as Soon as January Next Year

by Marchio Irfan Gorbiano (Jakarta Post) President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said he wanted to increase the portion of diesel blended with crude palm oil (CPO) from the current 20 percent ( B20 ) to 30 percent ( B30 ) starting January next year and to 50 percent ( B50 ) by the

August 13, 2019 Read Full Article

Praj Joins Hands with Brazil-Based Dedini lndustrias for Ethanol Production Technologies

(WebIndia123) Bio-based technologies and engineering firm Praj Industries said on Monday it has entered into a cooperation agreement with Dedini lndustrias de Base to provide ethanol production technologies in the Brazilian market. This paves the way for Dedini to market Praj’s technology solutions to set up ethanol production facilities using grain-based

August 13, 2019 Read Full Article

New Energy Blue Buys Inbicon’s Low-Carbon Fuel Technology

(Oil and Gas 360/New Energy Blue) NewEnergyBlue acquired exclusive rights to Inbicon bio-conversion technology throughout the Americas and will first employ it to turn North Dakota wheat straw into a high-value, carbon-neutral automotive fuel. The technology license was purchased from Ørsted, a Danish green-energy company. Ørsted developed the technology over 15 years at

August 13, 2019 Read Full Article

The Safrinha Subpoena, or, Do They that Soy the Wind Ripen the Whirlwind?

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) … Today we’re going to relate a detective story which begins with an unexplained and foul stink, and branches off into climate, trade, the eradication of poverty, crop rotation, the politics of the Amazon, the flow vectors of tropical seas, seafloor convection, the future of beach

August 13, 2019 Read Full Article

Another IKEA Store Offering Biomethane Refueling in Finland

(Gasum/NGV Journal) Energy company Gasum and IKEA Finland continue to work together with the opening of a renewable natural gas filling station at the IKEA store in Raisio. This new facility improves the availability of a low-emission fuel and promotes the circular economy in the Turku economic region. Two natural gas

August 13, 2019 Read Full Article

City in Colorado Develops Innovative Biogas Plant & CNG Station Project

(City of Longmont/NGV Journal) Steel rising on a site at the northwest corner of the city of Longmont’s Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is a sign of the future. The steel provides the frame for an approximately 23,000-square-foot building for Longmont’s Biogas Treatment and Renewable Natural Gas Fueling Station Project, which will

August 12, 2019 Read Full Article

Coalition Pushes EPA to Reconsider Limits on Higher Ethanol Blends

(Urban Air Initiative) In a joint petition filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals, a broad alliance of ethanol, agriculture, and clean fuel organizations requested judicial review of a recent U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rulemaking that would limit ethanol blending and restrict the use of blender pumps. The Urban Air Initiative

August 12, 2019 Read Full Article

USGC Team Explores Ethanol Potential for Latin America U.S. Grains Council

(U.S. Grains Council/Farm Forum) … This goal of enabling expanded conversations on ethanol blending is why the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) organized a trade team in July to connect representatives from national refineries, ministries of energy and other key stakeholders in Latin America with U.S. refiners currently blending ethanol with

August 12, 2019 Read Full Article

The Problem with the Ethanol Industry

by Robert Rapier (Forbes) … The ethanol industry would argue that if refiners weren’t being forced to blend ethanol, they wouldn’t. That’s mostly true. Ethanol has a significantly lower energy content than gasoline, but ethanol is used to increase octane. Thus, refiners would still use it even if they weren’t forced to, but at

August 12, 2019 Read Full Article

Five Myths about Corn: Actually, It’s Not All Genetically Modified — or Unhealthy.

by Laura Reiley (Washington Post) … MYTH NO. 5 Biofuels derived from corn can help the environment. Ethanol, made by fermenting sugars from corn or sugar cane, contains oxygen that enables a car’s engine to burn fuel more efficiently. It was heralded as the “fuel of the future” by Henry Ford in 1925 —

August 12, 2019 Read Full Article

The Real Fuel Issue

by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association/Washington Post) I was surprised to see in Catherine Rampell’s July 26 op-ed, “The Grand Old Socialist Party,” a line about “big fat federal government subsidies for corn ethanol.” The last tax credit for ethanol, the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit, expired in 2011, and it’s

August 12, 2019 Read Full Article

Expression of Interest to Be Floated for Procurement of Biodiesel from Used Cooking Oil across 100 Cities

(Government of India Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas) World Biofuel Day is observed every year on 10th of August to create awareness about the importance of non-fossil fuels as an alternative to conventional fossil fuels and highlight the various efforts made by Government in the biofuel sector. Ministry of Petroleum

August 12, 2019 Read Full Article

Planned Anti-Subsidy Duties on Palm Oil Methyl Ester Ineffective

(Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen (UFOP)) The preliminary anti-subsidy duties announced by the EU Commission will not reduce imports of palm oil-based biodiesel. This is the conclusion the Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen (UFOP) has drawn from a comparison of 8 per cent and 18 per cent

August 12, 2019 Read Full Article

Can They? Should They?: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to DOE’s Biofuels in Marine Engines

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The fuels market and demand for jet fuels is big, but what about the marine sector? After all, over 90% of all goods are shipped via marine vessels fueled with high sulfur (3.5 wt.%) heavy residual fuel oil (HFO). Zia Haq, Siva Sivasubramanian, Mark Shmorhun, Mohan

August 12, 2019 Read Full Article

U.S. Ag Volatility Affects Novozymes: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Novozyme’s First Half of 2019

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Novozymes is a leader in biological solutions focusing on enzymes and microbes. The company just released their report on the first half of 2019 that showed while there was a second quarter improvement, overall the entire first half of 2019 was disappointing in performance, mostly due to

August 12, 2019 Read Full Article

EPA Strikes Icy Blow to Ag & Biofuels: 31 Waivers Hit Heart of American Farmers and Biofuels

by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) EPA might have a new name in some circles – Exemptions for Petroleum Agency – thanks to the 31 small refinery waivers issued on Friday which has the biofuels and agriculture industries reeling after promises made by President Trump to look into why big oil

August 12, 2019 Read Full Article

Increase in Biofuel Sales in France

(News 1) The bioethanol kit is a small box placed on the engine that can make you do great savings. Indeed, a liter of bioethanol costs on average one euro of one liter of petrol. And even if with bioethanol we consume a little more fuel, the money gain remains very

August 8, 2019 Read Full Article

Just Drop It in!: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Gevo’s Drop-in Hydrocarbons

by Jim Lane (Biofuhttp://radar.weather.gov/radar_lite.php?product=NCR&rid=LWX&loop=yesels Digest) Gevo produces and sells low-carbon, renewable, high-performance fuel products. From ethanol to isobutanol, jet fuel, isooctane, oxygenate blendstocks, and more, Gevo is on a mission to replace fossil based products and decarbonize products for large markets. Tim Cesarek, Executive VP and COO of Gevo gave this

August 8, 2019 Read Full Article

Managing LCFS Credits and Risk in Uncertain Times

by Michael Newman (Parhelion Underwriting Inc./Biofuels Digest) Trading in the climate finance market – the systems designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions – sometimes create areas of uncertainty. The risk of invalidation of credits worry market participants – but insurance risk capital can be used to mitigate these concerns and in

August 8, 2019 Read Full Article

Gevo’s Renewable Isobutanol Pilot Lowers Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Seattle

(Biofuels International) Low carbon fuel company Gevo has successfully completed the first phase of a trial pilot of fleet vehicles using its low carbon, renewable drop-in isobutanol blended gasoline. The trial, which took place in the City of Seattle in in the US, saw a reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions

August 8, 2019 Read Full Article

Economics of Road Transport Starting to Favor Renewables

by Emiliano Bellini (PV Magazine) According to a new report by BNP Paribas Asset Management, renewables offer more advantages than simply mitigating climate change. Electricity is easier to transport than oil, and wind and solar electricity prices are much more stable than volatile oil prices. An analyst from the French bank

August 7, 2019 Read Full Article

Twisted Sister’s Dee Snider Appreciates Ethanol

by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) Dee Snider, lead singer for Twisted Sister, known for the popular bikers song “Ride To Live, Live To Ride”, served as Captain for the 12th annual Legends Ride at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, sponsored by the Renewable Fuels Association and the Sturgis Buffalo Chip Campground. The “We’re Not Gonna

August 7, 2019 Read Full Article

Course Set for Western Australia’s Renewable Hydrogen Future

(Government of Western Australia) Renewable Hydrogen Strategy to position Western Australia as a frontrunner in the burgeoning global renewable hydrogen industry; McGowan Government commits to $10 million Renewable Hydrogen Fund The McGowan Government has launched its Renewable Hydrogen Strategy to position Western Australia as a major producer and exporter of

August 7, 2019 Read Full Article

FuelCell Energy, Drax Announce New Carbon Capture Project

by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) FuelCell Energy Inc. announced June 27 it has entered into a contract with Drax Power Station for an application of its carbon capture solution. Drax secured £500,000 ($633,503) in government funding to support the project. Under the contract, FuelCell Energy will support Drax with a front

August 7, 2019 Read Full Article

Switzerland’s First Commercial Hydrogen Production Project in the Works

by Tami Hood (Hydrogen Fuel News) Alpiq and H2 Energy to develop hydrogen-powered transportation in Switzerland. The nation’s first system for commercial hydrogen production is planned at the Gösgen hydropower plant. The 2 megawatt (MW) system is to be built by Alpiq and H2 Energy’s jointly owned (in equal shares) Hydrospider.

August 7, 2019 Read Full Article

Hydrogen Production – How Much Will Be Sustainable, How Sustainable, When, and How?

(Hydrogen Digest) … Creating another fossil economy, even if it uses groovy hydrogen, is not the aim of our industrial societies. We want new methods of production, new sources that justify the time, money and aggravation of building out a hydrogen infrastructure. So, affordable production is the first hurdle, but by

August 7, 2019 Read Full Article

China Dismisses Trump Agri Purchase Claim, Says Honouring Pledges; NDRC Says Claims China Not Buying US Agri Products ‘Groundless’

by Hallie Gu and Tom Daly (Reuters/Zawya) Beijing is honouring its pledges to buy U.S. agricultural products, state media cited China’s state planning body saying, dismissing an accusation from U.S. President Donald Trump that it had not met purchasing promises in the sector. Trump had said on Thursday that Beijing had

August 7, 2019 Read Full Article

The Comet Now Uses Biodiesel in Its 39 Diesel Buses

(Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (CMRTA)/Mass Transit Magazine) The Comet now uses a B5 biodiesel blend in 39 large transit buses as part of an initiative to help improve air quality in Richland and Lexington Counties, and reduce its carbon footprint. Biodiesel is vegetable-oil based, renewably resources, less polluting and biodegradable.

August 7, 2019 Read Full Article

Ready to Meet Market Growth?: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Biomass Gasification

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Missed The Digest’s webinar on Biomass Gasification? Wondering what it is or where it’s at? Biomass Gasification is a thermochemical process in which a renewable solid carbonaceous feedstock is reacted with air, oxygen, CO2 and/or steam to produce a gaseous product stream containing hydrogen and carbon

August 7, 2019 Read Full Article

Zero Emission Heavy Fuel Oil: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to GoodFuels’ Marine Biofuels

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) GoodFuels is seeing a fast rise of low carbon marine fuels as a very logical one. The demand. The supply. The environmental impact. Even the economics. It’s all making sense now. In November, GoodFuels completed trials of the world’s first zero emission, ‘drop in’ Heavy Fuel

August 7, 2019 Read Full Article

3F BIO Secures €17m Backing from European Commission for First Integrated Bio-Based Protein Biorefinery

(3F BIO) … The project addresses the protein challenge by integrating two established processes into a flagship, large-scale, first-of-its-kind, biorefinery producing bioethanol and sustainable food protein. The process takes a proportion of the sustainable cereal crops that feed the biorefinery to create a feedstock for the fermentation process that produces ABUNDA®