by Thomas Wilson and Jack Farchy (Bloomberg) Output at Congo’s artisanal mines probably rose at least half; Metal vital to many electric vehicles has tripled in 18 months -- The appetite for electric cars is driving a boom in small-scale cobalt production
by Sanjoy Sanyal (World Resources Institute/Clean Technica/The Beam) ... Taher Zavery’s company, Kitui Industries, started experimenting with biodiesel in 2008, when oil prices were peaking. This alternative fuel produced from vegetable oil is obtained from crushing cotton seed, and can replace
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... The biggest news along that front represents early-stage technology, but we read here that engineers at Ohio State announced that they’ve devised a process that under certain circumstances can convert coal, shale gas and biomass into electricity or syngas,
by Chrysa Glystra (Platts) The European Commission announced Tuesday it will initiate an expiry review of the antidumping duty against US fuel ethanol imports, with the duty staying in the place for another 15 months while the investigation takes place. The duty
(China Daily) The Shanghai municipal government is planning to increase the number of biodiesel fueling stations in the city from the current 21 to 200 by the end of this year, said Xu Kunlin, vice-mayor of Shanghai, during a news conference
(Vopak) Today (February 16, 2018) Royal Vopak announces the expansion with 100.000 cbm for the storage of gasoline and biofuels of the PT Jakarta Tank Terminal (JTT), a joint venture company in Indonesia between Royal Vopak and PT AKR Corporindo Tbk
by Jarrett Renshaw (Reuters) Throughout 2016 and 2017, a rail terminal built to accept crude oil for the largest East Coast refinery often sat idle, with few trains showing up to unload. Although little oil flowed, plenty of money did. Under a deal Philadelphia
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) South America -- In Brazil, ICM has completed startup and commissioning of the FS Bioenergia dry-mill corn ethanol plant. ... The driver for corn ethanol in Brazil? In part, the country’s new RenovaBio policy, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas
(The Herald) Fuel prices shot up recently before Government intervened by reducing import duty on fuel to stem the price madness that rose as a result. Questions have been raised as to the contribution of the multi-million dollar investment by Green
by Ken Anderson (Brownfield Ag News) Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Bob Dinneen says while electric cars are probably ten years away from becoming a “meaningful reality”, it’s a trend the ethanol industry needs to discuss. “Electric vehicles are going to come.
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The USDA’s February 2018 Farm Income Forecast predicts net farm income will decline by or 6.7 percent this year. According to Growth Energy, the expected drop underscores the need for a strong Renewable Fuel Standard. The
(IVECO) IVECO and BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions have joined forces to help transport operators to renew their fleets with more environmentally friendly commercial vehicles: the purchasers of IVECO vehicles featuring its Natural Power technology, which runs on Compressed Natural Gas
(Biofuels International) The Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC) based out of the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) is moving from the development of crop-based ethanol to creating fuels and chemicals that are fungible with their petroleum-based equivalents. The change was announced at
by Carli Lourens (Bloomberg) South Africa’s proposed mandatory blending of biofuels with gasoline and diesel may signal the start of a biofuels industry and boost sorghum output sixfold, an economist at the farmers’ body Grain SA said. The government’s September release of draft
by Ron Lamberty (Ethanol Producer Magazine/American Coalition for Ethanol) ACE's Ron Lamberty reviews a letter the Petroleum Marketers of America recently sent to the Federal Trade Commission. ... It’s reasonable to want to tear the letter apart and point out the pieces of
by Tom Bryan (Ethanol Producer Magazine) It’s not every day that scientists stumble upon novel ways to make biofuel, but that’s exactly what Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers have done by discovering that a simple catalyst based on carbon, nitrogen and
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, DC, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is asking for help in gathering information to better understand the existing and next generation biofuel industry and its contributions to the local, state and national economy. If
(Unilever) Unilever and Indonesian government-owned palm oil plantation company PT Perkebunan Nusantara (PTPN) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to work together in Indonesia to support local mills and smallholder farmers to produce palm oil according to the standards of no
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) In Canada, more big news is coming out of Enerkem with the latest waste-to-chemistry project in Rotterdam to be the first of its kind in Europe to provide a sustainable alternative solution for non-recyclable wastes, converting waste plastics
(Renewable Fuels Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... The meetings were scheduled as part of the Department of Commerce’s International Buyer Program (IBP), a joint government-industry effort that increases U.S. export sales by promoting international attendance at major U.S. conferences. For the third
(U.S. Grains Council) The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) recently undertook a market assessment mission to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Pakistan to analyze the ethanol demand potential in both countries and engage with policymakers and industrial officials. This in-country assessment followed
by Jarrett Renshaw (Reuters) Texas Senator John Cornyn’s plan to overhaul U.S. biofuels policy faces resistance from the oil and ethanol sectors, reducing chances of a reboot to the controversial regulations, sources familiar with the matter said. The plan, which the sources said
by Emily Druckman (Renewable Fuels Association) A new analysis from the University of Illinois shows that the conditions that caused high conventional biofuel (D6) RIN prices are changing rapidly and that “…it is not out of the realm of possibility for D6 RINs
by Chris Clayton (DTN The Progressive Farmer) The chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission told senators Thursday the Environmental Protection Agency hasn't been able to provide the CFTC with enough quality data on the biofuels trading market for CFTC regulators
(Agencia Brasil/South America Times) Petrobras has been working on the development of pioneering technology for the production of biodiesel from microalgae-an alternative to oil-derived fuels used in cars or any other diesel-powered vehicles. In an interview granted to Agencia Brasil, Juliana Vaz, Biotechnology
by Mark Warner (Warner Advisors LLC/Biofuels Digest) Not enough time or money to scale-up following the traditional rules of advanced biotechnology (10:1 scale-up factor, 1,000 hours of integrated pilot/demo operation, etc)? Welcome to the reality of the biotechnology start-up world. The
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) DSM and Evonik have given a name to their joint venture to produce omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA from natural marine algae for animal nutrition — something that’s been traditionally been made from wild-caught fish
In his article suggesting scrapping Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards in favor of a Clean Air Act life cycle analysis-based methodology for CO2 transportation emission reduction, Bob Kozak advised, "(I)f anyone asks what will be the economic incentive for a
by Robert Kozak* (Advanced Biofuels USA) The 2025 Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standard of 54.5 miles/gallon has become a significant issue since the election of Donald Trump as president of the United States. Besides the Administration’s near religious fervor against
by Maqsood Maniyar (Times of Oman) Oman has a great potential to provide algae for synthesis of biofuel, observers in the field of biology have stated. The Sultanate, with its wadis and seas, is an excellent source of algae that can be
by Meghan Gordon (Platts) The American Petroleum Institute has come out against a campaign by small refineries to avoid their obligations under the US biofuel mandate, according to a letter released Tuesday. More than two dozen refineries with throughput of less than
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) today hailed the release of two studies by the Department of Energy that find ethanol-based high octane fuels can deliver substantial fuel economy improvements and emissions reductions when paired with optimized internal combustion
(Renewable Fuels Association) The U.S. ethanol industry added nearly $44.4 billion to the nation’s gross domestic product and supported 358,779 jobs in 2017, according to a new study conducted by ABF Economics. The study, released today by the Renewable Fuels Association at the
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Consortium for Computational Physics and Chemistry (CCPC) is a joint core research and development activity among five national laboratories that has been created to utilize unique DOE computational modeling facilities and experience in order to
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) One of the purest, high-yield financial plays we have ever seen in the energy business is possibly emerging, one that could put fracking returns to shame. Vive le ROI. And Vive le IRR and DCF, while we’re at it. Catalyst for industry
by Morgan Oss (The Chronicle) Hundreds of jobs could soon be up for grabs in North Queensland, with work due to begin within three months on the world-class bioethanol facility planned at Pentland. Renewable Developments Australia (RDA) company secretary Owen Self said
(Air Liquide) Air Liquide invested over $30 million these past two years to build this new facility and enhance its bulk distribution fleet in Ontario and Quebec. Air Liquide Canada, a subsidiary of the Air Liquide Group, world leader in gases, technologies
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In the world of bio-oil production, current technologies have low carbon retention in fuel range and high hydrogen consumption. The DOE is supporting a project led by Daniel Resasco at the University of Oklahoma to develop
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Two of our most popular editorial features return today in their 2018 livery— the corporate 5-Minute Guides and the “4 Minutes with…” series that introduces you to some of the Million Minds in the Advanced Bioeconomy, who gather
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) Organic Power Ltd. is installing a Global Water Engineering Raptor anaerobic digestion plant at its green energy facility in Bega Baja, Puerto Rico. Once fully operational in mid-2018, the facility is expected to produce 2.055 MW
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has issued a request for proposals (RFP) to solicit offers for certain Connecticut Class I renewable energy sources, including anaerobic digestion, offshore wind and fuel cells. Eligible anaerobic digestion
(VINCI Airports/NGV Journal) As part of its commitment to environmental responsibility, the Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport is launching of a fleet of biogas-powered shuttle vehicles and creating an agricultural club. A fleet of seven shuttles, running exclusively on renewable natural gas were
by Michael Eggleston* (Advanced Biofuels USA) “Since switching to B20, we’ve had no engine issues. We haven’t had any issues with fuel filters. And the lubrication from biodiesel has been a good thing given the lack of lubricity in modern
(Technical University of Denmark) New technology from DTU can convert milk sugar (lactose) in dairy by-products into alcohol. The newly established company behind the technology has received start-up capital from CAPNOVA. Dairies' production of cheese generates considerable amounts of the by-product whey.
by PTI, Guwahati (India TV) Numaligarh Refinery Ltd (NRL) will utilise bamboo as main biomass for producing bioethanol under the project at Owguri Chapori village in Golaghat (Assam). ... The tribunal was hearing a plea filed by wildlife activist Rohit Choudhury seeking quashing of
by Betsy Lillian (NGT News) Renewable Dairy Fuels (RDF), a business unit of AMP Americas, has announced that construction has begun on what the company calls the U.S.’ biggest on-farm anaerobic-digester-to-vehicle-fuel operation. Located in Fair Oaks, Ind., the dairy project will be the company’s
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The project goal? To produce and commercialize lignin-derived, industrial-grade composites with properties including 3D printability, rivaling current petroleum-derived alternatives. That’s the project undertaken by a team led by Amit K. Naskar, of the Carbon & Composites
by Jeremy Gilpin, Jordan Blanchard, and Cindy Thyfault (National Rural Lenders Association/Biofuels Digest) There has been a keen focus the last few weeks for President Trump and the USDA with the release of the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity Report, President
by Melissa Tanji (Maui News) ... Around 1,330 gallons of sunflower oil was generated from the first 14-acre field farmed by Pacific Biodiesel last year. Company founder and President Bob King said this past week that most of last year’s initial crops
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Netherlands-based GoodFuels Marine is on the move. We reported last month that VARO Energy subsidiary REINPLUS FIWADO Bunker and GoodFuels Marine will work together to make European inland shipping more sustainable. As a result, the sustainable
by John Voelcker (Green Car Reports) It's accepted wisdom among electric-car fans and advocates that within a few years, mass-market car buyers will start snapping up battery-electric cars. First, battery prices have to come down to the point that electric vehicles aren't
(Transparency Market Research/Globe Newswire) Global Ethanol Market could rise at a CAGR of 7.9% during the forecast timeframe 2017–2022 to touch a hefty valuation of US$105.0 Billion by the final forecast year 2022. -- The global ethanol market is characterized by the
(Wisconsin Clean Cities) The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, signed into law by President Trump today, included provisions to extend a host of Alternative Fuel Tax Credits. The incentives originally expired on December 31, 2016, but were retroactively extended through
by Bob Kodrzycki (Encompass Biotech LLC/Lee Enterprises Consulting/Biofuels Digest) ... Opportunity, such as the availability of a new feedstock or the possibility of combining technologies can lead to very interesting outcomes. ... Technology alone is usually not enough to develop a market. But combined
by Cliff Gladstein (ACT News) For several years there have been significant efforts to capture and divert fugitive renewable gases toward the transportation sector where, as a replacement for diesel in heavy duty vehicles, the fuel can do tremendous good. This
by Mike Carr (The Hill/New Energy America) President Trump has pledged a theme of “energy dominance.” It’s not the first time Washington has had this thought. During the years I worked at the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee we grappled with
by Marcelo Teixeira (Reuters) An expected increase in ethanol demand in Brazil, boosted by the country’s economic recovery and a new programme to raise biofuel use, will initially be met by fuel produced from corn, an industry official told Reuters on
by April Baumgarten (Grand Forks Herald) ... The Grand Forks County Commission approved during a Tuesday meeting a resolution that sets the stage for a public hearing for the Red River BioRefinery bond. The $80 million bond has not been
Sunfire’s key technology is the Solid Oxide Power Core – a stack of high-temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs). SOFCs convert chemical energy from a gaseous fuel into electricity and heat. Unlike conventional fuel cells, Sunfire fuel cells can also be
by Scott Warfield (CERES Project Services/Lee Enterprises Consulting/Biofuels Digest) ... The big game changer for financing, profitability and financial returns of anaerobic digester (AD) projects regardless of feedstock is carbon offset credits and specifically California’s low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) which provides
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The makers of the world’s favorite advanced biofuel — a/k/a the biodiesel industry — descended upon Texas to mingle, make and renew ties at the 2018 National Biodiesel Conference. And, to champion new ideas and find
(U.S. Department of Agriculture Commodity Credit Corporation and Farm Service Agency) The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) has withdrawn support for the Farm-to-Fleet BPI Program, and is cancelling funding for the BPI payments to companies that
The biggest news out of Novozymes this month is its new yeast platform for starch-based ethanol, while also introducing the first product, Innova Drive. A completely new yeast strain, the product can reduce fermentation time by up to two hours compared
by Katrina Cornish and Corinne Young (re:chem/Bioemergent Materials, The Ohio State University/Biofuels Digest/Lee Enterprises) Bioenergy/biofuel/platform chemical biomasses, whether grown (crops) or collected (forestry waste and municipal wastes of various kinds), still struggle with commercial competitiveness against the low cost, enormous scale, and market
by Jim Venhoff (Genscape) The Jefferson Energy Terminal has hit the ground running since completing four large storage tanks in late 2017, capable of handling a total 550,000 barrels (bbls) of ethanol. The tanker “Bow Kiso” (IMO: 9379894) received the first ethanol
(Xinhua) Farmers in the South Pacific island nation of Fiji have been urged to be mindful of the impacts of climate change and practice climate smart agriculture to address the challenge. ... The Fijian government has worked on a 2020 agriculture sector policy
(Celtic Renewables) Leading biofuel and sustainability expert Professor Martin Tangney – founder of Celtic Renewables - has been awarded an honorary Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE). The Queen makes honorary awards to non-British citizens on
(U.S. Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) hosted the 2017 Project Peer Review on March 6–9, 2017, in Denver, Colorado. During the event, approximately 192 projects in BETO’s research, development, and demonstration portfolio were
(Clean Energy) Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (Nasdaq: CLNE) announced today that sales of Redeem™, its renewable natural gas (RNG) offering and the cleanest fuel commercially available today, grew by 32% in 2017, from 60 million gallons in 2016 to 79 million gallons in 2017. The 2017 volume from Clean
(Neste/Globe Newswire) Replacing fossil fuels with Neste's renewable fuels reduced global climate emissions altogether by a staggering 8.3 million metric tons or 8.3 billion kilograms in 2017. The figure equals removal of 3 million passenger cars from the roads for a
by Clarence Schutte (LincolnLand Agri-Energy/Effingham Daily News) ... The statement that ethanol costs the consumer more is false. The RBOB which is the gasoline blended with ethanol to make 10 percent ethanol fuel. Ethanol is 114 octane, RBOB is 84 octane, the
by Todd Neeley (DTN The Progressive Farmer) As debate rages on about whether the price of biofuels credits in the Renewable Fuel Standard are putting small refiners out of business, a little-known analysis by a Harvard University economics professor last summer
by Bernadette Christina Munthe, Maximiliano Rizzi and Fransiska Nangoy (Reuters) Indonesia plans to file a case against the U.S. Department of Commerce at the U.S. Court of International Trade over anti-subsidy duties imposed on Indonesian biodiesel shipments, a Trade Ministry
(Ham & High) A start-up that delivers diesel door-to-door across the capital is ramping up its mission to wipe out London’s filling stations – by offering petrol, biofuel and electric charge as well. READ MORE Zebra Fuel raises $2.5M to deliver fuel
by Sam Farmer (Wahoo Newspaper) Integrated Recycling of Mead was recently awarded a $35,495 grant from the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) to aid in recycling efforts. The funds will go toward a food de-packager/perforator to process 2,000 pounds per hour
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) When it comes to the future of the combustion engine, what are the future developments from a scientific viewpoint? That’s the ambitious topic that Gennadi Zikoridse of the University of Applied Sciences Dresden took on in this recent presentation. Combustion
by Lorenz Bauer (Lee Enterprises Consulting/Biofuels Digest) In 2007 the US government established a national strategy for the development of advanced biofuels made using non-edible biomass. After 10 years we are still short of achieving the targets of this plan
(Biofuels International) Finnish forest industry company and biofuel producer UPM has started an environmental impact assessment (EIA) for a possible biorefinery in Mussalo, Kotka, in the southeast of Finland. The proposed site is in the area of a dismantled power plant
(NGV Journal/Energy Vision) The U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory and the sustainable energy NGO Energy Vision released two case studies of successful projects that were among the first to produce Renewable Compressed Natural Gas (R-CNG) vehicle fuel using
(GreenAir Online) ICAO’s proposed rules for States and aeroplane operators on the administration; monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) of CO2 emissions; carbon offsetting requirements; and emissions units under the CORSIA scheme have been circulated to the UN agency’s 192 member States
(GreenAir Online) Engine manufacturer GE Aviation has started jet engine combustor testing using unblended renewable alcohol-to-jet (ATJ) fuel produced by Gevo. The testing is part of the FAA’s Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions and Noise Program (CLEEN) and is specifically designed to enable
(GreenAir Online) Air Traffic Control the Netherlands has joined KLM’s Corporate Biofuel Programme, enabling it to compensate for the CO2 from staff business flights through the purchase of sustainable biofuels. “Our employees travel regularly outside the Netherlands to meet with our international
(GreenAir Online) By 2040, all short-haul flights within Norway and neighbouring countries lasting up to one-and-a-half hours should be operated by electric aircraft, forecasts Norwegian airport operator Avinor. In the transition to all-electric aircraft operations, the country, which aims to be
by Kevin Hardy (Des Moines Register) ... Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory unintentionally uncovered a process that uses tiny bits of carbon and copper to convert the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide into ethanol fuel. While the research remains in its preliminary phase, it could
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) The latest data from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) shows that gasoline consumed in 30 states and the District of Columbia in 2016 contained more than 10 percent ethanol on average, breaking through the so-called E10 Blend
by Bob Dinneen (Renewable Fuels Association/Washington Times) The oil industry’s campaign to undermine the growth of domestically produced renewable fuels such as ethanol has certainly been ramped up lately. Today they’re callously capitalizing on the financial woes of one of the
(World Agroforestry Centre) While India has a world-first national policy for agroforestry, aka trees on farms, farmers in different agro-climatic zones need help with which trees to grow. A new book is now here to help. “With multiple research initiatives underway, a
(The Portugal News Online) Five petrol station operators in Portugal that import diesel from Spain are not adding the correct amount of biofuel required by law, leading to a loss to the state of €48 million. -- ... The Portuguese Association of
The latest joint OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook spawned this fascinating 10 year outlook of global biofuel markets and agricultural feedstocks. This model based projection, validated through global expert consensus, includes major food commodities and biofuels driven by the outlooks on population, GDP, fossil
by Daniel Lane and Joel Stone (Lee Enterprises Consulting, Inc./Biofuels Digest) ... These disruptive technology innovations have happened many times throughout history and are discussed in the popular book The Innovator’s Dilemma, by Clayton Christensen. He coined the phrase in describing a process
(Argus Media) Marathon Petroleum said it expects US legislators to propose changes to federal fuel mandates this spring. Senators and US Representatives would soon propose changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), chief executive Gary Heminger said during a quarterly earnings call
(CPI) CPI, the UK’s technology innovation provider for process manufacturing, today announced that its partnership with Green Lizard Technologies (GLT), and their licensed company Oleocycle Ltd, will be providing a second-use to waste cooking oils via a novel one-step pilot plant
(Silvacom/Canadian Biomass Magazine) Silvacom Ltd. and Alberta Innovates are pleased to announce that the Bio-Resource Information Management System (BRIMS) is now available for public use. BRIMS is a world-class, publicly available data and information management system that collates inventories from forestry, agriculture, and municipal
(Air Transport Action Group) The aviation industry today welcomed a move by the European Parliament to ensure that sustainable aviation fuel is a key component of the future of air transport. The European Parliament this week adopted its position on
by Terry J. Mazanec (Lee Enterprises Consulting/Biofuels Digest) ... Most modern refineries comprise more than 20 individual unit operations, each of which is a complex process on its own. And different refineries are optimized for different blends of crude oil, different
by Joelle Simonpietri (Biofuels Digest) On Jan 21st 2018, Carlyle-backed Philadelphia Energy Solutions(PES), the largest refinery complex on the U.S. east coast at 335,000 barrels per day, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, blaming Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) compliance costs. In the week since the filing, the Washington Examiner reports
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The BP Verenium Biofuels plant in Jennings, Louisiana, is being offered for sale. The 1.4 MMgy demonstration-scale facility celebrated its grand opening in 2008, and was acquired by BP Biofuels North America in mid-2010. On Jan.
by Jennifer A Dlouhy and Mario Parker (Bloomberg) Biofuel mandate overhaul mulled by Congress after bankruptcy; Unions and Pennsylvania politicians seek immediate action -- The bankruptcy of Philadelphia Energy Solutions LLC, the biggest refiner on the U.S. East Coast, has invigorated efforts to overhaul a 13-year-old federal
by Faith Nyamai (Daily Nation) The Ministry of Environment has pledged to support the use of ethanol stoves in both rural and urban areas in what is expected to play a major role in the reduction of carbon emissions in
by Philip Blenkinsop and Sybille de la Hamaide (Reuters) The European Commission has begun a new investigation into whether Argentine biodiesel exporters benefit from unfair subsidies, following a complaint in December by the European Biodiesel Board (EBB). The EU’s official journal said on
by John D. Forcier (Forcier Consulting Engineers/Lee Enterprises Consulting/Biofuels Digest) ... Besides increasing the electrical output from 1MW to 3MW, we increased the thermal output from 3.7MM btu/hr. to 10MM btu/hr. of hot water for process heat and heating of several nearby
by Bruce Comer (Ocean Park Advisors/Biofuels Digest) More industry players chose to develop and build new capacity rather than buy plants -- The North American biofuels industry experienced the fewest merger and acquisition transactions in recent history in 2017. There were only
(Enviva/Biomass Magazine) Enviva, the world’s largest producer of industrial wood pellets, has released its latest Track & Trace sourcing data, marking one year of public reporting and two years of tracking the company’s sustainable sourcing practices. These data are a key
(Trucking Info) Fontana Truck Stop Center has an ideal location. It’s just off one interstate and near another, both of them taking traffic to and from Los Angeles. It’s also in an industrial area populated with distribution centers, manufacturers and equipment
by Cheryl Kalisch Gordon (Rabobank/The Land) Only a month after the European Union confirmed Australian canola would satisfy the new 2018 greenhouse gas requirements for use in EU biodiesel, a proposal to alter the EU’s overarching renewable energy policy has
(Algae Industry Magazine) Scientists at Swansea University are taking the lead on a €5.5 Million eco-innovative project developing new technology to clean up waste. The ALG-AD project could potentially result in a circular economy solution whereby excess waste nutrients produced
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the Environmental Defense Fund’s new report “In Demand: Clean Energy, Sustainability and the New American Workforce” says that 48% of 770,000 people working in renewable energy jobs at the start of 2017 were working in bioenergy,
by Sybille de La Hamaide (Reuters) France’s approval of conversion kit allowing petrol cars to use fuel containing up to 85 percent of ethanol will boost demand for mostly crop-based ethanol next year, French ethanol producers said on Tuesday. Consumption of ethanol, mainly
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This week in the Digest, we begin a Special 8-part Series: The State of the Advanced Bioeconomy: Challenges and Priorities for 2018. As we head into the final month before ABLC 2018, these in-depth examinations from a group
by ShivikaMittal, Erik O.Ahlgren and P.R.Shukla (Energy Policy) -Barriers hindering biogas dissemination in urban and rural biogas systems are identified. -Decomposition and logical problem analysis tools are used for assessment. -Key areas of improvements in existing policies are identified. Biogas has emerged
(American Coalition for Ethanol/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Ron Lamberty, senior vice president of the American Coalition for Ethanol, updated attendees at the MN Ag EXPO in Mankato, Minnesota, on the changing landscape that allows retailers to offer ethanol-blended fuels at lower prices, highlighting
by Tim Albrecht (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Cargill recently announced plans to expand its portfolio at its starches and sweeteners plant in Krefeld, Germany, with advanced biofuels, vegetable wheat protein and industrial wheat starches. The expansion to a wheat processing facility allows
(Roundtable for Sustainable Biomaterials) The RSB is delighted to announce the certification of AltAir to produce biojet fuel, renewable diesel and naphtha, a gasoline component. This industry first sees AltAir join the ranks of RSB certified operators who have applied the RSB Global Standard
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.org) The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is targeting boaters and future drivers in educational efforts for 2018 with the renewal of its co-title sponsorship of the Crappie Masters Tournament Trail, and the launch of an on-line Ethanol in
(Reuters/NASDAQ) The European Commission will next week launch an investigation into whether Argentine producers exporting biodiesel to the bloc are benefiting from unfair subsidies, people familiar with the case said. The Commission, which oversees trade policy across the 28-nation bloc, is expected
(Bangkok Post) OPG Tech Co, a local palm oil trader, is gearing up for oil palm plantation and biodiesel production in Laos after seeing limited business opportunities in Thailand. OPG plans to develop the plantation on a 16,000-hectare plot, about 100,000
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... The world’s first dedicated biofuel flight between the United States and Australia, QF96 from Los Angeles to Melbourne, has departed from LAX and arrives roughly at Digest press time. The trans-Pacific 15 hour flight will operate
by Joseph Bebon (NGT News) Clean Energy Fuels Corp. has announced that sales of Redeem, its renewable natural gas (RNG) vehicle fuel brand, grew by 32% in 2017, up from 60 million gallons in 2016 to 79 million gallons in 2017. According to the
by Dan Crisler (The Public Opinion) As Glacial Lakes Energy and its partners continue to promote 30 percent ethanol (E30) fuel blends for use in gas vehicles, two City of Watertown departments have jumped on board. Housing two of the largest vehicle
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Improving hydrogen utilization and carbon recovery, as a pathway to higher efficiency bio-oil production using thermochemical process? That’s the focus for a project from RTI International that picked up significant DOE support in the search for
by Dr. Bernard Cooker (Chemical Processing Solutions/ Lee Enterprises Consulting Inc./Biofuels Digest) This is a review of the biomass-fed chemical process projects producing renewable chemical products which were published in Chemical Engineering Progress (CEP) and Chemical and Engineering News (CEN) from
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Brazil, Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. (Petrobras) is joining the Switzerland-based Oil and Gas Climate Initiative, whose member companies represent more than a quarter of the world’s oil and gas production. OGCI aims to speed and scale up
(Énergir/NGV Journal) The City of Saint-Hyacinthe confirmed that its biomethanation plant has entered full service, along with the injection of the renewable natural gas (RNG) produced there into Énergir’s (Gaz Metro) network. This step marks the culmination of an investment project
by Tom Quimby (Hard Working Trucks) With both Ford and Chevy recently announcing diesel engine options for their 2019 ½-ton pickups, it’s safe to say that the nation’s oil-burners, despite ongoing emissions controversy, are not going away anytime soon. And interest in
(CTV Ottawa) ... Gatineau's Agrisoma is powering the world's first ever transpacific flight from the United States to Australia using jet fuel from a renewable source. On Sunday, Australia's Qantas Airline will depart on a 15-hour journey from Los Angeles to
by Jessie Stolark (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) ... According to the Department of Energy, substitution of renewable propylene glycol made from biomass can reduce greenhouse gases by 61 percent, as compared to using petroleum-based propylene glycol. The process for converting biomass
by Philip Blenkinsop and Bernadette Christina Munthe (Reuters) The World Trade Organization (WTO) has ruled in favor of several challenges by Indonesia to anti-dumping duties imposed on its biodiesel exports to the European Union, saying the measures needed to be changed. The ruling is
by Miranda Green (The Hill) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is pushing for a unified national fuel emissions standard for automobiles, a move that could significantly impact California's stringent car emissions standards. EPA air and radiation head Bill Wehrum, speaking at the Washington Auto
by Meghan Gordon (Platts) A major US ethanol trade group is urging the Environmental Protection Agency to be more transparent in weighing requests from small refineries to get out of their obligations under the US biofuel mandate. EPA has reportedly received more than
by Richard Perrin (University of Nebraska IANR News) A team at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln is exploring sweet sorghum ethanol as a future income source for dryland agriculture in western Nebraska. Sweet sorghum is a cultivar of sorghum primarily developed for the
by Mike Verdin (Agrimoney) Brazil’s low season for cane crushing is proving particularly downbeat, with processing volumes reaching their lowest in a decade – leaving corn, unusually, as the country’s top ethanol feedstock. ... A sharp fall-off is typical at this time of
(GoodFuels) Advanced Biofuels more widely available for European inland shipping -- From today, VARO Energy subsidiary REINPLUS FIWADO Bunker and GoodFuels Marine will work together to make European inland shipping more sustainable. As a result, the sustainable advanced biofuels from GoodFuels Marine
By Ooi Tee Ching (New Straits Times) Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand will retaliate if the EU’s ongoing discrimination and attack on the palm oil industry becomes legislative, said Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong. On April 4 last
(NGV Journal) In 2018, the city of Longmont will begin construction of a project at its Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) to make fuel from gas produced in the treatment of Longmont’s sewage. The project will convert dirty biogas (generated through
(American Coalition for Ethanol/Ethanol Producer Magazine) The American Coalition for Ethanol has announced the release of the third video in a series of fuel marketer-focused videos on flexfuelforward.com, part of a campaign featuring real world E15 and flex fuel retailers sharing their experiences with
by Alison Goss Eng (U.S. Department of Energy) ... One approach is through using domestic biomass resources, such as agricultural and forestry residues, grasses, and municipal solid waste. But, how do these biological materials make it from the field or forest to
(Agragen) Agragen, LLC, a Cincinnati-based plant sciences company, predicts that the recent surge in oil prices will soon permit biofuels derived camelina oil to be on parity with petroleum derived fuels in costs. Sam Huttenbauer Jr., CEO of Agragen notes that “this
by Colleen Wixen (TC Palm) The former INEOS bioenergy plant, which closed nearly a year ago despite receiving millions in government subsidies, has a new owner. The sale of the plant, on 74th Avenue Southwest, closed mid-January, said new owner David Frankens, of
by Todd Neeley (DTN The Progressive Farmer) The biofuel and petroleum industries are back in court as both sides argue the Environmental Protection Agency should have implemented the Renewable Fuel Standard differently in 2017. Attorneys for biofuels and petroleum interests filed court
by Jarrett Renshaw (Reuters) More than two dozen small U.S. refineries are seeking waivers from the nation’s biofuels law, an unusually high number that reflects growing oil industry resistance to the program, according to sources familiar with the matter. Prices of the
by Vanessa Macdonald (Times of Malta) Marlene Farrugia gets chemistry lecture -- Fuel importation company Enemed will not be offering a blend of petrol and ethanol any time soon, even though it may generate fewer emissions during use. Energy Minister Joe Mizzi was
by Tina Alvey (The Register-Herald) PPD of WV is putting together the final financial pieces of the puzzle, in hopes of breaking ground on its new biofuel plant near Sam Black Church this spring, according to company official Jason Perry. Perry spoke
(California Energy Commission) Funding Also Awarded for Biofuel, Solar, and Hydrogen Fuel Infrastructure Projects -- The California Energy Commission is helping the state’s $82 billion food industry become more energy efficient. ... Researchers will visit plants around the state to evaluate processing equipment and
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... The clearest intersecting theme is bio-methanol. Let’s see why. For one, Södra has much more going on than Silva, and we reported on a major development in December when we related that Södra will invest more
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) Biodiesel Magazine spotlights four companies—a respected producer, a service-oriented wholesaler, a 200-year old chemical firm, and a fuel conditioning company—that enable biodiesel's role as an effective change agent. PQ Corp. ... John Votta, global business director for PQ’s silica
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) Continued investment and expansion took place in the U.S. biodiesel sector throughout 2017, despite rising political uncertainty and a lapsed tax credit. Here is an overview of some of the activity, plus a special sidebar story
(Biofuels International) E-Fuel has launched its solution for people who want energy independence and to be green about it. The Silicon Valley company introduced its 100% ethanol generator, the Personal Energy System (PES), 8 January. It is intended to give customers full
(Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Office of Environmental Education) Ohio EPA invites applications to a new Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Conversion Grant program that will award $5 million in grants to reimburse Ohio owners of large diesel or gasoline vehicles for
(National Biodiesel Board) Annual awards highlight 25 years of biodiesel success -- As the U.S. biodiesel industry celebrates 25 years, the National Biodiesel Board’s annual awards recognize a diverse group of individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to biodiesel. From
by Michael Eggleston* (Advanced Biofuels USA) On January 18th, 2018, the Canadian Institute of Forestry hosted a webinar for the International Energy Agency (IEA) Bioenergy Task 37 which publically addressed that there is a need to harmonize methane emission measurements
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