by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Dire US media headlines abound: “Drought!” What’s real, what’s hype, and what are the impacts? More importantly, what alternatives does science give us now, and in the future, with more drought-tolerant energy and food crops? ...A
by John Vidal (The Guardian) Indigenous smallholder farmers are being violently evicted as companies move in to satisfy Europe's hunger for biofuels ...Over the next four days, 10 more villages were cleared. By the end of March 2011, around 800 families
(Waste Management World) A new scheme to collect and process used cooking oil to produce carbon neutral electricity has been introduced at recycling centres across Devon, UK. According to the council, local residents are encouraged to deposit their used cooking oil in the collection tanks
By Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Blue Sugars Corp., formerly KL Energy Corp., can lay claim to a first in the world of cellulosic ethanol technology developers. “It was surprising to us when EPA confirmed [we got] the first RIN [renewable
(National Non-Food Crops Center) Europe's first waste to jet fuel production plant came a step closer to construction this week as UK-based Oxford Catalysts were selected as the sole technology suppliers to the joint British Airways and Solena GreenSky project. British Airways and
by Tammy Klein (Hart Energy/Fuel Fix) ...A Hart Energy study examined mandated ethanol production vs. capability and arrived at this inconvenient truth: The government, through the federal Renewable Fuel Standard, has ordered production of cellulosic biofuels to ramp up to
(TheBioenergySite) An agreement has been signed by The Netherlands and Brazil at international sustainable energy conference Rio+20 designed to boost biofuels development between the two countries. Brazil and the Netherlands will intensify their collaboration on the development of biofuels that meet
Nathan Klein and Samantha Malagre (The Daily Telegraph) If there has been a reluctance to fill up with E10 petrol it certainly wasn't on show yesterday - when it was free. Motorists were stuck in kilometre-long queues of bumper-to-bumper traffic on
by Marc Chase (Northwest Indiana Times) If a would-be trash-to-ethanol developer doesn't have the money in hand to complete its project by July 19, it doesn't have a deal with the county, a top solid waste district official says. "If you
by Peter Sur (Hawaii Tribune-Herald) ...Big Island Biodiesel, located near Keaau, opened its doors for investors to tour the $12 million plant that in a few months will begin turning fuel crops and used cooking oil from across the state
by Robert J. Johnsen (AOL Energy) The theme of this year's recent Advanced Biofuels Leadership Conference was "Go Big, Stay Strong," an allusion to the move of biofuels out of the lab and into commercialization. But the theme emerging from the remarks of
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A coalition of agriculture and bioenergy groups, led by the 25x’25 organization, filed late comments with the U.S. EPA and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on June 28 to draw attention to an aspect of the
(Federal Aviation Administration) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is committed to developing a fiscally responsible action plan to meet the agency's goal of making an unleaded fuel available for most of the general aviation fleet to replace 100 octane low-lead
(OMV) On July 2, 2012 Doris Bures, Minister for Transport, Innovation and Technology, and Gerhard Roiss, OMV CEO, opened the BioCRACK pilot plant at the OMV Refinery in Schwechat. The plant is the first of its kind in the world
(Nebraska Corn Board) The Nebraska Corn Board recently allocated funds in its 2012-13 fiscal year budget to further develop the renewable fuel infrastructure in Nebraska. Through a grant program, Nebraska Corn Board will award qualifying retailers $30,000 for the first blender
by John Davis (DomesicFuel.com) A Massachusetts Bioheat dealer believes there’s no better way to show patriotism this 4th of July than parading his newly wrapped truck proclaiming the goodness of the green heating fuel. Cleghorn Oil, a Bioheat dealer based
by Dan Modlin (WKYUFM) A firm based in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky is hoping more farmers raise sorghum to use in ethanol fuels production in the future. Southeast Biofuels has completed the first phase of a project that resulted in a
(TheBioEnergySite.com) The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has joined forces with jet engine producer General Electric (GE) Aviation, in addition to the Ohio Aerospace Institute, air carriers and producer groups, to produce renewable jet fuel from agricultural products. The biojet will
by Mark Harden (BizJournals.com/Denver Business Journal) The U.S. Air Force has flown the first successful test flight using a type of biofuel provided by Colorado’s Gevo Inc. The single-seat, twin-engine Air Force A-10 Thunder Bolt jet flew June 28 at Eglin
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... The entropy problem in feedstocks In bioenergy, it’s the chief reason, for example, that otherwise perfectly acceptable fruit waste from citrus harvest is a difficult feedstock for energy production. The process for cellulosic conversion was
by David Cronin (New Europe Online) ...The production of biofuels is a central factor behind the grabbing of land in Africa. Yet rather than using food crops, many of the players in this murky game have recently chosen jatropha, a
(ABC2News) ...Princess Anne and Somerset County officials told The Daily Times of Salisbury (http://bit.ly/MEf0Ls ) that they are waiting for state environmental regulators to identify the substance found near a biodiesel plant in the industrial park. State environmental officials began
by Mauricio Espinoza (Ohio State University/North Texas d-News) Ohio State University's Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) will play a key role in the engineering of a novel plant-based fuel, funded by a $5.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of
(CLC bio) Today CLC bio and the International Laboratory for Tropical Agricultural Biotechnology (ILTAB) at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, announced a collaboration to benefit the Virus Resistant Cassava for Africa project (VIRCA), a partnership including researchers at the Donald Danforth Plant Science
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Myriant closes first bio-based chemicals loan under USDA’s Business and Industry Loan Guarantee Program. Industry’s first private bond placement under innovative structure developed to finance advanced industrial scale-up; Q1 2013 commercial start-up in sight In Massachusetts,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Brazil, “end fossil fuel subsidies” has emerged as a theme at the Rio+20 Summit is underway, where a flash mob of protesters, organized by Earth Day, 350.org and youth groups attending the summit protested
(Netherlands Corporate News) Cooking Oil-Powered Flight Expected to Reduce Emissions 40 per cent or more Air Canada will operate its first flight with biofuel today to highlight the airline's commitment to the environment. Flight AC991 from Toronto to Mexico City is expected to
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...What makes a great partner? According to our readers – acceleration and validation. Partners that can add credibility (via their brands) to your efforts, and accelerate your path to commercialization. Here are, in order of rank,
by Christopher Doering (Gannett Washington Bureau/Daily Comet) Big oil and natural-gas companies may vastly outspend and outman the renewable fuels industry on Capitol Hill but the general gridlock in Washington gives advocates of wind, ethanol and other new-age sources the
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) This edition of “The Ethanol Report” features comments from Bobby Likis of the Bobby Likis Car Clinic Network, a radio, television and internet distributed automotive talk show that recently partnered with the Renewable Fuels Association to help educate both
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) The independent Linn Co-op Oil Company in Marion, Iowa is all set to be the first in the nation to sell 15% ethanol blended gasoline to customers, except for one little detail. They can’t get the fuel to
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...The Obama Administration has laid out an integrated strategy for commercializing advanced biofuels, with a focus in this phase on military advanced biofuels at cost-competitive prices with conventional fuels. The vehicle is a joint program between
(Retail Solutions Online) Presentation at 16th Annual Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference Demonstrates Benefits of Revolutionary Straw-Pulp Technology to the Farmers and Rural Communities of China ...After more than 10 years of research and development, YFY Corp. has successfully moved NPulp from green
(Yahoo!News/PRWEB) Ethanol is now blended in most motor fuels. When the fuel is not consumed rapidly, such as in lawn equipment, and water sport equipment, performance issues can occur. This treatment addresses performance issues caused by ethanol, and is a short term fuel stabilizer. ...Dynamic
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The latest look at long-term projections by the U.S. DOE’s Energy Information Administration shows E85 use growing to a 37 percent share of domestic ethanol production by 2035. The EIA’s “Annual Energy Outlook 2012,”
(SurvivalInternational.org) ...But some of its sugar cane is grown on land claimed by the Guarani tribe, one of the most persecuted and impoverished in South America. Their leaders are regularly killed by gunmen acting for the sugar cane growers and cattle ranchers who
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Early last year, we published a collection of 100 “Fortune Cookies”. It is the zeitgeist of the times, we suppose, that short and peppy sayings that can meet the 140-character Twitter limit ended up being
by Ann E. Marimow (The Washington Post) A Maryland man was convicted Monday of selling phony biodiesel credits in a fraud case that has raised concerns about oversight of a renewable fuels program run by the Environmental Protection Agency. Rodney Hailey’s company, Clean
(GreenAirOnline) As a KLM Boeing 777-200 was readied for yesterday’s longest-ever commercial biofuel flight from Amsterdam to Rio de Janeiro, KLM and aviation biofuel supplier SkyNRG announced a new programme that will involve global corporations in participating in the development
(GreenAirOnline) A longstanding fight between a coalition of four US environmental groups and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) looks set to continue after the EPA ruled out any short-term decision on whether greenhouse gas emissions from aircraft engines endanger
by Carrie Napoleon (Post-Tribune/SunTimes) Powers Energy has met the requirements of the 60-day milestone set out by the Lake County Solid Waste Management District board regarding land acquisition for the proposed $360 million trash-to-ethanol plant. Thursday the LCSWMD board accepted 21-1 the
by Kumar Chellappan (Daily News and Analysis India) Tamil Nadu will be home to the world’s first biorefinery which will use solid waste generated from tanneries in Vellore district. The Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) at Chennai, a unit of the
(Primus Green Energy) The test drive of an automobile fueled with 93-octane gasoline made from natural gas and biomass was the highlight of a dedication ceremony for Primus Green Energy's new $7 million demonstration plant at the company's Hillsborough, N.J.,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...In Colorado, Gevo announced completion of their preliminary evaluation of technical feasibility under a collaboration with BioFuel Energy, designed to explore high-volume production of isobutanol. The companies plan to continue working to develop large-scale production of isobutanol
(US Department of Agriculture) Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA has selected for funding 450 projects nationwide, including 31 in North Carolina, that are focused on helping agricultural producers and rural small businesses reduce energy consumption and costs;
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ...A blue ocean strategy takes a flying leap to create a new paradigm, where the company can flourish, free of competition. ...In one respect, the recent promotions of ethanol in racing circles is an attempt to
by Karen Caffarini (Post Tribune) The City Council has unanimously approved an interlocal agreement to send Hobart-generated garbage to the Powers Energy ethanol plant in Schneider, if and when it is constructed, becoming the seventh community to commit to the project. The
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Novozymes and China’s Shengquan Group have signed a final agreement to work together on producing cellulosic ethanol from a waste product of Shengquan’s current production process. Novozymes is supplying the necessary enzymes and Shenquan
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The nearly $10 million awarded by the USDA’s Farm Service Agency to three energy crop project areas on June 13 will be the only funding distributed through the Biomass Crop Assistance Program this year
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Power and Thermal Magazine) The European Biofuels Technology Platform published a report in June that addresses the potential to couple carbon capture and storage (CCS) with biofuel and biomass heat and power technologies. The report, titled
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The latest chapter is near closure on the butanol patent dispute between Gevo Inc. and Butamax Advanced Biofuels LLC. In an opinion filed June 19, U.S. District Judge Sue Robinson denied Butamax’s request for a preliminary injunction.
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...Yet, even in an era where venture capital has been harder to come by (Why? See these 42 article links under the rubric, “The VC Model is Broken” ) — some great technologies have been getting out
by Doug Esser (Seattle Times) The Coast Guard's Everett-based buoy tender, Henry Blake, completed its first biofuel-propelled voyage Thursday. The Coast Guard is partnering with the Navy in research of algae-based biofuels for ships, a technology the Navy plans to
by Andrew Holland (Consumer Energy Report) The RAND corporation recently released a report “Promoting International Energy Security” for the U.S. Air Force that, for the most part, contained the conventional wisdom about oil prices and energy security: in a global
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Declining ethanol margins and plant idlings; ethanol price gloom; controversy over RFS2 targets. Despair? Bah! It all spells “opportunity” for the intrepid ethanolista. This week in biofuels, two storylines that have been gaining a lot
(AutomotiveDiscovery) While the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has officially approved E15 biofuel for retailers to start selling, the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute disagrees and calls E15 “dangerous” and sites that it could “destroy or damage generators, chain saws, utility vehicles,
(Bloomberg) There may be little reason to hope the Rio+20 meeting in Brazil this week will lead to major global action against climate change. World leaders have skipped it. The draft agreement the delegates from 190 countries have written is rightly criticized as weak. Yet it turns
(Reuters) Pacific Ethanol Inc on Thursday said it was launching a corn oil business, the latest U.S. ethanol maker to move to diversify its revenue stream in an industry where margins have been depressed as costly corn supplies dwindle. California-based Pacific
by David Shaffer (Star Tribune) Four more ethanol plants are considering retrofits to produce the new biofuel, bringing planned conversions to seven. A third Minnesota ethanol plant is considering a shift in production to a new biofuel called isobutanol. Butamax Advanced Biofuels,
(Observer-Dispatch) The U.S. Department of Agriculture will invest $4.3 million to ReEnergy and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry to encourage growth of shrub willow as a renewable energy fuel, according to a news release. The funds — made available
by Barrie Barber (Stars and Stripes/Dayton Daily News) A top British envoy says the U.S. and the U.K. could collaborate more on the development and use of biofuels in the military to boost both nations’ security and energy interests and
(MarketWatch) Enterprise Holdings, owner and operator of the Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car brands, is converting even more of its airport shuttle buses to 20 percent biodiesel (B20) and exploring other clean fuel options for
by Peter Brown (Biodiesel Magazine/Euro Marketing Tools Inc.) Financing large projects that include biodiesel processors, crushers and support equipment has become very complex, attracting a new type of predator with clever tricks to fraudulently divert investment revenue streams to him. ...An
The call for abstracts is currently open for presentations in the International Conference on Biofuels for Sustainable Development of Southern Europe (Bio4SuD), which will take place in Thessaloniki, Greece on 19-20th of November 2012. The Bio4Sud conference will focus on the
Each year at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Program and Vehicle Technologies Program Annual Merit Review and Peer Evaluation Meeting (AMR) hydrogen, fuel cell and advanced vehicle technologies projects funded by DOE are presented and
(Bloomberg BusinessWeek) A joint venture between DuPont Co. (DD) (DD) and BP Plc (BP/) won a court order temporarily preventing a competing biofuel company from trying to sell isobutanol produced at a plant that came online last month. U.S. District Court Judge Sue
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) An agreement has been struck between Genscape Inc. and Lee Enterprises Consulting to merge Lee Enterprises’ renewable identification number (RIN) verification program, RIN 9000, into Genscape’s trademarked RIN Integrity Network. Supported by the National Biodiesel Board
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In California, the California Energy Commission approved funding of $23,110,015 for projects that will advance the development of green fuels, and the installation of fueling stations. The awards are provided through the Energy Commission’s Alternative
by Max Frankel (ThinkProgress) ...But in the world of science, researchers around the world are working on some very innovative ways to produce gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel from more sustainable feedstocks. Here’s a look at three cool recent developments
by Margaret Ryan (AOLEnergy) Biofuels could be a "game changer" for both military and commercial aviation, says Assistant Secretary of the Air Force Terry Yonkers, because they're proving to have advantages over petroleum-based jet fuels that go beyond the environment. ...Burning biofuels is considered
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Section 9011 of the Farm Bill – the Biomass Crop Assistance Program – USDA deploys $9.6M in new investments in bioenergy crops as questions revolve around the program’s future and effectiveness. Is BCAP important? Will
by Elias Ntungwe Ngalame (AllAfrica) Biofuel production initiatives are gaining ground in Cameroon as the government seeks to reduce the Central African country's energy deficit while fighting climate change. Although biofuel production has not yet reached a large scale, the government is
(MarketWatch) From small-town mayors to President Obama, there is one thing on the minds of all elected officials: putting more Americans back to work. And while recent unemployment numbers have been less than encouraging, the U.S. ethanol industry is bringing
(BioTork) Harnessing the Power of Adaptive Evolution to Further Improve the Efficiency of Metabolic Engineering BioTork announces collaboration with BASF to optimize certain microbial strains for the industrial production of bio-based polymers and green chemicals. After six months of collaboration, BASF and
(Chemtex International/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Chemtex International announced today (June 13, 2012) that it has been selected by the USDA to participate in the Biomass Crop Assistance Program. The $3,996,000 award will support establishing and growing over 4,000 acres of miscanthus and switchgrass across
by Erin Voegele (Biodiesel Magazine) The Centre for Jatropha Promotion & Biodiesel (CJP) recently announced progress on its work with pongamia, a legume tree that bears inedible oilseeds. According to the CJP, it has developed a highly productive variety
by Mike Bryan (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ...The economy of Australia is one of the best in the world, but the focus has not been on renewable energy. Interestingly, with all of the mineral resources that Australia has, it is very
by Feoshia Henderson (SoapboxMedia) Fueled by a US EPA grant, University of Cincinnati faculty and students are leading an effort to transform cooking grease into biodiesel on a regional scale. This project is a collaboration among UC, the Cincinnati Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) and Bluegrass Biodiesel of
by Megan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Kenya, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) published its Global Renewables Status Report 2012, which showed that renewables accounted for almost half of the estimated 208 gigawatts (GW) of electric capacity added globally in
(Sustainable Business Oregon) ...On a small, razed patch of dirt about a mile outside town, water slowly circulates in four oval-shaped ponds. A bright emerald green sparkles in the water, reflecting thick strains of algae that line the raceways built
(BusinessWire) Rapidly Growing Renewable/Biomass Energy and Chemical Company Receives Funding Led by the Cottonwood Technology Fund Incitor Incorporated ("Incitor"), a Delaware Corporation based in Albuquerque, N.M. ( http://www.incitor.com ), announced today that the Cottonwood Technology Fund ("Cottonwood") ( http://www.cottonwoodtechnologyfund.com/ ) led an
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) One of biofuels’ hottest companies transitions from research phase to operating phase with opening of demo plant in Okeechobee – what’s next, and where? ...The opening of that fermenter column is what the VIPs are coming
(New Energy Farms) New Energy Farms (NEF) has developed a revolutionary new method of propagating energy grasses; this will reduce farmer establishment costs by 50% or more. Cost effective scaling of perennial energy grasses such as Miscanthus, Arundo donax and
(GreenAirOnline) Honeywell’s UOP has started what it describes as the world’s first comprehensive test programme involving its Green Jet Fuel product and a new biofeedstock specifically designed for biofuel production. A series of test flights are being carried out in
(Sahara Forest Project)...A one hectare site outside Doha, Qatar, will soon host the SFP Pilot Plant. It will contain a unique combination of promising environmental technologies carefully integrated in a system to maximize beneficial synergies. A wide specter of leading experts and
(Amyris) Amyris to develop improved DNA assembly and integration across biological platforms Amyris, Inc. announced today (June 12, 2012) it has been awarded a contract from the U.S. Department of Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to develop tools that can
by Rob Moritz (Arkansas News Bureau) While recently promoting the extension of a federal tax break for the wind industry, Gov. Mike Beebe called opponents “un-American.” Later, he described his comment as “hyberbole,” but added, “I stand by the fact
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Four executives of ethanol plants gathered on stage during the general session June 5 at the International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo (FEW) to have a conversation about running successful companies. The executive of
(EurekAlert) Two scientists are challenging the currently accepted norms of biofuel production. A commentary published today in GCB Bioenergy reveals that calculations of greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions from bioenergy production are neglecting crucial information that has led to the overestimation of the
by Emery P. Dalesio (The Republic/AP) An Italian company's Wilmington-based subsidiary is geared up to build a factory that can convert grassy plants into fuel for cars and trucks amid Sampson County's hog and turkey growers. With financial and verbal encouragement
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...With the coming of advanced bioprocessing, the picture of opportunity has radically changed and the Southeast, Northwest, and Southwest, in particular, have been assessing their opportunities and attracting projects. ...But in the Southeast, there’s been a
by Jim Kinney (Gazette) A company that runs recycling centers all over the country has researchers in UMass' biofuels program thinking trash can to gas can. ReCommunity Recycling has committed $635,000 to the Institute for Massachusetts Biofuels Research, also known as
byRobert Rapier (Christian Science Monitor) In this column energy expert Rapier provides three examples — originating with both Democrats and Republicans and impacting both renewable energy and fossil fuels — of how constantly shifting legislation makes it very difficult to
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...Attacks from the usual opponents are generally in the form of statements that sound vaguely scientific, or fact-based. Often with a scientist in tow. Beware. Not every person in the business of meat or breakfast
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) On May 4, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) released monthly data on biodiesel production in the United States since 2009. Biodiesel production fell dramatically during 2010 when Congress decided not to renew production tax credits,
(Algae Industry Magazine) The Maritime Administration (MARAD) of the U.S. Department of Transportation has released its analysis of a test conducted with algae-based biofuel on one of its large commercial-size vessels. This research used marine engines aboard the Great Lakes
(PRNewsWire/Enerkem) Enerkem Inc., a waste-to-biofuels and chemicals company, announced today the initial production of cellulosic ethanol from waste materials at its demonstration facility in Westbury, Québec. "The start of ethanol production at our Westbury facility is a significant milestone", said Vincent
by Felix Mormann and Dan Reicher (New York Times) If renewable energy is going to become fully competitive and a significant source of energy in the United States, then further technological innovation must be accompanied by financial innovation so that
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Terrabon CEO Gary Luce says the biofuels industry must rethink the Renewable Fuel Standard, to create the stability for capital formation and prevail over a coalition of wealthy, entrenched opponents. ...As Terrabon CEO Gary Luce notes,
(Biofuels International) The 48th edition of the ELE Rally in the Netherlands hosted races that had cars fuelled by Gasoline Ethanol Methanol (GEM) from second generation biofuels producer BioMCN. ...The BioMCN GEM concept has been developed and tested in collaboration with car
by Meg Cichon (Renewable Energy World) As a proposed ban on military investment and use of biofuels inches closer to fruition in Washington, several groups are speaking out against the bill. Pentagon Budget Bill, H.R. 4310, which recently passed through the
by Greg Martin (AgInfo.net) ...DINEEN: The RFS is under attack in Washington today. I don’t see for a moment that it will be unraveled this year but they will continue to fight next year and they’ll continue to fight in
(Power-Technology.com) Gas has been reclassified as a green source of power by Horizon 2020, an €80bn European Union programme unveiled last year, which could have serious repercussions for the renewable energy industry. According to a document seen by the Guardian, a
by Bob Brooks (Automotive Industries) $45/bbl RTP bio oil from biomass, developed by Montreal based Ensyn Corporation, is now in production at 7 UOP locations(one in Canada). As affiliates of Ensyn, UOP and Chevron will refine the base oil into
(Agri Energy/Biodiesel Magazine) The U.K.’s largest used cooking oil biodiesel plant launched in Liverpool today. The opening comes on the back of a multimillion pound investment into biodiesel production by Agri. The advanced processing plant in Bootle will be solely dedicated
(GreenAirOnline) Back in 2005, the idea of using biofuels to power commercial and military jets seemed beyond the range of modern science. While suitable for cars and trucks, biofuels offered little hope they could meet the stringent requirements of commercial
by Karthikeyan Sundaram and Siddharth Philip (Bloomberg BusinessWeek) Hero MotoCorp Ltd. (HMCL), India’s biggest motorcycle maker, is seeking partners for products such as blended-fuel compatible engines as it prepares to tap customers in Brazil and Kenya to combat sliding
(DSM) Royal DSM, the global Life Sciences and Materials Sciences company, has been qualified as supplier of enzymes for DONG Energy - Inbicon’s wheat straw to cellulosic ethanol process. The enzymes have been successfully used in the demonstration scale biorefinery
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Corn ethanol and cellulosic ethanol have previously been viewed as entirely separate products which will be manufactured by two unique types of producers, but the concept of integrating cellulosic production into corn ethanol plants
by Lucia Kassai and Stephan Nielsen (Bloomberg) Vanguarda Agro SA (VAGR3), the Brazilian farm company that lost 97 percent of its value since going public in 2006, expects to make a profit for the first time this year by producing soybeans and corn
by Andrew Steadman (The Jersey Journal) Canadian biodiesel company BIOX Corporation has signed an agreement with the International-Matex Tank Terminals company to build a new, 100 million liter production facility in Bayonne. The planned facility, slated for a December 2013 opening, will
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In-field bioprocessing? Dramatically higher plant oil production? R&D breakthroughs offer new paths to victory for Millers vs Drillers. If you haven’t been getting most of your information on the Renewable Fuel Standard from the Grocers Manufacturing
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Conditions are ripe for biofuels demand and production to boom in Asia over the next few years, as steady growth in countries such as China, India and Japan will prompt an “astronomical” rise in
by Al Maiorino (Ethanol Producer Magazine/Public Strategy Group) You have plans to build a biorefinery. Jobs, tax revenue, and much more are the benefits that will resonate with the community. At the first public hearing, however, opposition arises due to
by Hugh R. Morley and Linh Tat (NorthJersey.com) FBI and local law enforcement officers raided a Montvale home and a Park Ridge building that houses several renewable energy companies Thursday in connection with a probe into fraud in the bio-diesel industry, a company executive
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) With the purchase of two new pieces of equipment Feedstox is prepared to begin executing contracts to harvest biomass in less than two weeks, says Jeff Roskam, CEO of the Kansas Alliance for Biorefining
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) American Ethanol’s partnership with NASCAR has extended with an official sponsorship of two upcoming NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races. The American Ethanol 200 will be held July 14 and Sept. 15 at the
by Bruce V. Bigelow (Xconomy) Synthetic Genomics, the San Diego startup developing microorganisms to synthesize biofuels and other products, said it has acquired an 81-acre site in Calipatria, CA, to expand beyond its laboratory tests of algae. Synthetic Genomics’s expansion appears
(Biofuels Center of North Carolina) The Oxford Biodiesel Plant is capable of converting virgin or recycled fats and oils from multiple sources into 35,000 gallons of high quality biodiesel per year. The plant was constructed on North Carolina's Biofuels Campus
by Sara Sorcher (National Journal) Nearly two-thirds of National Journal’s National Security Insiders agree with the military’s push for renewable energy, siding with the Obama administration over some Republicans in Congress who have charged that the Defense Department should not spend
by Kay Brookshire (KnoxvilleBiz.com) As the state's five-year, $70.5 million investment in the Tennessee Biofuels Initiative comes to an end in June, Genera Energy will take on a more focused role as a biomass supply company for biofuels producers. At the
by Andrew Herndon (Bloomberg BusinessWeek) Flint Hills Resources LLC, the unit of Koch Industries Inc. that invested in Edeniq Inc. last month, is using the company’s equipment at one of its four corn-based ethanol plants to boost production. Flint Hills will
by Mateusz Perkowski (Capital Press) The USDA has decide to again fully deregulate genetically engineered sugar beets that are resistant to glyphosate herbicides. The agency has found that the crop doesn't pose a plant pest risk and thus shouldn't be subject
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...(M)ore than 30 airlines now trialing, deploying biofuels – but who’s doing what, exactly? In Brazil, Azul Airlines announced that Amyris’s innovative renewable jet fuel sourced from Brazilian sugarcane has passed all required testing and will be used during
by Guy Chazan (Financial Times) In the world of biofuels, all eyes are on the tiny northern Italian town of Crescentino, site of the world’s first commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol plant, which will start production this year. The venture might be small,
by Archana Jyoti (Daily Pioneer) The Planning Commission hailed it as a future fuel and the industry projected it as a viable biofuel crop. But the Union Rural Development Ministry led by Jairam Ramesh feels otherwise. Citing negative reports, the Ministry has
(HiVelocityMedia.com) The Athens-based company Eco2Capture has been awarded $100,000 by the Ohio Third Frontier for its project, Demonstration of Advanced Polymer Membranes for Algal Growth Enhancement, which will showcase how to mass-produce algae for the CO2 capture and biofuel markets. “We’re commercializing some technology developed
(Amyris/Yahoo!Finance) Amyris's Sugarcane-Derived Jet Fuel Ready to be Used in Azul's EMBRAER 195 Powered by GE's CF34 Engines Azul Airlines joined Amyris, Inc., Embraer, and GE in announcing today that Amyris's innovative renewable jet fuel sourced from Brazilian sugarcane has successfully passed all required testing and will be used during a
(EurekAlert/Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology) Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology and palm oil giants Felda, Sime Darby, in landmark collaboration on biomass waste Twelve tons of waste oil palm tree biomass is en route from Malaysia to a plant
(Environmental Expert) The winner of the World Bioenergy Award 2012 was announced on 29 May in Jönköping Sweden: Mr. Harry Stokes, USA. Mr. Harry Stokes has developed, funded and managed Project Gaia to improve the health, economic status and quality of life of
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In California, the state Energy Commission today unanimously approved funding of $35,031,310 to projectsthat will accelerate the development of green fuels and technology in California. The awards are provided through the Energy Commission’s Alternative and Renewable
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) A major plant opening by Novozymes in Nebraska and a project announcement from ExxonMobil in Texas, highlight the opportunities and challenges for industrial biotechnology ...In Blair, Cargill’s corn-based, wet mill ethanol plant provides a base load
(U.S. Department of Energy) The Biomass Program has recently developed Critical Technology Goals (CTG) related to a) converting biomass into processable sugars or other fractionation products and b) upgrading those processable sugars or biomass fractions into products such as advanced
(MarketWatch) New research networks will advance the care available to elderly patients, boost the production of sustainable biofuels and improve our ability to respond to marine emergencies or environmental changes. The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for Science and
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Most of the stories we write at the Digest on the subject of biofuels feedstocks fall into the well-established realms of normal. But every once in a while, a feedstock emerges that is so compellingly
by David Shaffer (The Bellingham Herald/McClatchy) One of the world's top leasing companies is betting that corporations with fleets of cars and trucks increasingly will want them to be powered by electricity and other alternatives to fossil fuels. That bet
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A new midlevel ethanol blend standard recently completed by scientific standards development body ASTM International could serve as the missing link necessary for blender pumps to become widely used in all U.S. states. The standard,
Australia’s A$200 million ($196 million) renewable energy venture capital fund is set to unveil its first two investments in the solar and biofuels industries by the end of September. Southern Cross Venture Partners, named manager of the fund by the Australian
(Macauhub) The first crop of jatropha of biofuel company Ceci Api Biomassa Mozambique is due to be harvested by July, the company’s chief executive told Mozambican news agency AIM. Domercico Manfredi also said that the harvest, totalling around 10 tons, would
by South Dakota State University (iGrow) Rental rates for range and pastureland are on the rise, due to increasing demands for corn, says Ken Olson, SDSU Extension Beef Specialist. "Increasing demand for corn for ethanol production and growing export markets has
(Business Partners) A duo of Greek entrepreneurs recently unveiled its plans to commercially produce algae biomass for use as an alternative industrial fuel. The idea—a pioneering effort in Greece—claimed first prize for Alternative Agriculture in the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce’s “Making
(The Guardian) United Nations Environment Programme says global move to low-carbon economy means millions could be lifted from poverty Tens of millions of new jobs can be created around the world in the next two decades if green policies are put
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Novozymes, a global biotech company, first considered building its newly built enzyme production plant in China but eventually zeroed in on the U.S. One big deciding factor was the $28.4 million tax credit from
by David Rogers (Politico) ...At issue are government-backed premium discounts designed to make the insurance more affordable to farmers. While not truly cash subsidies, the costs have soared in recent years and fit neatly into the environmental narrative that Washington
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, staff members working for least eight US Senators will join a study group aimed at a “seed-to-wheel examination of the US Renewable Fuel Standard,” the Digest has learned. The goal of the study group
by Nate Brown (Federal Aviation Administration) Power Point presentation with graphics illustrating the steps for new aviation fuel approval, graphic descriptions of anticipated aviation fuels (and progress of various pathways along the process). Includes alcohol to jet, direct sugar to
by Morgan Lee (U-T San Diego) There’s a persistent view that the United States can best compete in the global economy by keeping energy prices low. Amory Lovins is out to prove otherwise by helping private industry, the military and civil
by Martin Mittelstaedt (The Globe and Mail) Federal law forces oil companies to sell gasoline in Canada with an ethanol content of 5 per cent, but the industry is going one better. Oil refiners like ethanol so much, they’ve quietly begun
(CSP Daily News) Installs ethanol blender pumps across southcentral Wisconsin United Cooperative has been selected to receive a $448,500 Rural Energy for America Program grant to assist with the installation of 36 ethanol flex-fuel blender pumps and seven biodiesel dispensers at
(Richmond County Daily Journal) Starting June 1, consumers will notice changes to the way ethanol-blended gasoline is labeled at their local gas station. The N.C. Rules Review Commission this week approved changes adopted by the Gasoline and Oil Inspection Board that
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