Field/Orchard/Plantation Crops/Residues

Eco-Friendly Biofuels Made from Food Waste Could Cut ‘Flight Shame’ among Air Travelers

by Jeremy Deaton (NBC News) “Biofuels are what’s going to save us when it comes to aviation.” — … The airline industry has expressed concern that flight shame will put a dent in their bottom line, and they are taking steps to use less fuel — packing more passengers into fewer flights,

July 19, 2019 Read Full Article

CM Okays 100 Acre Land for Bhandara Ethanol, Biogas Plant

Anjaya Anparthi (Times of India) Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday approved 100 acres land for a proposed project to produce ethanol and biogas gas from paddy straw at Bhandara. … Fadnavis approved transfer of 100 acres land from the state government to MIDC for the project. “The straw is burned and

July 19, 2019 Read Full Article

Ethanol to Be Central Issue in India-Brazil Meeting -Industry Group

by Marcelo Teixeira (Reuters) Brazil and India are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding on production and trade of ethanol when leaders of the two countries meet in Brasilia later this year, an industry group said on Tuesday. According to UDOP, a Brazilian association of sugar and ethanol producers, the suggestion

July 19, 2019 Read Full Article

APPG for British Bioethanol Publishes FINAL Report on E10 Inquiry

(British Bioethanol) The APPG for British Bioethanol has launched its final report on the introduction of E10 today (July 16, 2019). Stemming from the launch of an Inquiry in March into the lack of progress made by the DfT to publish its Consultation into E10, which closed in September 2018. The

July 18, 2019 Read Full Article

Gillibrand Tours Plant

by Mike Putz (Dyersville Commercial) Democratic presidential candidate Kirsten Gillibrand might be trailing in the polls both in Iowa and nationally, but she believes stops like the one she made to Big River Resources in Dyersville will convince Iowans to send her to the White House. The New York Senator visited

July 17, 2019 Read Full Article

New University and Government Reports Set the Record Straight on Ethanol’s GHG Benefits

(Renewable Fuels Association) Two new academic studies released this week provide further evidence that grain-based ethanol is significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and call into question the reliability of recent “land use change” analyses based on flawed satellite imagery-based methodologies. These studies add to a large body of existing literature that

July 17, 2019 Read Full Article

City-Based Scientists Develop New Biodiesel Plant Tech — Biodiesel from Feedstock with Free Fatty Acid up to 10%

(Tribune News Service) Scientists at the Centre of Excellence for Farm Machinery (CoEFM) here have developed the technology of ‘Semi-continuous Biodiesel Plant’. This technology represents a simplified process to produce biodiesel from any feedstock having free fatty acid content up to 10%. It is a low-maintenance production technology, can be easily

July 17, 2019 Read Full Article

Maharashtra Likely to Support Sugar Mills in Setting up Ethanol Fuel Pumps

by Shiv Kumar (Tribune News Service) Minister for Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises and Transport Nitin Gadkari has proposed that sugar mills set up ethanol fuel pumps in their premises. The sugar co-operatives are under pressure because of unsold stocks and are already mulling switching over to large-scale production of ethanol provided

July 17, 2019 Read Full Article

UFOP: Biodiesel Quotas Take Pressure off the Market – Non-EU Countries Show How Bioeconomics Work

(Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen (UFOP)/LifePR) …The Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen (UFOP) has noted that the price situation in the vegetable oil markets would be even more dramatic, if countries such as Argentina, Brazil, the US and Indonesia did not ease market pressure by raising

July 17, 2019 Read Full Article

Carbon-Negative Fuels Come Clearer, Closer with Oberon’s Leap to Demo Scale

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) From California comes news that Oberon Fuels has been officially awarded a grant for $2,876,139 from the California Energy Commission (CEC) for a first-of-its-kind, multi-phase project to produce the first renewable dimethyl ether (rDME), with what could arguably be the most carbon-negative transport fuel ever produced

July 16, 2019 Read Full Article

Malaysia to File WTO Complaint against EU’s Palm Biofuel Policy by Nov

(Bernama/The Sun Daily) Malaysia will submit a complaint to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) by November to challenge the European Union’s restrictions on palm biofuel, according to Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok Suh Sim. She said documents related to the complaint are currently with the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC). … Kok said

July 15, 2019 Read Full Article

Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum of Ethanol Opposition at It Again

by Marc J. Rauch (The Auto Channel) … Last October 18th, the Washington Examiner published an editorial written by Carter and Miller titled, “Consumers Will Suffer The Hangover From Trump’s Ethanol Binge.” Two days later I responded with an editorial titled, ” Failed Ethanol Critic Takes Another Shot… But Misses Once Again.“ My response set

July 15, 2019 Read Full Article

A Political ‘Fight to the Knife’ over Ethanol Comes to Wisconsin

by Chris Hubbuch (Wisconsin State Journal) … “There’s (a) civil war within the Republican Party,” said Scott Irwin, chairman of agricultural marketing at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. “It’s pitting two significant Republican constituencies of the president and neither one is now in a position to issue any kinds of

July 15, 2019 Read Full Article

Indian Producers Investigate Philippines Ethanol Model During Bioenergy Week

(U.S. Grains Council) The seventh annual Bioenergy Week of the Global Bioenergy Partnership (GBEP) provided an opportunity for the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) to highlight how the government and private industry in the Philippines cooperate to promote ethanol to a delegation of sugar-based ethanol producers from India. The Council sponsored the

July 15, 2019 Read Full Article

Higher Biodiesel Blend Pushed as Copra Prices Remain Low

by Anna Mogato (Rappler) Industry stakeholders say even a 1% increase in coconut methyl ester in diesel can help bring up copra prices, which have been declining — Biofuels industry stakeholders are asking the government to allow an increase in the coconut methyl ester (CME) blend from 2% (B2) to at least 3% (B3)

July 12, 2019 Read Full Article

Southern Alberta Waste Refinery Turning Trash into ‘High-Grade, Low-Cost’ Biodiesel

by Heide Pearson (Global News) A new refinery set to open in southern Alberta is aiming to change the way household waste is recycled and reduce the carbon footprint at the same time. Cielo Waste Solutions is set to open its first refinery in Aldersyde, Alta., where it will turn Albertans’ landfill

July 12, 2019 Read Full Article

Used Frying Fat Causes a Significant CO2 Reduction in the Transport Sector

(Dutch Emissions Authority (Google Translation)) The Netherlands is on track to reach the European target for renewable energy for transport of 10% in 2020. This means that in 2018, the Netherlands will be well above the European average at 8.9%. This is evident from the overall report on the use and source of renewable energy

July 12, 2019 Read Full Article

Biofuels Can Help Reduce Current Account Deficit

by Syed Akhtar Ali (The Express Tribune) Pakistan’s current account deficit has created many problems for the economy. Major imports are of the oil sector. There is a misplaced notion that nothing can be done for reducing these imports. Biofuels based on local agro-waste are a viable option and competitive route.

July 11, 2019 Read Full Article

Bunge Is in Talks With BP to Join Brazil Sugar-Ethanol Assets

by Fabiana Batista, Isis Almeida and Vinícius Andrade (Bloomberg/Yahoo!Finance) U.S. agribusiness giant Bunge Ltd. is in talks with British oil major BP Plc to form a sugar and ethanol joint venture in Brazil, according to people familiar with the matter. The companies are in discussions to combine operations in the South American

July 11, 2019 Read Full Article

DA Says Urgent Task Team Needed to Support KZN’s Biofuel Industry

(African News Agency/The Citizen) It accused the African National Congress-led provincial government of doing little to aid the company — The Democratic Alliance opposition party has called on the newly-appointed member of the executive council for economic development, tourism and environmental affairs (EDTEA) in KwaZulu-Natal, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, to establish a task team

July 10, 2019 Read Full Article

Paper Pen, Bioasphalt, Water Activated Bio Shampoo, Lignin Self-Healing Elastomer, Bio Crop Coating, and More: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of July 10th

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) While many are on vacation this time of year, the bioeconomy is not even close to taking a break. In fact, bioeconomy innovations, are like a beach goer in Florida this time of year – hot! Here are the top innovations for the week of July

July 10, 2019 Read Full Article

Heard on the Floor at the 2019 BIO World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) … (T)he bioeconomy’s biggest and grandest show, the BIO World Congress, takes us on an accustomed journey through the present and future in a sector that has more twists and turns than the rides at Six Flags and the acceleration of a mission to Mars.

July 10, 2019 Read Full Article

Firm Launches Plan to Cut One Trillion Tons of CO2 From Atmosphere

(Solutions from the Land) A company that says it is “dedicated to harnessing nature to help farmers sustainably feed the planet,” announced last month the launch of The Terraton Initiative™, a project designed to accelerate carbon sequestration at an unprecedented scale. … Among the steps cited by Indigo are regenerative farming practices

July 9, 2019 Read Full Article

EID Parry Chalks out Expansion Plans to Tap Ethanol

(PTI/Money Control) The company has obtained in-principle approval from the Department of Food and Public distribution, for its expansion under the central government scheme, extending financial assistance to mills for enhancement and augmentation of Ethanol production capacity. … The city-based company in its annual report said it has secured permission from

July 9, 2019 Read Full Article

His Family Farm Was Failing. Now He Runs the World’s Largest Biofuel Producer

by Parija Kavilanz (CNN Business) At 22, Jeff Broin was just six months out of college and getting started in the banking industry when his family turned to him for help. His father was scrambling to figure out a way to save the 130-year-old Minnesota corn farm that Broin and his

July 9, 2019 Read Full Article

The Push for Year-Round E15 Is upon Us, but Is It the Best Biofuel Option?

by Jeff Wasil (Washington Examiner) … There’s also a better option than E15, one that only requires cutting red tape hindering the widespread usage of a next-generation biofuel: biobutanol. Unlike ethanol, biobutanol contains nearly 90% of the energy content of gasoline (compared to 67% for ethanol), is compatible with the existing fueling

July 8, 2019 Read Full Article

Latest Resolution Signed into RenovaBio to Further Boost Brazil’s Ethanol Sector

by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) In Brazil, a new regulation, Resolution No. 791, recently signed by the Ministry of Mines and Energy into the country’s national biofuels policy, RenovaBio, is expected to boost the ethanol sector with the new decarbonization targets for fuel distributors. RenovaBio will come into full force in

July 8, 2019 Read Full Article

Carinata Cover Cropping: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Agrisoma

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Agrisoma Biosciences, Inc. has the world’s largest collection of Carinata and an extensive modern crop improvement program that allows them to select high yielding varieties ideally suited for production across a broad range of geographies. Agrisoma has commercialized Carinata in North and South America, working with

July 5, 2019 Read Full Article

NBB Strongly Disagrees with Commerce’s Preliminary Decision to Change Argentine Biodiesel Duty Rates

(National Biodiesel Board) Commerce gives Argentina a trade break at the expense of U.S. biodiesel producers and soybean farmers — The National Biodiesel Board’s (NBB) Fair Trade Coalition today criticized the U.S. Department of Commerce’s preliminary decision in a “changed circumstances” review of countervailing duties on biodiesel imports from Argentina. Commerce

July 5, 2019 Read Full Article

Total Starts Up the La Mède Biorefinery

(Total) Total has started up production at the La Mède biorefinery in southeastern France, with the first batches of biofuel coming off the line. It is the final step in converting a former oil refinery into a new energies complex. Launched in 2015, the project represents a capital expenditure of

July 5, 2019 Read Full Article

LPG Industry Aims for 100% Transition to BioLPG by 2040

(Liquid Gas UK) Full switch to bioLPG could deliver up to 90% reduction in carbon emissions; Liquid Gas UK calls for re-think on EPC methodology; Trade association announces re-brand from UKLPG to Liquid Gas UK Liquid Gas UK, the newly re-branded trade association representing the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) industry in

July 5, 2019 Read Full Article

Maharashtra: Divert 25% Cane for Ethanol Production, Sugar Commissioner Tells Industry

by Parthasarathi Biswas (The Indian Express) Millers now say they are looking for long-term commitment from the central government to keep prices steady for at least 10 years, which will allow them to recover investments in new machinery. — Maharashtra Sugar Commissioner Shekhar Gaikwad has advised the industry to divert 25 per cent

July 3, 2019 Read Full Article

Germany Calls for Coordinated Measures in Deforestation-Free Palm Oil Production

(Xinhua) The German government is expecting global palm oil production to grow and is calling for “globally coordinated measures to implement deforestation-free cultivation”, according to a response to a parliamentary inquiry first reported on by the German press agency (dpa) on Tuesday. “Due to the almost unrivalled yields, interest in the

July 3, 2019 Read Full Article

Streamlining the Biofuel Production Process

(European Commission) The production of biofuels like ethanol from non-food biomass is a lucrative prospect for the agricultural sector. However, due to the complexity and expense of the large-scale industrial process currently needed to produce such biofuels, they remain out of reach for many small-scale farmers. To change this, the EU-funded

July 2, 2019 Read Full Article

Making Every Carbon Count: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Praj

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Praj had a humble beginning as a supplier of ethanol plants, and today is a global company with a bouquet of sustainable solutions for bioenergy, high purity water, critical process equipment, breweries and industrial wastewater treatment. Dr. Pramod Kumbhar, Chief Technology Officer at Praj Industries offers

July 2, 2019 Read Full Article

Oh My! Dan’s Back: AgCertain Industries Acquires KemX Global

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) For some time, many have been uncertain as to what direction former REG CEO Dan Oh would take in developing a new entry into the fast-growing bioeconomy, but now we can be certain, or rather, AgCertain. News has filtered out of Iowa that Oh’s new company,

July 2, 2019 Read Full Article

Ed Lotterman: Oil Prices, War, and a Bad Corn Crop

by Ed Lotterman (Bismarck Tribune) Unless National Security Adviser John Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo manage to gin up a war with Iran, the terrible crop conditions across much of the Midwest this year means that some fuel ethanol distillers will be shutting down operations. Quibbles about the

July 1, 2019 Read Full Article

Stanger Sugar Mill to Turn Sugarcane Production to Alternative Green Fuel

by Penny Fourie (North Coast Courier) The production of biofuel as an economically viable industry in South Africa is no longer viewed as a pipe dream but an attainable goal aimed at leveraging sugarcane as a key strategic economic resource. — The Gledhow sugar mill in Stanger is poised to sow the

July 1, 2019 Read Full Article

How Low Can You Go with Carbon?: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Aemetis

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Aemetis is an international renewable fuels and biochemicals company using patented industrial biotechnology for the construction and operation of advanced biorefineries. They own and operate a 60+ million gallon ethanol plant in California, a 50 million gallon capacity Biodiesel and Glycerin refinery in India, they are building

July 1, 2019 Read Full Article

Who’s Down with TCP: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Synpet Technologies

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Synpet Technologiesuses Thermal Conversion Process (TCP), a patented non-combustion technology which breaks down all organic materials by using heat, pressure and water to produce renewable diesel oil and other valuable co-products from waste. So let’s get down with TCP, yeah, you know me. Brian Appel,Co-founder of

June 28, 2019 Read Full Article

Letter from Route 12 and the Pacific Northwest: From Waste Streams, a Bioeconomy Rising

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington state, there’s a new mill near the city of Dayton that is the first to use waste straw to make pulp for paper products, and biopolymers; and, a new project near Granger turning dairy waste into pipeline-quality renewable natural gas; also, a proposed

June 27, 2019 Read Full Article

Concerns Rise as Low Palm Oil Prices May Increase Use for Biofuel

(Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen (UFOP)/Biodiesel Magazine) Selling prices for palm oil and diesel fuel have recently converged to the same level, after the former had even been at a lower price for six months. The Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen (UFOP) has drawn attention to the

June 26, 2019 Read Full Article

Integrated Landscape Management Reduces Biomass Production Costs By 20%

by J.Richard Hess (Idaho National Laboratory/U.S. Department of Energy) A new techno-economic analysis by Idaho National Laboratory (INL) demonstrated that, by using integrated landscape management (ILM) techniques, bioenergy stakeholders could produce biomass at costs 20% lower than previous assumptions.1 The efficiencies gained using ILM practices could generate a new revenue

June 26, 2019 Read Full Article

Creed on ‘Challenges’ Oosed by Anaerobic Digestion in Ireland

by Claire Mc Cormack (AgriLand) While the Government has committed to investigating the long-term potential of establishing a wide-scale biogas industry in its newly-published Climate Action Plan, the prospects “remain challenging”, according to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed. A total of 34 actions for agriculture are outlined in the

June 26, 2019 Read Full Article

Making It More Viable to Turn Agricultural Waste into Renewable Fuel

by Alayna DeMartini (Ohio State University College of Engineering) Although the stalks and leaves of a corn plant can be turned into ethanol, the high cost of collecting, storing, and transporting the material has limited its use in producing the fuel. Ajay Shah, an agricultural engineer at The Ohio State University, is

June 24, 2019 Read Full Article

Norway Sees Sharp Drop in Palm Oil Biofuel Consumption after Ban on Government Purchasing

by Lauren Crothers (South Africa Today) -Norway saw drop in palm oil consumption following new regulations limiting sales in response to concerns about deforestation for plantations. -The decrease has been lauded by a Norwegian rainforest advocacy group, which called it a “big win for rainforests.” -Indonesia and Malaysia, the world’s

June 24, 2019 Read Full Article

NBB Letter to EPA’s Wheeler Highlights Economic Damage from Refinery Exemptions

(National Biodiesel Board) Demand destruction for biodiesel producers cannot be made up through E15 rule, NBB says — The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) today (June 21, 2019) sent a letter to EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler, highlighting the economic damage to the biodiesel and renewable diesel industry from the agency’s retroactive small refinery

June 24, 2019 Read Full Article

2016-2018 Measuring, Governing and Gaining Support for Sustainable Bioenergy Supply Chains

(IEA Bioenergy) Several systems to define and monitor performance and progress towards sustainability of bioenergy have been developed for implementation at different scales, including operations, landscapes or jurisdictions. Some are formalised systems (e.g. GBEP 2011; RSB 2016; ISO 2015; ASTM 2016; SBP 2019) while others are inputs made through the scientific

June 24, 2019 Read Full Article

Hawaii’s Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot!: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Tropical Feedstocks

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The University of Hawai’i is on top of the latest research on Hawaii’s tropical agriculture, its hot zone and tropical feedstocks for the bioeconomy. Peter Matlock, Strategic Advisor for Aviation Fuels and Special Projects for Joint BioEnergy Institute and who is developing the Institute for Tropical

June 24, 2019 Read Full Article

Iowa State Researchers Studying Slow-Release Fertilizer to Feed Crops, Improve Water Quality

(Iowa State University) Iowa State University researchers weren’t looking for a slow-release fertilizer that could feed crops while protecting water quality, but they may have found one. Researchers looking to add value to biochar – a solid, porous co-product of heating corn stalks and other sources of biomass to produce liquid

June 21, 2019 Read Full Article

NCGA Ups Pressure on EPA to Follow President’s Lead on Ethanol

(National Corn Growers Association) The National Corn Growers Association today will begin airing an advertisement calling on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to follow President Trump’s commitment to farmers and stop giving Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) waivers to big oil companies. These waivers negatively impact farmers by undercutting the RFS

June 21, 2019 Read Full Article

Brazil’s Sao Martinho to Launch Corn-Based Ethanol Production

by Marcelo Teixeir (Reuters) Brazil’s Sao Martinho SA , one of the country’s largest sugar and ethanol producers, plans to build a facility to produce ethanol from corn in the state of Goiás, the company said in a securities filing. Sao Martinho is the latest in a growing number of companies

June 21, 2019 Read Full Article

Indian Oil to Invest Rs 700 Crore in Setting up 2G Ethanol Plant at Panipat Refinery

by Bilal Abdi (Economic Times Energy World) Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), the country’s largest fuel retailer, is planning to set up a biomass-based second generation ethanol production facility at its flagship Panipat refinery at a cost of over Rs 700 crore. IOC has selected Praj Industries as the licensor and consultant for

June 21, 2019 Read Full Article

Uttar Pradesh to Partner Centre for Ethanol Blending in Fuel to Cut Oil Import Bill

by Virendra Singh Rawat (Business Standard) The state, along with Maharashtra, clocks 9-10% of blending due to higher cane availability — Uttar Pradesh, the country’s top sugarcane producer, has offered to partner the central government over its ambitious roadmap of augmenting ethanol blending in fuel. UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath, who met union petroleum and

June 20, 2019 Read Full Article

Ship Operators Object to Palm Oil-Based Fuel for fFar of Poor Performance

(Jakarta Post) The River, Lake and Water Transportation Operators Association (Gapasdap) has expressed its disapproval of next year’s mandatory use of diesel mixed with 30 percent palm oil-based fuel, known as B30, after finding the poor performance of its ships after using the biofuel. Gapasdap secretary-general Aminuddin Rifai said that ships

June 20, 2019 Read Full Article

Virgin Australia Brisbane Biofuel Trial Hits 1 Million KM MIlestone

(Australianaviation.Com.Au) Virgin Australia’s push into sustainable aviation fuel, part of a strengthening trend in the global airline industry’s push toward cleaner energy use, has clocked up one million kilometres in less than a year. The airline’s trial of low-carbon aviation fuel is being conducted in a partnership with the Queensland Government,

June 20, 2019 Read Full Article

NACSAA Delegates to Global Climate Talks Stress Climate Smart Agriculture in Face of Severe Weather Events

(Solutions from the Land) North American Climate Smart Agriculture (NACSAA) leaders are once again on the global stage, talking this week with representatives from nations around the world meeting in Bonn, Germany, promoting the role of farmers, ranchers and woodland owners in addressing climate change challenges. NACSAA Chairman Fred Yoder, Steering

June 19, 2019 Read Full Article

B-100 Program Can Save IDR100 Trillion in Foreign Exchange: Minister

by M. Fikri/Eliswan Azly (AntaraNews.com) Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman said the 100 percent biodiesel program (B-100), now being developed by the Ministry of Agriculture, will save up to Rp100 trillion in foreign exchange once it is widely used. “We can save foreign exchange, may be IDR 100 trillion or more,”

June 19, 2019 Read Full Article

Boeing to Expand Investment in Brazil’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel Industry

(Boeing) Boeing today (June 17, 2019) announced a USD 1 million investment in Brazil’s efforts to establish a sustainable aviation fuel industry. The investment will focus on initiatives that maximize social, economic and environmental benefits to local communities engaged in the development of feedstock that can be used to produce sustainable

June 19, 2019 Read Full Article

Some U.S. Ethanol Makers Looking to Buy Brazilian Corn: RFA

by Marcelo Teixeira and Roberto Samora (Reuters) Some U.S. ethanol makers are considering buying corn from Brazil to guarantee supply as domestic crop prices are rising, the chief of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) said on Tuesday. “I haven’t heard that it is happening, but I have heard some chatter that there

June 19, 2019 Read Full Article

If Rice Is Nice, Rice Trash Is Cash: Gevo, Praj Working to Convert Rice Straw to Products

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) … Specifically, in the past month, Gevo also executed an agreement with Praj to develop jet fuel and isooctane from rice straw and other feedstocks. Gruber noted that “we believe this second-generation technology combination has great potential to address India’s rice straw burning problem and related

June 19, 2019 Read Full Article

Brazil to Let Ethanol Sector Raise Capital Using Tax Free Notes

(Reuters) The Brazilian government will allow companies in the sugar and ethanol sector to raise capital for investments through the issuance of notes that are exempt from income tax, Energy Minister Bento Albuquerque said on Monday. Albuquerque and other government officials signed an order on Monday during the Ethanol Summit in

June 18, 2019 Read Full Article

Gamalux to Profit from Sustainability Policies of EU

(Daily Express/Bernama) Amid the uproar over the European Union’s (EU) discriminatory move against palm oil, one player in the Malaysian palm oil downstream sector seems unperturbed and is in fact expecting better demand for its products this year from European clients. Gamalux Oils Sdn Bhd, which makes feedstock materials for biodiesel

June 18, 2019 Read Full Article

Bioprocessing in Iowa: Reflecting on Our Journey

by Debi Durham (Iowa Economic Development Authority/Biofuels Digest) … For decades, we’ve applied our work ethic and expertise in laboratories, innovation centers and refineries throughout the state. As a result, we’ve become a leader in bioprocessing, in addition to our agrarian achievements. … There’s a lot happening on the biosciences front in

June 18, 2019 Read Full Article

California Project to Test Renewable Dimethyl Ether as Transportation Fuel

by Betsy Lillian (NGT News) Oberon Fuels, a California-based producer of dimethyl ether (DME), has been awarded a $2.88 million grant from the California Energy Commission (CEC) for a multi-phase project to produce renewable DME as a low-carbon transportation fuel in the U.S. According to the company, the project unlocks the

June 18, 2019 Read Full Article

Cielo Announces Grand Opening of Aldersyde Refinery

(Cielo) CSE: CMC: Cielo Waste Solutions Corp. (‘Cielo’ or the ‘Company’) is pleased to announce that it will be holding the “Grand Opening” of its renewable fuels refinery in Aldersyde, Alberta (the “Refinery”) on July 11th, 2019 between noon and 3 PM MST. Tours will be offered to interested parties and, in

June 17, 2019 Read Full Article

4 Key Bioenergy Technologies: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to SoCalGas

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) he Southern California Gas Company is the primary provider of natural gas to the region of Southern California and has a vision to become the cleanest natural gas utility in North America. As California works to achieve its climate change goals, SoCalGas is working on low

June 17, 2019 Read Full Article

Potential to Decarbonize Long Distance Transport: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Drop-in Biofuels

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) IEA Bioenergy Task 39, with the help of the National Renewable Energy Lab and University of British Columbia, has been working facilitating the commercialization of conventional and advanced liquid biofuels from biomass drop-in biofuels for quite some time. They are looking at various technologies for drop-in

June 14, 2019 Read Full Article

Study Identifies Most Promising Feedstocks for Pyrolysis-Based Biorefinery

(CORDIS/Phy.Org) A study into the composition and processability of different biomass feedstocks has found sunflower seed husks and poplar wood slabs to be the most suitable for producing bio-based products via fast pyrolysis conversion. The study was conducted by Capax Biobased Development and BTG Biomass Technology Group as part of the

June 13, 2019 Read Full Article

Glut in Sugar Industry: State Proposes to Use 25% Sugarcane

by Makarand Gadgil (Mumbai Mirror) The state sugar commissioner has proposed that one-fourth of the state’s sugarcane be used to produce ethanol in a bid to reduce the glut in the sugar industry and help sugar factories pay farmers’ dues. Sugar Commissioner Shekhar Gaikwad has also recommended that the state government create a separate

June 13, 2019 Read Full Article

Indonesia Starts Testing 30% Biodiesel in Cars Amid Push to Boost Palm Oil Consumption

by Bernadette Christina and Fransiska Nangoy (EuroNews/Reuters) Indonesia on Thursday began testing biodiesel with a bio-content of 30% in cars, its energy ministry said, as the Southeast Asian nation pushes to boost local markets for its vast palm oil crop. The world’s top palm oil exporter aims to make it mandatory for all

June 13, 2019 Read Full Article

The Oil Industry and Environmentalists form an Odd Alliance against Trump on Ethanol

by Emily Moon (Pacific Standard) It could be years before farmers see any gains from the rollback of E15 restrictions—or before oil interests and environmental groups see any losses. — … For ethanol’s biggest opponents, the deregulation could usher in a whole host of plagues, including environmental hazards and falling oil profits. While

June 13, 2019 Read Full Article

NACSAA Representatives in Bonn for World Climate Talks on Agriculture

(North America Climate Smart Agriculture Alliance) North America Climate Smart Agriculture (NACSAA) representatives will be at UN talks in Bonn, Germany, next week to push the message that agriculture is a major solution platform for achieving global climate stability and sustainable development goals (SDGs). Attending the talks will be NACSAA Chairman Fred Yoder,

June 13, 2019 Read Full Article

The New Plan to Remove a Trillion Tons of Carbon Dioxide from the Atmosphere: Bury It.

by Laura Reiley (Washington Post) It sounds like an idea plucked from science fiction, but the reality is that trees and plants already do it. — … Boston-based Indigo AG, now wants to transform farming practices so that agriculture becomes quite the opposite of what it is today — a major source

June 13, 2019 Read Full Article

Sapp Bros. Opens New Biodiesel Blending Facility in Sioux City

(MEG Corp./Biodiesel Magazine) Sapp Bros. is celebrating the opening of its newest biodiesel blending terminal located in Sioux City, Iowa, with an open house June 13 from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm Central time at 4800 Frelon Drive. Media representatives are invited to the open house to learn more about the

June 12, 2019 Read Full Article

GESS to Build 6 Anaerobic Digester Facilities in Idaho

(GESS International/Biomass Magazine) GESS International has announced a $240 million investment in Cassia County. The company will build six anaerobic digester facilities near Burley, Idaho, totaling $40 million for each digester and making it a part of the company’s first tranche biogas plants in the US. GESS International is a renewable

June 12, 2019 Read Full Article

How Trump (and Iowa) Changed How You Fuel Your Car

by Mario Parker and Jennifer A Dlouhy (Bloomberg) Ethanol, the intoxicating alcohol found in beer, wine and liquor, has been powering automobiles in the U.S. since the era of the Model T more than a century ago. Since the 1970s, when oil became more expensive and subject to international disputes — and

June 12, 2019 Read Full Article

What Trump’s New Ethanol Rules Mean for You

by Brittany De Lea (Fox Business) President Trump is in Iowa on Tuesday, just weeks after he lifted restrictions on ethanol – which could be a boon to both farmers and some drivers. At the end of May, the Trump administration announced it would allow for the year-round sale of gasoline with higher concentrations

June 12, 2019 Read Full Article

APPG for British Bioethanol Publishes Interim Report on E10 Inquiry

(British Bioethanol) Chair of the APPG for British Bioethanol Nic Dakin MP today launched the publication of the interim report into introduction of E10 in Westminster. … Interim recommendations: Green solution needed to address increasing petrol usage in UK Calls for DfT to host emergency summit on E10 before the summer The

June 12, 2019 Read Full Article

Thousands of Jobs ‘at Risk’ if Government Does Not Act Fast on Green Road Fuel

by Kelley Price (Teeside Live) Ensus at Wilton wants more of its biofuel to be added at the pumps as ‘trend’ for gas-guzzling SUVs grows — … Ensus wants more of its fuel to be added to the blend motorists buy at the pumps – otherwise the UK’s £1bn bioethanol industry is

June 12, 2019 Read Full Article

₹500-cr Fund Mooted for Ethanol Production in Maharashtra

by Rahul Wadke (The Hindu Business Line) The Sugar Commissioner of Maharashtra has recommended to the State government that ₹500 crore be made available to cooperative sugar mills in the State for developing infrastructure and creating capacity for ethanol production. Sugar Commissioner Shekhar Gaikwad told BusinessLine that due to excess sugarcane on the ground, the

June 12, 2019 Read Full Article

As Biden Tours Iowa, Farmers Want to Know Where He Stands on Ethanol

by Jarrett Renshaw (Reuters) Joe Biden may have an ethanol problem. The former U.S. vice president has pledged support for advanced biofuels as part of his bid for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination. But Biden, who leads the crowded Democratic field in opinion polls in Iowa and nationally, faces lingering questions in the

June 11, 2019 Read Full Article

Towards Sustainable Bioeconomy – Lessons Learned from Case Studies

by Marta Gomez San Juan, Anne Bogdanski and Olivier Dubois (Food and Agricultural Organization) … )T)his report offers lessons from 26 case studies of sustainable bioeconomy interventions from around the world and from a range of different sectors. The overall aim of the report is to use these case studies to expand the general understanding of

June 11, 2019 Read Full Article

It’s a Yeast Feast, Enzyme Showtime: The Majors Break through with New Cost-Busting Solutions for Ethanol Production

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Three big product announcements just in… DSM (e) breaks through on yield, efficiency with new yeast, enzyme offerings for corn fiber conversion. Novozymes launches breakthrough techs “Fortiva” and “Innova Force”. Dupont extends with corn oil extraction tech. In Indiana, DSM leads the news out of the Fuel

June 11, 2019 Read Full Article

Government’s Contradictory Policies Killing Agro-Industrial Sectors in Nigeria

by Femi Ibirogba (The Guardian) … Mr Rajavelu Rajasekar is a Director (Agro), Allied-Atlantic Distilleries, Agbara, Ogun State, where 250 metric tonnes of raw cassava roots are processed into ethanol. He revealed, in this interview with Head, Agro-Economy Desk, FEMI IBIROGBA, why cassava production fluctuates between scarcity and gluts; why more

June 10, 2019 Read Full Article

Daily on Energy: Inslee Sees a Place for Corn in Plan to Scrap EPA’s Ethanol Mandate

by John Siciliano and Josh Siegel (Washington Examiner) Democratic presidential hopeful Jay Inslee says there would be a place for corn ethanol in his plan to replace the nation’s renewable fuel program with one that has a record of making corn farmers wary. Inslee tells John that his plan focuses on more advanced second-generation

June 10, 2019 Read Full Article

Cactus Biofuel: Mexico’s ‘Green Gold

(CNN) Since 2015, Michoacan-based clean energy company Nopalimex has used prickly pear cactus to make biofuel for vehicles: Mexico’s “Green Gold.” WATCH VIDEO

June 10, 2019 Read Full Article

Exploitation Alternatives of Olive Mill Wastewater: Production of Value-Added Compounds Useful for Industry and Agriculture

by Pablo M. Ahmed; Pablo M. Fernández; Lucía I. C. de Figueroa; Hipólito F. Pajot (Biofuel Research Journal) Countries producing olive oil generate a considerable amount of olive mill wastewater (OMWW), one of the most harmful agro-industrial effluents with a powerful polluting capacity. In fact, owing to its high pollution load, this

June 10, 2019 Read Full Article

The Policy Enabling Environment for Climate Smart Agriculture: A Case Study of California

by Josette Lewis and Jessica Rudnick (Frontiers Media) Climate smart agriculture (CSA) provides a framework for balancing multiple dimensions of agriculture and food systems in an era of climate change: addressing agricultural contributions to global greenhouse gas emissions, vulnerabilities to climate change impacts, and the relationship between agricultural productivity, incomes and

June 7, 2019 Read Full Article

University of North Florida Researcher Awarded USDA Grant to Study Plant-Based Alternative Fuel Sources

(Univeristy of North Florida) Switchgrass—a Productive Native Species—Could Possibly Fuel Vehicles into the Future — Dr. Mike Aspinwall, an assistant professor of biology at the University of North Florida, was just awarded nearly half a million dollars from the USDA National Institute for Food and Agriculture to study switchgrass as a viable

June 7, 2019 Read Full Article

COLUMN: NEXT: Building Trust and Community

by Chris Efird and Lou Soumas (The Chronicle) NEXT Renewable Fuels is building an advanced biofuel facility at Port Westward. Today we are in the planning and permitting stage. Beginning with this op-ed, we intend periodic updates on the project, so that Columbia County residents understand our plans, and know how

June 7, 2019 Read Full Article

Kenya Farmers Fight Drought with Biofuel from Cotton Waste

(Voice of America/Reuters) Kenyan farmer Abel Mutie Mathoka thought it must be a joke when he was told he could irrigate his drought-hit crops more cheaply, cleanly and efficiently using a pump fueled by cotton waste. “Who could believe it’s possible to make a fuel better than diesel from cotton

June 7, 2019 Read Full Article

Boeing, Etihad to Fly Biofuel-Powered 787

(Trade Arabia News Service) Boeing said it is working with UAE national carrier Etihad Airways to fly a 787 Dreamliner powered partly by biofuel made from desert plants irrigated with seawater. The US aircraft manufacturer highlighted how the company is building cleaner, more fuel-efficient airplanes and finding innovative ways to recycle

June 7, 2019 Read Full Article

Finland to Join Other Nordic Countries in Reducing Emissions in Aviation

by Robin Whitlock (Renewable Energy Magazine) Finland’s incoming government has today (June 4, 2019) introduced a government programme establishing ambitious climate targets and a goal for carbon neutral Finland in 2035. — … “This is a significant goal, enabling Finland to join the forerunners in reducing emissions in aviation” said Ilkka Räsänen, Director,

June 7, 2019 Read Full Article

Brazil to Let Mills Sell Ethanol Directly to Gas Stations

Marcela Ayres and Marcelo Teixeira (Reuters) The Brazilian government on Tuesday paved the way for ethanol makers to sell the fuel directly to gas stations, by passing a resolution to boost fuel industry competition, although additional legislation is required to bypass fuel distributors. The resolution by CNPE, the energy policy council,

June 6, 2019 Read Full Article

Meaningful Solutions for a Changing Climate Require Proactive Partnerships

(Solutions from the Land) One of Solution from the Land’s (SfL) primary missions over the past decade has been to help and inspire agricultural and forestry sector leaders to become powerful voices in the broader discussion of climate change, including adaptation and mitigation. Towards this end, SfL has been building state,

June 4, 2019 Read Full Article

Ag Leaders Shaping Global Climate Strategies… Who Would Have Thought?

(Solutions from the Land) Solutions from the Land takes great pride in supporting the North American Climate Smart Action Alliance (NACSAA) as it continues its important work in putting farmers, ranchers and foresters in a central position to develop the steps needed to adapt to changing climate conditions, sequester carbon,

June 4, 2019 Read Full Article

Biodiesel Containing Malaysian Palm Oil to Be Tested on Chinese Vehicle

by Beh Yuen Hui (The Star) Some 180 sanitary trucks will use biodiesel containing Malaysian palm oil in a pilot project to test its feasibility on Chinese vehicles. The programme will be carried out by Tsinghua University in collaboration with Beijing TUS-Deqing Bioenergy and the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB). … (Primary Industries

June 4, 2019 Read Full Article

FEFAC Releases Its Publication on the Feed Industry’s Use of Co-Products

(European Feed Manufacturers’ Association) On 3 June 2019, FEFAC released its publication called “Co-products, an essential part of animal nutrition”, which aims to create increased awareness among EU stakeholders and policy makers about the feed industry’s extensive use of co-products. The publication describes how co-products such as brewers’ grains, sugar beet

June 4, 2019 Read Full Article

IEA Bioenergy Annual Report 2018

(IEA Bioenergy) This document contains the report of the IEA Bioenergy Executive Committee for 2018. This year, we have presented a special feature ‘ Measuring, governing and gaining support for sustainable bioenergy supply chains – lessons and messages from a three-year Inter-Task project’, the preparation of which was led by Task 40. … On 10 January 2018,

June 3, 2019 Read Full Article

Biofuels Production and Consumption in Brazil: Status, Advances and Challenges

Glaucia Mendes Souza, Rubens Maciel Filho, Luís Cassinelli, Carlos Henrique de Brito Cruz and Renato D. Godinho (IEA Bioenergy Task 39) … Brazil has an energy matrix with substantial renewable content, with renewables (including hydropower) accounting for 42.9% of the total domestic energy supply (Brazilian Energy Balance 2018). … Even with an energy matrix

June 3, 2019 Read Full Article

Diesel Decarbonization Brings Transformative Opportunities for Next Generation Biodiesel Feedstocks

by William R. Thurmond (Emerging Markets Online/MENAFN) New study finds next generation feedstock markets and technologies are big winners in diesel decarbonization initiatives for low carbon fuels. In the U.S., Canada, Europe, Asia, and Latin America, strong demand signals and incentives for diesel decarbonization are driving the rapid expansion of next

June 3, 2019 Read Full Article

From Ethanol Plants to Protein Factories: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Green Plains

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Digest’s new “Stocks Worth Tracking” Multi-Slide Guide Series highlights hot companies that are making strides in the bioeconomy. Today’s “Stock Worth Tracking” is Green Plains. Green Plains corn milling platform has changed and improved the dry mill corn process, but their technologies are now going

June 3, 2019 Read Full Article

Argonne Releases Updated Computer Model to Help Bioenergy Developers Conserve Water

(Argonne National Laboratory) Critical updates to WATER tool help the bioenergy industry manage resources. — The U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory recently released an updated version of an online computer model meant to help bioenergy developers preserve critical resources. The model, called Water Analysis Tool for Energy Resources or WATER, has users from more

June 2, 2019 Read Full Article

Opportunities in High-Protein Feed

by Mallorie F. Wilken (ICM/Ethanol Producer Magazine) The market is growing and ethanol can play an important role, providing diversified revenue streams. — … Traditionally, one cheap source of protein has been distillers grains used in feeding swine, poultry, and dairy and beef cattle. Research has also shown opportunities in feeding it

June 2, 2019 Read Full Article

Ethanol Saves Sugar Makers Amid Supply Glut

by Yash Upadhyaya (Bloomberg Quint) High-margin ethanol business aided India’s sugar makers’ earnings even as a record output in the domestic market pushed prices lower in the first half of the year. The distilleries business—that contributes 7-17 percent to the overall revenue of India’s three large sugar makers—accounted for around 50 percent

May 31, 2019 Read Full Article

Rising Corn Prices Hurt Ethanol Margins: Heavy Midwest Rains Drive Up Corn Prices, Hit Ethanol Producers Hard

by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) … The latest planting progress report tells the story for worsening ethanol margins. An estimated 58% of U.S. corn was planted as of last Sunday, the slowest progress since at least 1980. Corn planting was up 9 percentage points from 49% the previous week, but was

May 31, 2019 Read Full Article

European Ethanol Scores Higher Greenhouse Gas Savings – Again

(ePURE) EU ethanol production and use resulted in more than 71% average savings over fossil fuels in 2018, according to the latest certified producer data; it’s the seventh straight year ethanol’s decarbonisation performance has improved — European renewable ethanol delivered an average of more than 71% greenhouse-gas savings compared to fossil fuels

May 31, 2019 Read Full Article

Strategy for Growth: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Pacific Ethanol

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Digest’s new “Stocks Worth Tracking” Multi-Slide Guide Series highlights hot companies that are making strides in the bioeconomy. Today’s “Stock Worth Tracking” is Pacific Ethanol. Pacific Ethanol was originally founded in 2003 as the first pure-play ethanol company and now has nine bio-refineries in the

May 31, 2019 Read Full Article

Fuel Forward: The Digest’s 2019 Enhanced Multi-Slide Guide to Renewable Energy Group

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Earlier this month, Renewable Energy Group released its 2019 Q1 earnings and held its quarterly earnings conference call with analysts and media. The complete webcast of the event is available at regi.com. Participating in the call for REG were CEO Cynthia J. Warner, CFO Chad Stone, and

May 30, 2019 Read Full Article

Total Prepares to Begin Operations at La Mède Biorefinery

by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) French multinational oil giant Total S.A. is just days away from a much-anticipated startup at its La Mède biorefinery in the south of France. A representative of Total told Biodiesel Magazine that the renewable diesel processing facility is on track to begin commercial production in late May or