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
(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
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
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
(Pacific Business News) The University of Hawaii’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources will receive a $6 million federal grant to continue its work to convert grass and other biomass into biofuel. The college will use the money, which comes
(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
by Kristie Neo (ChannelNewsAsia) The world's first genetically modified Jatropha plant can produce biodiesel faster and better. Plans are in the pipeline to start field trials and commercialise it in three years. With genetic modification, the seeds from the Jatropha
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) Members of Congress are exchanging dueling fact sheets about corn ethanol and the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2). Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) sent an email last month to members of the House Commerce, and Agriculture and Energy Committees
by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association) USDA released its first estimate of the 2012 corn crop--and it is a big one. According to today’s USDA projections, record U.S. corn production of 14.79 billion bushels is expected in 2012. That’s up
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) What’s up? What’s next? New pathways, plus country-by-country yield data. Sorghum. It’s a feedstock right out the pages of the old South – sorghum syrup served with corn bread and Lowcountry boils. ...There’s sweet sorghum and grain
by Mike Cohen (Bloomberg BusinessWeek) Illovo Sugar Ltd. (ILV), Africa’s largest sugar producer, said it has ended its involvement in the Markala sugar project in Mali because of incomplete funding and a deteriorating security situation in the West African nation. The
(Fox Business) General Electric Co. (GE) said Thursday it will invest 500 million reais ($245.5 million) in a research-and-development center in Rio de Janeiro. The center, which should be operational in the second half of 2013 and employ 400, will focus
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Brazil, GraalBio Investimentos plans to invest $724.5 million in five cellulosic ethanol plants during the next few years. The first 21.6 million gallon facility in Alagoas that will use sugarcane bagasse as feedstock is expected to
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... (T)he company’s metrics in cellulosic biofuels are starting to look compelling. Not only is commercialization a lot less than five years away – a massive breakout in capacity building looks feasible within that time
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Regardless of its naming deficiencies, waste has been hot and getting hotter as a bioenergy feedstock because it solves three of the most pressing problems blocking capacity expansion. 1. The feedstocks are available at fixed, affordable
by Matt Daily (Reuters/Huffington Post) After a decade of promise, advanced biofuels makers are entering a crucial make-or-break period with the first of a new generation of production facilities about to come on line. The new facilities are designed to take
(Western Farm Press) The U.S. military is very interested in alternative fuels — in particular, the wood-based biofuels being researched and produced at the University of Maine. Three methods, or pathways, to producing biofuel for use in military jets are
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Mozambique, the first sustainable cooking fuel facility was inaugurated by Federal Minister of Agriculture José Pacheco. The CleanStar project will produce ethanol-based cooking fuel for sale with the company’s cookstoves, an affordable new form of
by Scott Irwin and Darrel Good (Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics University of Illinois)...The rise in ethanol production has recently run up against what is known as the “blend wall.” Domestic ethanol consumption is almost entirely in the form of low level blends
by Noah Haglund (The Weekly Herald) The company has agreed to compensate the county for $143,000 in goods and services it didn't deliver for a canola project. Snohomish County's experiment helping farmers turn crops into biodiesel hasn't been a failure, but
(Radio New Zealand International) Pacific nations which are most under threat from rising seas have vowed to abandon diesel and other dirty, expensive fuels and replace them with clean sources of energy. Using coconut biofuel and solar panels, Tokelau plans to
(PRWEB) Researchers at The NCERC today announced that they have successfully produced ethanol from the cellulosic portion of the corn kernel. “This research is demonstrated proof of the viability of ‘generation 2.0 ethanol,’” NCERC Director John Caupert said. “By utilizing
(NYDailyNews) Rapping the rural development ministry's land resources department for the "inordinate delay" in finalising a bio-fuels programme, a parliamentary panel has sought for the matter be placed before the cabinet at the earliest for a decision on its continuance. The
(Payvand Iran News) Iran will start producing industrial bio-ethanol from cellulosic material soon. Bio-ethanol can be used as petrol supplementary and it will increase the octane number of petrol as it is added to the fuel. It will lead to the decrease of greenhouse fuel production. Bio-ethanol
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...The first World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates for 2012, from the US Department of Agriculture, give us an opportunity to review that debate. Let’s go back 10 years ago, before the first Renewable Fuel Standard was
by Rosemary Westwood (Columbia Reports) Colombia's biofuels exceed international standards for reducing greenhouse gas emissions – advancing the country’s goal to become a leading ethanol producer, according to a new government report. The study commissioned by the Ministry of Mines and Energy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...It doesn’t take a casual observer very long to see the China’s activity in industrial biotechnology accelerating, as more and more technologies develop there, or transfer there via JVs or licenses. What does a win
by Lisa Perkins (Traverse City Record-Eagle) Bill Koucky will soon produce biodiesel fuel, after years of planning, experimenting and jumping through regulatory hoops. ...Traverse City will be home to a biodiesel fuel plant when Koucky's Northwest Michigan Biodiesel LLC swings into
by David Brough (Reuters) Global biofuel demand fell in 2011 due to the impact of government requirements and greater incentives in food markets, but usage is set to grow driven by new technologies, commodities house Czarnikow said on Friday. "This comes despite a
(MarketWire) An article in F1000 Biology Reports (http://f1000.com/reports/biology) published today (May 2, 2012) argues that recent advances in knowledge mean that plant-derived biofuels could meet about 30% of the global demand for liquid transportation fuels, drastically reducing the amounts of
(Business Wire) TMO Renewables (“TMO Group”), a leading technology provider for cellulosic biofuels production, today announced the company has advanced to demonstration scale on cassava stalk feedstock with major Chinese fuel and food producers. TMO is now processing an initial
(Ceres) • Pilot project validates U.S.-produced sweet sorghum as a potential feedstock for advanced biofuels and bio-products. • Conversion efficiency of sweet sorghum sugars were similar to sugarcane. Energy crop company Ceres, Inc. (Nasdaq: CERE) today announced its improved sweet sorghum hybrids
by Eric Didier Karinganire (AllAfrica.com) For some years now, there has been talk of locally producing biofuel to make the country less dependent on petrol imports. But until now, production levels are still insignificant. Yet about four years ago, the
(FarmingUK.com) Latest government figures reveal that the vast majority of biofuels supplied in the UK are made from imported feedstock, with almost nine out of every 10 litres of foreign origin. The NFU have said that UK biofuel growers have been
by Erin Voegele (Biorefining Magazine) ...According to LBNL, the work focuses on transferring a hydrocarbon-synthesizing gene from cyanobacteria into a tobacco plant. The resulting plants would be able to produce fuel molecules within their leaves. Rather than undergoing a typical
by Erin Voegele (Biodiesel Magazine) Panama Green Fuels, an entity working to establish biodiesel infrastructure within Panama, recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the director of the country’s National School of Agriculture (IDIAP) to use the school’s land to
by Erin Voegele (Biorefining Magazine) ...The BioFeed model is the product of University of Illinois researchers funded by BP’s Energy Biosciences Institute under a research program titled Engineering Solutions for Biomass Feedstock Production. According to Kuan Chong Ting, a professor
by Martin Roberts (Reuters) ...European biodiesel makers will be able to sell an additional one million tonnes a year in Spain after new measures which effectively shut out Argentine and Indonesian imports, an industry spokesman said. Spain decreed on April 20
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Shell and Iogen cancel their long-contemplated Canadian cellulosic ethanol project, and announce 150 layoffs. ...In Canada, Shell and Iogen announced that they will not pursue the jointly owned 23 million gallon Iogen Energy cellulosic ethanol project
by Margaret Broeren (Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center) ...Much more than a buzzword, “sustainable” means that trade-offs—social, environmental and economic factors—have been measured, modeled and validated against actual “boots on the ground data” measured at agricultural research stations and on Midwestern
by Diane Wagner (Rome News Tribune) The Floyd County Commission is expected to decide at its May 8 meeting if it will allow local farmers to make a limited amount of ethanol onsite, for use as fuel for their equipment. No opposition
(Virdia/Biorefining Magazine) Cellulosic sugar developer Virdia announced April 24 the opening of its demonstration facility at its new technology center in Danville, Va. Located on the campus for the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, the facility is designed to
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Finding synergy between biogas, ethanol and power generation – the Maabjerg Energy Concept promises a new approach to energy economics and sustainability, through the capture and repurpose of industrial byproducts. ...Last August, the Danish prospects for
by Bob Brooks (Automotive Industries) At least two commercially viable biofuel off take agreements with suppliers are expected to be announced this year with airlines, according to Airline Association VP & Economist, John Heimlich. This information was relayed to AUTOMOTIVE
(EurActiv) Conventional biofuels like biodiesel increase carbon dioxide emissions and are too expensive to consider as a long-term alternative fuel, a draft EU report says. The study ‘EU Transport GHG [greenhouse gases]: Routes to 2050’ estimates that before indirect effects are counted,
(Radio New Zealand) The researchers are putting 7000 Miscanthus giganteus plants on sites near Port Chalmers and Oturehua in central Otago to test its growth patterns and frost-resistance. Lead botanist Janice Lord says the grass has great potential because it is dry, easy
by Liu Yuanyuan (RenewableEnergyWorld.com) China seeks to promote the development of its biofuels industry through a series of supportive measures despite mass production difficulties. A spokesperson for the National Energy Bureau said that the Chinese government has set a goal
(The United Soybean Board/Biodiesel Magazine) ...As part of a larger strategy to promote soy biodiesel’s benefits among diesel users, the checkoff will once again co-sponsor the National Tractor Pullers Association season of approximately 80 tractor pulls across the United States.
(The Hindu Business Line) The biotechnology division of the National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST) here has set up a Centre for Biofuels. It will be a nodal centre for research in the field, a spokesman for NIIST
(University of Florida) A University of Florida-led research team has been selected to participate in a five-year, $125 million energy project involving the United States and India, U.S. Department of Energy officials have announced. Known as the Joint Clean Energy Research and
(NFU Online) The updated Red Tractor farm assurance scheme for crops and sugar beet is on the verge of being officially accepted across the EU in time for this year’s harvest, the NFU said today. The move is designed to help give crops
(MarketWire) - Biofuel test program led by Bombardier Aerospace, Porter Airlines, Pratt & Whitney Canada and Targeted Growth successfully concluded - Program funded by the key partners and by Business-Led Networks of Centres of Excellence (BL-NCE) Program through GARDN Porter Airlines today
(Painel Forestal) Currently, the planting of forests in Tocantins generates about six thousand jobs, a number that should be raised to 60,000 by 2017. According to a survey conducted by Seagro, Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Agricultural Development in 2011, the
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) As Honeywell and Agrisoma collaborate to pioneer aviation biofuels from a new carinata-based feedstock, critics wonder exactly why the military is paying so much for the biofuels it is utilizing for tests. In Illinois, UOP announced
by Dan Piller (Des Moines Register) Cellulosic ethanol could use a break, and it appears that the U.S. military may be riding to the rescue. A Missouri cooperative called (what else?) ShowMe Energy is building an $80 million, 3 million gallon
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Four projects, four technologies, four feedstocks, four geographies. Couldn’t be more differentiated, couldn’t be more linked in terms of affirming investor confidence in advanced biofuels. ...Virent CEO Lee Edwards... outlined four basic industry goals for 2012-13 that
(GEM Biofuels) ... Based on the internal review it is clear that, having planted very large areas of land, totalling 55,737 hectares, with Jatropha between 2007 and 2009, a lack of resources has resulted in significantly less success than had
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) North American sugar-to-ethanol strategy differs from Brazil’s, Europe’s ...North Dakota-based Green Vision Group is resolutely moving forward with a plan to build multiple 20 MMgy dedicated energy beet plants in the state. ...More than 3,000 miles
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Guido Ghisolfi is a confident man. A chemical engineer by trade, at 55, he’s already spent three decades leading research and development (R&D) activities at Italy-based Mossi & Ghisolfi Group, a $3 billion per
by Vicky Boyd (The Grower) Growing a biofuels crop on old citrus ground or rotating it with vegetables just doesn’t pencil out, even with today’s high fuel prices. But add in a legume cover crop and another short-season oilseed crop, and
by Peter Byrne (The Energy Report) Believe it or not, industry experts see biofuels accounting for up to 25% of global energy consumption by 2050. With this long-term vision in mind, Mark McHugh, president and CEO of consultancy firm CenAm
(City of Galesburg) Pennycress Energy and the EBI Network are promoting Pennycress as a renewable, alternative energy fuel crop for the Galesburg/West Central Illinois Region. The project, generating interest among growers, will identify possible investors and explore a press mill
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) There’s water, water everywhere, hardly a drop to use. The latest on Sustainable, Affordable, Reliable, Available biomass feedstocks that keep down the stress on our water tables. ...The basic dilemma in perennial biomass crops is well
by Aviva Glaser and Patty Glick (National Wildlife Federation) Without question, America needs to transition to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future. As we move forward with our energy choices, we must be mindful of how short term economic decisions can
by Greg Breining (University of Minnesota/Bioenergy Connection) ...Did demand for biofuel feedstocks, such as corn, sugarcane, rapeseed, and soybeans, drive the high cost of food? Many analysts later pinned most of the blame on commodities speculation, oil prices, and weather—not
(US Department of Agriculture) A recent study conducted by researchers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) highlights the potential for alternative energy production at airports. The study findings were published in an
(U.S. Geological Survey) USGS scientists have developed a new method for mapping grasslands that demonstrate high potential for growing biofuel crops with relatively little energy input and environmental impact. The pioneering investigation used remote sensing data from satellites to identify detailed
by Erin Voegele (Biodiesel Magazine) ...Although India’s biodiesel industry is small, it does show potential for growth. This week World Health Energy Holdings announced plans to establish algae biodiesel production in two areas of the country are moving forward. READ MORE
by Gavin Lumsden (CityWire) The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has launched an investigation into Sustainable AgroEnergy, a London-based company that promoted itself to Sipp investors as a specialist in renewable biofuel crops and 'green oil' from Asia. According to Citywire's New Model Adviser magazine, which broke
by Dan Piller (Des Moines Register) Fuel for carriers, jets adds demand for biofuel source other than corn A Missouri cooperative called (what else?) ShowMe Energy is building an $80 million, 3 million gallon facility that will open in 2014 and
by Cori Anne Natoli (DelawareOnline) The DuPont Co. won the 2012 Sustainable Biofuels award for its research project on the transport and storage of corn stover for conversion to biofuel. The Stover Harvest Project is a collaborative effort led by DuPont’s Iowa-based Pioneer
(Business Day) State wants industry to source feedstock from small-scale farmers, writes Hopewell Radebe The government has not moved an inch on the proposal by the farming community to include maize as an alternative crop for biofuel production since the Department
by Harry Cline (Western Farm Press) Former sugar beet growers on the West Side of the San Joaquin Valley are expected to learn next month whether they’ll be able to take the next step in an ambitious plan to return
by Erin Voegele (Biodiesel Magazine) Archer Daniels Midland Co. Agri-Industries Lloydminster oilseeds processing facility recently announced the introduction of its Sustainable Grower Program in connection with the sustainability certification it has earned from the International Sustainability and Carbon
(MarketWire) Flight to be scheduled just before Earth Day with a Bombardier Q400 turboprop - Preparatory test flight successfully flown by Bombardier in February 2012 In mid-April, Porter Airlines plans to use one of its Bombardier Q400 turboprop airliners to conduct
(Trend) ...Iran produced a sample of biofuel six months ago and is preparing to start its production. Located in the Khuzestan Province's Haft-Tapeh, a new 10,000 liter capacity biofuel facility will begin operating in the near future. Iran's biofuel, or bioethanol,
by Kelly Madsen (IowaStateDaily.com) The Iowa State University-led Cenusa Bioenergy project works to develop a biofuel with both a Midwestern and environmental focus. Through a five-year, $25 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In “Four Star Biofuels: How the Pentagon Is Outpacing Civilians in Gen2 Adoption” a special Raymond James look at the military and biofuels demand, Pavel Molchanov writes: “A key differentiator of the next-generation (Gen2) biofuel
(Neste Oil) Already 49% of the raw materials that Neste Oil used in 2011 to produce its renewable fuel was certified. This was an increase of 28 percentage points on the figure for 2010, and nearly quadruple in terms of
(Grand Forks Herald) Energae LP, the group planning to reopen the former Alchem Ltd. ethanol plant in Grafton, N.D., will conduct a meeting at noon Friday for sugar beet growers. The meeting will be at Marketplace on Eighth. About 75 people attended
(Dow Jones Newswire) A push by U.S. ethanol companies into corn oil is starting to give the livestock industry indigestion. Corn oil, which is used both for cooking oil and to make biodiesel fuel, has emerged over the last year as
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...Here are five types of technologies that straddle the political divide between green and black. Re-using industrial waste gases Here are three companies aiming at capturing CO2 and either directly converting to fuels, or using it as
by Anna Austin (Biomass Power and Thermal Magazine) The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition has released its 2012 Farm Bill platform, which provides suggestions to improve some federal bioenergy programs. These include the Repowering Assistance Program and the Biomass Crop Assistance
by Stu Ellis (FarmGateBlog) ...Now the bloom is off the rose. Gasoline demand is down, the blend wall is pushing ethanol demand down, and corn prices are not as strong as they once were. ...He (Bob Wisner, biofuels economist at Iowa
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...Sugar prices are booming, good news for producers in Brazil, India and elsewhere, but in Brazil it has created, shall we say, a certain reluctance to maximize ethanol production. Part of the reason for high prices,
By Joanne Ivancic (Advanced Biofuels USA) At the March 21 Bioenergy Day on Capitol Hill, discussion focused on the need for a continued Renewable Fuels Standard, reviews of the history of biofuels, assessment of current questioning of biofuels as viable
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) BP to showcase capabilities in low-carbon fuels at 2012 London Olympics. BP Biofuels chief Phil New outlines the BP’s path towards “getting biofuels right”. “6 percent of the entire BP workforce is now working in biofuels,”
by John Maday (Drovers Cattle Network) A couple weeks ago, we ran an article titled “Feeding the biofuels beast,” which documented a University of Montana study suggesting current production methods and policy for biofuels are unsustainable. The article drew a number of
(Agra-net.com) Usimat Destilaria de Alcohol said it has started ethanol production from corn during the intercrop season in Mato Grosso. In recent weeks, it produced 90,000 litres of ethanol from corn. It has invested BRL20 mln ($1=BRL1.75) in new equipment.
by Erin Voegele (Biodiesel Magazine) The Government of Saskatchewan has announced it will provide up to $1.7 million to Milligan Bio-Tech Inc. under the Saskatchewan Biofuels Investment Opportunity (SaskBIO) program. The program provides repayable contributions for the construction or expansion
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Yield unlocks value, and especially feedstock yield. What’s the latest? What feedstocks are reporting yields that could support 1000+ gallons per acre for terrestrial crops? ...Yield from the acre, yield from the ton, yield from the
By Meng Yew Choong (The Star) Palm oil milling is far from benign, but the industry is frantically conducting research to realise low-emission technologies. The zero-discharge plant is one such bold concept. THE extraction of palm oil involves a number of
(JOil) • Tamil Nadu sites achieve first-year flowering in three months and first harvest in five months • Field trials now being conducted in India, Indonesia, the Philippines and Cambodia JOil (S) Pte. Ltd., a scientific bioenergy crop developer of a new
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...But in the past two years, five technologies have emerged that are focused on renewable gasoline (along with some others that have the capability of producing gasoline-like fuels but are focused primarily on diesel or
by Sarah Bittleman (USDA/25 x '25) America needs and is developing a reliable, sustainable, fuel supply. If we are able to produce more of it here at home – rather than relying on foreign oil – we’ll generate good, middle-class jobs
by Kay Ledbetter (PhysOrg.com) Crude glycerin, a byproduct of biodiesel production, could be an economical ingredient in cattle diets, according to studies by Texas AgriLife Research and West Texas A&M University personnel. Dr. Jim MacDonald, AgriLife Research beef cattle nutritionist in Amarillo, said
(Télam. National News Agency of Argentina.) Industry Minister Débora Giorgi met with Entre Ríos Production Minister, Roberto Schunk, who presented a US$ 40 million investment project from a local company that will open a factory for the production of bio
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Ethanol serves as not only a liquid transportation fuel but also as a feedstock for biobased chemical production Although ethanol is generally associated with the transportation fuel market, it is in no way limited to
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ...Analysts may disagree on the exact indirect effects of ethanol production, but they agree that the industry has had a positive direct effect on jobs and GDP over the past year. Whether that same
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Al-Corn Clean Fuel, a 50 MMgy plant in Claremont, Minn., is working with a St. Paul company investigating secondary production of green diesel at a new or existing ethanol plant. The project is fueled
(iStockAnalyst) Four-Year Agreement Includes 100 Acres of PowerCane Miscanthus Near BP Biofuels' Demonstration Plant in Jennings, Louisiana Mendel Biotechnology, Inc. (MBI) and BP Biofuels have signed a four-year agreement to conduct a demonstration field trial of Mendel's PowerCane™ Miscanthus and evaluate
(FreshFruitPortal.com) Indonesia and Malaysia have questioned a U.S. decision that their palm oil fails to meet regulatory greenhouse gas reduction standards, website Antaranews.com reported. They disagreed with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ruling that biofuels from Indonesia and Malaysia cut only 17%
by Joelle Brink (Biofuels Digest Asia) In Indonesia, Mission New Energy is developing a new downstream palm oil and oleo-chemical complex, in partnership with PTPN III. The complex will be located located at PTPNIII’s Sei Mangkei Industrial Zone in North
by Cory Nealon (Daily Press) U.S. must "hustle" to reach goal, Ag. Secretary Tom Vilsack says ...Vilsack expects the U.S. will eventually produce 15 billion gallons of corn-based ethanol, a target set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. But the rest
by Theodore Kouadio (AllAfrica.com) Senegal's government has called on the expertise of the country's researchers in drafting a new national law to regulate the production and environmental impact of biofuels. The law was developed in collaboration with scientists from the country's
by Stephan Nielsen (Bloomberg) Usina de Acucar Santa Terezinha Ltda., a Brazilian ethanol producer, plans to invest 500 million reais ($283 million) in a mill and sugar-cane plantations as the country seeks to increase its supply of the renewable
by Leslie Brooks Suzukamo (TwinCities.com/Pioneer Press) Cellulosic ethanol - ethanol made from nonfood crops - has been an alluring but elusive promise. That promise might finally be taking solid form. Today, ethanol powerhouse Poet will officially break ground on a $250 million
by Nadim Chaudhry (Biofuels Digest/Greenpower Conferences) 1500 industry leaders expected to gather in Rotterdam as oil prices, aviation dominate thinking on growth, in 100-leader industry survey. As we gear up for the 2012 World Biofuels Markets event in Rotterdam, March 13-15, we asked
by Stu Ellis (FarmGateBlog) Every day supertankers full of $100 per barrel oil are docking at US ports where other supertankers full of $1 per gallon ethanol have just departed for overseas markets. While some folks have trouble understanding the
by Pamela Glinski (Highlands Today) Vercipia is no more. The name has been changed to BP Biofuels, Highlands Ethanol LLC, explained Mike Milicevic, the agricultural operations manager for the company. Vercipia was a joint-venture company formed when Verenium and BP decided
by Bob Dinneen (Ethanol Producer Magazine/Renewable Fuels Association) One glance at the headlines of any newspaper in America is all that is needed to appreciate the importance of America’s evolving ethanol and renewable fuel industry. Whether it is turmoil in
(Pernambuco.com) The Institute of Applied Economic Research (IPEA) points as a solution to consolidate the biodiesel program in the country diversification of agricultural production, reducing dependence on tax incentives and lower costs of the final product. A study released today (1)
(Maverick BioFuels) Companies will integrate technologies to accelerate the cost competitive production of transportation fuels and bioplastics from biomass and waste feedstocks... Maverick Biofuels, a second-generation biofuels and bioplastics technology company, and TopLine Energy Systems (TES) , an advanced technology manufacturer
by S. Coward (Caribbean Press Releases) Jamaica could soon benefit from significant new investment in a number of sectors, coming out of the just concluded Jamaica Investment Forum. A number of the investors, who attended the event held from March 1
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In California, Cobalt Technologies announced that it has successfully demonstrated its dilute acid hydrolysis pretreatment process, the first step of Cobalt’s process for converting sugars into n-butanol for use as a renewable chemical or fuel. Cobalt’s dilute
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the EPA withdrew the direct final rule to allow camelina, energy cane, napiergrass, and giant reed to meet the RFS2. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson said: “EPA published a direct final rule on January 5, 2012 (77
by Felicity Carus (Aol Energy) Now that almost all the gasoline in the United States is blended with up to 10% ethanol, producers are looking to export markets and refiners are looking at retooling strategies to tap into the burgeoning second
(Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) Multi stakeholder initiative, the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) reported unprecedented growth for Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO) in the year 2011 as accounted for in its inaugural qualitative review entitled “2011 RSPO CSPO
by Tina Casey (Talking Points Memo) Republicans recently had themselves a good laugh over President Obama’s enthusiasm for biofuel made from algae, but they might want to stifle that chuckle when it comes to another modest-seeming but potentially important feedstock for biofuel,
(Daily Nation) A Sh12 billion biofuel complex to produce fuel ethanol from tropical sugar beet will be started in Bungoma, with construction commencing immediately. The first trail run is expected early next year. The company, Webco, which is funded by investors
(Manila Bulletin) The government is subjecting to fuel standard testing the jatropha biodiesel of Malaysia-based Bionas which is offering to supply what it claims to possibly become the world’s first jatropha biodiesel. The Department of Energy (DoE) is expected to evaluate
(Caribbean Journal) The Dominican Republic’s National Energy Commission signed a technical cooperation agreement Friday with the Inter-American Development Bank on the development of bioenergy. The agreement will develop a series of studies on bioenergy, taking into account the country’s cooperation on
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) What are Google, BP, Conoco, and GE investing? Is 3,000 gallons per acre of renewable gasoline possible? In the past few weeks, news has begun to circulate around the industry – and expanded by Twitter and
(The Washington Post/AP) Calling cassava “the Rambo of food crops,” scientists Monday said the long-neglected root becomes even more productive in hotter temperatures and could be the best bet for African farmers threatened by climate change. ...The root outperformed potatoes, maize,
by Francesco Guarascio and Barbara Lewis (Reuters) The EU forestry and farming sectors will have to monitor and report from 2013 any changes to land use that could affect greenhouse gas emissions as part of the bloc's measures to curb climate change,
(University of Illinois) With the support of a $3.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, researchers will take the first steps toward engineering two new oil-rich crops. They aim to boost the natural, oil-producing capabilities of sugarcane and
by Saroj Shrestha (JCN Network) Sojitz Corp. and Hitachi Zosen Corp. have launched a model project for production of bioethanol from potato starch residue in the Keshan State Farm in Harbin City, in China's Heilongjiang Province. The project is being conducted
by Alex Morales (Bloomberg) Royal DSM NV, the Dutch enzyme maker which last month set up a cellulosic ethanol venture with Poet LLC, is seeking similar tie-ups in Brazil, China and Europe, Chief Executive Officer Feike Sijbesma said. DSM last month said it’s providing
by Andrew Herndon (Bloomberg) Gevo Inc. (GEVO), the U.S. biotechnology company backed by oil refiner Total SA (FP) and specialty chemicals maker Lanxess AG (LXS), rose the most in two weeks after saying it expects to begin shipments in July, on schedule, from a plant
(Dow Jones Newswires/Fox Business) China's aviation regulator has begun deliberating China Petroleum & Chemical Corp.'s (SNP) application to produce aviation biofuel commercially, the refiner said Wednesday, while a senior aviation official said the country hopes that nearly a third of the fuel used by
(American Chemical Society) Almost 80 percent of current farmland in the U.S. would have to be devoted to raising corn for ethanol production in order to meet current biofuel production targets with existing technology, a new study has found. An
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Removing fiber from dried distillers grains with solubles using the elusieve process results in an enhanced product with greater nutritional value for growing and finishing pigs, according to a study conducted by researchers at
(Shanghai Daily) A bilateral cooperative project on the study of biomass fuel sponsored by the Chinese and Swedish governments has made initial progress and is expected to enter the experimental phase, according to experts speaking at a workshop held in
by Robert Mbakou (Bloomberg BusinessWeek) Spain’s Biocongo Global Trading will spend 150 million euros ($201 million) developing 60,000 hectares (148,000 acres) of palm oil plantations and two processing plants in Congo Republic over the next five years, according to a
(UPI) Growing crops for fuel as opposed to refining fossil fuels and substituting bioethanol for gasoline is a sustainable energy strategy, Japanese researchers say. In a study published in the International Journal of Foresight and Innovation Policy, researchers analyzed the overall
by Dirk Lammers (NewsOK) A South Dakota corn ethanol plant will soon begin producing a fuel additive with a wider variety of uses. Tom Hitchcock, chief executive of Redfield Energy, said the 50 million gallon-per-year plant is teaming with Englewood, Colo.-based Gevo to convert the facility in
by Lori Valigra (Mass High Tech) Renewable fuels company Mascoma Corp. of Lebanon, N.H., said Wednesday that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine has completed its scientific review of the company’s MGT yeast product and supports its use to produce
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Novozymes releases a new, high-performance enzyme for advanced cellulosic biofuels: Cellic CTec3. Will Novozymes win the enzyme wars? Will enzymes defeat gasification? When will renewables defeat fossil fuels on cost? In Denmark, Novozymes announced their latest enzyme
by Lori Ranson (FlightGlobal) Successful commercial biofuel flights operated by US carriers in late 2011 were underpinned by an understanding that price and supply chain infrastructure remain the big hurdles to creating a viable full-scale alternative aviation fuels industry in
by Kelly Madsen (Iowa State Daily) For the past decade, corn ethanol has predominated Midwest biofuel production. But with increased technology and interest, an additional ethanol — cellulosic ethanol — may also shape local farming. ...Essentially, cellulosic ethanol utilizes the corn
(Big Pond News) Australia will need a vibrant bio-fuel industry more than ever if Caltex decides to close its refineries, independent MP Bob Katter says. Caltex Australia has flagged shutting its two domestic refineries in Sydney and Brisbane, putting 800 jobs
by Wendell Roelf (Reuters Africa) South Africa plans to invest 2 billion rand ($258.5 million) to build an ethanol plant and help a nascent biofuels sector that could reduce the country's reliance on imported fuel, an industry player said on
(The Manila Times) Sugar industry stakeholders may have to take a hard look at the Biofuels Law as an option now that it is clear there is no way to stop or postpone trade liberalization come 2015. Luis Tongoy, Trustee of
(Science Daily) A team of chemical engineers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst has discovered a small molecule that behaves the same as cellulose when it is converted to biofuel. Studying this 'mini-cellulose' molecule reveals for the first time the
(Pellets-Wood.com) The Ministry of Agricultural Policy of Ukraine announced that it intends to allocate 40 million tons of sugar beet for the production of biofuel. It will reduce the volume of imports of fuel and, in addition, biofuel is environmentally safe
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...The changes at Codexis and delayed IPO at Ceres are indications that life in the public markets remains a rough one for early-stage industrial biotech companies. The changes at Codexis come after the company’s shares
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and a handful of bioenergy stakeholders were given the opportunity to present the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry with their opinions on the importance of the Farm Bill’s
by Steve Tarter (The State-Journal Register) More U.S. ethanol was shipped overseas in 2011 than any year in history. The Washington, D.C.-based Renewable Fuels Association reported that 1.1 billion gallons of ethanol — worth about $2.5 billion — were exported to
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