by Mario Parker and Leslie Patton (Bloomberg) Yellow grease prices jump 230% since 2000 as refiners buy more; Black market growing, and more thefts expected in warm weather -- ... Stealing old vegetable oil that’s been used to cook chicken nuggets and french
by Parimal M. Rohit (The Log) USC’s Wrigley Institute and Marine BioEnergy propose an experimental project to produce a biofuel alternative. -- Plans to build an experimental kelp cultivation system just off the shore of Catalina Island is slated to be
(Business Standard/Press Trust of India) Praj Industries, the global process solutions company, today said it has commenced its first integrated second generation technology (2G) smart bio-refinery to produce ethanol from agri-waste in Gujarat. The 2G demo plant produces ethanol by processing
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Digest had a well-received webinar on cellulosic ethanol, featuring in-demand industry consultants Michele Rubino and Michael Schultz, on hand to detail the very latest in a wide array of approaches to making cellulosic biofuels from wastes, energy
(Commercial Alternative Aviation Fuels Initiative) ... This issue marks the release of our new newsletter format in which we will answer relevant questions related to sustainable alternative jet fuel (SAJF) and periodically feature case studies on successes and challenges in
(Commercial Alternative Aviation Fuel Initiative) CAAFI’s R&D team continued the Seminars on Alternatives to Petroleum (SOAP)-Jet webinar series on March 24th. This webinar series is intended to provide a forum for members of the alternative jet fuel R&D community to
(Commercial Alternative Aviation Fuels Initiative) The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) recently released the aviation biofuels report, “Potential Avenues for Significant Biofuels Penetration in the U.S. Aviation Market.” The report finds that it is possible to displace 30 percent of
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Can we enable the sustainable, nationwide production of biofuels that are compatible with transportation infrastructure, displace a share of petroleum‐derived fuels to reduce U.S. dependence on oil, and encourage the creation of a new domestic
(University of Washington/Biomass Magazine) The mountain pine beetle has destroyed more than 40 million acres of forest in the western United States. That amounts to an area the size of Washington state that is strewn with conifers left for dead. The
by RNG Coalition (Biomass Magazine) A new jobs study reveals that deploying trucks fueled by renewable natural gas could create up to 130,000 new jobs and add $14 billion to California’s economy. The ‘RNG Jobs Report’ examines the economic potential of
by Tux Turkel (Portland Press Herald) 'The biggest obstacle now is financing,' says Stephen Fitzpatrick, president of Biofine Technology LLC, which is partnering with UMaine on a pilot plant at the site. -- The former Old Town Fuel and Fiber
(Netzwerk Biotreibstoffe) Even though algae remain an attractive target for bioenergy applications over the longer term because of their high photosynthetic efficiency, the near-term prospects for primary algae-based energy/fuels production are poor due to the relatively high cost of cultivating
(Biorenewable Deployment Consortium) The Biorenewable Deployment Consortium (BDC) honored BioAmber with the organization’s Spring 2017 Outstanding Achievement Award for their leadership and commercial progress in the biorenewable industry, successfully deploying the largest renewable succinic acid plant in the world. BioAmber has announced the
by Alex Lindley (Moberly Monitor) ... “What attracted us to it was it a good crop to grow on ground that wasn’t really suitable for hay or for row crops,” said Fleming, who is one of a handful of Randolph County
by Emily Gray Brosious (Extract) North Korea is reportedly producing hemp biofuel for military drones. North Korean authorities are instructing farmers to grow cannabis, and sources say the state plans to use that cannabis oil to fuel unmanned aerial vehicles, Radio Free
(IneffableIsland.com) Waste prunings from orchards, vineyards and olive groves could be a valuable source of biomass energy and help boost rural economies, say EU-funded researchers. The key ingredient is a sustainable supply chain. As the EU seeks alternatives to fossil fuels,
(CHASSY) ... Yeast is already the powerhouse behind many food flavourings, the anti-aging compound Resveratrol, the malaria drug Artemisinin, the grapefruit extract Nootkatone, insulin, bioethanol, bioplastics, and there is potential for many more industrial applications. To better exploit the potential of yeast
(Bio-Based News (Google Translation)) The nova Institute has analyzed the Commission's new RED II proposal and presented the most important results in one paper. CO 2 -based fuels are on the up, but the uneven treatment of the bio-based materials remains.
by Stephanie Reitz (UConn Communications/Biodiesel Magazine) UConn has become one of a select few public universities in the U.S. to achieve green certification for every dining hall on campus, based on practices used at each site to promote environmental sustainability. The
(American Chemical Society/EurekAlert!) Chicken is a favorite, inexpensive meat across the globe. But the bird's popularity results in a lot of waste that can pollute soil and water. One strategy for dealing with poultry poop is to turn it into
by Peter Sibon (Borneo Post) ... In South East Asia, Indonesia is moving ahead of the rest of the pack to implement B20 – an oil mix which contains 20 per cent of biodiesel derived from palm oil – in its
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Digest had a well-received webinar on C5 and C6 sugars, featuring in-demand industry consultant David Dodds and Fluid Quip exec Jeffrey Robert — looking at transformative approaches to making sugars and the chemistry that we can
(SkyNRG) On Singapore Airlines’ (SIA) 70th anniversary, the carrier operated its first flight on sustainable biofuel. The morning flight departed from San Francisco Airport on May 1st and arrived in Singapore the next day. SIA partnered with the Civil Aviation
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In India, the Haryana state government has approved Indian Oil’s investment proposal for a $93.3 million 100,000 liter per day second-generation ethanol plant using crop waste including 50 acres of free or nearly free land
(Extension.org) The Northeast region of the United States (from the Ohio River to the New England coast) has the natural, social, and technological resources needed to help create a sustainable, rural renaissance by using biomass to create biofuels, biopower, and
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Digest had a well-received webinar on drop-in renewable fuels, featuring Drop-in Fuels 2020 author and in-demand industry consultant Will Thurmond on hand to detail the very latest in a wide array of approaches to
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Although the bigger players — China, the US, Brazil and the EU take most of the headlines in the advanced bioeconomy, Canada is definitely “boxing above its weight class” these days, as the saying goes. In
by Nicole Thompson (Toronto Star/The Canadian Press) ... Waterloo will soon host a pilot program that will turn dog waste into energy, using a process called anaerobic digestion, which happens when organic waste breaks down in an environment without oxygen. The city’s
(Hoosier Ag Today/NAFB News Service) U.S. Fuel Ethanol exports are up sharply in the current marketing year, thanks in part to tighter fuel supplies in Brazil, which are resulting in higher U.S. imports. The change can be traced to an
(The Rakyat Post) Bangladesh plans to begin turning some of the grain it produces into ethanol to make its fuel greener – but economists and experts warn the move could hurt food security in a country that is already a
by Jonathan Ellis (Argus Leader) Ethanol producer Poet is suing an international engineering company that was hired to create a system to help convert biomass into ethanol, underscoring the challenges of creating inexpensive cellulosic ethanol. Poet Design & Construction Inc. hired Andritz
by Tim Snyder (Equities.com/Crudefunders) ... With that in mind, we decided to break down the question of, “Is it worth it?” into four parts: price benefits, reduction of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), oxygenate replacement and green fuel alternatives. ... Ethanol was introduced in 2006, into
“Think of it as 100+ acres of energy storage and carbon sequestration,” said Kelly King, Vice President and Co-Founder of Pacific Biodiesel and recently inaugurated member of the Maui County Council. “There are 36,000 acres of fertile sugar cane lands
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) There just isn’t an organization out there like Pacific Biodiesel. Labors on, fighting the good fight, hitting every sustainability grace note, and always surprising the industry with one more innovative way of doing things. And here’s
Laís F. Thomaz* (Advanced Biofuels USA) During three days in São Paulo, F.O. Licht and Informa Group promoted their 13th Annual Conference on Sugar & Ethanol with panels discussing investments, global trade market, updates on E2G, and innovations in bioproducts,
(Phys.Org/Kumamoto University) ... Recently, efforts have been made by researchers in Japan to reduce the cost of biodiesel production by using pulsed electric fields (PEF) to extract hydrocarbons from microalgae. A milli- or microsecond PEF is typically used to weaken cell
by Daryl Worthington (Biofuels International) ... Ruta Baltause, a policy officer at the European Commission, delivered the EU perspective, explaining the reasoning behind proposed comprehensive revisions of the RED which include gradual phase out of conventional crop-based biofuels, but also stressing that
(Phys.Org) The genome of the fuel-producing green microalga Botryococcus braunii has been sequenced by a team of researchers led by a group at Texas A&M AgriLife Research. The report, in Genome Announcements, comes after almost seven years of research, according to
by Ann Bailey (Ethanol Producer Magazine) DDGS' environmental benefits include methane reduction in cows, better phosphorus utilization reducing loss to the environment, improved sustainability. -- The benefits in feeding distillers grains are well known—it’s an economical, nutritious, palatable addition
(Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association) Twenty-one students from Minneota High School visited the ADM Corn Processing ethanol plant here on April 19 to learn more on how Minnesota-grown renewable energy is produced. The students, from grades nine to 12, toured the various production
by Tom Vilsack (The Hill/U.S. Dairy Export Council) This Earth Day, hundreds of thousands of people marched to “defend the vital role science plays in our health, safety, economies, and governments.” The March for Science echoed in communities around the
by Anthony Boadle and Marcelo Teixeira (Reuters) Agriculture Minister Blairo Maggi has asked Brazil's foreign trade council to impose tariffs on ethanol imports following a surge in shipments from the United States, an official said on Thursday, a move that could
(Phys.Org) ... Taking up this double-edged sword is Cynthia Bartel, a doctoral candidate at Iowa State University. She's finding a way to lessen the harm and increase the benefits of removing maize stover. "While water and wind erosion are substantial problems for
by Rob Wolfe (Valley News) ... The current plant, which features a 175-foot brick smokestack, is located to the east of the Hood Museum of Art and burns roughly 3.5 million gallons of fuel oil each year to heat more
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This week, we hosted a webinar what is universally agreed to be the single largest new application of advanced industrial biotechnology — this is the Big Kahuna, or sustainable aviation fuel. Sustainability is critical to airlines, and
by KSL (E2IG Solutions Pvt Ltd / Biofuels Digest) ... The overall failure of KiOR can essentially be narrowed down to three text-book cases: I. Utilizing (Incorrect/Underdeveloped) Catalyst Systems for Upgrading Biomass, II. Disregarding Inherent Oxygen Content in Biomass, III. Diseconomies of Scale. ... Whilst
by Marc J. Rauch (The Auto Channel) ... Faced with some actual governmental actions that were detrimental to gasoline/diesel dominance, instead of the virtual carte blanche pro-petroleum fuel policies that they usually receive from the government, the petroleum oil industry is
(American Cleaning Institute) ACI praises Rep. Randy Weber’s "Stop Animal Fat Tax Credits Act," Urges Its Inclusion in Tax Reform Package -- Legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Randy Weber (R-TX) would permanently put a stop to federal tax credits for
by Marcelo Teixeira (Reuters/NASDAQ) Brazil's state-controlled oil company Petróleo Brasileiro SA has expressed strong opposition to a government-led program to increase the use of biofuels following its recent decision to completely withdraw from the sector. In a document the energy ministry posted
(The Star) Malaysia and Indonesia will send a joint mission to Europe next month to counter the European Union (EU) resolution which proposed to curb the use of oil palm-based biofuel by 2020. Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Mah Siew
(Science Daily/Kobe University) The mechanism behind oil synthesis within microalgae cells has now been revealed by a research team. This discovery could contribute to the development of biofuels, they say. The findings were published on April 4 in Scientific Reports. ... Focusing on
by Sean Pratt (The Western Producer) Plenty of canola from the 2016crop remains to be harvested but not much will be food worthy, says an analyst. Derek Squair, president of Agri-Trend Marketing, believes 1.3 million acres are left in fields across
by Kevin Keane (BBC Scotland) Trials have begun near Oban to create one of the UK's first seaweed farms. Harvesting of wild seaweed has been taking place for centuries but researchers say there is huge potential to create a farmed industry. Experts say
by Liora Engel-Smith (Muscatine Journal) ... The university has been burning the grass, known as Miscanthus, in its power plant to reduce its reliance on coal. At first glance, Miscanthus does not look like much. It begins as ginger-like rhizomes. As
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In our March Madness webinar series, a popular entry has been the session on “butanol and other 4C molecules: prospects and progress”. We looked at a number of companies in depth here, including slides from
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) News this week arrived from Canada that Enerkem has received the lowest carbon intensity value ever issued by the British Columbia Ministry of Energy and Mines for its ethanol product under the Renewable and Low
(Farm Forum) ... Through Senior Capstone Design projects, the senior engineering students partner with innovators in the ag industry using the latest technology. The experience provides an opportunity to work on projects that will impact agriculture for future generations. The designs and
by Sapna Gopal (The Wire) Bio-jet fuel is generally two- to seven-times more expensive than conventional fossil-derived jet fuels but can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 60-70%. -- People in this industry are looking for ways to reduce the sector’s carbon
by Mike Lefever (The Gazette) ... Corn producers belong at the table of these discussions and have much to be proud of, in that they - along with the rest of agriculture - are continually meeting the world's demands for more food,
by Mia Breytenbach (Mining Weekly) Zambia’s largest integrated copper producer, Konkola Copper Mines (KCM), owned by global conglomerate Vedanta Resources, has launched the first project of its kind in Zambia to rehabilitate a mining site. The project, launched earlier this month,
(Phys.Org) Cyanobacteria have attracted significant attention as potential biocatalysts for production of clean energy and green chemicals from sunlight and atmospheric CO2. A recent study investigated effects of altering large cellular complexes called phycobilisomes, which cyanobacteria use to efficiently capture
(Neste/Globe Newswire) In the spirit of circular economics, Neste and Fazer Bakery are joining forces with their Doughnut Trick campaign. The oil that was used to fry Fazer Bakery's May Day doughnuts will be recycled by refining it to produce
by Bruce Dale (Detroit News) Regarding “Renewable Fuel Standard has failed, April 16,” Prof. Wolfram has failed to do his homework. The corn grown to make ethanol is not the same as sweet corn we eat. Field corn is used for
by Ralph Kauffmann (Kokomo Tribune) ... So many of these factors can take a big chunk out of my bottom line, and at the same time, so many of these factors are completely out of my control. But the Renewable Fuel
(University of Nevada, Reno/EurekAlert!) ... Biochemist and molecular biologist John Cushman at the University of Nevada, Reno will create a gene atlas for the common ice plant that will help find ways to allow bioenergy feedstocks to better tolerate salinity
(Macau Hub) The production of biofuel from Jatropha mollissima “is something to forget,” said Almirante Dima, the deputy national director of Hydrocarbons and Energy at the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy of Mozambique. Dima explained his assertion based on the
by P.J. Huffstutter and Michael Hirtzer (Reuters/Times of India) Wet harvest, slow grain sales encourage growth of toxins; Scope of problem in U.S. grain supply not yet known -- A fungus that causes "vomitoxin" has been found in some U.S. corn
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Not long ago, George Huber and Robert Brown wrote in a special issue of Energy Technology of their desire to “highlight recent advances in pyrolysis technologies and to discuss the critical research needs of this
(Bioenergy Insight) Plans to build the UK’s biggest anaerobic digestion plant have been put on hold following a series of protests and campaigns against it. FD Bird & Sons wants to build an anaerobic digestion plant near Beverley in East Yorkshire.
(NexSteppe) NexSteppe, a company dedicated to pioneering the next generation of sustainable feedstock solutions for biobased industries, announced a new partnership today with Embrapa, the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation. The partnership will focus on commercializing a promising high biomass sorghum
by Daniel A. Lane and Joel A. Stone (Lee Enterprises Consulting/Biofuels Digest) ... As the market for gasoline grew, a shortage soon developed for the lighter fractions of crude oil. This shortage led to the development of the catalytic cracker, which breaks
by Cathy Locke (Sacramento Bee) Food left on diners’ plates that goes back to restaurant kitchens in Sacramento County will go into the compost bin instead of landfills. Sacramento County officials teamed with Sacramento restaurateurs Bobbin and Patrick Mulvaney on Thursday to
by Tim Sandle (Digital Journal) Are biofuels the answer to the world’s energy needs or do the problems, including diverting food crops for fuel, carry an unnecessary level of social and economic problems? If biofuels are the answer, how
by Brian Perry (Maui News) Photogenic crop attracts more attention than area can safely handle -- “No Trespassing” signs have been posted around Pacific Biodiesel Technologies’ experimental crop of sunflowers on 14 acres near the intersection of Honoapiilani and Kuihelani
(Biofuels International) Children in the UAE have been recycling cooking oil to make biofuels as part of a new initiative. The programme was set up by the Blue waste management company in Dubai, and involves pupils of all ages, from kindergarten
by Ron Alverson (Ethanol Producer Magazine/American Coalition for Ethanol) Life-cycle modeling for ethanol needs to be updated to reflect big improvements in corn's GHG emissions profile -- ... Fuels that help automakers achieve efficiency standards are going to be important. California and the
by Jennifer Aurandt (Valicor/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Centrifugal separation of corn oil from stillage is the accepted method for distillers corn oil (DCO) recovery throughout the ethanol industry. While plant operating parameters influence a plant’s oil yield and performance, the efficiency is
by Luke Geiver (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A Nebraska-focused tech startup and a Latin American chemical supplier highlight two options for using ethanol as the building block for intermediate chemicals. -- The future of ethanol for intermediate chemical production can be
by Emmanuel Desplechin (ePURE/Ethanol Producer Magazine) ePURE's secretary general outlines the European ethanol organization's discussion points in the face of Commission proposals that would cap crop-based biofuels. -- Despite agreeing to ambitious climate and energy goals that require 18 to
(High Plains/Midwest Ag Journal) Increasing concerns about trade relations with Mexico spurred Kansas Corn along with the Kansas Department of Agriculture and the Kansas Department of Commerce to plan a trade mission Mexico to learn about their agricultural industry and
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Tennessee, officials at Oak Ridge released a report on an ongoing debate about costs and benefits of wood-pellet based bioenergy production in the southeastern United States (SE US) requires an understanding of the science
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Canada, Air Canada just revealed its participation in the Civil Aviation Alternate Fuel Contrail and Emissions Research project, a research project led by the National Research Council of Canada to test the environmental benefits
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) From Wisconsin we have huge news from Virent, which has appointed one of Shell New Energies’ gurus, Stacey Orlandi, as Virent CEO, succeeding Lee Edwards who is headed into retirement after a distinguished 8-year run. Most recently,
by Eric Wesoff (GreenTechMedia) Entrepreneurs can have tunnel vision. VC herd mentality doesn’t produce results. Physics and thermodynamics are fairly important in energy applications. -- ... Today, the few surviving algae companies have had no choice but to adopt new
by Amelia Templeton (OPB FM) For years, the sewage flushed away by Portland households has decomposed into methane gas captured by the city’s wastewater plant and turned into energy and electricity. Now, the city’s wastewater agency, the Bureau of Environmental Services, has a
Laís F. Thomaz* (Advanced Biofuels USA) The GAF Talk was held last month, in Sao Paulo, to present some agriculture trends and to promote a debate on the new technologies that will surely be on the agenda of the 2018
(Greenbelt Resources/PR Newswire) JababECO is the first U.S.-Indonesia municipal waste-to-bioproducts project -- United States Vice President Mike Pence participated in a ceremony celebrating the signing of multiple Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) in Jakarta today, including between Greenbelt Resources Corporation (OTC:
(The Fish Site) A hi-tech piece of lab equipment that could be used for the first time to help breed disease-resistant algae for the seaweed-growing industry has been delivered to the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) this week. Representatives from
(Vertimass, LLC) One of four advanced biofuels and bioproducts technology companies invited to present -- Vertimass LLC is proud to announce that it is one of four companies selected to present at the "Pitch for a Green Future" session at
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Algae Butter can reduce saturated fat by up to 50 percent in most applications. ... While butter doesn’t exactly rival gasoline as a market — it’s pretty substantial, when you get down to it. The global market
(KIWARadio.com) Northwest Iowa — With two ethanol plants within 18 miles of Sheldon, this area is one of the leading ethanol producing regions of the state. Now, a study has found that record ethanol and biodiesel production in Iowa in 2016
by Paul C. Samboko, Mitelo Subakanya, Cliff Dlamini (United Nations University-WIDER) The need for energy security and climate change mitigation have increased blending mandates worldwide; in Southern Africa, demand for biofuels could increase following South Africa’s planned blending mandates. However, land constraints
by Chandana Banerjee (Christian Science Monitor) In 60 cities in India, 16,876 tons of plastic waste are generated each day, according to data from the country’s Central Pollution Control Board. Multiply that by 365, and you have more than 6
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) We’ve been covering market access, and technology development, but what about accessing markets in emerging economies and around the world where feedstock is abundant, policymakers are motivated, but other risks and constraints apply that can be
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) From California arrives the very interesting news that Amyris has entered into an agreement with Blue California whereby its affiliates will provide access to its fermentation manufacturing in China and provide the necessary capital to
(KTVZ.com) Bill sponsored by Sens. Tim Knopp, Ted Ferrioli -- Oregon Senate Republicans say adding woody biomass as a recognized source of green energy technologies will help reduce carbon emissions and create jobs in rural Oregon. The proposal, Senate Bill
by Abdul-Sattar Nizami (King Abdulaziz University, Center of Excellence in Environmental Studies (CEES)) (RenewableEnergyFocus.com) The conservation of biomass is essential for ensuring a continuous and quality supply of feedstock for biofuel facilities around the year. However, the conservation of biomass
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) Developments in cellulosic ethanol technology are creating opportunities for American ethanol producers. Miloud Araba, head of Enogen® technical services at Syngenta, says cellulosic innovation could enable dry grind ethanol producers to meet the increasing Renewable Fuel Standard
(BBI International/Ethanol Producer Magazine) This February, D3MAX announced the completion and shipment of its pilot plant employing the patented D3MAX cellulosic ethanol technology. Installed at ACE Ethanol LLC, in Stanley, Wisconsin, the testing of the patented D3MAX corn fiber-to-ethanol process
by Ola Wietecha (Undercurrent News) Nova Scotia-based SabrTech -- which spent years designing an easy-to-transport algae-growing system called RiverBox -- is planning to launch its product shortly, which the company says will revolutionize algae production. SabrTech spent about two years developing its RiverBox system, which
(Algae Industry Magazine) Many microalgae strains have received attention in biomass production due to their high biomass productivity per unit time and per unit area. Algae produce oil as well as carbohydrates, occurring mainly in the form of starch. Oil
by Daryl Worthington (Biofuels International) Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has denounced the European Parliament Resolution on Palm Oil and Deforestation of Rainforests, describing it as ‘discriminative’. In addition, the ministry claims the EU decision was based on “inaccurate and unaccountable
(Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association) Thirty-two high school students toured Guardian Energy’s ethanol plant today to get a closer look at how renewable energy is produced. The students, from St Peter High School, toured the various processes of ethanol production at Guardian Energy, which
by Larry R. Knight* (Reciclaje Pura Vida for Advanced Biofuels USA) There are those who would argue that global warming is not occurring. While the evidence suggests otherwise, it would be political and intellectual suicide to argue that our global population
(Shell) Shell today(March 31, 2017) opened a new major technology hub in Bangalore - a 52 acre, custom built technology centre - that can house up to 1,500 experts, who would collaboratively work on worldwide innovative energy projects. The inauguration was
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Canada, the long-awaited MSW-to-biofuel plant in Surrey is preparing for commissioning in June, making it North America’s first plant of such kind. Waste collection trucks and other city vehicles will be fueled with the
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This week, news arrived from MetGen that they have developed a novel chemo-enzymatic process that leads to oxidized forms of 5-HMF. They report that “this form of sugar is known to have above 90% conversion
by Jim Lane (BiofuelsDigest) ... For any society, an even more perfect class of technology assets would allow us to move in either direction — perfect convertibility. When energy prices are low and supply is replete, but food prices are
(Ethanol Producer Magazine) Prospects for a cellulosic ethanol plant to be built as part of the Maabjerg Energy Center in Denmark have achieved a breakthrough, according Jorgen Udby, chairman. London-based investment firm Pioneer Point Partners has confirmed in a letter
by P.J. Huffstutter and Karl Plume (Reuters) ... World stockpiles of corn and wheat are at record highs. From Iowa to China, years of bumper crops and low prices have overwhelmed storage capacity for basic foodstuffs. Global stocks of corn, wheat, rice
by Andrew Flinn (Brownfield Ag News) Matt Merritt, Director of Public Relations for POET DSM says the company’s Project Liberty cellulosic ethanol facility at Emmetsburg Iowa – which started production a year ago – is already nearing production goals. “We’re already
by Chris Mooney (The Washington Post) A new large-scale technology has launched in Decatur, Illinois that, by combining together corn-based fuels with the burial of carbon dioxide deep underground, could potentially result in the active removal of greenhouse gases from the
by Patrick Anderson (Argus Leader) President Donald Trump has never tweeted about ethanol. In the course of tens of thousands of posts on his social media platform of choice, the president has posted about oil about 150 times, about Rosie
by Fabiana Batista (Bloomberg) Buying of cheaper U.S. fuel made from corn surged in February; Price of local supply made from sugar plunged 20% by March 31 -- A few months ago, some ethanol traders in Brazil thought they had a
by Liz Gyekye (Bioenergy Insight) A new paper by researchers at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) describes a process that captures methane from natural gas and biogas and that uses photosynthesis to convert it into biomass feedstock. The new paper is called ‘A
(SEAT) Turning wastewater into sustainable fuel. This is the answer to two environmental challenges, namely reusing an increasingly scarce resource, water, and finding alternative energies to counter episodes of severe pollution that impose traffic restrictions in cities such as Madrid
by Lorenz Bauer (Lee Enterprises Consulting/Biofuels Digest) ... The use of biomass to produce value added chemicals for polymer synthesis is a major focus of the effort to replace fossil carbon. The theory is that these products can lead the way
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Four axioms start this presentation by David Dodds, on C5 and C6 sugar opportunities, at a breezy pace: If you are making a molecule from another molecule, you are a chemist, doing chemistry. Synthetic biology is merely
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Europe is often thought of as a dead-end for biofuels, owing to a thorny debate over fuel mandates, and agricultural protection. But it’s a reputation entirely undeserved; some of the most fascinating projects are there. In
by Beatriz Pupo (Platts) Brazilian sugar industry group, Unica, is seeking the introduction of an ethanol import tariff of 16%. Unica is citing in its pleas the higher greenhouse gas emissions of corn ethanol, Brazilian imports of which have surged over the
(Ethanol Producer Magazine) Dutch biotech giant Royal DSM has opened a new state-of-the-art biotechnology facility on its Delft, Netherlands, campus. The Biotechnology Center will accelerate DSM's biotech research and development capabilities for applications in food and nutrition, feed, fuel, pharma
by Sam Harrington (Yale Climate Connections) Until about 10 years ago, spring wheat was a favorite crop for farmers in North Dakota. Erickson: “Beginning in 2007, when the government heavily incentivized corn production for ethanol use, corn production really reached into North
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Illinois, obtaining a certificate of occupancy on a building constructed of 60 Intermodal Shipping Containers is a huge accomplishment for Chip Energy, said company president Paul Wever, president of Chip Energy Inc. These types
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Florida, state legislators are looking to ease restrictions on industrial hemp research. According to the Florida State Senate, house bill 1217 that “authorizes specified universities in state to engage in industrial hemp research projects”
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... At its heart, it’s a company about transformation in basic food feedstocks. But where the technological imperative for years has been about, to use an example, more corn and cheaper corn — with the
(ePURE) With its revised Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) the European Commission wants to phase out all conventional biofuels in the EU. But in making its proposal the Commission has ignored many of its own guidelines for Impact Assessments, including
(European Parliament/Biomass Magazine) To counter the impact of unsustainable palm oil production such as deforestation and habitat degradation, particularly in Southeast Asia, the EU should introduce a single certification scheme for palm oil entering the EU market and phase out
by (Science Magazine) The planned takeover of Swiss seed giant Syngenta by Chinese state-owned chemical company ChemChina stands to change the outlook for biotech research in China. Although China imports preapproved genetically modified (GM) foods and generously funds GM research,
by Lee Imada (Maui News) Alexander & Baldwin is close to formalizing a partnership with a seed oil producing company on a 250-acre demonstration project to produce biofuels from the pongamia tree on old sugar fields with planting possibly to
by Christopher McFadden (Interesting Engineering) Biofuels and biofuel crops have been vaunted by politicians, journalists and scientists for years. A method of producing fuel from plants or other sources could potentially allow us to decrease our dependence on fossil fuels. ... Biofuels
by Jessie Stolark (Energy and Environmental Study Institute) Are we using the right tools to understand land use change, particularly at the local level, and how can understanding of land use change be improved? The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) has been around
(Allied Market Research) According to a new report published by Allied Market Research, titled, "Bioethanol Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2014-2022," the global market was valued at $5,652 million in 2015, and is projected to reach $9,544 million
(Gant News) Pennsylvania Grain Processing Corn Merchandiser, Brian Kelly, was a little doubtful four years ago when he first approached Sheetz Inc. about selling new blends of ethanol at its fuel station near Interstate 80 in Clearfield. “Truthfully, I didn’t think
(GreenAir Online) A year after issuing a joint Request for Information (RFI) from parties interested in supporting the development and production of sustainable aviation fuel in the region, Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia say they have had strong interest
(GreenAir Online) Seaweed could become a promising source of biofuels for aviation if sustainably produced and economic and policy challenges can be overcome, says a report by Norwegian NGO Bellona. Seaweeds, or macroalgae, generally contain high amounts of carbohydrates (sugars)
(Sunday World) From the remotest part of South Africa, in the town of Kuruman, Northern Cape, Kealeboga Hoti and her business team are producing environment friendly carbon-free biofuel. -- Hoti, a biochemist, is the co-founder and owner of Lamo Fuel,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Ethanol supporters in the US and Australia and first-gen fuels advocates of conventional ethanol and biodiesel in the EU are striking out against what they see as misguided reports that have appeared across three continents
(SAAB) Gripen has for the first time undergone a series of test flights with 100% biofuel. This demonstrates that the aircraft can be flown with an alternative fuel and gives valuable knowledge for future possible use of alternative fuel. “Demonstrating that
by Ken Roseboro (Huffington Post) Food corn buyers say Syngenta’s Enogen GMO corn is contaminating non-GMO white corn fields, creating a potential “trainwreck;” may be linked to bad masa flour in California. Enogen, a genetically modified corn for ethanol production, has
(Maui News) Early sunflowers bloom in Pacific Biodiesel’s 115-acre demonstration project between Waikapu and Maalaea as viewed from the side of Kuihelani Highway on Tuesday morning. The biofuel crop is expected to yield more than 100 gallons of oil per
by Mark Peplow (Science Magazine) A cutting-edge waste-to-energy plant is taking shape in the industrial heartland of the United Kingdom. When the £60 million facility opens in May, it will be the world’s first commercial-scale plant to use enzymes and microbes
(Ecofys) Sequential cropping can be a promising model to produce additional biomass without negative impacts on land use change or food production. In a research study for the Italian Biogas Consortium (CIB), Ecofys found that agricultural crop yields can increase
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) A California ethanol plant is being awarded a grant from the state energy commission to help build a biodiesel production facility on-site. Calgren Renewable Fuels, an ethanol refinery in Pixley, California—the heart of dairy country—already
by Bob Cleaves (Biomass Power Association/Biomass Magazine) More than 100 million trees across California, many located in the federally managed Sierra, Stanislaus and Sequoia National Forests, are dead, owing to a years-long drought and a nasty bark beetle infestation. As many
by William Strauss (FutureMetrics/Biomass Magazine) ... The recently released paper by the Chatham House is a study that contains many inaccurate statements about the use of wood for energy. Those statements are presented as facts, or as uncontested conclusions. This article
by Ron Kotrba (Biomass Magazine) U.S. imports of biomass-based diesel hit extreme heights in 2016, fulfilling a third of the consumption market, driving the domestic biodiesel industry to more actively seek counteracting measures to protect its own investments. --
(University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign/Laboratory Equipment) A multi-institutional team led by the University of Illinois have proven sugarcane can be genetically engineered to produce oil in its leaves and stems for biodiesel production. Surprisingly, the modified sugarcane plants also produced
(EP Petroecuador (Google Translation)) In the presence of the Minister of Hydrocarbons, Ing. José Icaza, the Petroecuador Public Company and the companies Consorcio Artesanal Cado, Producargo SA, Codana SA and Soderal SA, signed a USD 95 million contract for the
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) When they write the story of the advanced bioeconomy one day, they might just title it “Put Another Log on the Fire” because consistently you tell us that the near-term feedstock opportunities are in waste
(Alliance Bio-Products) The company's patented CTS process presents a viable option for growing biofuel production efforts with its ability to produce cellulosic ethanol at a lower cost and without harmful environmental impact -- Alliance Bio-Products, Inc. (Bio-Products), a subsidiary of
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