History of Advanced Biofuels – Advanced BioFuels USA

New Book on Birth of American Biodiesel

by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com)At the National Biodiesel Conference last week, attendees were introduced to a new book o the history of biodiesel – “The Birth of American Biodiesel: Biographical Accounts Celebrate 30 Years of Pioneers, Leaders and the Bold Vision for the National Biodiesel Board,” by Ron Kotrba. The book was commissioned

January 25, 2022 Read Full Article

Measuring Carbon Reductions: The Digest’s 2022 Multi-Slide Guide to California LCFS Fuel Pathways

by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) The most recent DigestConnect took a special look at carbon markets — measuring reductions, qualifying for markets such as those created by the California Low Carbon Fuel Standard, the CA-GREET Calculator, pathway verification, and more. Turner, Mason analyst Eamon Culliname’s presentation on all the

January 24, 2022 Read Full Article

Animal, Vegetable or Mineral (Oil)? Exploring the Potential Impacts of New Renewable Diesel Capacity on Oil and Fat Markets in the United States

by Chris Malins and Cato Sandford (International Council on Clean Transportation) This report provides an overview of the U.S. renewable diesel market and explores the potential market and environmental impacts of increased renewable diesel capacity. The United States currently supports renewable diesel supply through the federal Renewable Fuel Standard, a biomass-based

January 19, 2022 Read Full Article

Learning from Washington State: The Digest’s 2022 Multi-Slide Guide to Clean Fuels Policy

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Did you know that most voters strongly support Clean Fuel Standards? Check out this slide guide from ABLC from Tim Zenk, Principle at Molecule LLC on how Washington state’s LCFS is a case study for clean fuels policy, how Clean Fuel Washington advocated for biofuels,

January 19, 2022 Read Full Article

National Biodiesel Conference to Usher in New Era of Clean Fuels

(National Biodiesel Board) Industry name change reflects growing demand for low-carbon fuels — The past year has presented a dizzying array of business and policy decarbonization efforts in the transportation and home heating sectors as the United States continues to work toward a common goal of a better, cleaner future. The

January 17, 2022 Read Full Article

The Hottest Biofuels Companies of 20 Years Ago Are Now Doing Something Completely Different

by Annie Hammang (Slate) … Amyris also isn’t alone in this shift; Solazyme, Lanzatech, Neste, LiveFuels, LS9, and Pacific Biodiesel are all biofuel companies that also got their start in the early aughts and have since expanded their business into cosmetics, fragrances, and household cleaners. From the outside, this shift may seem rather bizarre. But I

January 12, 2022 Read Full Article

Ethanol Report: RFA Grows Stronger in 40th Year

by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) … “For four decades strong, RFA’s member companies have worked together to move the renewable fuels industry forward,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “Whether innovating new technologies, shaping policies and regulations, or opening new markets, RFA’s members remain at the forefront of the low-carbon

January 7, 2022 Read Full Article

Time for One More Salute to Bob Dole – As an Early Ethanol Pioneer He Laid the Foundation for Modern Biofuels

by Doug Durante (Clean Fuels Development Coalition/Biofuels Digest) … When Bob Dole agreed to co-sponsor an amendment with Tom Daschle, a Democrat from South Dakota, it set in motion a series of events that became the building blocks for the modern ethanol industry. If we sketched out a family tree of

January 7, 2022 Read Full Article

EPA Gets It Right for American Advanced Biofuels Public Comment DEADLINE: February 4, 2022

by Douglas L. Faulkner and Michael McAdams (Leatherstocking LLC /“The Cleantech Conservative” and Advanced BioFuels Association/Biofuels Digest) … The Agency has now moved to approve bio-intermediates, so that manufacturers could earn compliance credits for upgrading feedstocks such as woods and municipal solid wastes at a first facility into a renewable oil

January 6, 2022 Read Full Article

A Rebuttal to DeCicco: Use Locally Produced Renewable Energy

(Owatonna People’s Press/Renewable Fuels Association) The author claims that the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) was enacted in the wake of 9/11. That is not true. The RFS was enacted after the petroleum industry was unsuccessful in getting Congress to protect the use of a petroleum product called MTBE as an oxygenate

January 5, 2022 Read Full Article

Regulatory and Policy Analysis of Production, Development and Use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels in the United States

Ekrem Korkut and Lara B. Fowler (Frontiers in Energy Research) The United States, spurred in part by international developments, is expanding its law and policy to incentivize the use of sustainable aviation fuels. While the U.S. has agreed to participate in the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO’s) Carbon Offsetting and

January 3, 2022 Read Full Article

RFA Ends Landmark 40th Year Growing Even Stronger

(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association closes out its yearlong 40th anniversary celebration this week with a fitting milestone, welcoming more than 20 new members in 2021. “For four decades strong, RFA’s member companies have worked together to move the renewable fuels industry forward,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff

December 29, 2021 Read Full Article

The Key to a Successful Cellulosic Ethanol Project

by Mallikarjun Navalgund (Praj Industries/Biofuels Digest) … Ethanol is a currently available solution and is being deployed to mitigate emissions from the transportation sector via the legacy energy infrastructure that has existed for over a century. The first generation(1G)/conventional ethanol industry is well established all over the world and more than

December 29, 2021 Read Full Article

Revolutionary Renewables: The Digest’s 2021 Multi-Slide Guide to Avantium

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Did you know Avantium’s two lead products are FDCA, the chemical building block for PEF, a novel, plant-based polyester targeting $200+ billion markets and PlantMEG, a plant-based alternative for fossil-MEG, a key ingredient for PET and PEF? Get the latest on that and their pipeline

December 29, 2021 Read Full Article

In Defense of the Ethanol Requirement in Gasoline ‘Unprofitable Refineries Whine because Biofuels Take away Market Share,’ Writes Sen. Chuck Grassley

(Wall Street Journal) As an avid reader of the Journal, I feel compelled to respond to the editorial board following last week’s release of renewable volume requirements by the Environmental Protection Agency (“Biden Raises the Ethanol Gas Tax,” Review & Outlook, Dec. 16). Gasoline needs an additive to help it

December 23, 2021 Read Full Article

Through the Eyes of a Pioneer: 3 Watershed Moments in the Story of Renewable Fuels

by Tero Ikäheimonen (Neste) Pekka Tuovinen, retired Senior Advisor on Sustainability, saw firsthand Neste’s transformation from a regional oil refining company to a global leader in renewable fuels. Here Tuovinen lists three moments that he considers groundbreaking not only to his career but to Neste and the industry around it. 1)

December 23, 2021 Read Full Article

Ambitious ‘Biofuel America’ Plan Faces Overhaul in 2022

by Chuck Abbott (Successful Farming) During the ethanol boom of the early 2000s, Congress set an ambitious target of quadrupling the amount of renewable fuel mixed into gasoline for America’s cars and pickup trucks. But while corn ethanol has lived up to its part of the plan, cleaner-burning “advanced” biofuels have

December 20, 2021 Read Full Article

SK Inc. Invests in Fulcrum BioEnergy to Accelerate Production of Low-Carbon Fuel from Waste

(SK/PR Newswire/Yahoo!) – SK Inc. and private equity partner invest $50 million in Fulcrum to enhance global ESG portfolio; – Fulcrum contributes to reducing GHG emissions by converting household waste into low-carbon transportation fuels, including sustainable aviation fuel; – Fulcrum’s first plant is set to produce 11 million gallons of biofuel annually

December 18, 2021 Read Full Article

What Biofuels Can Learn From Turkeys…and 8 Ways to Return Biofuels to Integrated End-to-End Control

by Bob Kozak (Atlantic Biomass/Advanced Biofuels USA/Biofuels Digest) As we enjoy this contemplative, introspective, thanks giving time of year, it’s time to think what can be done to revive a stagnant US biofuel industry. The Thanksgiving Turkey is a good place to start. I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving and

December 7, 2021 Read Full Article

RFA Mourns the Loss of Sen. Robert Dole, Ethanol Champion

(Renewable Fuels Association) Former Sen. Robert Dole (R-KS), who passed away yesterday, will be remembered by the U.S. ethanol industry as a great patriot, war hero, national statesman, friend of farmers, and a founding champion of America’s renewable fuels industry, the Renewable Fuels Association noted Monday. “Throughout his distinguished career in

December 6, 2021 Read Full Article

Handing Cargo Owners Control of Decarbonizing Their Supply Chains

by Katarin Van Orshaegen (GoodShipping/Biofuels Digest) Left unchecked, emissions from international shipping could account for more than 15% of the world’s total by 2050. … Approximately 90 per cent of the world’s traded goods are moved by ship, and the total value of ocean freight trade exceeds US$14 trillion each

November 23, 2021 Read Full Article

Viridos Executes Agreement with ExxonMobil to Help Scale Algae Biofuels

(Viridos/Business Wire) Viridos low-carbon intensity biofuels may substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions while providing a sustainable and scalable option to help reduce GHG emissions in heavy-duty transportation — –Viridos Inc., previously Synthetic Genomics, a privately held biotechnology company harnessing the power of photosynthesis to create transformative solutions to help mitigate climate change,

November 22, 2021 Read Full Article

Iowa Company REG Is Helping Others Meet Sustainability Goals with Its Biofuel Innovations

(Renewable Energy Group/Ag Funder News) As companies and organizations around the world look to reduce their environmental footprint and meet sustainability goals, a growing number are leveraging custom-made renewable fuel solutions from Iowa-based companies. Renewable Energy Group (REG) in Ames, Iowa, is one such company providing innovative solutions to government and industry. It

November 19, 2021 Read Full Article

LanzaTech: Radically Rethinking Industrial Business Models

by Erik Kobayashi-Solomon (Forbes) A visit this summer to New Zealand-American synthetic biology company, LanzaTech, opened my eyes to what the term “paradigm shift” means. LanzaTech is an industrial chemicals company that leverages innovations in biology, artificial intelligence, and precision engineering to create the molecules that make everything from yoga

November 12, 2021 Read Full Article

There at the Beginning: Kelly Davis

by Ken Colombini (Renewable Fuels Association) Three cities straddle the curve at the very south of Ohio: Huntington, W.Va.; South Point, Ohio; and Ashland, Ky. To Kelly Davis, this confluence of the Big Sandy River into the Ohio is not only home, but where she got started in the ethanol industry nearly 40

November 9, 2021 Read Full Article

New Podcast Compares and Contrasts the Rise of Corn Ethanol with Today’s Carbon Markets

(AgNewsWire) “Corn Saves America” explores agriculture’s role in environmental solutions, then and now — AEI Premium, the online community for agricultural decision makers, presents the second season of its award-winning podcast series: “Corn Saves America.” Today, carbon is The Next Big Thing in American agriculture. But questions remain about where carbon markets

November 8, 2021 Read Full Article

U.S. Ethanol Maker Eyes Low-Carbon Sugar as Its ‘Moonshot’

by Kim Chipman (Bloomberg Green) …Shares of Green Plains Inc. rebounded to a seven-week high after the U.S. ethanol maker touted progress in its attempt to transform into a powerhouse of high-value ingredients made from corn. At the top of the list is so-called clean sugar technology, which involves making

November 5, 2021 Read Full Article

Stakeholder Participation in the Formulation of Brazilian Biofuel Policy (RenovaBio)

by Lira Luz Benites Lazaro and Lais Forti Thomaz (Ambiente & Sociedade/SciELO Brazil) … In this article, we examine the establishment of the Brazilian biofuels policy (RenovaBio). We identify whether there was participation of stakeholders, and efforts of interest groups (associations, sugar refineries, and fuel distributors) to send technical notes

November 4, 2021 Read Full Article

BDI Celebrates 25 Years of Innovation in Biodiesel—and Much More

by Ron Kotrba (Biobased Diesel Daily) Twenty-five years ago, on Sept. 12, 1996, Wilhelm Hammer and Helmut Gössler founded BDI-Anlagenbau GmbH, launching the beginning of an impressive corporate history that changed the global biodiesel landscape with its “from waste to value” concept. Today, BDI Holding GmbH operates a financially strong holding

November 2, 2021 Read Full Article

What Is E85 Gas and Should You Use It?

by Andy Jensen (Advanced Auto Parts) … E85 is widely available, an affordable alternative for many popular vehicles. Here’s why you should take another look at ethanol. … E85 is a gasoline and ethanol blend, much like your regular gas. If you fill up on regular 87 octane, the ethanol/gas mix is

October 22, 2021 Read Full Article

New Foray into Renewable Chemicals & Materials: The Digest’s 2021 Multi-Slide Guide to Praj Industries

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) If you missed the recent DigestWebinar, here’s your chance to delve into the tech emerging out of Praj Industries, ranked #1 as a Top Place to Work by Digest readers, and #2 in the world in the Hot 50. Clearly, a company on the move.

October 12, 2021 Read Full Article

Germany: World’s First Bunkering Trial of Carbon-Neutral Synthetic LNG

(MAN Energy Solutions/NGV Journal) In a world-first for the maritime sector, the containership ‘ElbBLUE’ has bunkered some 20 tons of liquefied synthetic natural gas (SNG) or synthetic LNG at the Elbe port in Brunsbüttel, Germany. The bunkering is a joint project of MAN Energy Solutions, the shipowner Elbdeich and the charterer

October 8, 2021 Read Full Article

Ethanol, Biogas, Renewable Chemicals: The Digest’s 2021 Multi-Slide Guide to Praj

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Dr. Pramod Kumbhar, President and CTO of Praj shared this illuminating slide guide on their Bio-Prism renewable chemicals and materials, Bio-Mobility products, Praj’s 2G tech for agri residue to ethanol, Praj-Sekab tech for forest residue to ethanol, their tech for compressed biogas, and more. The

October 6, 2021 Read Full Article

Tuatara Expands Alternative Fuel Options

(SSC North America) SSC Enhances Sustainability, Flexibility, Accessibility — SSC North America expands flexible-fuel capabilities of its powertrain assembly to meet the alternative fuel opportunities of road-legal and performance vehicles, integrating a synthesized methanol catalyst as a standard fuel option in all Tuatara models, as well as future exploration for use

October 5, 2021 Read Full Article

Major Government-Backed Ventures Launched to Progress Commercial-Scale SAF Production in Japan

by Tony Harrington (GreenAir Online) Two major industrial collaborations have been established in Japan to progress ambitions for large-scale production of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) in the country, writes Tony Harrington. In the first project, sponsored by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment, six prominent corporations have joined forces to demonstrate the

October 4, 2021 Read Full Article

Centre Not Giving Permission to Chhattisgarh for Ethanol Production from Paddy: Bhupesh Baghel

(ANI/Sify) Expressing resentment against the central government for not giving permission to Chhattisgarh for ethanol production from paddy, state Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Tuesday said the state has infrastructure and paddy surplus for ethanol production. Addressing the inaugural event of the two-day ‘Vanijya Utsav’ here on Tuesday, the Chief

September 29, 2021 Read Full Article

Swiss Clariant to Complete EUR 140 mln Bioethanol Plant in Romania This Year

(Romania Insider/MSN) Swiss group Clariant sticks with their plan to start producing bioethanol, a fuel made from straw processing, at its new plant in Romania until the end of 2021, Ziarul Financiar reported. The construction of the EUR 140 mln factory began four years earlier in Podari, near Craiova. “Our goal is starting

September 28, 2021 Read Full Article

Pyrocell Has Started Production

(Cision/Setra) Production is now underway at Pyrocell’s plant in Gävle. The new and groundbreaking factory is turning sawdust into bio-oil. — Jointly owned by Setra and Preem, Pyrocell was formed in 2018 based on the business concept of producing bio-oil from sawdust. Production at the groundbreaking plant – Sweden’s first pyrolysis

September 28, 2021 Read Full Article

Stena Bulk’s Zero-Emission Vessels on Water by 2035, GoodFuels, Tufton’s 100% Biofuel Voyage and More Maritime Magic

by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) From Sweden comes news that one of the world’s leading tanker shipping companies, Stena Bulk, signed the Global Maritime Forum’s Call to Action for Shipping Decarbonization with milestones that include three carbon neutral-ready methanol powered MR tankers into Stena Bulk’s fleet, exploring low carbon fuels

September 27, 2021 Read Full Article

SynBio: The Science behind LanzaTech’s Success

by Erik Kobayashi-Solomon (Forbes) As I explained in my first overview article in this series, LanzaTech is an industrial chemicals business. But to describe it as merely another commodity chemicals producer misses the point entirely. At its heart, LanzaTech is a cutting-edge synthetic biology or “SynBio” venture. … Because the work that LanzaTech does

September 27, 2021 Read Full Article

POET Pledges Carbon Neutrality by 2050

(POET) POET, the world’s largest producer of biofuels and a leading producer of bio-based products, is proud to announce the release of its inaugural sustainability report, which outlines the company’s focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives. POET established several ESG goals, including the achievement of net-zero carbon at

September 15, 2021 Read Full Article

There at the Beginning: Randy Doyal

(Renewable Fuels Association) … From cooking he eventually moved to distilling and then, when the second plant opened, he was on the startup crew. When the third plant was built, that was his to manage. The company was Mountain Development Corp. A short time later, Doyal learned of another, much

September 15, 2021 Read Full Article

National Biodiesel Board to Rebrand Itself as ‘Clean Fuels Alliance America’

by Ron Kotrba (Biobased Diesel Daily) The National Biodiesel Board, the U.S. trade association serving the biodiesel and renewable diesel industry, announced in a member town hall Sept. 7 that it would be changing its name to Clean Fuels Alliance America, part of a larger rebranding effort. The organization has been

September 14, 2021 Read Full Article

Jet Fuel from Smokestacks

by Keith Button (Aerospace America) The air transport industry lacks enough suppliers of sustainable aviation fuel to meet the anticipated demand as airlines become more aggressive about reining in their carbon footprints and more travelers take to the air. Keith Button describes one company’s unique approach to meeting the demand. The

September 3, 2021 Read Full Article

Ethanol Plants Help Drive Local Farm Economy

by Beth Welbers (Geneseo Republic) Henry County has the good fortune to have two ethanol plants call the county home. Farmers are able to sell their corn directly to the plants. The addition of the ethanol plants to the market expands the options of selling directly to the local elevators, holding grain in

September 1, 2021 Read Full Article

UK Government Favours a SAF Blending Mandate Based on Carbon Savings rather than Volumes

by Christopher Surgenor (GreenAir Online) Following closely behind the release of the European Commission’s ReFuelEU Aviation sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) blending mandate proposal, the UK’s Department for Transport (DfT) has opened an eight-week consultation on its own proposal for a UK SAF mandate. In common with the EU, the UK

August 31, 2021 Read Full Article

Last Synthetic Ethanol Plant in US to Close

by Alexander H. Tullo (Chemical & Engineering News) LyondellBasell’s facility, nearly 70 years old, couldn’t compete with ethanol distillers — The petrochemical giant LyondellBasell Industries will exit the synthetic ethanol business—one of its longest-standing operations—by the end of October. The company is closing its ethanol plant in Tuscola, Illinois, where it

August 27, 2021 Read Full Article

Biofuels Industry Hopes Its Efforts to Cut GHG Emissions Will Keep It Relevant as White House Pushes EVs

by Jeff Barber (OPIS) After four years of the Trump administration’s often-chaotic approach to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), many in the biofuels industry were hoping President Joe Biden would bring a level of stability and support to the program. While the new administration has provided renewable fuel producers with some

August 26, 2021 Read Full Article

Growth Energy’s Bliley Testifies before EPA on Proposed Emissions Standards

(Growth Energy) Today, Growth Energy’s Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley testified before the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) during its hearing on the proposed rulemaking, Revised 2023 and Later Model Year Light-Duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards. Earlier this month, the EPA and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) proposed greenhouse

August 25, 2021 Read Full Article

Biofuels, RNG, SAF, Renewable Chem: The Digest’s 2021 Multi-Slide Guide to Praj

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) You may know Praj as a biofuels company but this slide guide from ABLC Digital highlights their growth and expansion into more. Check out Praj’s 2G tech enfinity, Bio-Mobility, Bio-Prism, ethanol projects updates, renewable natural gas, renewable chemicals and materials, and more. READ MORE Emerging

August 16, 2021 Read Full Article

There at the Beginning: Bob Dinneen

(Renewable Fuels Association) One of the leading authorities on the history of the U.S. ethanol industry didn’t get his start working for the energy or agriculture sectors. He grew up in the suburbs of Boston before finding his way to our nation’s capital. It was, at the beginning, softball that brought

August 12, 2021 Read Full Article

Tech, Feedstock Winners Still to Be Declared as Biofuels Sector Develops

by Tom Brown (ICIS/Biofuels Digest) … A factor that could stand to drive wider deployment of biofuels could be its relative maturity compared to other emissions-reduction technologies, particularly for heavy industry, with around half of the innovations that are likely to contribute to those goals currently not yet in existence or

August 11, 2021 Read Full Article

RBZ Dumps Gono’s Failed Jatropha Project

by Leopold Munhende (New Zimbabwe) THE Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has finally given up on former Governor Gideon Gono’s Jatropha Biodiesel experiment. RBZ governor John Mangudya said in his 2021 Mid-Term Monetary Policy review the project no longer warranted the central bank’s attention. The jatropha experiment was launched as a source

August 10, 2021 Read Full Article

Upcycling Carbon to Fuel, Fragrances and More: The Digest’s 2021 Multi-Slide Guide to LanzaTech

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This week we are sharing some of the hottest 2021 ABLC Digital presentations and you won’t want to miss this one from LanzaTech’s Dr. Jennifer Holmgren on commercial scale operations, the first European plant, other global platform build outs, upcycling carbon emissions into ethanol for fragrances,

August 10, 2021 Read Full Article

Could Nature’s Own Fuel Save Us from Greenhouse Effect and Electric Grid Failure?

by Ellen Brown (LA Progressive) While biofuels are a less high-tech, cheaper and in many ways more effective solution to our dependence on petroleum, the United States and other countries are discussing similar plans to the EU’s and California is already on board. But in a recent article in the Los

August 2, 2021 Read Full Article

Ethanol Report RFA 40th Anniversary Feature – Bob Reynolds

by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) The Renewable Fuels Association was born in 1981 and RFA is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year by spotlighting some of the pioneers in the ethanol industry who were there at the beginning, like Bob Reynolds. Bob Reynolds founded Downstream Alternatives shortly after joining New Energy Co. of Indiana as

July 29, 2021 Read Full Article

Hydrocarbon Fuels from Industrial Off Gas: The Digest’s 2021 Multi-Slide Guide to LanzaTech

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) LanzaTech’s Dr. Laurel Harmon shared this illuminating slide guide at the BETO Peer Review on jet and diesel fuel production from industrial waste gases, commercialization of ethanol-to-jet technology by building a standalone Alcohol-to-Jet pre-commercial demonstration facility to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and diesel, the

July 27, 2021 Read Full Article

God Speed the Right: A Bioeconomy in an Exciting, Turbulent Adolescence

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Fourteen years ago today, the Daily Digest debuted not very auspiciously with two readers and a goal to cover you: the people and technologies of the advanced bioeconomy. Since then we’ve published 36,400 articles to date in the telling of your story, and, though promoted

July 27, 2021 Read Full Article

Can the Airline Industry Live without Fossil Fuels?

by Josh Owens (Oilprice.com) … (T)he aviation industry accounts for only 2% of global emissions. … Biofuels are fuels manufactured from organic materials, normally crops, wood, or waste. While they do produce carbon when burned, the theory is that the carbon was absorbed by the organic matter when it was growing,

July 23, 2021 Read Full Article

Corn Farmers Captured, Stored Carbon before It Was Cool, Industry Learder Says: Farmers and Ethanol Plants Can Benefit from Reducing Carbon Use.

by Jerry Perkins (Successful Farming) … After years of research into the data about farming’s contribution to carbon emissions, that’s the conclusion reached by Ron Alverson, a South Dakota corn farmer and ethanol plant director, who spoke Wednesday at the Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo (FEW), which wraps up today at

July 16, 2021 Read Full Article

We Can Love Electric Cars, but Let’s Not Spurn Biofuels

by Dan Morgan (The Globalist) Right now, electric cars have the momentum and the “inevitability” narrative on their side. Is the idea of pursuing two paths forward a waste of money? … The Biden administration’s ambitious infrastructure proposal sets aside $174 billion to subsidize electric cars, but little for biofuels. As

July 16, 2021 Read Full Article

BBI International Recognizes Markham, Rosentrater for Contributions to US Ethanol Industry

(BBI International) Markham and Rosentrater recognized for their contributions to the U.S. ethanol industry at the 37th annual Fuel Ethanol Workshop, hosted by BBI International — On July 14th, during the 2021 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo (FEW) in Des Moines, IA, BBI International and Ethanol Producer Magazine recognized Steve Markham and Kurt Rosentrater for

July 14, 2021 Read Full Article

US Biodiesel Pioneer Awarded for Leadership in International Education

by Ron Kotrba (Biobased Diesel Daily) Leon Schumacher, professor and agricultural systems technology program coordinator at the University of Missouri’s College of Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources, has received the 2021 Provost’s Award for Leadership in International Education. The award recognizes University of Missouri faculty members that have provided outstanding leadership

July 13, 2021 Read Full Article

All Nippon Airways’ First Flight in World Using Microalgae ASTM Certified Fuel

by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) Another world first just happened! All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan’s largest airline, took another step forward in advancing its leadership in sustainability, operating a regularly scheduled commercial domestic flight utilizing sustainable aviation fuel made from microalgae, blended with traditional jet fuel. Yes, SAF made from

June 21, 2021 Read Full Article

Getting It Renewable Ready

by Tom Bryan (Biodiesel Magazine) As renewable diesel producers source an array of low-quality, low-carbon inputs, they’re tapping biodiesel’s seasoned pretreatment technology providers for customized feedstock preparation solutions, both on and offsite. From used cooking oil (UCO) and distillers corn oil (DCO) to tallow and choice white grease, these low-CI—and

June 17, 2021 Read Full Article

Renewable Diesel Backs into UCO

by Tom Bryan (Biodiesel Magazine) The low-quality, low-carbon byproduct of restaurant fryer grease, once largely reserved for modestly-sized biodiesel production, is now a darling input of the industry’s new mega plants. Used cooking oil is in high demand as renewable diesel booms. Four years ago, if John Tapp was asked

June 17, 2021 Read Full Article

Trash to Treasure, Waste to Fuels: The Digest’s 2021 Multi-Slide Guide to Cielo

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) What to do with the world’s most available and inexpensive feedstock – garbage? Cielo’s tech is capable of converting multiple waste streams into renewable fuel like high-grade renewable diesel, kerosene (aviation jet and marine fuel) and naphtha. Get the latest on their commercial facility, production, the

June 16, 2021 Read Full Article

QUOTE OF THE WEEK — Tom Daschle

“What I do know is — for the foreseeable future, and I would say several decades yet to come — the internal combustion engine is still going to play a role and will be part of the transportation landscape. We see E30 and high-octane, low carbon fuel as a segue

June 15, 2021 Read Full Article

There at the Beginning: Bruce Heine

(Renewable Fuels Association) Bruce Heine’s experience at the formation of the ethanol industry was jumpstarted, as it was for many, through work in the oil sector. Starting in the 1970s, he worked for his family business, as independent retailers of Mobil-branded gasoline and diesel fuel in Pennsylvania at the time of

June 10, 2021 Read Full Article

Baleària’s Fast Ferry Completes First Trip Operating on 100% Bio-LNG

(Baleària/NGV Journal) Baleària and Axpo Iberia have reached a new milestone in the decarbonization of maritime transport by completing the first pilot trip on a fast ferry with 100% renewable fuel in Europe. The 133-mile journey between the ports of Barcelona and Ciutadella (Menorca) was made by Baleària’s Eleanor Roosevelt, the

June 7, 2021 Read Full Article

Former Owner of Buffalo Lake Biofuels Charged with Felony Theft

by Tom Cherveny (West Central Tribune) A criminal complaint alleges that the former owner of the defunct Buffalo Lake Biofuels site in Buffalo Lake directed the removal and sale of four transformers at the site owned by the McLeod Power Cooperative. The protracted cleanup of the defunct Buffalo Lake Biofuels site in

June 7, 2021 Read Full Article

Ethanol Report – RFA 40th Anniversary Feature on Ron Miller

(Energy.AgWired.com) The Renewable Fuels Association was born in 1981 and RFA is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year by spotlighting some of the pioneers in the ethanol industry. In 1981, Ron Miller was head of marketing for the new Pekin Energy plant, which is now one of the oldest in the ethanol industry and goes by the

June 4, 2021 Read Full Article

Executive Placement Shows Flyers Committed to Green Economy

(Flyers Energy) Flyers Energy, LLC announced today that Chief Operating Officer Ken Dwelle will assume the role of President of Flyers Sustainable Energy, signaling increasing emphasis on the renewable energy sector. Flyers Energy leadership sees the green revolution as one of their biggest opportunities. “Renewables made up about 25 percent

June 2, 2021 Read Full Article

Stinkweed to False Flax: Oilseeds Race to Reap Biofuel Bonanza

by Rod Nickel and Karl Plume (Reuters) … Botanists, businessmen, farmers and federal lawmakers, they all gathered to peer at the waist-high plant usually considered a pest and uprooted on sight because of its foul odor, toxicity and the grim taste it leaves in the milk of grazing cattle. This was

June 2, 2021 Read Full Article

Erasing Emissions: Minnesota Soybean Showcases Biodiesel’s ‘Heroic’ Environmental Impact

(Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council/KROX) Over the course of two decades, biodiesel has proven to be nothing short of heroic in helping to clean Minnesota’s air. Starting this week, the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotional Council (MSR&PC) is debuting a super-powered campaign that highlights the wonder of biodiesel. For

May 25, 2021 Read Full Article

2021 Air Quality Awards — June 17, 2021 — ONLINE

Our 50th Anniversary & the California Air Quality Awards! The Coalition for Clean Air was founded in the days when smog was so thick you could cut it with a knife. In the 50 years since, we’ve managed to cut smog by a whopping 70%. But we didn’t do it alone.

May 17, 2021 Read Full Article

There at the Beginning: Ron Miller

(Renewable Fuels Association) Big Oil brought Ron Miller to ethanol. The son of a man who worked at Texaco for nearly 40 years, Miller found himself working there, too, out of Chicago, just as the oil embargoes of the 1970s were sending the American fuel industry into a major transition. Miller

May 17, 2021 Read Full Article

Former Kansas Abengoa Ethanol Plant to Produce Renewable Diesel, Seaboard Energy, Neste, Phillips 66, Alto Ingredients, Haldor Topsoe, Renewable Diesel News

by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) … Seaboard Energy, formerly known as High Plains Bioenergy, is building a renewable diesel plant in Hugoton, Kansas at the former Abengoa ethanol plant site that was purchased in February 2019. Using Haldor Topsoe’s HydroFlex tech, the plan is to make 6,500 barrels-per-day and

May 17, 2021 Read Full Article

The Refiners Who Cried Wolf

by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) The RFS creates competition that lowers fuel prices and reduces carbon emissions. Yet, refiners still complain. — … Indeed, at their request, the RFS includes provisions allowing refiners to comply without ever physically blending a drop of biofuel. As an alternative to

May 12, 2021 Read Full Article

Bosch, Shell, and Volkswagen Develop Renewable Gasoline with 20 Percent Lower CO₂ Emissions

(Bosch) Sale of Blue Gasoline also planned at regular filling stations in the course of the year — Blue Gasoline fuel contains up to 33 percent renewables. Shell will offset remaining carbon emissions through certified offset arrangements. The fuel complies with the EN 228/E10 standard and can be used in

May 5, 2021 Read Full Article

Washington State Passes Low-Carbon Clean Fuel Standard — Establishing a ‘Clean Fuel Coast’ from San Diego to the Klondike Gateway

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington state, HB 1091. the Clean Fuel Standard has been passed by the legislature and now heads to Governor Jay Inslee’s desk for signature; it is a significant win for the Governor’s renewables agenda and for the clean fuels movement. From San Diego to the

April 26, 2021 Read Full Article

Earth Day Series Day 8: The International Regime on Climate Change

by Nathália Fernandes Pimentel* (Advanced Biofuels USA) International Regime before the Paris Agreement — On 21st March 1994, The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change entered into force with the ratification of the document by 197 countries. The main goal of this treaty was to prevent harmful human induced interference with

April 8, 2021 Read Full Article

Shell Invests in Sustainable Aviation-Fuel Maker LanzaJet

by Laura Hurst (Bloomberg) U.S. company is building ‘alcohol-to-jet’ facility in Georgia; Other investors include Canada’s Suncor Energy, Japan’s Mitsui — Royal Dutch Shell Plc has invested in sustainable-fuels technology company LanzaJet, adding to a string of deals positioning the oil giant for the energy transition. The Anglo-Dutch major didn’t disclose financial

April 6, 2021 Read Full Article

Coprocessing at Diesel Refinery: bp Products, North America — Cherry Point Refinery | Blaine, Washington

(EcoEngineers) bp’s Cherry Point Refinery is the first refinery in the Pacific Northwest capable of manufacturing diesel made from biomass-based feedstocks, which are processed alongside conventional feedstocks in an existing ultralow-sulfur diesel unit. Renewable diesel has the same properties as conventional ultralow-sulfur diesel, but with a lower carbon footprint. Producing and distributing

April 5, 2021 Read Full Article

Earth Day Series Day 5: Why Aren’t We There Yet?

by Joanne Ivancic* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Didn’t U.S. President George W. Bush say that we should get off our addiction to oil? Haven’t all the presidents since Richard Nixon promised that we would transition away from fossil fuels? You can hear many of them make this point in this clip from

April 5, 2021 Read Full Article

Commentary: The Global Governance of Aviation’s Emissions – Time to Revisit the ICAO/UNFCCC Relationship

by Chris Lyle (GreenAir Online/Air Transport Economics) In 1997, the UNFCCC’s COP3 decided, via the Kyoto Protocol, to treat international aviation indirectly through ICAO. CO2 emissions from international aviation have since doubled from 317Mt in 1997 to 641Mt in 2019, to match the total emissions of the 129 lowest emitting countries

April 1, 2021 Read Full Article

Biofuels, or the Perils of Leadership

by Oliver Mace (Broadmore Consulting) … In fact, having recently joined the nascent BP Biofuels business, it was my very first public speaking engagement on this particular subject; the Biofuels Expo & Conference in Newark, dubbed at the time the biggest biofuels event in Europe (I don’t know if it was…).

March 31, 2021 Read Full Article

Story County Plant Getting Iowa Tax Incentives to Resume Cellulosic Ethanol Production

by Tyler Jett (Des Moines Register/The Hawk Eye) Ethanol production is coming back to a Story County renewable fuels plants. Verbio North American Corp. received $2.6 million in tax incentives from the Iowa Economic Development Authority on Friday to build an $80 million ethanol production line in its Nevada plant, previously the nation’s

March 22, 2021 Read Full Article

Finding Synergy with Farming, Cattle and Ethanol

by Kelly Sidoryk (Canadian Cattlemen) Even with more than 50 years in the feeding business, Pound-Maker is still finding ways to dial in its various ag businesses — The majority of cattle feeding in Western Canada has been centered in Alberta. But since the early ’70s, an operation in Saskatchewan

March 16, 2021 Read Full Article

The Science Behind Ethanol’s Carbon Intensity, Land Use Change: The Digest’s 2021 Multi-Slide Guide to Corn Starch Ethanol’s Carbon Intensity

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) What’s the life cycle system for corn starch ethanol? What is the current best estimate for carbon intensity of corn ethanol? What about ethanol biorefinery energy use intensity and land use change carbon intensity? What is the potential for further reductions in carbon intensity? READ

March 11, 2021 Read Full Article

5 Key Tech Takeaways: Highlights from Tech Presented at ABLC 2020

by Iacovos Vasalos (Center for Research and Technology-Hellas/Biofuels Digest) This report summarizes highlights from the ABLC 2020 Biofuels Digest Virtual Conference, which took place in July 7-10, 2020. (And if you haven’t already registered for this year’s ABLC Digital on May 3-7, 2021, check it out now here.) There were almost 100

March 10, 2021 Read Full Article

Biofuels Can Contribute Now to a Cleaner Energy Future

by Tom Daschle (Roll Call/The Daschle Group) Smart agriculture policy that has a role for ethanol can help advance Biden’s agenda on all fronts — Growing up in South Dakota, agriculture has always been in my blood. For nearly three decades, I had the honor of representing South Dakota — where

February 26, 2021 Read Full Article

Ethanol as Essential Energy: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to RFA’s 2021 Ethanol Outlook

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The hot-off-the-press Renewable Fuels Association’s 2021 Ethanol Industry Outlook focuses on ethanol as an ‘essential energy’ to address the challenges of climate change, food and energy security, and rural prosperity. Now in its 22nd year, it provides key statistics, trends, and analysis on the latest

February 22, 2021 Read Full Article

RFA Ethanol Industry Outlook Focuses on Essential Energy for Tomorrow’s Challenges

(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association released its 2021 Ethanol Industry Outlook and Pocket Guide today during the 26th annual National Ethanol Conference. The annual publications and conference all share a common theme: Essential Energy. A related video also debuted at the event. “As you review the 2021 Ethanol Industry Outlook, I hope you do so

February 18, 2021 Read Full Article

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Earthrise” by Amanda Gorman

A poem by Amanda Gorman explains the purpose of our work: … For it is the obscure, the oppressed, the poor, Who when the disaster Is declared done, Still suffer more than anyone. Climate change is the single greatest challenge of our time, … Where despite disparities We all care

February 18, 2021 Read Full Article

JAL Successfully Operates a Commercial Flight Using Sustainable Aviation Fuel Produced in Japan

(Japan Airlines) Japan Airlines (JAL), a recognized Eco-First company by the Ministry of the Environment of Japan, reiterated its commitment to further preserve the environment by operating a commercial flight from Tokyo Haneda to Fukuoka airport using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The product was a blend of traditional jet kerosene

February 9, 2021 Read Full Article

50 Renewable Diesel Projects and the Technologies Behind Them

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Renewable diesel, all 9 billion gallons built, under construction, in planning – Take a deep dive into the latest hot renewable diesel news and a special Digest presentation that asks will all of these billions of gallons fleet get built? If not, who are the potential

February 9, 2021 Read Full Article

New Online Educational Series about Renewable Fuels—“30/30” Package Includes 30 Minute Online Presentation plus Materials for Directed Discussion about Renewable Fuels and the Circular Economy

(Advanced Biofuels USA) Need to learn or teach about renewable fuels and the circular economy? About biofuels? Find what you need in this new series of 30 minute recorded presentations that come with a package of supporting materials for 30 minute directed discussions or self-study. Produced by internationally respected nonprofit

February 2, 2021 Read Full Article

Soaring Gevo Rocks to $2B Valuation – What Happened? How?

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) … The management kept costs trimmed, laid out a plan for deployment, and waited for the storms to pass. And as was said in Casablanca, “waited and waited and waited.” The stock dipped to just 49 cents a share last summer, after a series of dilutions,

January 27, 2021 Read Full Article

The Future Is… Jet Fuel Made From Mustard Seeds

(Honeywell) Engineers Willie Morrissette and Tony Barnette break down the importance of powering planes with plants. Fuel made from non-edible mustard seeds helped power a flight in 2018. The plane flew from California to Australia, making history and propelling us into the future of fuel. Listen to Host Joe Toubes unearth

January 25, 2021 Read Full Article

“Just a Minute” Educational Series Presents Episode 4, Biofuels: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow — A Look into the Historical and Common Uses of Biofuels

by Hannah DelSordo* (Advanced Biofuels USA) The fourth episode of “Just A Minute or So about Renewable Fuels” focuses on how biofuels have been used throughout history, and their uses as technology progresses. This video is a great tool for teachers, students, and anyone interested in renewables to get a

January 14, 2021 Read Full Article

Ethanol Blog: Supreme Court to Hear Small-Refinery Exemption Appeal

by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) The Supreme Court will review a ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit in Denver that found EPA mishandled the small-refinery exemptions program in the Renewable Fuel Standard. The 10th Circuit ruling in January 2020 led the EPA to reject more

January 11, 2021 Read Full Article

RFA Completes a Decade of Ethanol Safety Training Leadership

(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association’s industry-leading safety program celebrates 10 years of national leadership this month. Over the past decade, RFA’s safety training has reached thousands of first responders, rail shippers, ethanol plant workers and others, protecting the industry’s employees and saving lives in communities around the world. “While

December 29, 2020 Read Full Article

REG: From 30,000 Gallons of Biodiesel Sold in 1996 to Half a Billion Gallons Today

by Ron Kotrba (Biobased Diesel Daily) As 2020 comes to a close, Renewable Energy Group Inc., North America’s largest biodiesel producer, is celebrating a quarter-century in soybean oil refinement and biodiesel production. Back in 1995, the company from which REG would be formed several years later—West Central Cooperative—made its first investment

December 29, 2020 Read Full Article

Green Energy Biofuel Expands Waste Processing Capabilities, Seeks New Markets

(Bio-Based Diesel Daily/Green Energy Biofuel) Green Energy Biofuel stands ready to provide waste recycling solutions for a variety of businesses and industries in the Southeast by turning costly liabilities into savings. Companies can leverage Green Energy Biofuel to help meet their environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) goals by no longer

December 29, 2020 Read Full Article

RFA Marks Four Decades of Industry Leadership

(Renewable Fuels Association) Association to Celebrate 40th Anniversary Throughout 2021 — Forty years ago this month, a small group of innovative farmers and like-minded business leaders came together to officially found the Renewable Fuels Association. The overarching goal of the new trade group was as admirable as it was ambitious:

December 27, 2020 Read Full Article

What Makes Sustainable Aviation Fuel Sustainable?: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to CORSIA in the RSB System

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) There’s greenwashing and then there’s proof of sustainability. So what’s the difference? Check out RSB’s slide guide on how they help ensure sustainable aviation fuel or SAF is actually sustainable. From their involvement in the aviation sector to examples of biobased and recycled carbon feedstocks

December 16, 2020 Read Full Article

Renewable Energy Group Celebrates 25 Year Anniversary with Video Series

(Renewable Energy Group) This week REG is celebrating 25 years of operations! We will be releasing videos all week recounting the last quarter century of hard work and dedication that got us here. Here is how it all started: Hear from Myron Danzer, current REG General Manager, and Matt Schultes,

December 1, 2020 Read Full Article

One Small Candle May Light a Thousand: A Thanksgiving Message from the Digest

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) … I happen to carry a copy of William Bradford’s journal Of Plimouth Plantation, written during the first decades of the Pilgrim experience, with me almost anywhere I travel. … A copy from that first edition sits on my shelf not two feet from me when I

November 27, 2020 Read Full Article

Manta Biofuels Launches Crowd Investment Campaign

by Joanne Ivancic* (Advanced Biofuels USA) This week, Manta Biofuels has launched a crowd investment campaign on Republic and began reaching out to colleagues, business associates, mentors and friends, offering them a chance to invest in this growing business. Dedicated to doing their part to fight climate change, Manta Biofuels

November 5, 2020 Read Full Article

RNG Revolution: The North American Renewable Natural Gas Industry Has Boomed over the Past Decade and Potential Remains Vast.

by Anna Simet (Biomass Magazine) … Particularly for those feeling the heat when it comes reducing carbon footprints, interest in renewable natural gas (RNG) as an alternative vehicle fuel is an all-time high, and for good reason. Not only does it meet the most stringent emissions requirements, but for utilities

November 3, 2020 Read Full Article

Exxon’s Climate Fix Is Algae. Experts Say It Won’t Work

by Benjamin Storrow (E&E News) … “Algae. A renewable source of energy. ExxonMobil is researching it. To revolutionize biofuels. For more energy. And fewer emissions.” Biofuels represent one of Exxon Mobil’s primary answers to climate change. In television ads and presentations to investors, the company showcases it as an example of

November 3, 2020 Read Full Article

Cellulosic Biogas Markets and Applications: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Iogen

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) One of the top 5 registered producers of cellulosic biofuel in the U.S., Iogen’s Brian Foody shared this illuminating slide guide at ABLC 2020 on what cellulosic biogas is and how is it used today, RNG’s market segment, renewable hydrogen, transportation applications and technology, transportation

October 28, 2020 Read Full Article

Sweden Targets World’s Highest Biofuel Blending

Tomas Ekbom and Cecilia Higa (Swedish Bioenergy Association/IEA Bioenergy Task 39 Newsletter) … In the beginning there was ethanol In 1907, there were only 662 vehicles registered in Sweden. The fuel, “Benzin” (the word initially taken from the German language, i.e. petrol) was purchased then at the pharmacy, paint store

October 26, 2020 Read Full Article

Data, Data, Everywhere: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Bioenergy Data

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The U.S. Department of Energy and Next Rung Technology shared this illuminating slide guide on the creation, valorization and disposition of bioenergy data assets. By looking at data types, data assets, checking back in on bioenergy technology life cycles, and more, we can get a

October 22, 2020 Read Full Article

Renewable Jet Fuel Tech: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to UOP

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) You’ve probably heard of Honeywell UOP, but did you know they are working on making commercial renewable aviation biofuels a reality? At ABLC Digital, they shared this illuminating slide guide on their latest projects, including ones with AltAir, United Airlines, World Energy, and others. Also take

October 21, 2020 Read Full Article

Boeing’s 2020 ecoDemonstrator Test Programme Ends with Transcontinental Flight Using 50% Blended SAF

(GreenAir Online) As part of Boeing’s 2020 ecoDemonstrator programme, a final test flight of an Etihad Airways 787-10 from Seattle to Boeing’s manufacturing site in South Carolina used 50,000 gallons of a 50/50 blend – the maximum blend permitted for commercial aviation – of sustainable and traditional jet fuel. The sustainable