by John Timmer (Ars Technica) Systems-level engineering of a living thing is remarkably complicated. A little while ago, we covered the idea of using photovoltaic materials to drive enzymatic reactions in order to produce specific chemicals. The concept is being considered mostly because doing the same reaction in a cell is often
China
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Knock a water molecule off ethanol and you’ll get ethylene, C2H4—the most widely produced organic chemical globally that is the basis for scores of other chemicals and hundreds (maybe thousands) of products, from antifreeze and surfactants to synthetic fibers, plastics and packaging. Global
by John Herath (Farm Journal Ag Web) If elected president, Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) plans to immediately roll back all of the small refinery exemptions made to the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). Klobuchar made the pledge on the AgriTalk Radio show talking with host, Chip Flory. “We have 137 things
by Mei Mei Chu (Reuters) Average palm oil prices will surge 17.9% this year, a Reuters poll of industry participants showed, as reduced output in the first half of the year and higher biodiesel consumption in top producers Indonesia and Malaysia tighten the market. … Indonesia and Malaysia together account for
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) As China announced a suspension of its ethanol mandate last week, Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney said he remains bullish on expanding exports for the fuel, despite the trade challenges. “Ethanol is one of the most needed products around the
(Hoosier Ag Today/NAFB News Service) China this week announced a suspension of its ethanol mandate, signaling a further reduction of imports from the United States. The E10 target was suspended because China says, “any promotion of ethanol-gasoline must be based on the precondition that food security is guaranteed.” The mandate was
Licella and BioLogiQ Join Forces to Accelerate Commercialisation of Cat-HTR™ Technology in Australia
(Licella) Licella and BioLogiQ join forces to accelerate commercialisation of Cat-HTR™ technology in Australia, to chemically recycle post-consumption plastic that would otherwise not be recycled. — Australia consumes 3.4 million tonnes of plastic each year, of which only 9% is recycled1. Licella Holdings Ltd (“Licella”), global technology pioneer, is delighted to
by Hallie Gu, Muyu Xu, Shivani Singh (Reuters) China has suspended its plan to implement a nationwide gasoline blend containing 10% ethanol this year, three sources briefed on the matter said, following a sharp decline in the country’s corn stocks and limited production capacity of the biofuel. … But at
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) From Germany we have news that Clariant, Anhui Guozhen Group, and Chemtex Chemical Engineering signed a license agreement on sunliquid cellulosic ethanol technology. This is the third commercial license for the sunliquid technology and the first for China. The Anhui Guozhen Group and Chemtex have agreed to
by Donavan Lim (S&P Global Platts) US exports to China unviable even if tariffs return to pre-tension levels; Philippines’ fuel ethanol imports to fall further; South Korea’s imports from Pakistan to dry up in Q1 — An easing of trade tensions between the US and China could pave the way for a resumption
(Renewable Fuels Association) RFAEditor’s Note: In keeping with a long-standing RFA holiday tradition, our very own Senior Strategic Advisor offers his views on what is on the way “out” as we turn our calendars to 2020 and what will be “in” as the new year begins. The 2020 Out-In List — 2019
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) A mere “The Year in Rewind” as we sail into 2020? Not the good ship Digest! Instead, we dust off our crystal ball and offer our predictions for the year ahead. As the sunset of 2019 gives way to the dawn of 2020, once again roll the
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) 64 countries have targets or mandates – but how much where, and when, and what? Besides the EU, the major blending mandates that will drive global demand are those set in the US, China and Brazil – each of which has set targets – or, in
by Syed Akhtar Ali (The Express Tribune) … Biofuels have been a preferred fuel for a variety of reasons. These include energy security as most of the petroleum-importing countries have a large agricultural base producing ethanol; price stability which is a balancing insurance against mercurial oil price variations and shocks;
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) From what is an advanced biofuel to why, we take a look at the gallons, the ethanol blend wall, the residue capacity, and over 30 advanced biofuels projects from around the world to watch. In today’s Digest, a Digest 2020 Multi-Slide Guide on advanced biofuels that
by Donavan Lim (S&P Global Platts) Indonesian PME exports to sink; CPO production stalls; B30 to support consumption — Analysts and traders fixated on the elevated crude palm oil stockpile at the beginning of 2019 are left cheering as CPO stocks fell across Malaysia and Indonesia while prices rallied to MR 2,684/mt (US
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) It’s Christmas morning for many and biobased Barbies are on the horizon with Mattel’s promise to use only recycled, recyclable, or renewable plastics in all products by 2030, starting with the Fisher-Price Rock-a-Stack made from sugarcane plastics. And soon you can write letters to Santa on
by Lisa Gibson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Ethanol Producer Magazine talked to three experts about the past year, and what they see moving into 2020. — 2019 brought a Reid vapor pressure waiver for E15, but it also brought excessive small refinery waivers and low margins for ethanol plants. The year
(AgNewsWire) To say 2019 has been a rough year for the ethanol industry would be an understatement. Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Geoff Cooper says it was one of the worst years – if not the worst – the industry has seen in its relatively short history. The best news
(EFI) EFI, Natural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE) and University of Eastern Finland (UEF) are joining forces to create an International Bioeconomy Knowledge Hub (BioHub) in Joensuu. The three organisations signed a Memorandum of Understanding earlier this month. “We need to significantly increase our understanding on structural changes in forest bioeconomy markets
by Marcelo Teixeira (Reuters) Chinese commodities trader COFCO, Brazilian grains group AMaggi and a Shell-Cosan joint venture are working on plans to build their first corn ethanol plants in Brazil, according to their suppliers, breaking sugarcane’s lock on the biofuel locally. The wave of fresh interest from some of the world’s
(Bloomberg) Beijing plans to lift trade war tariffs on ethanol, people say; Re-routing trade from Hong Kong could add around $10 billion– Further details are emerging on how China would increase imports from the U.S. by as much as $200 billion over the next two years in order to meet its
(China Dialogue/Future Fuel Strategies) … But the positive changes have been more than negated by growth in demand for unsustainable palm oil from other markets. No country plays a larger role than China, the chief destination for Indonesian exports and among the top consumers of palm oil. Imports of palm oil into
by Sam A. Rushing (Advanced Cryogenics/Biofuels Digest) … Food and beverage applications often account for 70% of all tonnage consumed in the merchant sector. There are also demands of a captive and sequestration nature, which in my view, are generally categorized outside of the merchant markets, such as large EOR (enhanced
by Philip Blenkinsop (Reuters) The European Union confirmed tariffs on Indonesian biodiesel imports on Monday to counter what it sees as unfair subsidies, the latest blow to producers after the bloc ruled that palm oil should be phased out of renewable transport fuels. In the conclusion to a case that has
by Jim Shelton (Yale News) … The discovery, published online Nov. 27 in the journal Nature, finds a novel solution for two chemical tasks: producing methanol — a volatile, liquid fuel that is prized by industry — and removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Hailiang Wang, an assistant professor of chemistry
(American Coalition for Ethanol) The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) submitted comments today to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on its proposed supplemental rulemaking to the 2020 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). ACE CEO Brian Jennings detailed three areas in which the proposal falls short in ACE’s written
by Jacques Moss (knect365) Paulo Corte-Real Neves is Ethanol & Oil Products Trading Director at Raizen, a leading Brazilian sugarcane producer jointly owned by Cosan and Royal Dutch Shell. We sat down with him at the World Ethanol & Biofuels conference to discuss the RenovaBio programme, California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard and
(Mitsui) Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (“Mitsui”, Head office: Tokyo, President and CEO: Tatsuo Yasunaga), has resolved to acquire an equity interest in China-based next-generation ethanol producer Beijing Shougang LanzaTech New Energy Technology (SGLT). After obtaining the appropriate licenses and permissions, Mitsui plans to invest 60 million RMB (approximately ¥900 million) in
by Cácia Pimentel* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Brazilian Biofuels Market players have been busy in the past days, with various seminars and forums organized to discuss the economic and technological development of the sector. Brazil is well known for its clean energy matrix, mostly coming from hydroelectric dams and the well-established
(Bioenergy Insight) Swedish shipping company Terntank has ordered two liquefied biogas (LBG)/liquefied natural gas- (LNG) powered tankers from AVIC Dingheng Shipbuilding in China. The newly-built tankers were designed by Kongsberg (ex-Rolls-Royce) and will be in operation in the Baltic Sea and the North Sea in 2021. The AVIC SERIES 2.0
by Steve Karnowski (Associated Press/ABC News) President Donald Trump’s $16 billion bailout package for farmers hurt by the trade war with China unfairly benefits the South at the expense of the North and wealthy producers over smaller farms, Democratic senators concluded in a report released Tuesday. The report, one of
by Sarita Reed and Vincius Fontana (Future Fuel Strategies/China Dialogue) There are 332 million cars on the road in China, more than anywhere in the world. Most run on pure petrol, but from next year Chinese fuel companies will add 10% ethanol, a move that could have far reaching implications for the
by Amanda Stephenson (Calgary Herald) Alberta’s canola farmers are lobbying the province to mandate the use of more biofuels, a move they say would help the environment and boost the domestic market for their crop. Alberta oil usually comes from underground, but canola farmers say we could be putting a
(Xebec) Italy’s First Landfill Gas Upgrading to RNG Plant — Xebec Adsorption Inc. (TSXV: XBC) (“Xebec”), a global provider of clean energy solutions today announced that renewable energy project developer and operator Asja Ambiente Italia SpA is in the final construction phase of its 11.2 MW landfill gas (LFG) to
(Gro Intelligence) … Today, a record amount of ethanol is produced globally, and expectations are for further growth as three of the world’s largest ethanol producing countries move ahead with expansion plans. US proposals, which are aimed at shoring up demand for corn, could break a longstanding barrier that has capped ethanol
(Solutions from the Land) The domestic biofuel industry has taken some harsh hits in recent times, as evidenced by the heated disputes over biofuel policies and the questionable restraints the current administration seems to be placing on the sector’s ability to grow. But when a wider, more global view is
(Growth Energy/Ethanol Producer Magazine) At the World Ethanol and Biofuels Event in Brussels, Growth Energy Senior Vice President of Global Markets Craig Willis took the stage to share his insight into the global markets landscape and provide an update on steps the United States has been taking to embrace and promote higher ethanol blends.
by Angeli Mehta (Ethical Corporation) With the IPCC warning against growing crops for fuel, Angeli Mehta reports on how LanzaTech, SkyNRG and Velocys are trying to get the next generation of aviation biofuels to scale The first flight using a blend of kerosene and biofuel took place back in 2008. Eleven
by Bob Fisher (KGLO/Radio Iowa) Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg says President Trump isn’t keeping his promises to Iowa’s agricultural community when it comes to the Renewable Fuels Standard. “Actions speak louder than words and the president says he cares about farmers, but if you look what he’s done with the RFS
by Clifford Krauss (New York Times) A surge of oil production is coming, whether the world needs it or not. The flood of crude will arrive even as concerns about climate change are growing and worldwide oil demand is slowing. And it is not coming from the usual producers, but from Brazil,
by Becky Webb (Chemistry World) Process generates bulk chemical from two renewable carbon sources — Scientists in China have developed a method to produce ethanol using the renewable resources lignin and carbon dioxide for the first time. The process uses a ruthenium–cobalt catalyst and involves three cascade reactions – breaking
by Max Hall (PV Magazine) Analyst WoodMac has spelled out the urgent need to decarbonize the global hydrogen production industry. While the fuel can offer a sustainable grid balancing act for intermittent renewables, in its current fossil-fuel driven form it is pumping out more than 800 megatons of carbon into
by Andrew Hecht (Seeking Alpha) Summary: Lots of action in ethanol since the 2018 low. Liquidity declines in the biofuel. The trade war impacts ethanol – a policy decision fails to keep a promise. The falling Brazilian currency is also a factor. ADM is an ethanol producer. … The trade
(International Energy Agency) Replacing a portion of gasoline and diesel demand with biofuels is a means of increasing a country’s domestic fuel supply — Improving security of supply is a fundamental reason for the introduction of biofuel policy support in China, India and Indonesia, which in turn has raised production prospects.
by Robert Perkins (S&P Global Platts) Expanding Chinese ethanol mandates set to boost output; 2023 biofuel forecast raised by 19.5 billion liters; Renewables to meet 4.6% of road transport fuel demand — The International Energy Agency has raised its near-term forecast for global biofuels production, pointing to faster than expected growth in ethanol flows
by Matt Thompson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Stephen Censky, deputy secretary of the USDA, delivered a keynote address during the second day of the Global Ethanol Summit on Tuesday in Washington, D.C. … He also spoke to the efficiencies that U.S. ethanol producers and farmers have achieved, and what that may
by Donnelle Eller (Des Moines Register) Angry over proposed ethanol changes, Iowa agriculture leaders warned Wednesday that President Donald Trump will lose rural voters next year unless he makes good on a deal to restore millions of gallons of lost renewable fuel demand. “No more Iowa nice. Now, it’s Iowa pissed,” said Craig Floss, CEO
by Jason Deign (Green Tech Media) It’s early days for renewable hydrogen, but the potential is enormous, and several nations have an eye on the driver’s seat. — Air Liquide had a special gift for the U.S. on the little-known National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day this month: The French industrial
by Matt Thompson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The first Global Ethanol Summit, sponsored by the U.S. Grains Council, Growth Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association, kicked off in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 14 with presentations from Ryan LeGrand, president and CEO of USGC, and Mike Dwyer, chief economist of USGC. LeGrand gave
(Lanza Tech) Products made from recycled pollution are coming to a store near you! Beijing Shougang LanzaTech New Energy Science & Technology Co., Ltd. a joint venture between carbon recycler, LanzaTech, Shougang Group, a leading Chinese iron and steel producer, and its New Zealand partner, TangMing, have successfully produced over 9M
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) A series of unfortunate events this summer—all caused by U.S. government action or inaction—has led to a precarious situation in the biodiesel sector, but there may be a silver lining. — … The volume of SREs (small oil refinery exemptions) granted has exploded during the
(PressAT/Vertoro) Sainc Energy Limited (Sainc), a London-based developer of biomass refineries, has entered into a definitive supply contract for 180,000 tons per annum of local olive tree prunings for its planned advanced bio-refinery at Villaralto, in Cordoba Province, Andalusia, Spain. The bio-refinery will produce second generation (2G) ethanol alongside so-called crude lignin
by David J. Lynch (Washington Post) … After two decades, Siouxland (Energy Cooperative) this month halted operations following the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to exempt 31 small oil refiners from a federal law requiring them to blend ethanol in their gasoline. The waivers, which the Trump administration has approved almost
by John Cumbers (Forbes) When it comes to action on climate change, what’s good for the planet must also benefit the economy and the livelihoods of people, which are more often than not at the forefront of the minds of voters and can make or break a government. When oil and
(Neste) Neste opens an office in Shanghai and starts renewable raw material sourcing operations in China. “Neste is the 3rd most sustainable company in the world and the largest producer of renewable diesel. We are happy to open a new office in China, and start purchasing waste and residue raw materials
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Gabon, local press reports that Chinese investors are set to plow $620 million into a facility that will produce 300,000 metric tons of ethanol from cassava annually. The 900,000 tons of feedstock required annually from the project will be grown on 83,000 hectares of land
(Economic Times Energy World) Now in doubt as both stocks and output decline. — China’s plan to implement a nationwide mandate for ethanol-blended gasoline in 2020 is in doubt after a significant decline in the country’s corn stocks, a government researcher said on Tuesday. State stockpiles of corn, the main raw material

Conference Introduction — Sponsored jointly by the Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology (ICSB), the Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure (FRCBS) at Tsinghua University, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the symposium invites researchers at the forefront of protein structural biology, design and
(U.S. Grains Council) U.S. Grains Council (USGC) staff, consultants and members attending the Asia Pacific Petroleum Conference (APPEC) in Singapore this week found reason for enthusiasm for ethanol’s future in the region. “This is the first time the Council has participated in a regional petroleum conference in Asia,” said Tim Tierney,
by Donavan Lim and Yi Jeng Huang (S&P Gobal Platts) US ethanol exports are forecast to fall around 100 million gallons year on year to 1.5 billion gallons in 2019 as trade flows redirects away from China toward Southeast Asia and India, according to industry executive in an interview at
by P.J. Huffstutter and Tom Polansek (Reuters) … Many farmers are angry, and some are directing their anger not at the Republican president, but at Washington’s bureaucracy. Trump has faced backlash from agricultural groups, ethanol producers and Midwestern politicians upset that his trade war with China has slashed export sales
by John Cumbers (Green Biz/SynBioBeta) Sustainability is in vogue, with businesses and cities jostling to improve their public image and produce goods and services using renewable sources. Yet cities exponentially swell and carbon emissions continue to increase. Global CO2 emissions rise nearly every year (about 36 billion tons in 2014), with
According to Reuters‘ reporters Humeyra Pamuk and Jarrett Renshaw, Terry Branstad, the former Iowa governor and now U.S. ambassador to China, showed a map of counties that had flipped in Trump’s favor in 2016 but were now considered at risk in the November 2020 election. Branstad also listed quotes from
by Humeyra Pamuk and Jarrett Renshaw (Reuters) At a closed-door meeting at the White House on Aug. 19, President Donald Trump looked increasingly alarmed as his top envoy to China delivered evidence of rising Farm Belt frustration over his biofuel policy along with a stark warning: You’ve got a problem in
(Rutgers University/Phys.org) Chinese and Rutgers scientists have discovered how aquatic plants cope with water pollution, a major ecological question that could help boost their use in wastewater treatment, biofuels, antibiotics and other applications. The study is in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The researchers used a new
by Dave Boyer (The Washington Times) A leading trade group for the petroleum industry warned President Trump on Tuesday to ditch his plan to boost ethanol production, saying it would be a “disastrous political decision.” … He (Frank Macchiarola, a vice president of the American Petroleum Institute) said the petroleum industry
by Marcelo Teixeira (Reuters) Brazil’s ethanol industry is looking to grab a chunk of China’s ethanol market as the Asian nation targets a 10% blend in gasoline to improve air quality, but a short-term jump in exports is unlikely, according to people following the matter. … Brazilian ethanol industry representatives
by Valerie Flynn (The Sunday Times) The Department of the Environment has said it may have to alter the statutory instrument promoting biofuels in Ireland after the EU placed a cap on biodiesel made from used cooking oil (UCO) in response to environmental concern about the fuel. Within the EU,
by Tal Axelrod (The Hill) The Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) blasted the Trump administration on Tuesday, saying the government has put it in “one hell of a bad situation.” The trade association hammered President Trump for approving what it called 31 “unjustified” refinery waivers tied to ethanol, along with his year-plus trade war
by O. Kay Henderson (Radio Iowa) Governor Kim Reynolds and Midwest governors are planning a trip to Washington, D.C. to talk with President Trump about unrest in farm country. “Let him know first-hand what’s happening on the ground,” Reynolds said this morning. The Trump Administration recently granted waivers to oil companies,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Klobuchar says “I will stop the oil refinery waivers”: In Iowa, US Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota said that, if elected President in 2020, would in her first 100 days in office order a moratorium on oil refinery waivers issued under the Renewable Fuel Standard, restore the
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In China, Reuters reports that as part of another $75 billion in tariffs on US imports in the latest round of the on-going trade war, as of December 15 US-origin ethanol will face an additional 10% import duty on top of existing duties that already make
by Matt Thompson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The American Coalition for Ethanol kicked off its annual conference in Omaha today. While there was some discussion of the state of the industry and the harm done by small refinery exemptions, there were also messages of optimism. One of those messages came from Ryan
by Pharoah Le Feuvre (International Energy Agency) Transport biofuel production expanded 7% year-on-year in 2018, and 3% annual production growth is expected over the next five years. This falls short of the sustained 10% output growth per year needed until 2030 to align with the Sustainable Development Scenario (SDS). Stronger
by Andy Knight (The Herald Bulletin) Officials with POET Biorefining in Alexandria are monitoring the ongoing trade dispute between the United States and China, which has resulted in significant tariffs on U.S. ethanol shipments to that country. POET employs more than 40 people in Madison County and, according to the company’s
(Rutgers Today) Scientists Discover Key Factors in How Some Algae Harness Solar Energy — Scientists have discovered how diatoms – a type of alga that produce 20 percent of the Earth’s oxygen – harness solar energy for photosynthesis. The Rutgers University-led discovery, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) LanzaTech has produced 5.5 million gallons of ethanol since start up and has compelling project economics to back it up. Jennifer Holmgren, CEO of LanzaTech gave this ‘Carbon Smart’ overview of how LanzaTech is recycling carbon from industrial off gas biomass and MSW syngas and
by Sarita Reed and Vinicius Fontana (China Dialogue) Adding ethanol to Chinese petrol will decrease emissions but could worsen Brazil’s deforestation — There are 332 million cars on the road in China, more than anywhere in the world. Most run on pure petrol, but from next year Chinese fuel companies
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) … Today we’re going to relate a detective story which begins with an unexplained and foul stink, and branches off into climate, trade, the eradication of poverty, crop rotation, the politics of the Amazon, the flow vectors of tropical seas, seafloor convection, the future of beach
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) EPA might have a new name in some circles – Exemptions for Petroleum Agency – thanks to the 31 small refinery waivers issued on Friday which has the biofuels and agriculture industries reeling after promises made by President Trump to look into why big oil
by Hallie Gu and Tom Daly (Reuters/Zawya) Beijing is honouring its pledges to buy U.S. agricultural products, state media cited China’s state planning body saying, dismissing an accusation from U.S. President Donald Trump that it had not met purchasing promises in the sector. Trump had said on Thursday that Beijing had
by Kate Rooney (CNBC) A spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce says Chinese companies have stopped purchasing U.S. agricultural products in response to President Trump’s new 10% tariffs on $300 billion of Chinese goods. “This is a serious violation of the meeting between the heads of state of China and the
by Rachel Gamarski and Fabiana Batista (Bloomberg) Decision may be taken before tax-free quota expires end-August; Any tariff on U.S. ethanol would hurt bilateral trade talks — As China turns its back on American ethanol in a lingering trade spat, Brazil is considering opening its doors to U.S. biofuel. — Brazilian authorities are
(Lanza Tech) Novo Holdings A/S (Novo Holdings) and LanzaTech, a pioneer in the production of next generation fuels and chemicals through the recycling of carbon pollution, announce today that they have formed a partnership to grow LanzaTech’s revolutionary sustainable fuels and chemicals platform. Novo Holdings is making a $72 million investment

Includes 14th China and Asia Pacific Ethanol Chain Summit 2019 and 10th Global Ethanol Focus 2019. READ MORE and MORE
by Sean Pratt (Western Producer) An analyst doesn’t think China will delay implementing its E10 policy until there is adequate domestic capacity because the policy is being driven by a desire to clean up the country’s air before hosting the 2022 Olympics. Moving to a 10 percent gasoline blend by 2020
by Ned Molloy (China Dialogue Ocean) As the world’s largest exporter and shipbuilder, China could pave the way to a carbon-neutral global trading system — The Chinese president, Xi Jinping, said last month that his country’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to stimulate global trade and integration must be “green and
(Xinhua) A Chinese firm on Wednesday launched an ethanol processing plant in central Zambia, which the government says will go a long way in helping the country tackle fuel problems and reduce poverty. The 9-million U.S. dollars plant of Zhongkai International Company will result in the creation of about 200 direct
(British Bioethanol) The APPG for British Bioethanol has launched its final report on the introduction of E10 today (July 16, 2019). Stemming from the launch of an Inquiry in March into the lack of progress made by the DfT to publish its Consultation into E10, which closed in September 2018. The
by Steven Slome, Ron Cascone, and Matthew Morton (Nexant Inc./Biofuels Digest) As of mid-2019, the Chinese government has only six months to make good on its 2017 pledge to roll out mandatory ten percent ethanol content in gasoline (E10) on a nationwide basis by 2020. While China’s unique economic and political
by Chris Hubbuch (Wisconsin State Journal) … “There’s (a) civil war within the Republican Party,” said Scott Irwin, chairman of agricultural marketing at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. “It’s pitting two significant Republican constituencies of the president and neither one is now in a position to issue any kinds of
by Syed Akhtar Ali (The Express Tribune) Pakistan’s current account deficit has created many problems for the economy. Major imports are of the oil sector. There is a misplaced notion that nothing can be done for reducing these imports. Biofuels based on local agro-waste are a viable option and competitive route.
by Rob West and Bassam Fattouh (The Oxford Institute for Energy Studies) In this Energy Insight, we explore the challenges of the energy transition for international oil companies (IOCs). We argue that energy demand forecasts are inconsistent with meeting Paris Agreement targets using currently available and economic technologies and that, barring
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) In Brazil, a new regulation, Resolution No. 791, recently signed by the Ministry of Mines and Energy into the country’s national biofuels policy, RenovaBio, is expected to boost the ethanol sector with the new decarbonization targets for fuel distributors. RenovaBio will come into full force in
by Ed Lotterman (Bismarck Tribune) Unless National Security Adviser John Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo manage to gin up a war with Iran, the terrible crop conditions across much of the Midwest this year means that some fuel ethanol distillers will be shutting down operations. Quibbles about the
(BASF) Signing of Memorandum of Understanding to build a pilot plant for a new, energy-efficient one-step process in synthetizing dimethyl ether developed by BASF and Linde; Collaboration facilitated by China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation’s Open Innovation Platform; BASF is strongly committed to advancing climate protection through innovations that help customers reduce greenhouse
(Chinese Academy of Sciences/Phys.Org) Scientists at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have developed a chemocatalytic approach to convert cellulose into ethanol in a one-pot process by using a multifunctional Mo/Pt/WOx catalyst. This approach opens up an alternative avenue for biofuel production. The findings
by Marta Gomez San Juan, Anne Bogdanski and Olivier Dubois (Food and Agricultural Organization) … )T)his report offers lessons from 26 case studies of sustainable bioeconomy interventions from around the world and from a range of different sectors. The overall aim of the report is to use these case studies to expand the general understanding of
(Xinhua/Shanghai Daily) OVER 2,000 buses from Shanghai’s major bus company started running on biodiesel from yesterday, as the city works to turn recycled cooking oil into car fuel. Estimated by the current scale of use, Shanghai’s diesel and hybrid electric buses are set to consume nearly 22,000 tons of B5 biodiesel
by Beh Yuen Hui (The Star) Some 180 sanitary trucks will use biodiesel containing Malaysian palm oil in a pilot project to test its feasibility on Chinese vehicles. The programme will be carried out by Tsinghua University in collaboration with Beijing TUS-Deqing Bioenergy and the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB). … (Primary Industries
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) EPA beat the clock in finalizing year-round E15 on Friday, one day ahead of the beginning of the summer driving season. The agency announced a final rule that also takes a much softer approach on reforms to the biofuel credits market than what was originally
by Edwin L. Aguirre (University of Massachusetts Lowell) A team of researchers from UMass Lowell, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and China Agricultural University in Beijing has developed a new, sustainable way of converting wet biological waste into diesel-compatible fuel, using heat and water. The process, called hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL), converts
by Sebastien Malo (Reuters) Jennifer Holmgren, chief executive of carbon recycling firm LanzaTech, explained modestly how the Chicago-based startup had cut multi-million-dollar deals on four continents, including in China, aimed at helping curb climate change and air pollution. At the Jingtang Steel Mill in Heibei province, the company uses bacteria to convert

With over 100 companies and more than 150 guests to be present, this is a platform gathering global methanol players together to talk about current methanol industry chain changes and prospect methanol future development. July 9, DAY 1 Morning: Global Macro Policy and Sino-US Trade War Updates– Mr. Gal Luft, Senior
Primary Industries Ministry, Palm Oil Board to Sign MoU with Tsinghua University on Biofuel Research
(Bernama/Malay Mail) The Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) and the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Tsinghua University, China, for research on palm oil as biofuel. MPI Minister Teresa Kok said with the MoU in place, China will be increasing its palm oil imports
by Kent Swisher (Render Magazine) … Despite domestic consumption of rendered products being steady over the last 5 years, increasing an average of 1 percent, consumption in 2018 was down 1.3 percent to almost 8.5 million metric tons. Last year, total animal fats use in the United States for biodiesel/renewable fuel production was 1.4
(Methanol Institute) Methanol Vehicle Policy Issued by Eight Chinese ministries led by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) — Eight ministries of China’s central government led by the powerful Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), along with the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST),
(Methanol Institute/Center for Global New Energy Strategy Studies of Peking University) … China has a soaring demand for fuel and is facing the most challenging air pollution situation since its industrialization. Methanol, one of the most abundant chemicals and fuels in China, is being used as a clean-burning alternative fuel
(Argus Media) Higher US biofuel blending mandates cannot make up for lost export trade opportunities, according to farm groups caught in the crossfire of the country’s trade war with China. US independent refiners show little concern that the administration will blunt sharply lower exports to China by pressuring more renewable fuels
by Tom DiChristopher (CNBC) -LanzaTech sells technology that transforms carbon pollution into ethanol, a renewable fuel and feedstock for chemicals. -Founded in 2005, the start-up is now aiming to produce sustainable jet fuel and chemicals that can be used in consumer goods. -The company ranks No. 15 on CNBC’s 2019 Disruptor
(Yum China Holdings/Cision/PR Newswire) First restaurant company in China to get the ISCC (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification) certification for its used cooking oil that will be converted into sustainable biodiesel; Rolled out reusable serving baskets in all KFC restaurants across China — Yum China Holdings, Inc. (the “Company” or “Yum China“) (NYSE: YUMC)
by Ayenat Mersie (Reuters) The U.S.-China trade war is hurting the U.S. ethanol industry “badly,” Mike Dwyer, chief economist of the U.S. Grains Council, said on Wednesday at an event at New York Sugar week: * “Without the tariff protection we would probably supply 90-plus percent of all (ethanol) import needs
by Paul Grad (Chemical Engineering) … (C)onverting CO2 into a solid offers an attractive alternative method for safely and permanently removing CO2 from the atmosphere. To date, CO2 has only been converted into a solid at extremely high temperatures, making it industrially unviable. The team created a liquid metal electrocatalyst that contains metallic elemental cerium nanoparticles, which facilitate
by Matt Thompson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Beyond Enerkem, a few companies around the world are looking to feedstocks outside of corn to produce cellulosic ethanol. — A few well-known ethanol producers are developing cellulosic pathways that use feedstocks other than elements of corn. … Waste Gas LanzaTech, a U.S.-based carbon capture and
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In China, Bloomberg reports that additional tariffs on US biodiesel imports are among the latest retaliation measures in the ongoing US-China trade war. Even though China imports very little biodiesel from the US, it will still increase the tariff to 25% from the current 10%. China also
(Xinhua) Over 2,000 buses from Shanghai’s major bus company started running on biodiesel from Tuesday, as the city works to turn recycled cooking oil into car fuel. Estimated by the current scale of use, Shanghai’s diesel and hybrid electric buses are set to consume nearly 22,000 tonnes of B5 biodiesel
(Reuters/The Star Online) The Indonesia Biodiesel Producers Association (APROBI) estimates the country may export up to 2 million kilolitres (kl) of unblended biodiesel in 2019 in an “optimistic scenario”, Vice Chairman Paulus Tjakrawan told reporters on Thursday. In a “pessimistic scenario”, he said biodiesel exports this year would be around 1
by Karen Braun (Rueters/NASDAQ) … In 2017, China announced it would require gasoline supplies nationwide to be blended with ethanol by 2020, which would require about 15 million tonnes of the biofuel annually. China had an ethanol production capacity of about 2.8 million tonnes in 2017, though that has recently expanded.
(MENAFN) The ethanol market is splitting in two, which is having a big impact on the crops used to make the biofuel: corn in the US, and sugar in Brazil. There’s a massive ethanol glut in the US. That’s helping to drive corn prices lower. July futures are trading at a record
(Port Technology/Maersk) A.P Moller-Maersk, the largest container shipping line in the world, has released a video of the Maersk Mette’s historic eco-friendly Rotterdam-Shanghai voyage, which was taken by the vessel’s Captain Thomas Hvilborg. The video shows the Maersk Mette, a large triple-E vessel, entering the Port of Hong Kong as it

China’s 13th five-year plan for the bioenergy industry is that by 2020, the nation’s annual consumption of biomass energy will be equivalent to 58 million tons of standard coals. The installed capacity for biomass power generation will stand at 15 million kilowatt. Yearly consumption of biomass-to-liquid fuel and biomass pellets will
by Sean Pratt (Western Producer) Canada’s proposed Clean Fuel Standard is considered to be a major way that biodiesel demand could be expanded in Canada. The renewable fuel industry says a stronger domestic market would ease challenges caused by export volatility China’s canola export ban helps make the case for expanding consumption
by John Huthmacher (Hastings Tribune) Ethanol continues to be a driving force in Nebraska’s economy, affecting a sizable portion of the state’s business sector. This, according to a recent impact study released by University of Nebraska-Lincoln economists. The report examines the economic impact of Nebraska’s ethanol industry between 2015-17. Authors are UNL agricultural
by J.D. Scholten (The Hill) … To win back the White House, Democrats can’t just rely on “Whole Foods” districts of educated, affluent suburbanites. Democrats can do well in “Dollar General” districts if they show up and address the issues. No one gave me much of a chance when I ran against Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa), but
by Clare Pennington, Izham Ahmad, Steven McGinn (ICIS) Trans-shipments of ethanol from the US to China are taking place in renewed efforts to thwart US-China tariffs, including ship-to-ship transfers, several sources in Asia and Europe have confirmed. Importing US ethanol into China carries a penalty of up to 70%, one of a
(Algae Industry Magazine/Chinese Academy of Sciences) … However, the high concentration of carbon dioxide in flue gases generally inhibits the growth of industrial microalgae. Therefore, reducing the so-called “CO2 poisoning effect,” i.e., improving tolerance to high levels of CO2, has become a priority in the development of super microalgae for carbon fixation.
by Lejla Charif (Maersk) Convinced of the urgency to act on climate, a group of Dutch multinationals – FrieslandCampina, Heineken, Philips, DSM, Shell and Unilever – all members of the Dutch Sustainable Growth Coalition (DSGC), will join forces with A.P. Moller – Maersk to take a tangible step towards the decarbonization of
by Julie St. Louis (Courthouse News) Chinese scientists have developed a new plant-based biofuel that could help the aviation industry “go green,” according to research published in the journal Joule Thursday. Researchers say the magic of this biofuel, derived from cellulose, is its high-density state that is usable as either a wholesale replacement fuel
by Dan Murtaugh (Bloomberg) Cumulative replacement of 352,000 barrels/day since 2011: BNEF; Global oil demand grew 12 million barrels/day over same period — … Gasoline and diesel displacement by electric vehicles will grow by 96,000 barrels a day this year, BloombergNEF said in a report Tuesday. That brings the lost cumulative demand since 2011
by Liz Gyekye (BioMarket Insights) “In use, bio LPG is identical to conventional LPG and therefore has the benefit of being able to be blended and used by all existing appliances.” 123 years. That is how long family-owned multinational organisation SHV Energy has been established for. The Netherlands-headquartered company has recently
by Liz Gyekye (BioMarket Insight) “Please stop all subsidies to fossil fuels. In 2016, €56 billion went from EU member states to fossil fuels.” EU member states need to stop subsidising fossil fuels in order to help the bio-based materials industry, according to an industry expert. Roberto Ferrigno, EU Policy Advisor
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) … Port of Seattle Commissioner Fred Felleman noted: “Secretary Mabus advised us to set a goal. If it’s good enough for the Navy, it’s good enough for SeaTac airport, and we’ve established a partnership with 13 airlines with a goal of moving to 10 percent renewable
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Mark Pomykacz, from Federal Appraisal LLC and a member of Lee Enterprises Consulting offers this illuminating overview of the U.S.-China trade war impacts, cash flows, and values in the biofuels industry, and more. READ MORE U.S./China Trade Deal Could Be a Big and Fast Boost to
(Xinhua) North China’s coal-rich Shanxi Province will promote ethanol gasoline for its road vehicles to cut emissions and fossil fuel consumption. This year, ethanol fuel will be provided in pilot zones such as Taiyuan, Yangquan, Changzhi and Jincheng cities, and will be expanded to the entire province from Jan. 1, 2020,
(Aviation Benefits) China Southern Airlines of China has become another airline to join the programme to use a blend of traditional and sustainable biofuels to power aircraft for delivery flights from Airbus. The aircraft involved is the first A320NEO for China Southern Airlines, which left the manufacturer’s delivery centre in Toulouse
(Fact.MR) According to Fact.MR’s recent forecast report, the global landfill gas market is anticipated to expand at a value CAGR of 4.9% during the period of forecast, 2017-2026. — Increasing demand for alternative energy sources has prompted the use of landfills containing biodegradable materials in production of combustible gases. A mixture of
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In the Australia, tire recycler Green Distillation Technologies, which has developed world-first technology that transforms old tires into oil, carbon and steel, has moved to try and remove some of the confusion about how their process is described. Their Chief Operating Officer Trevor Bayley has said
(BioEnergy International) More than half of the carbon sink in the world’s forests is in areas where the trees are relatively young – under 140 years old – rather than in tropical rainforests. These trees have typically ‘regrown’ on land previously used for agriculture, or cleared by fire or harvest and
(GreenAir Online) Europe is pressing the governing ICAO Council to approve at its current 216th Session the emissions units criteria (EUC) that will underpin the eligibility of carbon offset credits that can be used under ICAO’s CORSIA scheme. The EUC are a key piece of the whole CORSIA scheme and they
by Steve White (NTV-ABC) Nebraska’s a world leader in ethanol, but global politics have the industry treading on thin ice. “Tougher together” is Chris Vincent’s motto these days. The CEO of Aurora Cooperative stands behind ethanol, even as the profitability has disappeared. … The co-op is a partner with Pacific Ethanol in
by Akane Okutse, (Nikkei Asian Review) Japanese biotechnology startup Green Earth Institute is set to expand into Southeast Asia with plans to manufacture petrochemical substitutes from biomass. The company plans to start producing in Malaysia from 2022, and is looking to launch similar projects in other parts of the region. Founded in
by Andrew Hecht (Seeking Alpha) Fighting pollution in the world’s most populous nation. -Ethanol prices fall to contract lows in 2018. -Corn is the primary ingredient in the biofuel in the US. -Brazilian sugar makes the nation the world’s leading ethanol exporter. -A trade deal could unleash an ethanol boom, and
by Brad Plumer and Blacki Migliozzi (New York Times) … If the United States adopted an economy-wide carbon tax similar to British Columbia’s, which started small and is set to rise to $37.50 per ton, emissions would start to fall, according to modeling by Energy Innovation, an energy policy firm. … Because
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) From Australia we have just heard that Licella has given the exclusive Australian license for the Cat-HTR and End-of-Life Plastic to its subsidiary iQ Renew, which has in turn merged with Australian recycler Stop Waste, a cash flow positive business, in which Licella Holdings is now a
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Hugh McLaughlin, PhD, PE, a technical expert in pyrolysis, biochar and activated carbon, and Gerald Kutney, PhD, a business expert in pyrolysis and biochar, and both members of Lee Enterprises Consulting offer this illuminating perspective on the science of biochar, associated commercial activities, and more. Lee