European Union (EU) – Advanced BioFuels USA

Biofuels: Commission Blacklists Palm Oil, Throws Soybeans Lifeline

by Gerardo Fortuna (EurActiv) In an eagerly-awaited decision, the European Commission last week categorised palm oil as a high-emitting biofuel crop but provided some controversial exemptions for smallholders and spared soybeans from the delegated act’s provisions. The Commission act defining the sustainability criteria for crop-based biofuels was released on Friday night (8

February 18, 2019 Read Full Article

Fermentable Sugar as a Raw Material for the Chemical Industry: First Generation as Sustainable as the Second – Significant Reduction in Greenhouse Gases for Both

(Bio-based News) New study conducts quantitative and qualitative sustainability assessment of bio-based raw materials for the chemical industry An extensive sustainability study carried out by nova-Institute shows that first-generation fermentable sugar is just as advantageous for a sustainable raw materials strategy of the European chemical industry as second-generation sugar. The results

February 11, 2019 Read Full Article

Shell Supports Transition to Bio-LNG

(Nordsol/NGV Journal) Nordsol, bio-LNG production and technology company, has brought Shell Ventures on as strategic investor to support its mission to enable the energy transition by making bio-LNG mainstream. Nordsol uses biogas from organic waste streams to produce bio-LNG, offering a cost competitive solution and the fuel of choice for the

February 11, 2019 Read Full Article

Finland Sets World-Leading 30% Biofuel Obligation for 2030

(UPM) The Finnish Parliament has yesterday 6 February 2019 approved a law that sets a gradually increasing 30% biofuels target for 2030. Furthermore, the law sets a world-leading advanced biofuels target of 10% in 2030. UPM welcomes the Finnish government’s ambition to take transport decarbonisation seriously: “UPM is a leading producer

February 8, 2019 Read Full Article

Biorefineries Assessment: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to IEA Bioenergy Task 42

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) IEA Bioenergy Task 42 is working on the analysis and assessment of biorefining in the whole value chain in order to meet its mission to facilitate the commercialisation and market deployment of biorefinery systems & technologies. Johannes Lindorfer from the Energy Institute at the Johannes Kepler University in

February 8, 2019 Read Full Article

UFOP: EU Oilseed Producers Lose in Argentina Imports Settlement

(Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP)/Biodiesel Magazine) According to Germany’s Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP), European oilseed producers are the losers in the Jan. 30 decision of the representatives of the EU member states in the Trade Defense Instruments Committee (TDI). The

February 6, 2019 Read Full Article

Biofuel Sustainability Criteria ‘Blocked’ in EU Commission

by Sarantis Michalopoulos (EurActiv) A delegated act determining the sustainability criteria of biofuels under the new renewable energy directive (RED II) has been blocked in the European Commission as some Commissioners found the criteria “too light”, EURACTIV has learnt. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a source close to the talks told EURACTIV.com

February 5, 2019 Read Full Article

EU Approves US Soybeans for Biofuel Production

(Associated Press/Washington Post) The European Union has approved U.S. soybean exports to be used in the production of biofuels in an effort to boost such imports following last summer’s trans-Atlantic meeting between President Donald Trump and his EU Commission counterpart Jean-Claude Juncker. The summit meeting was able to stave off a

February 5, 2019 Read Full Article

Potential Trade‐Offs of Employing Perennial Biomass Crops for the Bioeconomy in the EU by 2050: Impacts on Agricultural Markets in the EU and the World

(ResearchGate) Perennial biomass crops (PBC) are considered a crucial feedstock for sustainable biomass supply to the bioeconomy that compete less with food production compared to traditional crops. However, large‐scale development of PBC as a means to reach greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation targets would require not only the production on land previously

February 5, 2019 Read Full Article

UFOP Report on Global Market Supply 2018/2019: Combining Economically Viable Agriculture with Appropriate Agricultural Market and Climate Protection Policies

(Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Crops (UFOP)) The Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Crops (UFOP) has formulated its policy expectations on the occasion of the presentation of the third edition of the Global Market Supply Report. The association refers to the generally good global supply

February 5, 2019 Read Full Article

Port of Rotterdam’s Green Scheme

(Biofuels International) The Port of Rotterdam has announced its incentive scheme, Climate-Friendly Shipping. From the 21st of January interested parties will be able to apply for funding through the scheme, as the Port of Rotterdam Authority has made €5 million available. CEO of the Port of Rotterdam Authority, Allard Castelein said,

February 4, 2019 Read Full Article

Transport Bursts onto Global Decarbonisation Map

by Matthew Stone (PRIMA/Biofuels Digest) … Exponential growth in liquid renewable transport fuel solutions however is still needed to keep governments and fuel providers on track to overarching climate change commitments. To manage the explosive growth, PRIMA has created the roadmap needed for the energy, regulatory and investor stakeholders to keep on

February 3, 2019 Read Full Article

Copa and Cogeca Call on Commission to Closely Monitor Price Undertaking Agreement on Imported Argentinian Biofuel and Revoke It upon First Infringement

(European Farmers European Agri-Cooperatives) Copa and Cogeca welcome EU Member States approval of Commission’s package of definitive anti-subsidy measures against Argentinian biodiesel’s imports, during Trade Defence Committee held on 30th January. Nevertheless, the approval of an import quota of 1.2 million tonnes in the same meeting in a Price Undertaking Agreement between EU and

February 3, 2019 Read Full Article

Continued Growth of European Aviation Poses Environmental Challenges that Must Be Addressed, Warns EU Regulator

(GreenAir Online) Europe’s aviation regulator EASA has warned the continued growth of European aviation could undermine efforts to mitigate climate change and the Paris objectives if effective action is not taken to reduce the sector’s emissions over the next 10 years. … Existing mitigation measures are unlikely to counteract the increasing environmental

January 31, 2019 Read Full Article

NGVA Europe Calls for Method to Account Biofuels from 2025 Target

(NGVA Europe/NGV Journal) In this transitional period for the European transport and energy sectors towards zero- and low-emission driving and in these crucial last steps of the negotiation for a final agreement between the European Parliament and Council on the new regulation setting CO2 standards for heavy-duty vehicles, NGVA Europe urges

January 30, 2019 Read Full Article

Promoting Citizen-Orientated Climate Protection in Transport

(Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP)) On the occasion of the new edition of the brochure “Good Reasons for Biofuels”, the Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP) determines that the importance of biofuels as a tool for decarbonising the transport sector is

January 29, 2019 Read Full Article

January 2019 PyNe43 Newsletter Available

(Netzwerk Biotreibstoffe) It (January 2019 PyNe43 Newsletter) contains contributions on Electrocatalytic upgrading to stabilize pyrolysis oil Progress towards commercialization at pilot and demonstration scale Pyrolysis of forestry and fishery residue for rural applications. Overview on catalysts to upgrade pyrolysis oils. Hydrothermal liquefaction of biomass to drop in diesel Challenges under

January 28, 2019 Read Full Article

Burgeoning Biomethane: RNG Is a Partner, Not Competitor, to Ethanol

by Matt Thompson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Verbio has plans to further strengthen the already-expanding renewable natural gas market in the U.S., having purchased DuPont’s cellulosic ethanol plant. A transformation is underway in Iowa. Last year, Verbio North America Corp., the U.S. subsidiary of German bioenergy producer Verbio Vereinigte BioEnergie AG, purchased

January 28, 2019 Read Full Article

E10 Safe in All Petrol Cars

by James Cogan (Ethanol Europe/EurActiv) Folklore shouldn’t stop progress: if a car works fine with today’s petrol from EU filling stations, it will work just fine with the new E10 petrol, writes James Cogan. — Every petrol engine ever made or sold in the USA runs on E10 petrol. E10 has been

January 28, 2019 Read Full Article

Palm Oil’s Loss May Be U.S. Soybean Gain in EU Biofuel Rule (1)

by Stephen Gardner (Bloomberg) European Union must propose rule on biofuel crops that cause deforestation or other land-use change by Feb. 1; Palm oil would be phased out as biofuel feedstock in EU, U.S. soybean farmers could benefit — U.S. soybean companies could be the big winners if an upcoming European Union rule on

January 24, 2019 Read Full Article

EU Plans 2019 Global Carbon Market Meeting to Determine Trading Rules

by Siobhan Hall (S&P Global Platts) Spring meeting in Brussels ahead of COP25 in Chile; Wants rules that ensure real emission reductions; EU to meet its 2030 CO2 cut target with own rules — The European Commission wants to help broker an accord on global carbon market mechanisms to achieve the emission reductions needed

January 24, 2019 Read Full Article

Assocação Clarifies that 80% of Biodiesel in Portugal Does Not Have Palm Oil

(Ojogo (Google translation)) The Portuguese Association of Biofuel Producers, which accounts for 80% of biodiesel incorporated in diesel in Portugal, said today that none of its member companies uses palm oil in the production of its biofuels. On Monday, environmental protesters focused on European Commission representations in several European capitals,

January 23, 2019 Read Full Article

Benefuel Secures Land for Sarnia Biodiesel Plant

by Paul Morden (The Sarnia Observer) … (Benefuel CEO Rob) Tripp said Benefuel has successfully commercialized its patented process for manufacturing low carbon biodiesel and bio-lubricants from waste feedstocks, such a used cooking oil and byproducts from ethanol refining. It has demonstrated the process at a biodiesel refinery in Nebraska for

January 22, 2019 Read Full Article

EU Bioeconomy Survey: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide ABLC Guide to IEA Bioenergy Task 42

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) IEA Bioenergy 42 conducted a bio-economy survey using an online system to collect data, analysis of bioeconomy economics and policy data with interactive visualization, and a biorefineries database. Vincenzo Motola, Alessandro Giocoli, Nicola Pierro, and Isabella De Bari from IEA Bioenergy Task 42 gave this illuminating

January 16, 2019 Read Full Article

Final Version Published of Renewable Energy Directive – RED II: DIRECTIVE (EU) 2018/2001

(Netzwerk Biotreibstoffe) The final version of the Directive on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (RED IIi) was published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Member States must transpose the Directive into national law by End of June 2021. It should be noted that third

January 11, 2019 Read Full Article

USGC Finds Potential for Growing Ethanol Markets in Nigeria and Ghana

(U.S. Grains Council) The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) recently conducted a market assessment mission to Nigeria and Ghana gauging the potential for U.S. ethanol exports to these countries. “The mission identified a need for higher ethanol volumes and engaged government and industry directly on enforceable biofuels policy as well as demonstrated

January 7, 2019 Read Full Article

Biodiesel’s Past, Present and Future

by Marc Kellens (Biodiesel Magazine) Marc Kellens, the global technical director for Desmet Ballestra, takes us through the history and future of biodiesel production, identifying key milestones and cultural shifts, including the introduction and proliferation of renewable diesel. — … The food-vs.-fuel debate forced the industry to look for alternative biomass sources—wood,

January 5, 2019 Read Full Article

Wood Pellets: The Digest’s Multi-Slide Guide to IEA Bioenergy Task 40

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) IEA Bioenergy Task 40’s aim is to focus on international bioenergy technology potential, barriers, and trade as well as its wider implications. Christiane Hennig from IEA Bioenergy Task 40 gave this illuminating overview of key regions, developments, and governance for global wood pellet markets at ABLC Global 2018

January 4, 2019 Read Full Article

State of the Bioeconomy

by Wayne Lee and Mark J Riedy (Lee Enterprises Consulting, Inc. and Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP/Biofuels Digest) At present, the bioeconomy continues to attract debt and equity interest. VCs, Private Equity Groups and Strategic Partners are providing equity at the technology holding company level in the form of private placements

January 4, 2019 Read Full Article

Sanchez Plans to Impose on Airlines a Pioneer Green Fee of 2% on the Use of Biofuels

by Victor Martinez (El Mundo Google Translation)) The Spanish Government plans to introduce a goal of biofuel consumption to the airline sector within its environmental policies against climate change. The Ministry of Ecological Transition completes a draft Climate Change Law in which the Executive is authorized to establish annual biofuel targets in air transport

January 3, 2019 Read Full Article

Europe’s Next Biofuels Move: Promoting European Ethanol Key to Europe’s Long-Term Environmental Goals.

by Emmanuel Desplechin (ePURE, the European Renewable Ethanol Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) … First, it opens the door to a more effective approach to decarbonizing EU transport, as long as member states find ways to turn that ambition into action. And second, it puts the EU on record as saying that sustainable biofuels

January 2, 2019 Read Full Article

Biogas Innovations: The Digest’s Multi-Slide Guide to IEA Bioenergy Task 37

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) IEA Bioenergy has several member countries involved in Task 37 which aims to improve innovations in biogas systems. Professor Jerry Murphy from IEA Bioenergy Task 37 gave this illuminating presentation on innovations in biogas systems at ABLC Global 2018 in San Francisco – and it’s ready for you

January 2, 2019 Read Full Article

Biofuels Mandates around the World 2019

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Florida, the Digest today (January 1, 2019) releases its annual review of biofuels mandates and targets around the world, looking at the state of biofuels mandates in 65 countries. The bulk of mandates continue to come from the EU-27, where the Renewable Energy Directive (RED)

January 2, 2019 Read Full Article

Creating Trust in Bioenergy: The Digest’s Multi-Slide Guide to IEA Bioenergy

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) IEA Bioenergy conducted research on various approaches to creating trust in sustainability of bioenergy through effective governance. Inge Stupak and Tat Smith, IEA Bioenergy researchers gave this illuminating overview of ways to increase legitimacy and gain trust in bioenergy at ABLC Global 2018 in San Francisco –

December 31, 2018 Read Full Article

Top 18 of 2018 – Looking Back to Look Forward

by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) … So on this last day of 2018, join the Biofuels Digest in looking back at our most visited and popular stories of 2018. … In today’s Digest, the hottest technologies, aviation developments we only dreamed of, cash out of trash innovations, biogas, cellulosic biofuels, lignin,

December 31, 2018 Read Full Article

Malaysia Says Norway Move to Ban Palm-Based Biodiesel Could Hinder EFTA Trade Talks

(Reuters/Investing.com) Norway’s plans to ban biofuels containing palm oil from 2020 are set to provide a major obstacle to long-running trade talks between the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and Malaysia, a Kuala Lumpur government minister said on Friday. A Norwegian parliament recommendation to ban biodiesel “with high deforestation risk” was

December 28, 2018 Read Full Article

Increase Public Awareness of Bio-Based Products and Applications Supporting the Growth of the European Bioeconomy

(European Commission) Promoting bio-based products to consumers–A bioeconomy uses renewable resources and helps society meet current environmental challenges so consumers need to be aware of the benefits of bio-based products. Converting resources from agriculture, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture into food, bio-based products and bio-energy is a promising strategy for minimising our

December 26, 2018 Read Full Article

Diesel: New Data Proves that Modern Diesel Cars Emit Low Pollutant Emissions on the Road

(European Automobile Manufacturers Association) New data released today (November 5, 2018) by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) provides evidence that latest-generation diesel cars emit low pollutant emissions on the road. This data was measured in real-driving conditions by the drivers of the various national type approval authorities. Some 270

December 26, 2018 Read Full Article

“REWOFUEL”: Residual Soft Wood Conversion to Drop-in Biofuels

(Netzwerk Biotreibstoffe) The aim of the EU-funded project REWOFUEL is to demonstrate the performance, reliability, environmental and socio-economic sustainability of the value chain for the transformation of residual wood to Bio-Isobutene (bio-IBN) by fermentation and its further conversion into biofuels. The first-of-a-kind bio-refinery will convert soft-wood into advanced drop-in biofuels for

December 26, 2018 Read Full Article

UFOP Publishes Special Report “Biodiesel 2017/2018”

(Netzwerk Biotreibstoffe) With the special report “Biodiesel 2017/2018”, the Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP) annually summarizes the most important chapters from its annual report on biodiesel. The chapter “Biodiesel & Co” explains the most important biofuel policy issues at national and European level in the context

December 26, 2018 Read Full Article

Outlook 2019: European Fuel Ethanol Market to Focus on Supply Side

by Sophie Byron and Chrysa Glystra (S&P Global Platts) The dawn of 2019 will find European fuel ethanol trying to rebalance supply, while awaiting key developments with Brexit and US antidumping duties. … Logistics have also been a headache not only for biofuels but also the broader fuel and petrochemical

December 26, 2018 Read Full Article

Malaysia, Indonesia, Colombia to Meet over French Anti-Palm Oil Vote

(Free Malaysia Today/Bernama) Malaysia is scheduled to hold a meeting with Indonesia and Colombia in Jakarta next February to discuss the French National Assembly’s decision to exclude the use of palm oil as a biodiesel feedstock. Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok said the French National Assembly’s decision posed a challenge to

December 26, 2018 Read Full Article

China’s Ethanol Love May Be Antidote for Slumping U.S. Farms

by Mario Parker (Bloomberg) Producers hopeful Chinese ethanol purchases are coming next; Biofuel, made from corn, helps support farm-belt growth — A little love from China in the U.S. ethanol market during the trade-war detente between Washington and Beijing could go a long way in soothing the ailing American farm economy. That’s according

December 24, 2018 Read Full Article

The New Waste Business Model: Evaluation of Existing and Projected WtE Projects

by Andrew Grant (Lee Enterprises/Biomass Power Corp/Biofuels Digest) This article addresses the due diligence requirements for the increasing variety of waste-to-energy projects investors are now considering. The topics apply to both early and later development stage project assessment. Twenty-five years ago, the North American and European waste-to-energy business model was well-established,

December 21, 2018 Read Full Article

Newsletter IEA Bioenergy Task 37: 12/2018

(Netzwerk Biotreibstoffe) The latest IEA Bioenergy Task 37 Newsletter has been released. Highlights from the newsletter are: 11% more Swiss biogas injected in 2017 – In 2017, 11 percent more Swiss biogas was fed into the grid compared to the previous year corresponding to 341 GWh. The Swiss gas industry will significantly

December 19, 2018 Read Full Article

Bioenergy Retrofits for Europe’s Industry

(Netzwerk Biotreibstoffe) BIOFIT (www.biofit-h2020.eu) is an EU project that aims to facilitate the introduction of bioenergy retrofitting in Europe’s industry. The BIOFIT project will – during its 3-year duration – facilitate the introduction of bioenergy retrofitting in five specific industries, namely first-generation biofuels, pulp and paper, fossil refineries, fossil firing power

December 19, 2018 Read Full Article

Biofuels Production and Consumption in the European Union (EU): Status, Advances and Challenges

by Laura Lonza and Adrian O’Connell (EAI Bioenergy Task 39) 1. Status of the biofuels industry in the EU The EU is the third largest producer of biofuels in the world. In 2017, North America, South & Central America and Europe had world shares of 45.5%, 26.9% and 16.8%, respectively. The EU’s biofuels production

December 19, 2018 Read Full Article

EU Agrees to Cut Emissions from Cars by 37.5 pct by 2030

by Philip Blenkinsop (Reuters) The European Union agreed on Monday a compromise over how sharply to curb carbon dioxide emissions from cars and vans, finally settling differences between car-producing countries and more environmentally conscious lawmakers. “We reached a compromise to cut emissions from cars by 37.5 percent and vans by 31

December 18, 2018 Read Full Article

Notice of Initiation of an Anti-Subsidy Proceeding Concerning Imports of Biodiesel Originating in Indonesia

(European Commission) The European Commission (‘the Commission’) has received a complaint under Article 10 of Regulation (EU) 2016/1037 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 June 2016 on protection against subsidised imports from countries not members of the European Union (1) (‘the basic Regulation’), alleging that imports of biodiesel, originating

December 18, 2018 Read Full Article

The Malaysian Biodiesel Mandate – Outlook to 2020: Growth Opportunities & Companies to Action

(GlobeNewswire/ResearchAndMarkets.com) The “Malaysian Biodiesel Mandate”report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com’s offering. This study offers a detailed overview of the biodiesel mandate in Malaysia and the steps taken by the Malaysian government to protect the Malaysian palm oil industry. Palm oil is a key ingredient in the biodiesel produced in Malaysia. Biodiesel is the main

December 17, 2018 Read Full Article

It’s a Bitter End for Sugar as Investors Line Up for 2019 Losses

(Bloomberg) … Millers could make more sugar as oil drop damps ethanol view … The one thing that kept the rout from being even deeper: robust demand for ethanol in Brazil, the world’s biggest sugar grower and exporter. But now that backstop looks like it’s going away. … Cane millers can

December 17, 2018 Read Full Article

The FORBIO Project: A Sustainable Alternative for Contaminated and Underutilized Lands

(Global Bioenergy Partnership) The FORBIO (Fostering Sustainable Feedstock Production for Advanced Biofuels on underutilized land in Europe) Project gave stakeholders in Italy, Germany and Ukraine a strategy for the market uptake of sustainable advanced bioenergy value chains. Through a thorough assessment of the real sustainable potential for bioenergy in these countries,

December 15, 2018 Read Full Article

US Ethanol Producers: We Are Oil’s Biggest Competitor, Cleaner Too

by Sarantis Michalopoulos (EURACTIV) Increasing ethanol use will help countries around the world meet their Paris Agreement climate goals in a cheaper way, US producers told EURACTIV.com, staking their claim to a higher role for the fuel, alongside electricity, in decarbonising transport. Speaking to EURACTIV on the sidelines of COP24 in Katowice,

December 14, 2018 Read Full Article

Researchers at IT Tralee Secure over €1.2m in Funding for Research in Bioeconomy and Marine Sectors.

(Institute of Technology Tralee) Institute of Technology Tralee has been awarded €1.26 million in new funding to partner in two new research initiatives. This brings to over €11m the total value of research grants secured by IT Tralee from competitive national and EU funding bodies in the past 12 months.

December 13, 2018 Read Full Article

G20 Countries Must Act Quickly to Decarbonise The Transport Sector

(Agora Verkehrswende) According to a new report, CO2 emissions from transport are still rising. If immediate action is not taken, more radical measures will be unavoidable in the future. — To keep global temperature rise well below 2 degrees Celsius, the world’s leading economies must act immediately to reduce transport emissions.