(Bioenergy Insight) Granville Ecopark has introduced two new CNG-powered trucks to its operations, the first of their kind in Northern Ireland. The new IVECO Stralis NP trucks will be fuelled by food waste-derived biomethane, produced through anaerobic digestion. Dubbed their ‘Smart Loop Lorries’, Granville Ecopark’s new vehicles and AD technology
Ireland
(Dublin City University) A consortium led by researchers based in the School of Biotechnology at DCU continues to redefine the methodology employed in the distilling industry, towards improving sustainability in the workflows which are commonplace in distilleries the world over. Asst. Profs. Gunes and Lawler, of the School of Biotechnology
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Florida, the Digest today releases its annual review of biofuels mandates and targets around the world, looking at the state of biofuels mandates in 65 countries. Get the latest up to the minute new information on the Canada Clean Fuels Standard as well as a
by John Fialka (E&E News) … “Can we afford not to do this?” was the way Steve Oldham, the CEO of Carbon Engineering, headquartered in Squamish, British Columbia, put it in a recent TED Talk. He estimated that climate-related damages will eventually cost the U.S. over $500 billion a year “if
(Biofuels International) The UK and Ireland Fuel Distributors Association (UKIFDA) has welcomed the Sixth Carbon Budget published by the Committee on Climate Change (CCC). UKIFDA has been lobbying for targets and timelines and was pleased that the CCC has agreed with this. However, the organisation said liquid biofuels were still
by Robert Perkins (S&P Global Platts) Refiners call for more biofuels support; Move seen displacing 60,000 b/d of oil demand; Hybrids get reprieve until 2035, EV sales booming — The UK’s refining sector has voiced its opposition to the UK plans to bring forward a ban on sales of new gasoline and diesel
(Globally Today) Irish biodiesel manufacturer, Green BioFuels Ireland (GBI), has opened a new office in Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) to study the sourcing of biodiesel feedstock in the Middle East. The JAFZA office will carry out a feasibility study of sources for sustainable waste oils and residues in the
(Teagasc) What is the bioeconomy? Is it relevant to me, my sector, my business, the place where I live or my farm? What is unique about it? How does Ireland compare relative to other European countries? And how can I get involved? These are questions that a series of maps, released
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) “Biofuels proven as most affordable, immediate path to net-zero carbon,” says NEFI. — In Washington, representatives from the National Energy & Fuels Institute (NEFI) and global management consulting firm Kearney announced a plan for the heating oil industry to eliminate fossil energy use by 2050. This will
(BioCycle Magazine) The Food Waste Recycling Project is an initiative of Cré (Composting & Anaerobic Digestion Association of Ireland), the Regional Waste Management Planning Lead Authorities Connacht Ulster, Eastern Midlands, Southern (WMPLA) and the Irish Waste Management Association. With funding from the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (DCCAE),
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Today, biobased mandates around the world. Where are the markets you can count on, how much can you count on? 65 countries in all, We’ll be focusing especially on new information out of Argentina, Brazil, Britain after Brexit, Canada, the European Union, China, India, Indonesia,
(Petrol Plaza) The national organisation is pushing the fuelling industry to be carbon neutral by 2050. — Fuels for Ireland, an organisation representing companies that provide energy for transport, heating, business, agriculture, maritime and aviation, has set out its plans for the industry to become carbon neutral by 2050. The new
(Bioenergy Insight) BWG Foods, one of Ireland’s leading wholesale and retail groups, has become the first fast-moving consumer goods company in the country to launch a fleet of biogas powered vehicles. The group, which owns and operates SPAR, EUROSPAR, Londis, MACE, and XL, has launched an initial fleet of two
ClonBio founder and executive chairman Mark Turley in Ireland, notes that E10 can deliver the same greenhouse gas savings as 100,000 electric vehicles [EVs] relative to petrol on its own. That’s 20 times the number of new EV’s bought in Ireland in 2019 or 10 times Ireland’s entire EV fleet
by Sylvester Phelan (AgriLand) Irish-owned ClonBio Group recorded a 143% increase in profit before tax in 2019, increasing from €39 million in 2018 to €95 million in 2019. Turnover in the period increased 26% to €361 million. The group’s primary asset is a biorefinery under the name Pannonia Bio, located in Hungary.
(Biofuels International) The trade association for the liquid fuels distribution industry UK and Ireland Fuel Distributors Association (UKIFDA) has submitted its views on the Government’s consultation on the introduction of E10 petrol at filling stations across the country. The consultation closed on 3 May and called for views from industry
by Neil Briscoe (Irish Times) … “Ireland has one million petrol vehicles,” James Cogan, Ethanol Europe’s industry and policy adviser told The Irish Times. “E10 allows that fleet to cut emissions by an amount equivalent to taking 50,000 cars off the road. Or the amount that would be achieved by replacing 100,000 of
by Nunzia Florio (Tank Storage Association) Trade Associations OFTEC, the Tank Storage Association (TSA) and the UK and Ireland Fuel Distributors Association (UKIFDA) have kicked off 2020 with the launch of a future vision for liquid fuels ‘Supply Chain Strategy for Liquid Fuels’, which details the steps to be taken toward a transition to
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
(The Sunday Times) Filling station chain Circle K has claimed that the Irish government’s plan to require fuel suppliers to blend petrol with up to 10% biofuel made from crops could cost motorists a total of €28m extra a year at the pump, writes Valerie Flynn. The government plan, aimed
(Specialist Nutrition) What does Specialist Nutrition do? Specialist Nutrition is an Irish company that handles byproducts, primarily from the drinks industry. We manage the spent grain byproducts from the brewing and distilling industry in Ireland and sell these high-protein byproducts as a moist feed direct to Irish farmers. For example, we handle
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) It’s Halloween and things are getting pretty scary out there with stinky, petroleum based, disposable, plastic diapers and plastic toothbrushes being discarded all over the world but have no fear, for a new seaweed-based reusable diaper and Colgate’s new bamboo toothbrush is here to save the
(Gas Networks Ireland/NGV Journal) Virginia International Logistics has become the first Irish hauler to complete a delivery to Europe with a zero carbon heavy goods vehicle (HGV). The truck was fueled by biomethane to transport freight to the continent. The first European load was a consignment of processed beef from Liffey
(Farmer’s Weekly) Fuel suppliers have issued guidance for farmers and contractors who say biodiesel is causing low fuel pressure and blocking filters in tractors. Some farmers have suggested the problems are related to an increase in the fatty acid methyl ester (Fame) content of diesel fuel, which influences its performance. … But
by Emma Gilsenan (AgriLand) Biorefinery – which converts biomass to energy and other beneficial by-products – could potentially add more value to an outside block of land, according to UCD lecturer, Bridget Lynch. Speaking to AgriLand at the National Ploughing Championships this week, James Gaffey, a researcher in IT Tralee along with his

ICT-BIOCHAIN is a BBI-JU Horizon2020 project looking to identify opportunities for ICT to increase the efficiency of biomass supply chains for the bio-based industry. On the 16th of October, as part of Bioeconomy Ireland Week 2019, the Institute of Technology Tralee and the Irish Bioeconomy Foundation will be hosting a Knowledge Transfer
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 Lydia Stevenson (Oil Fired Up) OFTEC Ireland, the body representing the liquid fuel heating industry in Ireland, is urging the Irish Government to take a more realistic approach to reduce carbon emissions where the home heating sector is concerned. … A pivitol aspect of this action plan focuses on the Government
(The Carlow Nationalist) Doubling the amount of ethanol in petrol would significantly reduce our carbon emissions. Every litre of petrol sold in Ireland contains 5% of the biofuel, ethanol. A new climate action report has found that doubling the amount of ethanol in petrol will reduce our carbon emissions by 150,000 tonnes. Author

On Thursday 11th July 2019, the Biorefinery Glas EIPAgri Operational Group in collaboration with Teagasc will host a free small-scale biorefinery field demonstration event at Shinagh farm in Bandon, Ireland. Funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine through the 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme, Biorefinery Glas is among the worlds first small-scale biorefinery demonstration
by Claire Mc Cormack (AgriLand) While the Government has committed to investigating the long-term potential of establishing a wide-scale biogas industry in its newly-published Climate Action Plan, the prospects “remain challenging”, according to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed. A total of 34 actions for agriculture are outlined in the
(SkyNRG) SkyNRG and the Bernal Institute at University of Limerick has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore the development of sustainable aviation fuel manufacturing in Ireland. The agreement between SkyNRG and Bernal was signed in the presence of Dutch Minister of Trade, Sigrid Kaag, during the Dutch Royal Visit
(Biofuels International) UK and Ireland liquid fuels distribution trade association the Federation of Petroleum Suppliers (FPS) has unveiled its future vision for cutting carbon through the development of biofuels. With a focus on clean growth and decarbonisation, the new vision was announced during its annual exhibition FPS EXPO 2019, which took
by James Cogan (Ethanol Europe/Climate Change News) New E5, E10 and B7 labels recently appeared on petrol and diesel nozzles across Europe with hardly a mention. Behind them is the intriguing story of one of the world’s major efforts to stave off climate change. E stands for ethanol, B stands for biodiesel and
(European Science Communication Institute/Phys.org) A New Mobile Refinery Is Travelling Across The West Of Ireland To Turn Grass Into Sustainable Materials — Along the windy west coast of Ireland a biorefinery on wheels is turning grass into a series of different green products that could give farmers a more diversified source
(Roscommon Herald) NUI Galway has launched a new laboratory to research the generation of biofuels from organic waste. Professor Piet Lens, a leading expert in environmental biotechnology, will lead a team of 25 PhD and post-doctoral researchers in the university’s Department of Microbiology Programme, ‘Innovative Energy Technologies for Bioenergy, Biofuels and a
by Peter Hamilton (The Irish Times) Greenfield Global is establishing its European manufacturing headquarters in Laois — A Canadian alcohol and fuel ethanol producer is investing in the region of €30 million to establish its new European manufacturing headquarters in Portlaoise, a move that marks its first foray into manufacturing outside of North America.
(Gas Networks Ireland/NGV Journal) Bus travelers in Cork were the first passengers to ride a ‘green bus’ in Ireland on March 25. With zero carbon emissions, this biomethane vehicle is a viable alternative for Ireland’s public bus fleet, and the bus has been part of national trials looking at its performance,
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 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)
by Breifne O’Brien (AgriLand) It has been announced that the level of biofuel used in road transport fuels is set to be increased. The announcement was made today (Friday, December 13) by the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, Richard Bruton. An increase from 8% to 10% biofuel content will be implemented
by Sean O’Riordan (BreakingNews.ie) The Government and Greencore are being asked to turn Ireland’s last sugar factory into a biofuel plant. The former Greencore plant in Mallow, County Cork closed in controversial circumstances in May 2006 with the loss of 240 jobs. It ceased operations after 77 years as a result of
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.
(MRW) This year we have 19 categories for entry including Food Waste Initiative, Recycling Facility of the Year and Recycling Excellence to name just a few. Remember the more categories you enter the better your chance of winning a National Recycling Award. The National Recycling Awards celebrates and rewards excellence for the most innovative recycling and waste
by Siobhan Walsh (AgriLand) Beet Ireland is looking for 1,000 growers to invest €1,000 in the revival of the beet industry in this country. Over 50 people attended the first grower engagement meeting held in conjunction with the Irish Tillage and Land Use Society last night (Wednesday, November 7) in Carlow. It
(Edinburgh Napier University) Leading biofuel and sustainability expert Professor Martin Tangney has been awarded an honorary Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) at a ceremony in City Chambers Edinburgh for services to engineering and energy. The Edinburgh Napier University scientist, joins a select list of previous
(University College Dublin Innovation) €28 million in total invested in BEACON and National Bioeconomy Campus; Launch at Lisheen part of inaugural Bioeconomy Ireland Day — Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed TD today launched the new €22.2 million BEACON Bioeconomy SFI Research Centre at the €5.75 million National Bioeconomy Campus
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) IEA Bioenergy Task 33 is a working group of international experts with the aim to promote the commercialization of efficient, economical and environmentally preferable thermal biomass gasification processes. Here, Lars Waldheim of Waldheim Consulting gave this illuminating overview of wastes as a gasifier fuel, Waste fuel characteristics
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) … Like a beautiful unicorn flying in the sky, biogas production is taking off in Denmark, accounting for almost 19% of the gas used in Denmark this July – an impressive 50% increase from last year! The Danish state company Energinet, which owns and runs the
(NUI Galway) Plant biotechnologists from the Ryan Institute at NUI Galway have identified genetic breeding strategies to develop bigger and better sugar beet. Sustainable intensification of agriculture to meet rapidly growing global demand for food and non-food products produced by crops will require higher yielding crop varieties that can produce
(Science Foundation Ireland) … The Spoke research teams will collaborate in developing technologies capable of converting a wide variety of residues and by-products to homogenous energy carriers and optimising performance of internal combustion engines using advanced fuels including biofuel blends. The Spoke work programme will complement existing MaREI activities in the
(Insurance Journal) Swiss Re announced it no longer is providing re/insurance to businesses with more than 30 percent exposure to thermal coal across all lines of business. The thermal coal policy applies to both existing and new thermal coal mines and power plants, and is implemented across all lines of business
(College Group) Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD today announced that College Group will invest €10m in building a new renewable energy facility producing biofuel from used cooking oil and animal fats in north Co. Meath. The investment is supported by the Irish government through Enterprise Ireland. The
by Corine Orline Nzeteu, Anna Christine Trego, Florence Abram, and Vincent O’Flaherty (Biotechnology for Biofuels) … In recent years, organic waste streams have been investigated as attractive and sustainable feedstock alternatives. In particular, attention has recently focused on the production of caproate from mixed culture fermentation of low-grade organic residues. The current
by Sarantis Michalopoulos (EurActiv) Ireland’s environment ministry has decided to increase the crop-based biofuel share in transport to 10% from the existing 8% and draw a 2030 plan aiming to provide long-term business certainty in the field. Irish Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Denis Naughten published a draft order,
(AgriChemWhey/Biobased World News) … Producers that can access plentiful feedstocks with the minimum of fuss can have the best of both worlds – exactly the position that Ireland finds itself in. The country is in the midst of a bio-based revolution and one company is doing particularly well, calling on the
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) … But it’s also about whisky, as reported in the Digest in July 2017, and how Celtic Renewables puts whisky in the car and not just in the jar. It’s about Cork County’s announcement that they are looking into using grass cuttings as biofuel to power homes. It’s
(Celtic Renewables) Leading biofuel and sustainability expert Professor Martin Tangney – founder of Celtic Renewables – has been awarded an honorary Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE). The Queen makes honorary awards to non-British citizens on the advice of the UK Foreign Office. The Edinburgh based
(ePure) 2030 EU target for renewables in transport leaves an opening for sustainable crop-based biofuels to help reach Paris goals — The European Parliament’s vote to phase out palm oil and allow some crop-based biofuels is a welcome recognition that the EU needs all the sustainable tools it can get in the
(NGV Journal/NUI Galway) National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway) and Gas Networks Ireland are leading a new transport revolution as they introduce CNG and renewable natural gas for trucks, vans and buses. … In addition to this, a renewable gas injection facility will be built in 2018. This will introduce
(Agro-Chemistry/University College Dublin) The Irish Bioeconomy Foundation CLG will receive a funding of €4.6 million from the Ministery for Business, Enterprise, and Innovation, to develop a new Bioeconomy Innovation and Piloting Facility at Lisheen, Co. Tipperary. The facility will enable industry, entrepreneurs and researchers to scale technologies that convert Ireland’s natural
(Ethanol Europe Renewables, Ltd./EurActiv) EERL partners with UN Climate Change for COP 23 — Ahead of the UN Climate Conference in Bonn (COP 23, 6-17 November), Ethanol Europe Renewables Ltd (EERL) and UN Climate Change have partnered to boost the deployment of biofuels in the transport sector. Transport is the second biggest
by Alanna Petroff (CNN) China, the world’s largest car market, is working on a plan to ban the production and sale of vehicles powered only by fossil fuels. It has plenty of company: India, France, Britain and Norway want to ditch gas and diesel cars in favor of cleaner vehicles. In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel has
(Newswise/U.S. Department of Energy) Researchers from Spain, Poland and Ireland have developed a new computational method to rapidly screen the effects of point mutations in bacteria to make biofuel production more efficient — Converting fibrous plant waste, like corn stalks and wood shavings, into fermentable simple sugars for the production
(Queen’s University Belfast) A researcher at Queen’s University Belfast has discovered a way to convert dirty aluminium foil into a biofuel catalyst, which could help to solve global waste and energy problems. In the UK, around 20,000 tonnes of aluminium foil packaging is wasted each year – enough to stretch
by Dick Roche (Irish Examiner) When it was enacted in 2009, the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive was seen as a progressive step towards meeting Europe’s climate change targets …. — The directive — which provided that by 2020 at least 10% of EU transport sector energy must come from renewable
(OFTEC) … OFTEC CEO Paul Rose formally shared OFTEC’s vision for the future with attendees on Tuesday 20 June at The Hilton Puckrup Hotel near Tewkesbury. The vision focuses on a two-stage approach, looking at a boiler replacement programme in the short term (2018-2022) and introducing a low carbon liquid

ECO-BIO 2018 will highlight the latest research and innovation towards developing industrially viable, safe and ecologically friendly biobased (renewable biological sources) solutions to build a sustainable society. A topical and comprehensive programme will include: plenary and invited speakers, forum discussions, contributed oral presentations, a large poster session and exhibition. The
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One of the main challenges of today’s society involves the much needed transition from an almost exclusively fossil-based economy to a more sustainable one, in order to counteract and reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases and associated rise in global warming. ECO-BIO 2018 provides a platform where industries, scientists, NGOs
(Gas Networks Ireland/NGV Journal) The National Transport Authority announced that Ireland’s public transport fleet will begin the journey to sustainability. Thus, energy company Gas Networks Ireland has called on the country’s transport operators to move towards natural gas and ultimately biomethane, since vehicles fueled by CNG benefit from fuel cost
(Biofuels International) MEP Sean Kelly, the lead negotiator for the largest group in the European Parliament on the Renewable Energy Directive, has heavily criticised the European Commission’s proposal to phase out conventional biofuels made from food or feed crops. Proposed changes to the Renewable Energy Directive, dubbed ‘RED II’, would
(CHASSY) … Yeast is already the powerhouse behind many food flavourings, the anti-aging compound Resveratrol, the malaria drug Artemisinin, the grapefruit extract Nootkatone, insulin, bioethanol, bioplastics, and there is potential for many more industrial applications. To better exploit the potential of yeast fermentations, microbiologists in ireland have joined forces with scientists
(Big News Network) Following a vote in the Dail Eireann, Ireland is set to become the world’s first country to fully divest money from fossil fuels. The historic legislation was passed by members in a 90 to 53 vote in favour of the move. This will result in dropping of investments
by Patrick Kent (Irish Cattle & Sheep Farmers’ Association/Euractiv) The key element of this renewable energy plan is that the ceiling for the crop biofuel component of EU transport fuels will be slashed from 7% to 3.8% by 2030. The ultimate objective of the Commission is to remove crop based
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Biofuels operations under the right conditions can lead to improved household food security in developing countries, concludes a new study. Irish university research is adding to the body of knowledge about the impact biofuels production has on food security in Africa. Stephen Thornhill, research
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In the EU, the International Energy Agency has released its Bioenergy Countries’ Report, outlining the national renewable energy targets, total primary energy supply and contribution of bioenergy. We’ve presented the information relating to EU counties, below. The complete report can be downloaded here. This report was
by Liz Gyekye (Biofuels International) Biodiesel producers will benefit from a green partnership between Ireland-based industrial enzyme firm Monaghan Biosciences and Australia-based biochemicals specialist Leaf Resources, as Leaf Resources continues to seek glycerol for its proprietary Glycell process, its CEO said. Leaf Resources is currently commercialising its trademarked Glycell process.
(GreenTechBiofuels) Greentech Biofuels, an Irish Company based in Kildare Ireland specialising in green energy solutions, has teamed up with Saint Etienne Metropole and Ondaine Agro in order to bring biofuel-powered floodlights to one of the stadiums hosting Euro 2016. The three organisations will join forces to produce large amounts of
(Bioenergy Insight) Ireland-based renewable energy developer Stream BioEnergy has commenced construction in Northern Ireland on a new biogas plant that will process large volumes of chicken litter. The plant, to be located just outside the town of Ballymena, will generate 3MW of renewable electricity from up to 40,000 tonnes of
(Biofuels International) Greentech Biofuels, an Irish firm specialising in green energy solutions, has teamed up with Saint Etienne Metropole and Ondaine Agro in order to bring biofuel-powered floodlights to one of the stadiums hosting Euro 2016. The three organisations will join forces to produce large amounts of biodiesel, which will be
by Katie Fletcher (Biomass Magazine) A recent report entitled “The Real Economic Benefit of Separate Biowaste Collections” released by U.K.-based Renewable Energy Association shows that food waste collected separately in a majority of situations can reduce costs for businesses and local authorities. The U.K. has a legally binding recycling target
by Gerald Kutney (Lee Consulting/Biofuels Digest) … From the time of the caveman until the early Industrial Revolution, biofuels – namely wood and the advanced biofuel of the day, charcoal – reigned supreme. Both fossil fuels and biofuels originate from biomass. The major difference between them is that fossil fuels are sequestered
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This week, we held a well-attended webinar on the boom on in Renewable diesel. Here below is a slide deck presented on the day, from Will Thurmond, President of Emerging Markets Online — highlights from the upcoming Drop In Fuels 2020: A Global Market Study. The recorded version
by Lucas Morais (See News) Brazilian power utility Copel (BVMF:CPLE6) is partnering Brazil’s International Centre for Renewable Energy (CIBiogas) to develop a 480-kW biogas plant in Parana state. The project, which will use waste from pig and poultry farming, will require an investment of BRL 17 million (USD 4.3m/EUR 3.9m)
(Enalgae) EnAlgae has been about finding sustainable pathways for algal biomass. Initially the focus was all about energy, specifically as a biofuel. But our journey over the past four years shows that there’s likely to be a different future ahead for using algae – as energy in food for one
(Irish Examiner) Due to increased global production of biofuels, there is a greater supply of associated protein-rich by-products such as distillers dried grains available for use as animal feed. These have been evaluated by Teagasc researchers at the Grange centre in Co Meath. They compared intakes and performance of beef cattle
(HITRANS) HITRANS, the regional transport partnership for the Highlands and Islands, is spearheading a significant European-funded project to assist and develop rural and remote airports with use of new technologies. … Mindful of aviation’s carbon footprint, two work strands have been developed to foster more sustainable energy use in the

The AOCS World Market Update conference series was developed to create an environment where the brightest minds and most influential leaders in the oils and fats industry could collaborate for strategic thinking, as well as discuss the progress, opportunities, and challenges facing the industry. These conferences showcase world-class speakers and
by Daniel Hayes (Celignis/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Current chemical methods take days and are dependent on analyst’s skill. This contribution appears in the October issue of EPM. — Efficient cellulosic ethanol processes will depend upon the accurate analysis of lignocellulosic feedstocks. The relative importance of various biomass constituent properties depends largely on
(Greenea) Overcapacity, shortage of sustainable feedstock, blending wall… they all contribute to the increasingly challenging situation on the biodiesel market in Europe. At the same time, new HVO investments start to pop up like mushrooms after a rain. But can this be the golden mean to what is happening in
(EnAlgae) Studies conducted by EnAlgae partners in Ireland, France and Belgium point the way to seaweed being a viable and sustainable feedstock for the future in North West Europe (NWE). This is the conclusion of a new paper entitled “Comparative environmental life cycle assessment of two seaweed cultivation systems in
(Algae Industry Magazine) Studies conducted by EnAlgae partners in Ireland, France and Belgium point the way to seaweed being a viable and sustainable feedstock for the future in North West Europe (NWE). This is the conclusion of a new paper entitled “Comparative environmental life cycle assessment of two seaweed cultivation
(Alcon Corporation) Alkcon Corporation (the “Company”), a developer of natural gas processing equipment, has entered into an exclusivity agreement and a Letter of Intent with Flogas Group (“Flogas”) of Leicestershire, England. The agreement grants Flogas the exclusive right to market and sell the Company’s proprietary methane-to-propane gas conversion technology in
(EnAlgae) EnAlgae researchers have published an economic model to help to explore the economics of cultivating macroalgae at sea. The model and report can be found here as outputs WP2A7.06 and WP2A7.11. Both documents together are a study into the business economics behind growing seaweed at sea. They are free
by Lais F. Thomaz* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Last week, from February 17 to 21, the 20th National Ethanol Conference “Going Global” was held in Grapevine, Texas, with the participation of several representatives of the ethanol production chain in the States and other countries such as Brazil, Germany, Canada, Italy, Peru,
by Tom Bryan (Ethanol Producer Magazine) After halting distillers grains imports late last year, the world’s top DDGS buyer is poised to resume business, but on what terms? The prospect of China reissuing distillers grains import permits bodes well for the product’s American exporters, but Randy Ives isn’t ready to
by Margaret Donnelly (Agriland) Ireland imported 126 liters of biofuels in 2013, 84% of what we used, according to An Taisce. An Taisce says the EU biofuels policy is failing to meet one of its key aims, namely, to boost self-sufficiency in terms of transport fuels. … However, compared to the amount
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Ireland, to meet binding EU transport targets, Ireland imported 126 million litres of biofuel in 2013 – some 84% of the total 150 million litres used last year. That’s according to An Taisce – The National Trust for Ireland, which is drawing attention to the
by Bruce Dorminey (RenewableEnergyWorld.com) Brown kelp macroalgae — the strange, foul-smelling seaweed so often found washed up on the Pacific Northwest’s volcanic sand beaches — could ultimately offer an almost unlimited global supply of commercial-quality ethanol or biomethane. … Although in the U.S. the idea of macroalgae for energy production is
by Lisa Deeney (Agriland) A new European research project seeks grass crops that could be grown and harvested on marginal lands, away from areas suitable for food crops. According to the researchers, grass could be used to produce biofuels. The advantage of using grass crops is that they can be grown
(The Fish Site) A team of European scientists is on a mission to prove that microalgae can be used to produce bioethanol as a biofuel for less than €0.40 a litre. … The EU-funded project DEMA (‘Direct Ethanol from MicroAlgae’) is focusing on cyanobacteria – a microalgae found in almost every
by Chris Hanson (Biomass Magazine) The three-year European biofuel and biomaterial project, At-Sea, will conclude its first trials of seaweed cultivation off the coasts of Norway, Scotland and Ireland the end of the week of July 1. At-Sea, which began in April 2012, addresses the challenge of mass harvesting of
by Damian Carrington (The Guardian) Producing biofuels in the sea removes at a stroke many of the serious problems with conventional biofuels “It’s best to get it out of the water now or it’ll start getting grazed by the little beasties,” says Lars Brunner as he hauls 50kg of glistening, translucent
(Bio Base NWE) The project Bio Base NWE is funded under the Interreg IVB NWE framework and has the objective to support the development of the bio-based economy in North West Europe (see www.biobasenwe.org for additional info). Within Bio Base NWE, innovation coupons providing access to the facilities of an
(ActionAid) At a seminar on biofuels in Dublin yesterday, David Barissa, a leading expert on food security and land rights from ActionAid Kenya spoke of the litany of broken promises, rights violations and destruction which have faced poor communities in Kenya as part of the second scramble for Africa. …Against
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Ireland, former Ryanair CEO Declan Ryan has joined investors in backing Aer Sustainable Energy Ltd, better known as Aer Bio. He was a director of Ryanair Holdings from August 1986 until 2004, holding several senior management positions including CEO. The Ireland-based group, AER Sustainable
(AgiTrade) In a letter to the European Commission in early October 2012, Copa-Cogeca, the EU farmers’ and agricultural cooperatives’ organisation, affirmed its opposition to EC proposals to limit to 5% ‘the use of crop-based biofuels’ in meeting transportation energy needs and to introduce indirect land use change (ILUC) criteria within EU
(All About Feed) Two huge wheat-for-ethanol plants are coming on stream in Britain supplying and extra one million tonnes of distillers grains to the animal feed industry. Material from these plants will help fill the cattle fodder gaps for the coming winter. In particular, the ethanol co-products will make a
by Joanne Ivancic (Advanced Biofuels USA) That’s the question that Greg Murphy wants you to ask as he pilots the year-old Dublin-based Murphy Prototypes endurance race team to contention in European Le Mans and American Le Mans Series’ races. His passion, he explains, is motorsport . He drove in a
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) … Take the conflict over drilling for oil on federal lands in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. If you drilled the provable oil reserve in the entire federal ANWR and flooded the world market with it – the reserve would be used up in 9
(Algae Industry Magazine) Mark Keenan writes in The Independent that within 15 years, Irish drivers will be filling up their vehicles with biofuel made from Irish grown algae. The projection comes from Julie Maguire, of Daithi O’Mhurchu Marine Research Station (DOMRS), in Bantry, which is set to become Ireland’s first
by Erin Voegele (Biodiesel Magazine) National University of Ireland Galway recently announced that researchers within its Ryan Institute are participating in a €14 million ($18.5 million) European algae initiative. The program, known as the Energetic Algae—or EnAlgae—project, was announced in 2011 and is led by Swansea University. The four-year program,
(University of Ulster) University of Ulster engineers and pupils at a Portadown primary school have teamed up in a search for greener, more sustainable new fuels that could prove vital to our future energy requirements. Scientists from the Biomolecular Diagnostics and Engineering Group at Ulster’s Jordanstown campus – led by Professor
by Suzanne Lynch (Irish Times) SOME 5,000 jobs could be created by the revival of the sugar beet industry, according to a feasibility study by the Irish Sugar Beet Bio-Refinery Group. The PWC-backed study is calling for the establishment of a bio-refinery plant in the southeast, which would produce sugar
by David Shaffer (Star Tribune) An emerging green industry aims to develop a new source of fuel to replace oil, but the quick money could be elsewhere. Green slime is growing in ponds next to an ethanol plant here, and Todd Becker intends to turn it into green money. Becker,
SEÁN Mac Connell (Irish Times) Ireland could be producing sugar and ethanol again when the European Commission ends its current quota system in 2016, the Agricultural Science Association annual conference in Maynooth heard yesterday. Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney said figures in the first of two feasibility studies on the revival
by The Serious Fraud Office (Biodiesel Magazine) Seven men are facing jail after being convicted at Ipswich Crown Court for their roles in a boiler-room fraud that pulled in more than £8 million ($12,650,400). The Spanish-based operation targeted thousands of investors in the U.K. applying high-pressure telesales techniques to push shares
by Dr Matthew Aylott (National Non-Food Crops Centre) A major new €14 million (£12.3 million) initiative – bringing together experts from across North West Europe to develop the potential of algae as a source of sustainable energy – has been announced today (September 6, 2011). A number of leading European
by Erin Voegele (Biodiesel Magazine) …According to Greg Springer, president of Green Fuels America Inc., interest in community-scale biodiesel production is increasing all around the world. He attributes this to both high fuel prices and the specific advantages community-scale production can offer. A primary advantage of community-scale production is it
Foster Wheeler AG announced that its Global Engineering and Construction Group has been awarded a contract by Cynar Plc to provide basic process engineering design services for a 6,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) plant to convert non-recyclable waste plastics into liquid fuels, primarily diesel. The plant will utilize Cynar’s pyrolysis
(GreenAir Online) US-based Solena Group, which is seeking to build and operate a facility in London to convert waste biomass feedstock into sustainable jet fuel, has signed a letter of intent with Qantas to develop a business plan over the next 12 months with a view to building a similar
(FIS) Scientists are proposing the creation of methane gas from algae grown in great offshore farms to power adapted vehicles. A new GBP 5 million (EUR 6.1 million) UK and Irish joint project called BioMara disclosed the plan and seeks to show the feasibility of turning algae into the next generation
(Meat Trade News Daily) BIOFUEL producers want the Government to protect jobs by prioritising home-produced fuels over exports under its new green fuel usage scheme. The IFA is enraged that the new Biofuels Obligation Scheme (BOS) could lead Irish people to buy imported fuels. The IFA argues that the Government’s