South Africa

South Africa Looks to Kickstart Its Biofuels Industry

by Wendell Roelf (Reuters) South Africa hopes to finalise its biofuels regulatory framework by March next year, the energy minister said on Monday, almost a decade after the policy to promote biofuels like ethanol and biodiesel was first approved. A net importer of crude, Africa’s most industrialised economy wants biofuels initially

October 2, 2018 Read Full Article

Coffee Waste Biofuel Plant in South Africa Expects 2019 Construction

(Biofuels International) South African recycling company Verda Waste is to build a plant that will process coffee waste into biofuel. The plant will be located in Johannesburg and is expected to be built in 2019. The company intends to lead the industrialising process of converting waste coffee grounds into biofuels. It

September 21, 2018 Read Full Article

Biofuels Unviable Alternative in South Africa – Expert

by Paige Muller (Creamer Media’s Engineering News) Owing to biofuels being too expensive to manufacture, University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) Business School Energy Leadership Centre director Dr Rod Crompton says this makes them a commercially unviable energy source. He tells Engineering News that, despite the fact that global renewable- energy consumption rose to a new high last year

August 17, 2018 Read Full Article

Montauk Energy Strikes Biogas Deal with US Dairy Farm

by Lisa Steyn (Buisness Live) Government incentives spur the JSE-listed firm to transform cow manure into natural gas at dairy farm in California — JSE-listed Montauk Energy has struck a deal with a dairy farm in California where it will for the first time transform cow manure into natural gas. The company

August 3, 2018 Read Full Article

This Start-Up Turns Pollution from Factories into Fuel That Powers Cars — and One Day Planes

by Catherine Clifford (CNBC) A bacteria found in the gut of a rabbit can now help cars run in a more eco-friendly way. The bacteria, identified by biotech start-up LanzaTech, helps turn factory carbon emissions, a.k.a. pollution, into ethanol …. … “While there are many sustainable sources of sugar-derived ethanol … it’s not enough

July 30, 2018 Read Full Article

Thabang Mabapa on Producing Biofuel

by Phathu Luvhengo (Destiny Man) Social entrepreneur and biofuel producer Thabang Mabapa has stepped up to provide a viable solution to South Africa’s energy crisis Public relations and communication graduate Mabapa has stepped up to help solve the energy crisis by providing the viable solution of using castor oil as an

July 19, 2018 Read Full Article

Diesel Tree: Fuel for the Alternative Energy Sector

by Glenneis Kriel (Farmer’s Weekly) Christo Smit, a former researcher at the Agricultural Research Council, is working on developing a sustainable biofuel industry from the diesel tree. — The South African government lost interest in biofuels when oil prices fell from about US$150 (approximately R1 780) to $40 (R474) a barrel at the

July 16, 2018 Read Full Article

From LanzaTech to Sierra Energy and the Latest Research, Syngas Is on Fire

by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) Syngas, or synthesis gas, is on fire lately, with new technologies making the most of waste products like CO2 or low-grade biomass and converting them into useful hot stuff like syngas that can then be turned into even better and hotter stuff like jet fuel,

July 9, 2018 Read Full Article

REFILE-FEATURE-In Hunt for Clean Jet Fuel, South Africa Swaps Tobacco for Weeds

by Munyaradzi Makoni (Reuters) When a South African Airways Boeing 737 took off from O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg two years ago, headed for Cape Town, it was powered by an unusual fuel: tobacco. South Africa hasn’t yet repeated the jet biofuel feat, but in an effort to cut its

June 28, 2018 Read Full Article

Waste to Wing Project First to Enable Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production in South Africa

(SKYnrg) Airlines are facing increasing pressure to become more sustainable, yet options to reduce carbon emissions in aviation are limited. Electric planes for example are not foreseen to have a significant share of passenger movements before 2040. Besides efficiency gains, through technical and operational improvements, the use of sustainable aviation fuels

May 23, 2018 Read Full Article

Commonwealth Countries Get Knocked Down, But Get Up Again

by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) With 195 countries on the planet today, an impressive 53 countries are Commonwealth countries, including countries in Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe and the Pacific. They include large, rich countries like Canada and Australia all the way to some of the smallest or poorest countries

April 16, 2018 Read Full Article

Boeing Promotes Aviation Biofuel in Africa

by Kaleyesus Bekele (AIN Online) The Boeing Company has teamed with the South African government, South African Airways (SAA), the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB), the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), and U.S. energy firm SKYNRG, to identify biofuel feed stocks in Africa. Boeing Commercial Airplanes regional director for environmental

March 22, 2018 Read Full Article

Op-Ed: Biofuel from Sugarcane – Why Is SA Not Rushing Ahead?

by Chris Ward (Daily Maverick) Support for diversification of the sugar industry provides a superb and immediate opportunity for the government of South Africa under its new president to create thousands of new jobs by leveraging sugarcane as a key strategic economic resource. … No other agricultural crop produced in South

March 15, 2018 Read Full Article

Biodiesel Not an Affordable Solution for SA Mines

by Paige Mueller (Mining Weekly) Biodiesel currently does not present as a more affordable energy alternative for the local mining industry, says Sandton-based energy product supplier InnoFES MD Alexander Grobler. He says that, while many renewable-energy product producers and suppliers boast of the benefits of biodiesel application, the only realistic

March 5, 2018 Read Full Article

Biogas Will Help Solve Urban Sewage Crisis

(Bioenergy Insight) The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has awarded a $1.14 million grant to install an innovative new sewage treatment solution to Durban, South Africa. The innovative generator is able to process sewage into nutrients, biogas and clean water. University of South Florida associate professor Dr Daniel Yeh designed his

February 27, 2018 Read Full Article

Mechanisms and Indicators for Assessing the Impact of Biofuel Feedstock Production on Ecosystem Services

(Stockholm Environment Institute) This paper synthesizes the current knowledge about the impact of biofuels on ecosystem services. Biofuel feedstock production can be a significant driver of landscape modification, ecosystem change and biodiversity loss. There is a growing body of literature that shows how biofuel landscapes provide various ecosystem services (e.g., feedstock

February 23, 2018 0 comment Read Full Article

S. African Biofuel Plan May Boost Sorghum Sixfold, Grain Says

by Carli Lourens (Bloomberg) South Africa’s proposed mandatory blending of biofuels with gasoline and diesel may signal the start of a biofuels industry and boost sorghum output sixfold, an economist at the farmers’ body Grain SA said. The government’s September release of draft blending rules may be “an early indication of a

February 19, 2018 Read Full Article

Zera Boss Grilled over ‘Favourable’ Rautenbach’s Green Fuel Ethanol Price

by Veneranda Langa (News Day) Legislators yesterday grilled Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) chief executive officer Gloria Magombo over the price of Billy Rautenberg’s Green Fuel ethanol, which is 11 cents more expensive than the ethanol being produced by Triangle Limited. The ethanol pricing issue came out during a sitting of

January 24, 2018 Read Full Article

Biofuels Mandates Around the World 2018

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. The bulk of mandates continue to come from the EU-27, where the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) once specified a

January 2, 2018 Read Full Article

Perspectives on Biofuels in Sub-Saharan Africa

by Susan van Dyk, Emile van Zyl, Brett Pletschke (International Energy Agency Bioenergy Task 39) This short contribution provides some perspectives on opportunities for biofuel production on the African continent. Africa has a large land base, with only 27% of its arable land currently utilised. High level assessments, such as by the

December 22, 2017 Read Full Article

From Pollution to Products: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to LanzaTech

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) LanzaTech has developed a fully sustainable integrative gas to fuels and chemicals platform that has no impact on food, water security or high biodiversity land use. LanzaTech’s gas fermentation platform disrupts the current highly centralized global energy system by enabling the regional production of low-cost energy

November 16, 2017 Read Full Article

A Dozen Global Cities Commit to Fossil-Fuel-Free Streets

(Next-Gen Transportation News) The mayors of London, Paris, Los Angeles, Copenhagen, Barcelona, Quito, Vancouver, Mexico City, Milan, Seattle, Auckland and Cape Town have signed the C40 Fossil-Fuel-Free Streets Declaration. Under the declaration, the city leaders have pledged to procure only zero-emission buses from 2025 and ensure that a major area of their city

October 24, 2017 Read Full Article

Production of Bioethanol from Multiple Waste Streams of Rice Milling

LorenzoFavaro, et al. (Bioresource Technology) Rice milling by-products are promising feedstocks for bioethanol. Starch-rich residues were efficiently fermented by two engineered amylolytic yeast. Rice husk, composed by lignocellulose, was pre-treated with alkaline peroxide. Pre-treated husk was saccharified by commercial enzymes and fermented. Multiple rice by-products were co-processed to ethanol by amylolytic

August 25, 2017 Read Full Article

USTDA Introduces U.S. Carbon Capture and Recycling Technology to South Africa

(U.S. Trade and Development Agency) Today (August 18, 2017), the U.S. Trade and Development Agency awarded a grant to Swayana (Pty) Ltd, a Pretoria-based energy project developer, for a feasibility study that will use innovative U.S. technologies to convert waste gas – also known as off-gas – into a valuable

August 23, 2017 Read Full Article

Environmentalists Are Urging the USDA to Reject This Genetically Engineered Eucalyptus Tree

by Chelsea Harvey (The Washington Post) A genetically engineered, freeze-tolerant eucalyptus tree is moving closer to receiving approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, amid concerns about the tree’s possible negative effects on the environment. The USDA has proposed lifting restrictions on commercial production of the trees, based on a draft

August 10, 2017 Read Full Article

LanzaTech Collaborates With Swayana (South Africa) to Use Carbon Capture Technology

(Biofuels International/Lanza Tech/Swayana) South African company, Swayana is collaborating with carbon recycling company, LanzaTech, with headquarters in Chicago USA, to introduce their proprietary carbon capture technology to South Africa. LanzaTech’s first commercial facility will be online at the end of 2017 in China, producing fuel grade ethanol from captured steelmaking off-gas. The

July 31, 2017 Read Full Article

Is It the End or Just the Beginning for Jatropha?

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) … In Botswana, jatropha’s adventures are just beginning according to the Ministry of Minerals Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security’s advisor, Freddie Motlhatlhedi. He was referring to a joint research project done by Botswana and Japan that shows quite a bit of promise for commercial production of jatropha

July 25, 2017 Read Full Article

3rd Agro-industrial Biogas Training Seminar and Study Tour — December 11-13, 2017 — Cape Town, South Africa

The International Biogas and Bioenergy Center of Competence IBBK is delighted to invite you to the third Biogas Training Seminar at the University of Cape Town. We invite again farmers, project developers, consultants, investors and the banking sector to participate in the biogas training seminar to be held on 11.-13.

July 23, 2017 Read Full Article

African Oil Trader Taleveras Takes First Step into Biofuels

by Anna Hirtenstein (Bloomberg) Taleveras signs joint venture with Global Green Development; First phase of biofuels project seen costing $400-$600 million — Taleveras Group, the African oil trading company, is making its first moves into renewable energy by setting up a joint venture to build a biorefinery in the U.S. with

June 14, 2017 Read Full Article

Entrepreneur Scoops Old Mutual Funding to Develop Biofuel Enterprise

(BizCommunity) At an event held on 27 May 2017, Old Mutual Foundation, in partnership with Red Bull, announced Thabang Mabapa as the winner of their “business pitch challenge” A combined judging panel from Old Mutual and Red Bull met on 11 May to interrogate the submissions, with their key criteria

June 2, 2017 Read Full Article

Clariant Cellulosic Ethanol Donation Lets 1,000 Malagasy Families Cook Safer and Cleaner

(Project Gaia) Clariant, a world leader in specialty chemicals and one of the leading providers globally of cellulosic ethanol production technology, and Project Gaia, a non-profit promoting the use of alcohol fuels (ethanol and methanol) for household energy, announced the donation of approximately 24m3 of cellulosic ethanol from Clariant’s pre-commercial

May 31, 2017 Read Full Article

Potential Biofuel Feedstocks and Production in Zambia

by Paul C. Samboko, Mitelo Subakanya, Cliff Dlamini (United Nations University-WIDER) The need for energy security and climate change mitigation have increased blending mandates worldwide; in Southern Africa, demand for biofuels could increase following South Africa’s planned blending mandates. However, land constraints limit local industry expansion, with demand likely to be met

April 19, 2017 Read Full Article

Bio-Diesel Pumping out Safe Energy

(Sunday World) From the remotest part of South Africa, in the town of Kuruman, Northern Cape, Kealeboga Hoti and her business team are producing environment friendly carbon-free biofuel. — Hoti, a biochemist, is the co-founder and owner of Lamo Fuel, a bio-diesel manufacturer that is primarily developing a variety of

April 7, 2017 Read Full Article

South African Bio-energy Atlas Launched to Support Bio-Energy Development

by Keith Campbell (Cramer Media/Engineering News) The South Africa Bio-energy Atlas, launched in Pretoria on Friday, will allow the country to identify opportunities for sustainable bio-energy and be able to achieve much more in terms of developing a ‘green’ economy. This was affirmed by Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor

April 5, 2017 Read Full Article

EU Sees ‘Strategic Advantage’ of Biofuels in Aviation

by Hannah Black and Sarantis Michalopoulos (EurActiv) In sectors like aviation where decarbonisation options are limited, there is a strategic advantage in encouraging the use of biofuels, a European Commission official has said. The aviation sector is dependent on liquid fuels and has few options other than biofuels when it comes to

March 23, 2017 Read Full Article

Zimbabwe: Govt Liberalises Ethanol Production

by Tinashe Makichi (The Herald/AllAfrica) Government has liberalised local ethanol production as the country’s sole producer, Green Fuel has constantly failed to provide adequate supplies especially during the rainy season rains. The current inadequate supplies of ethanol from Green Fuel last week forced Government to revise downwards the mandatory blending

March 13, 2017 Read Full Article

NexSteppe Malibu Sweet Sorghum and Palo Alto Biomass Sorghum Approved for Commercial Sale in South Africa

(NexSteppe) NexSteppe, a company dedicated to pioneering the next generation of sustainable feedstock solutions for biobased industries, announced today that the South African Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has approved four NexSteppe sorghum hybrids for commercial sale in country. Approved hybrids include both Malibu sweet sorghum and Palo Alto

December 15, 2016 Read Full Article

You’re the Top: Biogreen Diesel Gets Picked as South Africa’s Top Biodiesel Prodicer

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In South Africa, Frost & Sullivan recognised Biogreen Diesel with the 2016 South Africa Company of the Year Award. Biogreen has risen to eminence in the biodiesel industry for pioneering a closed-loop system wherein cooking oils no longer fit for human consumption are removed from

December 12, 2016 Read Full Article

The Wine Tram: The Best Wine Route in South Africa?

by John Malathronas (CNN) … Using a narrow gauge rail track built more than 100 years ago, the Wine Tram was the brainchild of avid railway fan David Blyth who modeled his green bio-diesel-fueled tram on the open-sided trams of the 1890s. … Originally established by French Huguenot colonists who fled

November 30, 2016 Read Full Article

Frost & Sullivan Recognises Biogreen Diesel as Top Producer of Biodiesel in the South African Market

(Frost & Sullivan/PR Newswire) Biogreen has demonstrated a strong commitment to the environment and society by actively removing harmful waste oils from the food chain — Based on its recent analysis of the biofuels market, Frost & Sullivan recognises Biogreen Diesel with the 2016 South Africa Company of the

November 29, 2016 Read Full Article

The Aviation Biofuels Partnership Kings: The Digest’s 2016 Multi-Slide Guide to Boeing

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Whether it is partnering with COMAC to research aviation biofuels, launching a biojet program with Aeromexico and Mexico’s Airports and Auxiliary Services, or with the Port of Seattle and Alaska Airlines — or launching a Canadian aviation biofuel project using forest waste, it’s clear. Where

November 23, 2016 Read Full Article

First Local Seed Selection to Take Place at Project Solaris

by Anine Kilian (Engineering News) South African seed selection for research and development company Sunchem’s solaris crop – a nicotine-free tobacco variety that yields significant amounts of sustainable oil for biojet fuel feedstock – has started taking place locally for the first time since the launch of Project Solaris in

October 19, 2016 0 comment Read Full Article

Come to Bioenergy Country: or, the Bioenergy Countries’ Report

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

October 6, 2016 Read Full Article

Can the Aviation Industry Finally Clean up Its Emissions?

by John Vidal (The Guardian) With biofuel potential limited and emissions rising, the need for industry to act is urgent. Hopes rest on a global UN carbon offset scheme to be negotiated at the ICAO summit this week – but critics remain unconvinced — When a South Africa Airways scheduled

September 30, 2016 Read Full Article

Unlocking the Potential of Next Generation, World Changing Biomaterials — October 13, 2016 — Johannesburg, South Africa

After the successful landing of the first biofuelled flights in South Africa – South African Airways and Mango flights from Johannesburg to Cape Town powered by biofuels made from high-energy Solaris tobacco grown in Limpopo – the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) and WWF-SA invite you to learn more about

September 11, 2016 Read Full Article

South African Airways Operates Flight with Nicotine-Free Tobacco-Based Biofuel

(Biofuels International) Boeing, South African Airways (SAA) and low-cost carrier Mango have operated Africa’s first sustainable-fuelled flights powered with tobacco-based biofuels. The SAA and Mango flights from Johannesburg to Cape Town, operated by a Boeing 737-800, used sustainable biojet fuel produced from Sunchem’s nicotine-free tobacco plant Solaris, refined by AltAir

July 17, 2016 Read Full Article

VIASPACE CTO Presents Giant King® Grass At Bioenergy Feedstocks Conference In Miami

(Viaspace/PR Newswire) VIASPACE CTO, Dr. Carl Kukkonen, made an invited presentation on Giant King Grass at the Advanced Bioeconomy Leadership Conference – Feedstocks held in Miami, Florida June 6-8, 2016. The Conference, organized by Biofuels Digest (http://www.biofuelsdigest.com/), focused on the most critical issue in bioenergy today — the availability of

June 13, 2016 Read Full Article

Mine Dump Biofuel Pilot Project Achieves Early Success, Holds Much Potential

by Ilan Solomons (Mining Weekly) Local green technology company G-Tech has recorded early success in its attempt to grow biofuel and other bioenergy feedstock to produce bioethanol and biodiesel as part of a mine dump rehabilitation pilot project in Randfontein, west of Johannesburg. The pilot project, on one of the

May 13, 2016 Read Full Article

Limpopo Receives R940m Investment for Renewable Energy from US, Chinese Companies

(African News Agency/Engineering News) American and Chinese companies are set to invest R940-million in Limpopo to pursue renewable energy and ethanol profits, government and investors have announced. The United States’ Bio-Processing Innovation and the Beijing Singling Technology Centre said on Tuesday that they had discovered a market for sweet sorghum

May 12, 2016 Read Full Article

Latest Diesel Quality Trends Revealed in Biennial Survey

(Infineum International Ltd./Biodiesel Magazine) Infineum has revealed the initial results from its latest biennial global Winter Diesel Fuel Quality Survey, offering a unique update on the current trends in the industry across the global marketplace. The Infineum survey collected samples from service stations from across eight countries in order to

April 28, 2016 Read Full Article

EEP Southern and East Africa Issues Call for Project Proposals DEADLINE: April 25, 2016

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In South Africa, the Energy and Environment Partnership Programme with Southern and East Africa (EEP S&EA) is seeking high-quality applications for projects in the two regions that can contribute to the reduction of poverty by promoting inclusive and job-creating green economy and by improving energy security

April 4, 2016 Read Full Article

IEA and GBEP Launch Bioenergy and Water Paper

by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Italy, IEA Bioenergy and the Global Bioenergy Partnership have published the “Examples of Positive Bioenergy and Water Relationships,” which includes examples that illustrate an encouraging variety both in terms of bioenergy systems and geographical distribution, and shows how solutions can be found that produce

February 24, 2016 Read Full Article

Boeing Collaborates with Canadian Aviation Industry for Biofuel Project

by Vikas Vij (Just Means) Canada has extensive sustainably certified forests, which it can leverage to make environmental progress in various industrial sectors. The country has long used mill and forest residues to make wood pellets that are used to generate electricity. Now it is turning its attention to the development

February 2, 2016 Read Full Article

Biofuels Mandates Around the World: 2016

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Who mandates what in biofuels? 64 countries have targets or mandates — but how much where, and when, and what? 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 64

January 4, 2016 Read Full Article

Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform: From Rhetoric to Reality

by Shelagh Whitley and Laurie van der Burg (New Climate Economy) The research underpinning this New Climate Economy Working Paper was a major input into the 2015 New Climate Economy report and articulates the practical steps that policymakers can take to phase out fossil fuel subsidies. The paper reinforces the recommendations

December 22, 2015 Read Full Article

Port of Seattle Partners with Alaska Airlines and Boeing on Plan to Supply Sustainable Aviation Biofuel at Sea-Tac Airport

(PR NewsWire) The Port of Seattle, Alaska Airlines [NYSE: ALK] and Boeing [NYSE: BA] are partnering to move toward a significant environmental goal: powering all flights by all airlines at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport with sustainable aviation biofuel. Sea-Tac is the first U.S. airport to lay out a long-term roadmap to

December 16, 2015 Read Full Article

Coal Dust and Algae Can Help Meet Future Energy Needs

by Heather Dugmore (Business Day Live) A new fuel, Coalgae, produced from a combination of waste coal dust and algae, could save SA up to 40% of its crude oil imports. Ben Zeelie and his team at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) combined coal dust with algae to form neat,

December 16, 2015 Read Full Article

CNE and Sunbird to Develop Bioethanol Facilities in Zimbabwe and Zambia

(Biofuels International) China New Energy has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Sunbird Bioenergy Africa for the development of two biorefineries, one each in Zimbabwe and Zambia. The Memorandum of Undestanding (MOU) was signed at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) 6th Ministerial Conference and Summit in Johannesburg, South

December 10, 2015 Read Full Article

11 Top Low-Carbon Fuel Players, WCSBD Publish COP 21 Guide to Slashing Transport-Based Greenhouse Gas Emissions

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Switzerland, 11 leading low carbon fuel companies present a comprehensive guide that identifies a variety of available and accessible low carbon fuel solutions. … Today, only 3% of transportation fuels are low carbon. According to the International Energy Agency, 10% of fuels must be low

November 24, 2015 Read Full Article

Call for Statement of Interest for South Africa Biofuels Technology Demonstration Programme Grant

(South Africa Department of Science and Technology)The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) was established in terms of the TIA Act, 2008 (Act No. 26 of 2008), with the objective to stimulate and intensify technological innovation in order to improve economic growth and the quality of life of all South Africans by

November 19, 2015 Read Full Article

Biofuel and Electric Buses for Cape Town

by Bekezela Phakathi (Business Day Live) BUSES powered by biofuel and electricity are on the cards for Cape Town. The City of Cape Town’s transport authority is due to issue a tender for the procurement of electric buses in the next few months. The metro is also undertaking a research

October 26, 2015 Read Full Article

Tyton BioEnergy Systems and Sunchem Announce Research and Commercial Partnership

(Tyton BioEnergy Systems) Tyton BioEnergy Systems and Sunchem announced today a research and commercial partnership combining Tyton’s research, development and commercial capabilities with Sunchem’s Solaris tobacco variety to establish a globally significant alliance to advance tobacco-based green chemicals and biofuels. The partners are committed to introducing energy tobacco as a

October 22, 2015 Read Full Article

Biofuels Production Plan already in Action

by Boyd Webb (IOL News) Once home to millions of displaced black South Africans, former homelands are expected to become the heart of the country’s biofuels production. Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs Lulama Xingwana said on Tuesday the presidential commercial agricultural working group meeting held at Tuynhuys in Cape

October 19, 2015 Read Full Article

First Flight Imminent as South African Tobacco Crop to Jet Biofuel Project Earns RSB Sustainability Approval

(Green Air Online) The South African ‘Project Solaris’ initiative that is developing an energy-rich tobacco crop for use as a feedstock for producing aviation biofuel has been awarded certification by the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB). The project, formally launched in late 2014, has involved RSB from the start so

September 30, 2015 Read Full Article

Modular Biodiesel Processing Plants for Emerging Markets

(70CentsAGallon.com) Biodiesel production is growing around the world and emerging markets have the most to gain from this industry. Norway, Turkey, South Africa and Greece are a few areas of the world that have begun supplementing their petroleum based diesel fuel needs with biodiesel which is derived from recycling used

September 26, 2015 0 comment Read Full Article

The New Tobacco Road: A Path beyond Smoking for America’s Traditional Cash Crop

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Tobacco’s been re-thought, re-engineered and re-invented as a platform for sustainable, low-carbon fuels, and green chemicals – who’s doing what, where and how? … If tobacco’s reputation has fallen into disrepute on soil sustainability and smoking application grounds (and George Washington abandoned the crop in his

September 10, 2015 Read Full Article

RSSC Invests E480m in Ethanol Plant, Power Generation Project

by Nomthandazo Nkambule (Swazi Observer) The Royal Swaziland Sugar Corporation (RSSC) invested about E480 million (US$40 million) in 2013 on setting up a biomass power generation and ethanol plant. The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) annual report 2014 themed ‘inclusive and sustainable industrialisation’ said member states initiated

September 9, 2015 Read Full Article

Project Solaris in South Africa Earns RSB Certification

(Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials) – Project Solaris in South Africa, has earned the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) certification for the production of the energy rich tobacco crop “Solaris” in the Limpopo region of South Africa. Solaris is a nicotine-free and GMO-free crop variety that yields significant amounts of sustainable

September 2, 2015 Read Full Article

Cheaper Oil Forces South Africa to Rework Biofuels Subsidy

by Wendell Roelf (Reuters Africa) South Africa’s biofuels funding incentive is being revamped over concerns that it is unaffordable after a halving of global crude oil prices over the past year, officials said on Tuesday. A net importer of crude, Africa’s most advanced economy wants biofuels initially to meet 2

August 11, 2015 Read Full Article

Numbitrax Buys Blume’s First African Bioethanol Refinery

(Biofuels International) Blume Distillation, a biorefinery systems provider for bioethanol production, has announced the sale of its first Africa-based biorefinery. The Blume biorefinery system has been purchased by Numbitrax, based in Touwsriver, Western Cape, South Africa, which has completed a purchase agreement and fund transfer. The purchase represents an investment

August 5, 2015 Read Full Article

Research and Markets: Next Generation Biofuels Market 2015 – In-Depth Analysis of 90 Major Players Including Abengoa, Verenium, BP Plc., BASF, Shell & Iogen

(Research and Markets/Businesswire) Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/d87gbg/next_generation) has announced the addition of the “Next Generation Biofuels” report to their offering. With the demand for fuel increasing globally, researchers around the world are working on making fuel from waste products like plastic bags, wood, and other sources. Next generation biofuels have been

July 7, 2015 0 comment Read Full Article

GFIA Africa – December 1-2, 2015 — Durban, South Africa

GFIA Africa will assemble the world’s largest collection of sustainable agriculture innovations dedicated to improving agricultural productivity in Africa. We are looking for speakers from all disciplines including private companies, entrepreneurs, NGOs, not-for-profits, universities and research centers. Hi-tech, lo-tech, innovative ideas, science and research, if your innovation has the potential

June 12, 2015 Read Full Article

Illovo Says Policy Certainty Key to Unlocking Sugar’s Cogeneration Potential

by Terence Creamer (Engineering News) … For Illovo, meanwhile, electricity generation forms part of a larger downstream diversification strategy, designed to lower the group’s reliance on sugar prices. Besides power, the JSE-listed group is also moving to expand its ethanol production in South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Swaziland, while producing a

May 30, 2015 Read Full Article

The Aviation Renewable Fuels Imperative

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) From remarks by Antonio De Palmas — president, Boeing Italy, at the World Bioenergy Leadership Forum … Aviation is 2% of all 2010 CO2e emissions, expected to grow to 3.5% by 2030. We cannot accept the status quo, because if we don’t do something to

May 26, 2015 Read Full Article

CALL FOR SPEAKERS: Global Forum for Innovations in Agriculture — October 20-21, 2015 — Durban, South Africa DEADLINE: June 12, 2015

Do you have a game-changing innovation for African agriculture? We are assembling Africa’s largest collection of game-changing, sustainable innovations that will help address the challenges facing African agriculture. At GFIA Africa, we will focus on transformative yet practical, scalable innovations that can increase agricultural productivity, protect and improve the natural

May 18, 2015 Read Full Article

Sugar Cane to Branch out to Bio-Ethanol, Electricity

by Linda Ensor (Business Day Live) … The diversification plans included using sugar cane to produce bio-ethanol and to generate renewable electricity. This would also improve the long term viability of the industry, chairman of the South African Sugar Association Rolf Lütge said in a briefing to Parliament’s trade and industry

May 14, 2015 Read Full Article

Global Forum for Innovations in Agriculture — October 20-21, 2015 — Durban, South Africa

Countries in Africa already face semi-arid conditions that make agriculture challenging and in fertile regions, dependence on traditional farming methods means yields are far below what would be expected. GFIA Africa will assemble the people needed to effect real change and offer hundreds of solutions that can raise productivity, stop post harvest

April 20, 2015 Read Full Article

R5 Bln Plant to Convert Canola into Diesel Halted by Laws

by Lutho Mtongana (BizNews.com) PhytoEnergy International Holding AG said it will only proceed with a plan to build a 5 billion rand ($418 million) plant to convert canola into diesel in South Africa if the government passes laws needed by the industry. The plant, which will produce 400,000 metric tons of

April 16, 2015 Read Full Article

Province Mulls Turning Cheap Wine into Biofuel

by Bekezela Phakathi (Business Day Live) The Western Cape government is investigating alternative uses for cheap, low-quality wine, such as converting it into biofuel for tractors and generators as part of efforts to curb alcohol abuse. But such a move could face resistance from producers. … The conversion of wine

March 5, 2015 Read Full Article

What’s New, Different and Hot in Military and Aviation Biofuels

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) … In the world of aviation biofuels, the bands and the bunting are rolling out less frequently. But mostly, because the sector has moved out of a noise-filled early R&D phase and is heading towards deployment. Someday, aviation biofuels will be as routine as topping off

February 20, 2015 Read Full Article

4 Minutes with… Hugo Jacobs, Founder, Methyl Ester

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) … Promoting bio fuels over mineral fuels must take precedence and this can be achieved by lobbying local government as well as national government If you could snap your fingers and change one thing about the Advanced Bioeconomy, what would you change? The incredibly slow pace

February 6, 2015 Read Full Article

The Worldwide Push for Aviation Biofuels

by Keith Campbell (Engineering News) On October 19, 2004, the world’s first exclusively biofuel powered production aircraft received its certification, allowing it to be flown operationally. That aircraft was (and is) the Neiva (now Embraer) EMB-202A Ipanema crop duster. This is the most recent version of a design that first

January 16, 2015 Read Full Article

Biofuels Mandates Around the World: 2015

January 5, 2015 Read Full Article

10 Biggest Bioeconomy Blockbuster Stories of 2014 (EU, Middle East and Africa)

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Aviation biofuels on the rise, in the skies” tops the trend list; drop-in and cellulosic ethanol projects; M&A and cap raises, and action from strategic investors and customers dominate the headlines this year. You might know it as EAME or EMEA, but its some combination

December 29, 2014 Read Full Article

Boeing, South African Airways Look to First Harvest of Energy-Rich Tobacco to Make Sustainable Aviation Biofuel

(Boeing) Pioneering project supports South Africa’s rural economy, environment, public health Boeing [NYSE:BA] and South African Airways (SAA) announced today that South African farmers will soon harvest their first crop of energy-rich tobacco plants, an important step towards using the plants to make sustainable aviation biofuel. Boeing and SAA, along

December 11, 2014 Read Full Article

South Africa's Ethanol Industry Is 'Far Behind and So Small'

by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) An ethanol association is working hard to grow the ethanol industry in South Africa and nearby countries. Right now, an association staff member said, the industry feels very small and far behind the U.S. and other ethanol-producing areas. … Right now the majority of

October 28, 2014 Read Full Article

Ahead of His Time

by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The idea of wet biomass storage has yet to catch on in the cellulosic industry, despite long-term use in the pulp and paper industry. Jim Hettenhaus is a passionate advocate of wet biomass storage. … Hettenhaus has been talking about the advantages of wet

October 1, 2014 Read Full Article

New Energy-Rich Sorghum Offers Ethanol without the Corn

by Marc Gunther (The Guardian) California startup NexSteppe presents a new brand of sorghum, bred for optimal energy production, designed as a greener alternative to corn for ethanol fuels and biomass boilers As scientists around the world research biomass feedstocks — trees, shrubs and grasses that are designed to produce

August 13, 2014 Read Full Article

China, Brazil Consider Publicity Blitz to Steer Climate Debate

by Natalie Obiko Pearson (Bloomberg/Renewable Energy World) China and Brazil are looking for ways to redirect a global climate debate, which they say unfairly accuses developing nations of delaying limits on fossil-fuel pollution. China wants to blitz attendees at United Nations-led climate talks with pamphlets touting the clean-energy gains made

August 13, 2014 Read Full Article

8 Trends Driving Aviation Biofuels Today

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) … SkyNRG is undertaking its first major feedstock project in South Africa, featuring a nicotine-free energy tobacco crop that’s developed by Sunchem under the name of Solaris. Which is an excellent reminder of how much activity is going on in aviation biofuels to solve the

August 7, 2014 Read Full Article

Boeing and South African Airways to Fly Planes on Tobacco Fuel

by Eduard Gismatullin (Bloomberg) Boeing Co. (BA) and state-owned South African Airways SOC Ltd. agreed to cooperate to produce jet fuel from a new type of tobacco plant to reduce environmental pollution. The partners will use SkyNRG’s hybrid plant Solaris, which can be grown for energy crops by farmers instead

August 7, 2014 Read Full Article

Southern African, EU Negotiators Sign New Trade Pact

(Reuters) Negotiators for Southern African states have agreed a new trade pact with the European Union which will give the countries a bigger market for food exports, South Africa’s trade and industry department said. … If ratified by the governments involved, the deal will allow South Africa to export 110

July 22, 2014 Read Full Article

RSB Southern Africa Day August 4, 2014; RSB Auditor Training Course from 5-7 August, 2014 Johannesburg, South Africa

RSB and friends Boeing, South African Airways, Solidaridad and PANGEA invite you to join us for RSB Southern Africa Day in Johannesburg, 4 August. This one-day Regional Meeting is open to anyone interested in learning more about the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials’ global standard and certification system for biofuels and

July 11, 2014 Read Full Article

Japanese Cars Soda Drinks Show Future for Abengoa Biofuel

by Rodrigo Orihuela (Bloomberg) Abengoa SA (ABG/P), the Spanish renewable energy company investing in biofuels, is in talks with Japanese car manufacturers and soft-drink makers to help them develop products ranging from bottles to chemicals. “All types of companies — automotive, consumers — are asking us to collaborate to develop

June 12, 2014 Read Full Article

New Joint Ventures Aim to Establish Hemp-Ethanol Pilot Plant

by Holly Jessen (Biomass Magazine) Edmonton, Alberta-based Syngar Technologies Inc. has announced two separate joint venture projects that will, together, help make hemp-to-cellulosic ethanol a step closer to reality. Syngar Technologies, which was featured in a March 2012, article in Ethanol Producer Magazine has licensed its Pulsed Low Ultra Sound Wave (PLUSWave) Technology, which

May 22, 2014 Read Full Article

New Joint Ventures Aim to Establish Hemp-Ethanol Pilot Plant

by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Edmonton, Alberta-based Syngar Technologies Inc. has announced two separate joint venture projects that will, together, help make hemp-to-cellulosic ethanol a step closer to reality. … In late April the company formed Cellunol Inc. with ANW Inc., a South African company with a cellulosic pretreatment

May 12, 2014 Read Full Article

Sugar Looks to Ethanol to Help Pick up Speed

by Loni Prinsloo (Business Day Live) … South Africa has been producing sugar on a large scale since the first Indian labourers docked in Durban in 1860. The sweet cane has been processed mostly to be used in food and drink. However, due to significant increases in costs and increasing global

April 29, 2014 Read Full Article

Biofuel from Cane ‘Reliant on Subsidy’

by Nompumelelo Magwaza (Independent Online/Business Report) he Local sugar industry would need to be highly subsidised to kick-start the production of fuel grade ethanol, the SA Sugar Association (Sasa) said last week. Production had been in the pipeline since 2007, when the cabinet approved a 2 percent biofuel penetration into

April 1, 2014 Read Full Article

BRICS and Mortar: The Fast-Growing BRIC Economies Take Aim at Aviation Biofuels

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Brazil, Russia, India and China — and throw in South Africa for a complete BRICSA set. The vaunted new economic engines for the 21st century — and, lately, home to a beehive of activity around drop-in, sustainable, aviation biofuels. What’s up, with whom, where, when and

March 11, 2014 Read Full Article

Biofuel Plant in South Africa to Begin Construction

(Biofuels International) A major renewable energy plant in Jozini, KwaZulu-Natal, which has been in planning for seven years, is set to start preliminary work in September. Silvapen Group, the South African – Brazilian company, plans to build the proposed R1.2 billion (€80 million) sugar-to-ethanol distillery using Brazilian technology. The distillery,

March 7, 2014 Read Full Article

Boeing, South African Airways Explore Ways for Farmers to Grow More Sustainable Biofuel Crops

(Boeing) Collaboration with Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials supports greater market access for “smallhold” farms Boeing [NYSE:BA] is launching an initiative with South African Airways (SAA) and the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) to expand opportunities for “smallhold” farmers in Southern Africa to grow crops that produce sustainable fuels. The program builds

March 6, 2014 Read Full Article

F.O. Licht's Sugar Africa September 9-11, 2014 Durban, South Africa

Following on from the success of last year’s event, we are pleased to announce that F.O. Licht’s Sugar and Ethanol Africa is once again taking place in Durban, South Africa from the 9-11 September 2014 – providing the platform for you to meet producers, investors, buyers and industry professionals from

February 5, 2014 Read Full Article

Biofuels Mandates Around the World: 2014

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 62 countries. The bulk of mandates continue to come from the EU-27, where the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) specified a

January 2, 2014 Read Full Article

South Africa Biofuels Seen Raising Sorghum Output Fivefold

by Tshepiso Mokhema (Bloomberg) South Africa’s plan to source all grain needed for biofuels production locally means sorghum output will have to climb at least fivefold, the nation’s biggest representative of commercial farmers said. Biofuel must comprise at least 5 percent of diesel and 2 percent to 10 percent of

November 22, 2013 Read Full Article

More Customers Can Benefit From Ennovor's Premium Quality Sustainable Fuels Following $12m Cash Injection

(Ennovor/PR NewsWire) Customers seeking premium quality, reliable and sustainable biofuels will have greater choice. This follows a $12m investment in expanding the supply chain, production and feedstock capabilities of sustainable energy sector leader Ennovor Group. The enhancements are being financed by a $12 million dollar capital raise led by Black Pearl Capital. Ennovor Group

November 7, 2013 Read Full Article

Dust Unto Dust

by Mary C. Scholes, Robert J. Scholes (Science Magazine) In the past, great civilizations have fallen because they failed to prevent the degradation of the soils on which they were founded (1). The modern world could suffer the same fate at a global scale. The inherent productivity of many lands has been

November 7, 2013 Read Full Article

Algasol Renewables Launches First Commercial Project, in Egypt

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Egypt, Algasol Renewables announced the launch of its first commercial algae project. Led by Biodiesel Misr, based at the First Industrial Zone in Giza, the project will convert algal biomass to biodiesel to meet growing local demand. Biodiesel Misr will grow and harvest algae

November 5, 2013 Read Full Article

Report: Carbon Taxes, Trading Bring Most Cost-Effective Pollution Cuts

by Ben Geman (The Hill E2Wire) A new report finds that the most cost-effective climate change policies are the ones with the least political traction in the United States. Imposing an explicit cost on carbon pollution is the best way to put countries on a path toward steep emissions cuts,

October 15, 2013 Read Full Article

Boeing, South African Airways Launch Sustainable Aviation Biofuel Effort in Southern Africa

(MarketWatch/PR NewsWire) Collaboration on biofuel supply chain is part of broader efforts to support environmental sustainability Boeing [NYSE: BA] and South African Airways (SAA) announced today that they will work together to develop and implement a sustainable aviation biofuel supply chain in Southern Africa, a first for the continent. The

October 10, 2013 Read Full Article

F.O. Lichts Sugar & Ethanol Africa 2013 September 10-12 Durban, South Africa

At this event you will be able to: • Identify production growth opportunities within the African continent • Look at intra-region and international trade dynamics and identify supply gaps for both fuel and non-fuel ethanol • Assess production cost drivers for ethanol and their implications on producer margins • Hear

June 15, 2013 Read Full Article

Zambia: Govt Resorts to Ethanol Fuel

by Judith Namutowe (AllAfrica.com) Government has said it will start importing ethanol from Zimbabwe with a view to lowering the high fuel prices in Zambia. And Government will soon sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Zimbabwe-based firm, Green Fuel in its continued efforts to find cheaper sources of fuel for

May 28, 2013 Read Full Article

Eccotopia to Sign Joint Venture Agreement

(SB Wire/Eccotopia) Julian Moses, president of Symphony Trade and Investment 57 (Pty) Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eccotopia Ltd.,http://www.eccotopia.com/, has announced that Eccotopia and Pacific Tree West are in the process of signing a joint venture agreement for the marketing, development and implementation of Megafolia© tree plantations throughout the

May 10, 2013 Read Full Article

Biofuels Given a New Lease on Life

by Andre Janse van Vuuren (City Press/Fin24) Dormant plans to establish a local biofuel sector – earmarked to create up to 50 000 jobs and save the country at least R8.9bn in foreign exchange payments – could be given a new lease on life before year-end when government hopes to

April 9, 2013 Read Full Article

International Regulation of Microorganisms for Biofuel or Chemical Production: North and South America and Africa

by David Glass (DGlassAssociates.com) … The use of genetically modified microorganisms (GMOs) in manufacturing will likely face a fairly straightforward regulatory process in most countries, because such “contained” uses will generally pose far fewer hypothetical concerns about environmental or public health impacts. In contrast, the use of genetically modified plants

March 19, 2013 Read Full Article

Bali Biofuel Plant Will Save Lives

(This Is Gloucestershire) Green Fuels of Stonehouse has installed the first ever biodiesel plant on Bali. The move is helping the Indonesian island to avert a growing environmental and health crisis. The FuelMatic GSX 3 plant can convert up to 3,000 litres of used cooking oil a day into biofuel.

March 6, 2013 Read Full Article

Carbon Tax from 2015, as New Biofuels Incentive Is Unveiled

by Terence Creamer (Polity.org.za) The South African government has confirmed that a carbon tax will be phased in from January 1, 2015, as part of South Africa’s efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change and encourage energy efficiency measures. …The National Treasury’s current plan is to initiate the

March 6, 2013 Read Full Article

Corporate Social Responsibility Strategy and Management: Creating Shared Value through Collaborative Sustainable Development May 6-10, 2013 Cape Town, South Africa

The essential course to prepare professionals to work in the expanding field of corporate social responsibility and sustainable development McGill University’s Institute for the Study of International Development and the law firm of Fasken Martineau are pleased to announce the launch of the second executive education certificate program, Corporate Social Responsibility Strategy and

February 26, 2013 Read Full Article

Sugarcane Fibre Could Boost Biofuel Development – Study

by Natasha Odendaal (Creamer Media’s Engineering News) A doctorate study undertaken by Stellenbosch University Department of Process Engineering student Yuda Benjamin has found that the fibres of some varieties of sugarcane had the potential to boost the production of ethanol at a reduced cost. Benjamin said a new scientific method developed as part

February 21, 2013 Read Full Article

First Biodiesel Plant in Bali, Indonesia, Undergoes Commissioning

(Green Fuels/Biodiesel Magazine) The biorefinery manufacturer Green Fuels is in Bali this week commissioning a turnkey biodiesel facility for Caritas Switzerland, an NGO that focuses on socioeconomic development in disadvantaged communities around the world. Green Fuels has installed its 3,000 liter (792.5 gallon) per day FuelMatic GSX 3, the newest and

January 25, 2013 Read Full Article

Workshop on Sustainable Biomass Production in South-East Africa March 19-21, 2013 Maputo, Mozambique

The workshop is organised by NL Agency with the support of WIP Renewable Energies. The objective is to discuss and share experiences on current initiatives for the development of sound frameworks for bioenergy in African countries. Results of recent and on-going projects funded through the Global Sustainable Biomass Programme and

January 25, 2013 Read Full Article

South Africa – Sugar Companies Waiting for Biofuel Policy Move

(Agra-Net.com) South Africa’s sugar companies and the planners of two sorghum-based ethanol plants are anxiously awaiting the government’s next move to allow a biofuels industry through the publication of the regulated price of ethanol, said Ethanol Producers Association secretary Alf Stevens. READ MORE

December 21, 2012 Read Full Article

Biofuels Mandates Around the World: 2012

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Brazil, India, the US, China and the EU point the way towards a 60 billion gallon biofuels market by 2022 – but can the capacity be built, and can the mandates survive pressure from opponents? In Florida, the Digest today releases its annual review of

November 28, 2012 Read Full Article

Gas-to-Liquids: A Risky Investment?

by Robert Rapier (Biofuels Digest) …Oxford Catalysts claims that with natural gas at $3.89 per million BTU (MMBTU), they can produce diesel for $1.57 per gallon. But I would caution investors in this situation. Without a doubt the technology is proven. Natural gas and coal (CTL) have been converted

November 18, 2012 0 comment Read Full Article

The GM Tree Plantations Bred to Satisfy the World's Energy Needs

by John Vidal (The Guardian) Israeli biotech firm says its modified eucalyptus trees can displace the fossil fuel industry It’s a timber company’s dream but a horrific industrial vision for others: massive plantations of densely planted GM eucalyptus trees stretching across Brazil, South Africa, Indonesia and China, engineered to grow 40% faster for

November 16, 2012 Read Full Article

Biofuels Mandates Around the World – Who Is Moving the Targets?

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) … United States Concerns over the price impacts of a devastating US drought have led to call for a waiver in the US Renewable Fuel Standard volumetric targets. Proposed waivers have ranged from small, symbolic down-shifting of the targets to a zeroing out of mandates for

October 25, 2012 Read Full Article

Global 2012 Corn Crop To Be Second Largest in History: OECD Official’s Comment on Biofuels Misguided

(Global Renewable Fuels Alliance) Today (September 20, 2012) the Global Renewable Fuels Alliance (GRFA) criticized OECD senior counsellor, Carmel Cahill, for making unsubstantiated comments targeting the role of biofuels mandates in food price inflation. Evidence from a recent World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report stated that farmers globally

September 21, 2012 Read Full Article

Food Crises and Technological Phobia

by Drew Kershen (BioFortified) …I do not write to enter the debate focused on fuel standards, markets and commodity speculators. I acknowledge that other factors also contribute to food crises, particularly in developing nations – e.g., underfunded agricultural research and extension, inadequate infrastructure, and insecure land tenure. However, I write

September 7, 2012 Read Full Article

Southern Africa Development Community Countries Meet on Algae Development

(Algae Industry Magazine) Leaders of the 14-member Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) came together at the St. George Hotel in Pretoria, South Africa, July 24-27, for a workshop on emerging technologies for sustainable biofuels and added value bio-products. Their discussions centered around the productive use of agricultural waste and algae

August 10, 2012 Read Full Article

South African Airways Aims for 50 per cent Biofuel by 2020

by Kamalpreet Badasha (SupplyManagement.com) State-owned South African Airways (SAA) aims to decrease its carbon footprint by using biofuel for 50 per cent of its fuel supply by 2020. The announcement was made by public enterprises minister Malusi Gigaba at the launch of the Climate Change Policy Framework for state-owned companies. The framework

August 2, 2012 Read Full Article

South Africa Looks to Develop Aviation Biofuels Supply Chain in Response to Vulnerability over Carbon Taxes and Penalties

(GreenAirOnline) As part of policy objectives to reduce carbon emissions by state-owned companies (SOCs) and stimulate a green economy, the South African government is planning a strategy to help develop a home-grown aviation biofuels industry to support South African Airways (SAA). The country’s Minister of Public Enterprises, Malusi Gigaba, said

July 27, 2012 Read Full Article

Viridis Africa October 16-17, 2012 Johannesburg, South Africa

Viridis Africa, the only clean energy investor event in Africa that will take place on the 16th and 17th of October 2012 at the Killarney Country Club, Lower Houghton, Johannesburg, South Africa. The event is dedicated to entrepreneurs and corporates who are seeking funding to introduce clean technology solutions and services. Held over two

July 3, 2012 Read Full Article

Request for Proposals: Viridis Africa October 16-17, 2012 Johannesburg, South Africa DEADLINE: August 30, 2012

July 3, 2012 0 comment Read Full Article

Biofuels: Better for Airplanes, Too?

by Margaret Ryan (AOLEnergy) Biofuels could be a “game changer” for both military and commercial aviation, says Assistant Secretary of the Air Force Terry Yonkers, because they’re proving to have advantages over petroleum-based jet fuels that go beyond the environment. …Burning biofuels is considered neutral for greenhouse gases because they release only carbon

June 14, 2012 Read Full Article

Aviation Biofuels: Which Airlines Are Doing What, with Whom?

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) …(M)ore than 30 airlines now trialing, deploying biofuels – but who’s doing what, exactly? In Brazil, Azul Airlines announced that Amyris’s innovative renewable jet fuel sourced from Brazilian sugarcane has passed all required testing and will be used during a demonstration flight on an Azul Embraer 195 aircraft

June 5, 2012 Read Full Article

Government Drags Feet on Biofuel Project

(Business Day) State wants industry to source feedstock from small-scale farmers, writes Hopewell Radebe The government has not moved an inch on the proposal by the farming community to include maize as an alternative crop for biofuel production since the Department of Energy published the draft Mandatory Blending Regulations in

March 28, 2012 Read Full Article

S.Africa Sees $258 mln Ethanol Plant by 2014

by Wendell Roelf (Reuters Africa) South Africa plans to invest 2 billion rand ($258.5 million) to build an ethanol plant and help a nascent biofuels sector that could reduce the country’s reliance on imported fuel, an industry player said on Monday. Africa’s biggest economy imports about 60 percent of its

February 22, 2012 Read Full Article

South Africa Company to Invest E3bn in Local Ethanol Project

by Nomthandazo Nkambule (The Swazi Observer) A South African based company will invest about E3 billion in an ethanol project to be established along the Siphofaneni/Lavumisa corridor Minister of Agriculture Clement Dlamini said the company, FuelEthanol and Agricultural Plantation, completed a preliminary study on the initiative. …“As the project will require land measuring 15

January 26, 2012 Read Full Article

S. African Biofuel Plan May Boost Sorghum Sixfold, Grain Says

by Carli Lourens (Bloomberg) South Africa’s proposed mandatory blending of biofuels with gasoline and diesel may signal the start of a biofuels industry and boost sorghum output sixfold, an economist at the farmers’ body Grain SA said. …South Africa could introduce mandatory blending of as much as 10 percent “without compromising

December 14, 2011 Read Full Article

As Government Talks Strike Out, Business Steps up to Bat

by Joelle Brink (Biofuels Digest Asia) This week, while the world’s biofuel producers were busy ramping up production towards the 54.1 billion gallon global capacity predicted by 2015, the people who regulate biofuels and make biofuel policy were mired in stalled talks on two continents. …So, biofuels producers are finding

December 9, 2011 Read Full Article

South African Airways Mulls Big Biofuels Shift in Bid to Avoid Possible Carbon Penalties

by Terence Creamer (Engineering News) Biofuels may need to comprise as much as half of South African Airways’ (SAA’s) fuel supply by 2020 if the national carrier is to avoid future carbon penalties, Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba… But he acknowledged that the airline’s consumption would create a “pressing

November 28, 2011 Read Full Article

South Africa: Govt Sign Accord to Inject Billions Into Green Economy

(All Africa) On the eve of a major International Climate Change Conference to be hosted by South Africa, social partners and government signed a Green Economy Accord at parliament in Cape Town today (November 17, 2011), which commits signatories to a partnership to build and grow the green economy. The

November 18, 2011 Read Full Article

Tongaat Sees Big Potential for Jobs in Ethanol and Power Projects

by Brindaveni Naidoo (Engineering News) Electricity generation and ethanol production from sugarcane could save and create thousands of local jobs, mainly in rural areas, agriculture and property group Tongaat Hulett CEO Peter Staude said on Monday. … Turning to ethanol production, the company said that South Africa, which is in the

November 15, 2011 Read Full Article

South African Project Reaching for Ethanol, Biodiesel Co-Location

by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) One World Clean Energy Inc. has secured its first memorandum of understanding to construct and commission a $115 million Integrated Biorefinery in South Africa, where it would produce10 megawatts of electricity, 10 MMgy of ethanol and 10 MMgy biodiesel. Bill Bivins, CEO of One

October 28, 2011 Read Full Article

South Africa’s Bio-Economy ‘Stymied by Government Policy’

by Sarah Wild (Business Day) Biofuels Association president Andrew Makenete says SA has the technology and resources to develop its bio-economy but was stymied by a lack of regulations and government policy SA HAD the technology and resources to develop its bio-economy but was stymied by a lack of regulations

September 16, 2011 Read Full Article

Assessing Opportunities and Constraints for Biofuel Development in Sub-Saharan Africa

by Graham von Maltitz, William Stafford (Center for International Forestry Research) Sustainable biofuel production should provide opportunities for sub-Saharan African countries and their inhabitants, especially in impoverished rural areas. Biofuel feedstock production has the potential to bring job opportunities and earnings, but this should not be at the cost

August 29, 2011 Read Full Article

South Africa Should Step up Its Biofuels Efforts – Toyota

by Loni Prinsloo (Engineering News) South Africa should step up its efforts to introduce biofuels into its fuel supply mix, Toyota South Africa CEO Dr Johan van Zyl said on Thursday. Speaking at the 2011 South Africa Automotive Week conference, in East London, Van Zyl argued that 50 000 additional

August 26, 2011 Read Full Article

Plans for ‘Tree of Life’ Plantation

by Laea Medley (Independent Online) …The iLembe District Municipality and Dr Samson Tesfay, a post-doctoral student at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s discipline of horticultural science, are planning a plantation project for the plant. The project will harvest Moringa pods for biodiesel processing, using small-scale emerging farmers in the area. “We

August 22, 2011 Read Full Article

Ethanol, Sugar Mill-Power Rules Could Create Jobs, Tongaat-Hulett CEO Says

by Niki Moore (Bloomberg) Southern African countries could create 1.8 million jobs if they adopted similar regulations to Brazil governing the production of ethanol and electricity from sugar, the Chief Executive Officer of Tongaat-Hulett Group Ltd. said. South African sugar companies such as Tongaat-Hulett, the second-biggest producer of the sweetener on

August 2, 2011 Read Full Article

Illovo Sugar Plans to Produce Ethanol From Molasses in Tanzania by 2013

by Niki Moore (Bloomberg) Illovo Sugar Ltd. (ILV), Africa’s largest producer of the sweetener, plans to start making potable ethanol from molasses in Tanzania by 2013, Managing Director Graham Clark said. “We have created an opportunity in Tanzania to produce ethanol from molasses” he said in an interview at the company’s

July 20, 2011 Read Full Article

Food Security Not Necessarily Threatened By Biofuels

(Rainharvest) To achieve “win-win outcomes” for bio-energy, food security and poverty reduction, we must recognise that these outcomes are possible. This is what Prof Lee Lynd, of Dartmouth College and the Mascoma Corporation, told delegates during a seminar at Stellenbosch University, which was organised by the South African Energy Research

July 18, 2011 Read Full Article