Articles in Switzerland
(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 …
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) A technology for direct air capture of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, with a cost that “fully burdened with interest on capital, ranges from 94 to 232 $/t-CO2 depending on financial …
(Biofuels International) Struggles and triumphs of the biofuels industry were brought into sharp focus at the Platts 7th Annual Biofuels Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.
With speakers from across the biofuels sector, the event at the Grand Hotel Kempinski …
(Hitachi Zosen Inova) Hitachi Zosen Inova is to build Scandinavia’s second Kompogas® facility in Jönköping, Sweden. It will use a dry fermentation process to convert around 40,000 metric tons of organic waste a year into fuel …
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Adam Klauber of the Rocky Mountain Institute gave this presentation about working with airports to increase sustainable alternative jet fuel use at ABLC in Washington, DC this spring. READ MORE
The world is constantly looking for pathways to sustainable future. One of the biggest issues are increasing CO2 emissions, which are causing the global warming. Scientists from around the globe developed several technologies enabling us …
by Angelica Bottaro (Engineering.com) A new sophisticated computer model to calculate the greenhouse gas emissions from biorefineries has been developed to ensure that the total carbon footprint of these biofuels is being considered when regarding environmental initiatives.
The …
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Nigeria, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Kebbi State Government to build an 84 million litres per annum capacity fuel-ethanol project. The Sugarcane and Cassava-Fuel …
(Xinhua Net) As China encourages the use of renewable energy for sustainable growth, it is creating a huge biofuel market that Swiss specialty chemical company Clariant does not want to miss out on.
The chemical maker is …
(NGV Journal/SPIE Switzerland) The event marking the delivery to SPIE Switzerland Ltd of 30 SEAT Leon ST TGI models running on natural gas/biogas took place on October 17 at the Bern STEP, the biogas-producing wastewater treatment …
by Ben Chapman (Independent) With long-distance electric-powered transport still a long way off, can advances in renewable fuel made from vegetable oil and waste fill the gap to combat climate change and clean up our toxic …
(Biofuels International) A general ban on palm oil in biofuels in Europe punishes the wrong producers while having little impact on reducing deforestation, according to Jaboury Ghazoul, a professor of ecosystem management at ETH Zurich. He …
by Marcius Extavour (XPRIZE/Biofuels Digest) … Hydrocarbon drop-in fuels are among the leading products targeted by the CO2 conversion community, be it diesel, methanol, butanol, or others. New approaches to the science and technology of CO2-to-fuels may …
(Neste Corp./Biodiesel Magazine) Neste and Geneva Airport are pioneering together to make flying more sustainable by starting to decarbonize aviation towards fossil neutral growth. Geneva Airport is planning the introduction of renewable jet fuel for …
(Netzwerk Biotreibstoffe/IEA Bioenergy Task 37 Newsletter) This brief highlights the technologies available – both established and newly emerging – for biomethane production and biogas-driven vehicle fleets. It evaluates costs, performance and sustainability and outlines the …
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine/Biomass Magazine) The Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials recently released a report reviewing its 2016 activities and highlighting its increased impact and presence in the global renewable fuels industry. The report …
(Bombardier) First delivery of biofuels completed by AEG Fuels; Flights demonstrate companies’ shared commitment to sustainability — SkyNRG and AEG Fuels completed the delivery of sustainable aviation biofuels for the Bombardier Business Aircraft demonstration fleet flying …
(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 …
Air Transport Action Group : The Global Sustainable Aviation Summit, hosted by ATAG and co-organised by ACI, IATA, CANSO and ICCAIA.
The 2017 Summit will cover a range of sustainability topics for aviation: from how …
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Switzerland, Avalon Industries has launched a research project to replace formaldehyde in phenol-formaldehyde resins with a bio-based, non-toxic platform chemical 5-HMF, The R&D partner is the Institute for Materials …
by Markus Rarbach (Clariant/Biofuels Digest) Cellulosic ethanol is no longer a topic solely discussed in scientific papers or conferences, or by the academic world. It has made its way through the stages of technology development, …
Providing the most up-to-the minute news and views on the main issues impacting the European and global biofuels market in this trading heartland.
At a time of increased uncertainty for the sector, this focused event will …
(Roundtable for Sustainable Biomaterials) The Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) celebrated the announcement at its Annual Assembly of Delegates meeting in Hanoi, Vietnam that its global members have voted to approve and publish revised Principles …
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Florida, Reverdia took the #1 spot in the 2016 “40 Hottest Emerging Companies in the Advanced Bioeconomy” rankings, published today in The Digest and Nuu, the world’s most widely-read advanced …
by Rebecca Chillrud (Energy and Environmental Study Institute) … Traditional biofuels like ethanol can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 19-48 percent compared with gasoline, while advanced or cellulosic biofuels can reduce emissions by more than …
(Biofuels International) Scientists at Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale De Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland have turned lignin into a source of biofuel by simply adding a common chemical. The patent-pending method that converts up to 80% of lignin …
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 …
by Paul Mullen (Algae Biomass Organization) NRG COSIA Carbon XPRIZE is a global competition which aims to develop breakthrough technologies relating to carbon dioxide. The competition aims for the team to convert the most carbon …
by Brigitte Buchmann, Christian Bach (Phys.Org) Newly registered private cars must meet certain defined CO2 emission standards, and these are expected to be made more stringent in the forthcoming revision of the national regulations, in …
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 …
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Sweeteners, acrylic, and nutraceuticals led the news at the end of this week, with key announcements out of Evolva, Wageningen and Algae.Tec.
…
All the announces are developmental in nature — patents, …
(Clariant/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Clariant, a world leader in specialty chemicals, and Scania, one of the world’s top heavy-duty vehicle manufacturers, are celebrating the results and the opportunities generated by the partnership established last year, which …
(Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials) RSB is now offering a range of advisory services to support businesses, investors, development agencies, NGOs, and governments in applying the RSB standard to their operations, projects and policy development. Through …
(Office of the United States Trade Representative) Obama Administration unveils list of the world’s most significant challenges facing American intellectual property rights alongside bipartisan members of Congress and business community leaders — On the heels …
The European Biofuels industry has stalled. With the lack of societal support resulting in a level of uncertainty for EU support post 2020 market participants need more concrete objectives before they can move forward.
Platts EU …
(Labiotech.eu) Is the Future of Biotech…Green? The Algae Industry ranges from Biofuels to Nutrition to Fashion and Microalgae hold lots of potential for the industry to expand. But why? And do Venture Capitalists agree?
Microalgae have already …
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) … AVA Biochem is expanding its product portfolio to include platform chemical FDCA (2,5-Furandicarboxylic acid). In addition to 5-HMF, the Swiss company will now deliver FDCA to customers and partners engaged in …
by Proma Khosla (Mashable) … “Together we are fighting to preserve our fragile climate from irreversible damage, and devastation of unthinkable proportions,” (Leonardo) DiCaprio said in a speech at the Davos Crystal Award Ceremony.
“We simply cannot …
(Elevance Renewable Sciences, Inc.) In collaboration with several partners, including the special contribution of Versalis under a strategic partnership started in early 2014, Elevance Renewable Sciences, Inc. — a high-growth company that creates novel specialty …
by Chris Prentice (Reuters) Kolmar Group AG’s U.S. unit has bought a small Connecticut biodiesel plant, the Swiss commodities trader’s first ever acquisition of an asset, in a move that may stir hopes of renewed …
by Michael Shields (Reuters) Swiss specialty chemicals group Clariant expects biofuels to get a boost from the scandal surrounding Volkswagen’s (VOWG_p.DE) manipulation of diesel motor emissions tests, Chief Executive Hariolf Kottmann told a German newspaper.
Clariant …
Experts from the aviation industry, governments and environmental groups are in Geneva next week for a series of meetings on sustainable aviation development. The headline event is the Global Sustainable Aviation Summit, hosted by the …
by Chris Reiter (Bloomberg/MSN.com) Volkswagen AG said irregularities on diesel- emission readings extend to 11 million vehicles around the world, forcing the German carmaker to set aside 6.5 billion euros ($7.3 billion) in an initial …
(News Agency of Nigeria) The Nigerian Cassava Growers Association of Nigeria (NCGA) on Wednesday said it would partner with the Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF) to establish an ethanol plant. The National President of the …
by Jan Overney (Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne) Microalgae are a promising feedstock for biofuels, but current methods of harvesting and dewatering them are unsustainable. Now researchers have shown that growing the algae with certain filamentous …
by Jan Overney (Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne) To cut the cost of biofuels, their production-process can be enhanced to include additional valuable biochemical compounds. A recent experimental study focuses on one source of biomass: …
by Tim Sandal (Digital Journal) One subject sure to divide opinion is biofuel. Are they a a sustainable energy supply or a product harmful to the environment? Swiss Federal Laboratories have developed a new way …
(National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Refining ethanol may release more of some pollutants than burning it in vehicles. After quantifying the airborne emissions from the nation’s third largest ethanol refinery, a team led by …
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) … If they handed out Platinum and Gold certification to scientific papers as we do with recorded music, “Top Value Added Chemicals from Biomass” would be a multi-platinum chart-busting monster. This …
by Greg Breining (Bioenergy Connection) When Bioenergy Connection first covered the progress to commercial cellulosic ethanol in 2011, a dozen biofuel companies were claiming they would go big by 2015. After years of industry-wide anticipation and …
This focused event will provide a unique insight from key decision makers, and a comprehensive overview of the European and international biofuels and feedstock markets, providing you withtrading and pricing insights, and asking questions around stimulating …
This focused event will provide a unique insight from key decision makers, and a comprehensive overview of the European and international biofuels and feedstock markets, providing you with trading and pricing insights, and asking questions around …
by Angelika Jacobs (ETH Zurich) Polylactic acid is a degradable plastic used mostly for packaging. To meet the rising demand, ETH researchers have developed an eco-friendly process to make large amounts of lactic acid from glycerol, …
(Scania) Swiss supermarket chain Coop is taking delivery of more than 50 Scania biodiesel trucks as part of an ambitious plan to become carbon neutral by 2023. The chain says the move has nothing to …
(Algae Industry Magazine) EnAlgae, a research partnership drawing on expertise across seven EU Member States, has announced the publication of six reports on their website looking at the state of the algae industry across countries in …
(Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials) MBP Group has earned the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) sustainability certification for their waste material collection, trading and distribution activities.
“MBP Group was built on a sustainable background, adding as much …
(ABB, Renewable Algal Energy) ABB technology for control and efficiency of algae harvesting and conversion process; algae used for nutritional supplements, animal feed and fuel
ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, announced that it …
(Biotechnology Industry Organization) An international confederation of biotechnology trade associations announced today the ratification of bylaws creating the International Council of Biotechnology Associations (ICBA), with the expressed purpose of advocating for public policies that support …
by Peter Rüegg (ETH Zurich) Biofuel can be produced from wood, too. The key to this is the suitable pretreatment of the plant parts in order to break up the wood structure. Researchers at the Transport …
(Bernama) Felda Global Ventures Biotechnologies Sdn Bhd (FGVB) has delivered its first 48 metric tonnes (MT) of palm methyl ester (PME) under the B5 programme to a client at the Kuantan Fuel Terminal.
In a statement, …
The Air Transport Action Group’s Aviation & Environment Summit has become the leading global forum for the world’s aviation community to discuss sustainability issues.
It is where we launched the world’s first targets for reducing emissions from …
by Christian Ludwig (The National) … In order to offer a viable alternative to oil or natural gas, the microalgae have to be produced sustainably, and fuels derived from them have to be compatible with today’s distribution …
CANCELLED: RECEIVED SEPTEMBER 29, 2014 FROM Hinde Liepmannsohn [hindeliep@gmail.com]
Dear Ecochem Stakeholder, Supporter or friend,
For the past week, I have been awaiting an official an announcement and could not really reach out. Im not sure it has …
We are looking for dynamic professionals and innovative companies to contribute high level content presentations, new and exciting sponsorships and exhibit to a targeted audience.
We are very selective about our speakers and will only pick the most objective and innovative presentations offered.
Please apply if …
(University of Bern, Switzerland) If grassland used intensively, biodiversity decreases. Particularly affected are rare species, a new study headed by Berner plant scientists shows. Such negative effects could be reduced if farmers would vary the …
(UPM) The Biofore concept car, a joint production by UPM and Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, is to premiere at the 84th Geneva International Motor Show, 6-16 March, 2014. The unique concept car is …
We bring together the world’s most influential industry and government leaders, scientists, young future leaders and innovators from across the chemical industry and value chains to accelerate innovation, research, commercialisation and market uptake in the …
We bring together the world’s most influential industry and government leaders, scientists, young future leaders and innovators from across the chemical industry and value chains to accelerate innovation, research, commercialisation and market uptake in the …
(EurekAlert!) Findings could ultimately boost crop and biofuels production
A team including Dartmouth researchers has uncovered a protein that plays a vital role in how plant roots use water and nutrients, a key step in improving …
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Not quite a year after opening a demonstration facility, Switzerland-based specialty chemicals company Clariant AG announced that it has expanded the feedstocks successfully converted to cellulosic ethanol beyond wheat …
(Scania) Scania also provides highly attractive solutions to bus transport developed in close cooperation with the operators.
Rising welfare inevitably brings about an increased need for transportation of goods as well as passengers. Curbing the constant …
by Andrew Noel (Bloomberg) Clariant AG (CLN) said it’s prepared to take on a partner and help fund a second-generation bioethanol plant to prove the effectiveness of its biotechnology and compete against Royal DSM NV …
(PR Web) RSB now recognizes FSC which certifies responsibly managed forests.
The Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels (RSB) is pleased to announce its decision to recognize the standard of the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) which certifies responsibly …
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) …Clariant Corporation recently acquired Süd-Chemie, which has been developing its proprietary sunliquid® process since 2006, including the successful operation of a pilot plant since 2009. Clariant started operation of the largest cellulosic ethanol …
(SwissInfo.ch) Biofuels have an undeserved reputation for environmental friendliness, according to a study commissioned by the Federal Energy Office and released Monday. The study re-evaluated the ecological effects of biofuels and their production processes.
Empa, an …
by Matthew Aylott (National Non-Food Crops Centre) NNFCC gives its top ten of Britain’s most progressive biofuel and biochemical companies.
TMO Renewables …
Green Biologics …
British Airways …
Ensus …
BP …
Johnson Matthey …
Croda …
INEOS Bio …
Harvest Energy …
Greenergy … …
(Reuters) The chairman of the world’s biggest food group Nestle, Peter Brabeck, has called on politicians to lobby to end the use of food in the production of biofuels.
“This does not mean that biofuel should …
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Launching today – and stretching into early Fall – the Algae Biomass Organization is coordinating a series of events billed as “The “Summer of Algae II” to raise awareness about …
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The Swiss specialty chemicals company Clariant is now operating its demonstration-scale cellulosic ethanol plant in Straubing, Germany. With an annual capacity of up to 1,000 tons (330,000 MMgy), the demonstration …
by Franco Capaldo (ICIS.com) Clariant has inaugurated a new cellulose ethanol pilot plant in the Bavarian town of Straubing, Germany, the Swiss specialty chemicals company said on Friday.
The plant – the biggest of its kind in Germany – will produce around 1,000 …
by Jason Palmer (BBC News) Scientists have succeeded in forming a “feedback loop” between a computer and a common yeast to precisely control the switching on and off of specific genes.
The computer controlled flashes of …
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 …
IATA Training: Learn the challenges of integrating aviation biofuels with conventional jet fuel and their potential to reduce carbon emissions.
Goals
Upon completing this course you will have the skills to:
Identify the benefits of biofuel for …
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) Volvo has introduce the first three-mode hybrid in the world during the 81st Geneva International Motor Show this week. During a media preview, the hybrid diesel V60 sedan was unveiled.
…The driver chooses …
(Khabrein) A new Swiss Study by the federal office of power and environment assured that the so-called “second generation of Biofuels” has good chances for the environment and development as well.
“Second generation biofuels impress, because of …
(Alpha Galileo) An interdisciplinary team headed by Empa researcher Rainer Zah has been studying the sustainability of second generation biofuels and has calculated how much fuel might be saved in Switzerland through the use of …
(PRInside.com) This summer, Butalco will use its proprietary new yeast technology to produce biofuel from agricultural waste in a pilot plant in Southern Germany. Butalco’s new microbial catalysts will enable up to 30% increased yields in …
