by Clare Goldsberry (Plastics Today) San Francisco–based Brightmark wants to procure 1.2 million tons per year of post-use plastic types 1 through 7 from the eastern half of the United States to recycle into fuel and new materials at its
by Amanda Doyle (The Chemical Engineer) A catalyst produced via flame spray pyrolysis can be used to turn waste CO2 into syngas for use in fuels and feedstocks. The catalyst has been developed by a team at UNSW Sydney using flame spray
by Joel Stone (ConVergInce Advisers/Lee Enterprises Consulting/Biofuels Digest) ... A unique and affordable bolt on technology offered by Catalyxx (www.catalyxxinc.com) is available now and can offer options and opportunities to the present and post Covid ethanol infrastructure to expand and create new
(GreenAir Online) Leisure carrier Air Transat has signed an offtake agreement, claimed to be the first in Canada, to purchase a significant portion of synthetic jet fuel from future production by the SAF+ Consortium. The power-to-liquid (PtL) fuel will be derived
(NextChem) NextChem's #CircularDistrict model is enhanced with a new dimension: in addition to hydrogen and methanol derived from the chemical conversion of plasmix and non-recyclable dry waste, it will now be possible to obtain ethanol, an important chemical for sustainable
by Helena Taveras Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, D.C., the Feedstock-Conversion Interface Consortium released their revamped website which features renovated content describing the FCIC’s eight main research areas. Each research area will enable the consortium to help biorefinery developers understand and mitigate
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) just released a new report that outlines five specific, yet broadly applicable, areas of focus to reduce costs in an integrated biorefinery. This analysis builds upon ongoing R&D strategies to lower
by Liz Gyekye (BioMarket Insights) Researchers at the US-based Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have used neutron scattering and supercomputing to better understand how an organic solvent and water work together to break down plant biomass, creating a
(Alliance BioEnergy/WallStreetOnline) Alliance BioEnergy Plus, Inc. (PINK: ALLM).Alliance BioEnergy Plus Inc., is pleased to announce that its 4th generation Cellulose-to-Sugar (“CTS”) prototype is now completed and installed in our lab. Testing is in preparation and will begin this week. This 4th
(U.S. Department of Energy) Today (July 2, 2020), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the selection of seven projects totaling $1.94 million to conduct research and development to accelerate the adoption of performance-advantaged biofuel blendstocks. These fuels are derived from
by Pamela Gregg (University of Dayton Research Institute) ... ASTM International has approved the use of a synthetic oil derived from municipal waste in the manufacture of jet fuel at petroleum refineries. The co-processing of “syncrude” with petroleum at the refinery
by Lachlan Gilbert (University of South Wales Sydney Newsroom) Making catalysts to convert waste carbon dioxide into useful industrial products has been expensive and complicated – until now. UNSW engineers show it’s as easy as playing with Lego. -- Chemical engineers
(Annellotech) Sustainable technology company Anellotech has announced that R Plus Japan Ltd., a new joint venture company, will invest in the development of Anellotech’s cutting-edge Plas-TCat™ technology for recycling used plastics. R Plus Japan was established by 12 cross-industry partners within
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Everything’s better with biology, so here’s The Digest’s newly released Top 15 case studies of today’s hottest technology and new markets for traditional oil and gas refiners. What are our top picks? Spoiler Alert: The top 15
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) DigestConnect hosted a wildly popular webinar in late April with Clariant’s Head of Business Line, Biofuels & Derivatives at Clariant but there were so many fantastic audience questions we didn’t to, that we decided to follow
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) From Canada comes news that NOVA Chemicals and Enerkem entered into a joint development agreement to explore turning non-recyclable and non-compostable municipal waste into ethylene, a basic building block of plastics. NOVA Chemicals has committed to enabling
(Omaha World-Herald/Nebraska Corn Board) When you stop at the gas station to top off your tank, how much thought do you put in to choosing the fuel that’s right for your car? For your wallet? For the environment? For the air
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Brussels, the European Investment Bank, with the support of the European Commission, has granted a EUR 75 million (nearly $82 million USD) loan to ArcelorMittal for Steelanol, the EUR 165 million ($180 million USD)
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) During last week’s DigestConnect webinar, Kate Lewis from USDA’s BioPreferred Program shared this slide guide on how there is a refresh going on with biobased products driven largely by Millennials, the growth in intermediates even
(Alliance BioEnergy/Globe Newswire) Alliance BioEnergy Plus, Inc. (PINK: ALLM). Alliance BioEnergy Plus Inc., is pleased to announce that it has finalized the design and is building its new 4th generation “Cellulose-to-Sugar” (“CTS 2.0”) prototype. The Company has received funding from a couple of
Ed de Jong, Heinz Stichnothe, Geoff Bell and Henning Jørgensen (EIA Bioenergy) Since the first issue of the IEA Bioenergy Task 42 report on bio-based chemicals in 2011, the importance of a circular economy has become evident. In the transition to
(Netzwerk Biotreibstoffe) The BIOFIT consortium has now published a handbook on “Technical options for retrofitting industries with bioenergy”. The handbook includes arguments for retrofitting, describes the retrofitting process and its impact on public perception, summarizes the European biomass potential and logistics
by Asanga Padmaperuma (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory) ... Today, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Laboratories study the development of chemicals and fuels with the use of cost-effective, renewable carbon sources, while working closely with the bioenergy industry. In support of the
by Tao Zhang (Science Magazine) The old saying that “you can make everything from biomass except money” sums up the huge challenges of converting lignocellulose into fuels and chemicals in a cost-competitive manner. Most efforts separate its more readily processed
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Sean Simpson and Michael Köpke from LanzaTech and researchers from Oak Ridge National Laboratory are working on developing and scaling up a novel technology platform for direct conversion of biomass syngas to acetone, which can be
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Everyone wants more productive algal strains – but how do you get them? Can you advance the technology enough to get economical, large-scale algal biofuel production? Ron Chance and Paul Roessler, both of Algenol Biotech, shared this
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) In California, Oberon Fuels and SHV Energy are partnering to accelerate the use of renewable DME to reduce the carbon footprint of transportation fuel. For Oberon’s path to scale, the partnership will include funding to
(Gevo) Gevo, Inc. (NASDAQ: GEVO), a company producing a new generation of low-carbon, drop-in, liquid transportations fuels, has received certification from the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB). The certification is for Gevo’s sourcing of sustainable corn at its production facility in
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Digest published today a 2020 Deal Review and Outlook Bioeconomy M&A visual guide that looks at the slurry of recent mergers and acquisitions in the bioeconomy like Lygos and Librede, NuSeed and Agrisoma, FinCo Fuels
by Jim Lane (Hydrogen Digest) From Planet Houston we’ve heard that ENGlobal inked a $20 million to supply process modules that will be used to construct a complete hydrogen production facility. The plant will be a major component of an otherwise
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Knock a water molecule off ethanol and you’ll get ethylene, C2H4—the most widely produced organic chemical globally that is the basis for scores of other chemicals and hundreds (maybe thousands) of products, from
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Electrification and batteries can’t remove the need for carbon,and a more sustainable economy is not a low-carbon economy as much as it will be a renewable carbon based economy, according to Ian Rowe, Technology Manager at
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) We’ve seen the staggering numbers, 78 million tons of annual plastics production, 98% virgin feedstock, and only 14% gets collected for recycling. So what do we do about it? Jay Fitzgerald from the Bioenergy technologies
by Stephen Moore (Plastics Today) Shell says that it has successfully made “high-end” chemicals using a liquid feedstock made from plastic waste using a pyrolysis process that is considered a breakthrough for hard-to-recycle plastics. The initiative advances Shell’s ambition to use
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) It was a week of lots of deal-making, like edible straw startup Loliware’s raising of $5.9 million to scale production, and deal-breaking, like Itaconix and Nouryon’s break-up over biobased chelating agents for detergent applications. But it was
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) There’s a lot of flat, dry land in the U.S. but researchers at Arizona State University and others are looking at how that land could support biofuel production. How about evaporation-resistant reactors coupled with thermotolerant, high-productivity
by Jim Lane (Hydrogen Digest) From Planet Houston we’ve heard that ENGlobal inked a $20 million to supply process modules that will be used to construct a complete hydrogen production facility. The plant will be a major component of an otherwise
(University of Borås/Phys.Org) Today, various processes are used to convert organic waste into biogas. By combining two different processes, it is possible to obtain even more of valuable substances such as hydrogen and methane. The key is to make the most
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Biomass liquefaction technology and bio-oil storage has enough challenges to deal with so being able to identify corrosion-resistant, cost-effective structural materials so that materials issues isn’t one of those challenges, can come a long way to
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Licella is transforming plastic and biomass waste into high value sustainable resources. Their Cat-HTR platform uses water at high temperature and pressure to transform wastes and residues to synthetic crude oil, chemically equivalent to fossil
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Reaching high is something Mercurius is familiar with, esp. with their REACH technology. Standing for renewable, acid-hydrolysis, condensation, hydrotreating, their REACH technology works at low temperature, low pressure and enzyme free. According to Knud Balslev at
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Iowa State University is working on fast pyrolysis, and Robert Brown, Director of the university’s Bioeconomy Institute looks at how their work is making us rethink thermochemical processing. By looking at autothermal pyrolysis, and more, Brown
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Methane is proving to be a pretty valuable waste after all. iMicrobes is using their synthetic biology approach with industrial microorganisms to convert methane into methanol and their first product is 3HP, a key intermediate
(Finnair) Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology LUT in Finland and a group of companies, including Finnair, have started a feasibility study for a synthetic fuels pilot production plant. The intended industrial scale pilot facility is based on power-to-x technology, and the target
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This week, Congressional leaders announced a five-year extension of the biomass-based diesel tax credit as part of a year-end tax extenders package. As Christmas gifts go, the importance and value of this to the biomass-based diesel
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This week news came out of a partnership between Novozymes and Green Plains to use biological technology to extract more value from corn protein, at what used to be known as corn ethanol plants, but with
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Tailored hydrolysis enzymes have many benefits for biomass, especially since it’s a soup of the day and each unique substrate is a combination of feedstock. MetGen has this covered with their production strains and processes that streamline
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) In New York, breaking news arrived that Anellotech is significantly expanding its program with Plas-TCat, a new process technology aiming to convert a wide range of plastic waste directly into chemicals – which can then
(Bioenergy International) Biozin Holding AS has announced that it has entered into an agreement with Shell for financial support of their ongoing work to build a full-scale biocrude production facility in Åmli, Norway. The funding will support ongoing activities as
(LIFE Methamorphosis) LIFE Methamorphosis has launched two prototypes, UMBRELLA and METHAGRO, which operate under this principle. UMBRELLA is installed in the Ecoparc de Montcada i Reixac (Ecoparc 2), one of the waste treatment plants owned by the AMB, managed by FCC Medio
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Microbial strains convert lignocellulosic sugars to fuel precursors, but Jeff Linger from National Renewable Energy Laboratory gave this illuminating presentation at the DOE’s BETO 2019 Project Peer Review that details how they are looking to
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Did you know that Dow and LanzaTechpreviously validated syngas conversion to fatty alcohols via the +1 pathway (LeuABCD) in Clostridium? There is a project underway now to develop a new bio-syngas fermentation process using engineered bacteria
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Earlier this week we talked about making protein and meat out of air, so taking CO2 and utilizing it seems right in line. C+C Music Factory’s song from the early 90’s “Everybody Dance Now” comes to
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Amyris is working on a MegaBio goal. Mega because it’s a big goal – develop a fully integrated and scalable process to produce farnesene from cellulosic sugars at $2 per liter in the U.S. Quinn Mitrovich from Amyris
(Neste) Neste, the world’s leading provider of renewable diesel and the 3rd most sustainable company in the world*, strengthens its footprint in renewable feedstock sourcing. The company has opened an office in Melbourne to serve Neste’s waste and residue raw material
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) BioTfueL, originally launched by Total, is a project to produce biofuels via thermochemical conversion and includes several partners that work together on this. Axens Solutions recently spoke at ABLC NEXT about the project, how biomass
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Fine wine takes time but it’s so worth it when you gather that first aroma of a freshly opened bottle…and Anellotech shows us that the wait is worth it when it comes to technology too.
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This week, we reported that St1 has awarded ÅF Pöyry with engineering assignment for a new renewable fuel production unit investment project. The new plant will be built in Gothenburg, Sweden, and is the largest single investment
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Streamlined Optimization of Filamentous Arthrospira/SpirulinaTraits (SOFAST) is looking at algae in a whole new way. Lumen Bioscience in particular has been working on a unique, patented technology to genetically enhance Arthrospira for improved growth and biomass composition
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) USDA releases Report on the Bioeconomy: The USDA released its Report on the Bioeconomy Imiplementation Framework. The Bioeconomy Initiative: Implementation Framework will serve as a guiding document for the BR&D Board member agencies to increase government accountability
(Air Liquide) Air Liquide is partnering with ArcelorMittal in the first industrial scale demonstration plant to capture carbon gas from the steelmaking process and recycle it into chemicals, specifically advanced bioethanol*. In this project, Air Liquide Engineering & Construction will provide a
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Over 10 years (2007–2017), three Bioenergy Research Centers produced multiple breakthroughs in the form of deepened understanding of sustainable biomass production practices, targeted re-engineering of biomass feedstocks, development of new methods for deconstructing feedstocks, and
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Lately the amines, which in the simplest description are compounds with a bunch of nitrogen stuffed inside, have improved their reputation. For one, a number of Direct Air Capture technologies have been receiving big
(University of Wisconsin-Madison) Prolific biofuels researcher James Dumesic has been named the winner of the 2019 Eni Energy Transition Award. The internationally renowned Eni Awards were established in 2007 to recognize excellence in energy and environmental research. The Energy Transition Award honors
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This is such Top Secret stuff that every announcement was, we surmise, buried in the hardest-to-find hole, on the loneliest street, of the most out-of-the-way town on Planet Neptune. Just shows what you might find down a
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In the liquid energy market, it's no longer enough to have fuels which are "affordable and available but not sustainable", or "sustainable and available but not affordable". We've lived for a long time on "two out
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Several of the better known IEA Bioenergy rock stars — there are four and possibly five in this set, from the US and Canada, so we’ll put them sort of on a par with Neil
(International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology) A new cellulase preparation discovered by scientists at ICGEB, New Delhi has received a US patent award. This discovery is likely to provide a better alternative to the available option on the market for
(Gevo/Globe Newswire) Gevo, Inc. (NASDAQ: GEVO) announced today that Biofuels Digest has named Gevo on its NEXT 50 list “the Next 50 Companies to Disrupt the World.” The honor was specifically given for Gevo’s partnership with Renmatix and their work to
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the U.S. Department of Energy has selected 35 projects totaling $73 million for bioenergy research and development support. Funded through the DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, these projects will help reduce
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The industry is always on the look for microbial pathways that are capable of producing high carbon efficiency intermediates that are amenable to economic bioconversion, separation, and catalytic upgrading to hydrocarbon fuels and chemicals. At
(Ruhr University Bochum (Google Translation)) Enzymes use cascade reactions to produce complex molecules from comparatively simple raw materials. The principle was copied by researchers. An international research team has converted carbon dioxide into raw materials using nanoparticles. The scientists at
(Michelin) The BioButterfly project launched by Michelin in 2012 has just achieved another milestone: the construction of France's first industrial demonstrator capable of producing butadiene from ethanol. The goal is to replace the oil-based raw materials used in the company's
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Advanced Algal Systems. Maybe you’ve heard of it but did you know that technologies are being developed as part of a DOE program to enable production of sustainable algal feedstocks that perform reliably in conversion processes
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest)Advanced Algal Systems. Maybe you’ve heard of it but did you know that technologies are being developed as part of a DOE program to enable production of sustainable algal feedstocks that perform reliably in conversion processes
(University of Canterbury/Scoop) ... This research will develop a new process and materials to produce bio-hydrogen and capture carbon dioxide by using New Zealand wood biomass resources from log harvesting and wood processing. The bio-hydrogen produced could be used as
(BTG BioLiquids (btg-btl)) TechnipFMC and BTG-BTL to build bio-oil production in Sweden -- Thanks to a Dutch invention, cars in Sweden will soon be powered by a fuel made from wood residues such as sawdust. TechnipFMC and the Dutch company
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Developing efficient and economical biological and chemical technologies to convert biomass feedstocks into energy-dense liquid transportation fuels, such as renewable gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel, as well as bioproducts, chemical intermediates, and biopower is the primary goal
(Biorenewable Deployment Consortium) BDC is a 501c3 organization focused on education and brokering partnerships in order to accelerate the deployment of economic bioprocesses and assist the forest products industry to get the most value from the tree. BDC membership represents
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Noone knows fungus like these guys. A PNNL team has been developing fungal genetic engineering tools for industrially relevant fungi (filamentous and yeasts) and applying them to development of biofuel and bioproduct bioprocesses in stirred tank
by Andrew Kessel (Proactive Investors) The plan is to investigate the potential of sugars and glycerol derived from cellulose to be converted into hydrocarbon molecules for use in fuels or chemicals --Gevo Inc (NASDAQ:GEVO), a renewable fuels company, announced Tuesday
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Global Algae Innovations is working on a trifecta of goals: 1) to develop improved strains and cultivation methods to increase the algal biofuel intermediate yield by at least 70% AND 2) to develop new drying and
(GEVO) Converting Isobutanol or Fusel Oils to Renewable Diesel -- Gevo, Inc. (NASDAQ: GEVO) a leading renewable fuels and chemicals manufacturer, announced today that it has developed proprietary, breakthrough processes that converts either low-carbon isobutanol or low-value “fusel oils,” a mixture of alcohols
by Mike Williams (Rice University) Lab’s ‘green’ invention reduces carbon dioxide into valuable fuels -- A common greenhouse gas could be repurposed in an efficient and environmentally friendly way with an electrolyzer that uses renewable electricity to produce pure liquid fuels. The catalytic reactor
(Hydrogen Digest) The International Energy Agency observed in its Future of Hydrogen report (here), that “ the technologies are available to avoid the emissions from fossil fuel use [in industrial sectors] by producing and supplying low-carbon hydrogen.” Yes, hydrogen is used in
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Product, processes and partnerships are what it’s all about in India right now with the country’s latest bioenergy policies and growing activity in the bioeconomy. Pramod Chaudhari, Executive Chairman at Praj Industries gave this illuminating presentation at
(ARENA/NGV Journal) On behalf of the Australian Government, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has approved up to $9.41 million in funding to Hazer Group Limited for the construction and operation of a groundbreaking hydrogen production facility in Munster, Western Australia.
(Clariant) INA has chosen Clariant’s sunliquid® technology to assess usability of miscanthus for conversion into lignocellulosic sugars & ethanol within the EU-funded GRACE project in which INA participates; About 30 tons of miscanthus were processed at Clariant’s pre-commercial plant in
by Betsy Lillian (NGT News) Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) and Electrochaea have commissioned a new biomethanation reactor system, which uses renewable electricity to convert hydrogen into pipeline-quality methane for use in homes, businesses and transportation. The pilot project is located at
(U.S. Department of Energy) In the United States, municipal solid waste (MSW) is both a potentially valuable resource and often a significant disposal problem in many locations. The United States produced more than 260 million tons of MSW in 2015.
(Tokyo Tech News) Scientists at Tokyo Institute of Technology, Kyoto University, Kazusa DNA Research Institute, and Tohoku University have identified a protein, Lipid Remodeling reguLator 1 (LRL1), in microscopic algae that is involved in the production of triacylglycerol, a biofuel
(IEA Bioenergy Task 39) Many petroleum refiners in Europe, North America, Latin America and Asia are thinking about upgrading bio-feedstocks using existing infrastructure. Approximately 40 refineries around the world have so far implemented or tested some type of hydroprocessing of mixed
(Neste) The aim is to proceed to an industrial scale trial during 2019. By 2030, Neste targets to process more than one million tons of plastic waste annually by 2030. Neste is already the world's largest producer of renewable diesel
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Missed The Digest’s webinar on Biomass Gasification? Wondering what it is or where it’s at? Biomass Gasification is a thermochemical process in which a renewable solid carbonaceous feedstock is reacted with air, oxygen, CO2 and/or steam
(Geva/Globe Newswire) Gevo, Inc. (NASDAQ: GEVO) announced today (August 5, 2019) it has achieved its International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) under the ISCC PLUS scheme for Food, Feed, Industrial Applications, Energy, Biofuels outside Europe. In obtaining ISCC certification, Gevo continues
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Licella signed a memorandum of understanding with New Zealand’s pulp, paper and packaging business giant Oji Fibre Solutions to investigate plastic recycling technology for New Zealand. Specifically, the physical and chemical recycling of what they’re
by M Somasekhar (The Hindu Business Line) A nanocarbon catalyst developed by IIT-Hyderabad can be used to convert corn cob waste into valuable fuels -- Using sugar and salt, researchers at IIT Hyderabad have developed a nanocarbon catalyst to help in the
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Clariant, a Switzerland based specialty chemicals company, has four business areas: Care Chemicals, Natural Resources, Catalysis and Plastics & Coatings. While the first half of the year has been challenging, Clariant was able to increase sales
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) How chemical products and novel substances are regulated in the U.S. has a huge impact on the bioeconomy and the companies that are producing bioproducts today. Bergeson & Campbell shares their thoughts on the Toxic Substances
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... (T)he bioeconomy’s biggest and grandest show, the BIO World Congress, takes us on an accustomed journey through the present and future in a sector that has more twists and turns than the rides at
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Praj had a humble beginning as a supplier of ethanol plants, and today is a global company with a bouquet of sustainable solutions for bioenergy, high purity water, critical process equipment, breweries and industrial wastewater treatment. Dr.
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) A group of 15 companies sent a letter to Assistant EPA Administrator for Air and Radiation Bill Wehrum June 12 urging the agency to finalize provisions in the proposed renewable enhancement and growth support (REGS) rule
(Daily Express/Bernama) Amid the uproar over the European Union’s (EU) discriminatory move against palm oil, one player in the Malaysian palm oil downstream sector seems unperturbed and is in fact expecting better demand for its products this year from European clients.
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) MicroBio Engineering works on facility designs, algae equipment, R&D, engineering consulting, techno-economic analyses, LCAs and wastewater treatment. Their focus on algaculture, specifically microalgae cultivation, is what the focus of this presentation is on. John Benemann, CEO and
by Betsy Lillian (NGT News) Oberon Fuels, a California-based producer of dimethyl ether (DME), has been awarded a $2.88 million grant from the California Energy Commission (CEC) for a multi-phase project to produce renewable DME as a low-carbon transportation fuel in
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) he Southern California Gas Company is the primary provider of natural gas to the region of Southern California and has a vision to become the cleanest natural gas utility in North America. As California works to
(Advanced Biofuels Association) Today (June 12, 2019), member companies and organizations from the Advanced Biofuels Association (ABFA), the Coalition to Address Removal of Regulatory Impediments (CARRI), and others with interest in deploying sustainable fuels sent a letter to Assistant EPA Administrator
(CORDIS/Phy.Org) A study into the composition and processability of different biomass feedstocks has found sunflower seed husks and poplar wood slabs to be the most suitable for producing bio-based products via fast pyrolysis conversion. The study was conducted by Capax Biobased
by William R. Thurmond (Emerging Markets Online/MENAFN) New study finds next generation feedstock markets and technologies are big winners in diesel decarbonization initiatives for low carbon fuels. In the U.S., Canada, Europe, Asia, and Latin America, strong demand signals and incentives
(U.S. Department of Energy) American small businesses got nearly a $22 million boost from the Energy Department’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. Small businesses are receiving Phase I Release 2 grants (from
by Matt Thompson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Enerkem is producing methanol and ethanol at its Edmonton, Alberta, plant, diverting up to 24 percent of the city’s landfill waste. The company has partners for another project in the Netherlands. -- A Canadian company is
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) IndianOil has a 33,000-plus work-force, extensive refining, distribution & marketing infrastructure and advanced R&D facilities. In the country’s pursuit of alternative sources of energy, IndianOil is focusing on CNG (compressed natural gas), Autogas (LPG), ethanol blended
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The pace of bioeconomy invention and change continues at a frenetic pace. Here are the top innovations for the week of April 25th. In today’s Digest, biofuel made from roadkill, cardboard café, wheat straw transformed to isobutene,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Let’s turn to New Fortunes 2019 – our overview of what we believe will be the 24 hottest market segments in the near term – places to focus your innovations and to unlock value. From cannabis and
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Mercurius Biorefining is developing its novel REACH process, which converts cellulosic biomass to hydrocarbons in the renewable diesel, aviation, and marine fuel ranges. Valuable by-products include bio-char and a bio-plastic monomer, FDCA. REACH (Renewable Acid-hydrolysis Condensation Hydrotreating)
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Opus 12 has developed a device that recycles CO₂ into cost-competitive chemicals and fuels. Their technology bolts onto any source of CO₂ emissions, and with only water and electricity as inputs, transforms that CO₂ into some
(Algae Industry Magazine) Susan Kraemer writes in solarpaces.org that to use solar thermal energy to convert farmed algae to fuel, the solar fuels research team at Australian National University (ANU), led by John Pye together with Mahesh Venkataraman, proposed a new process,
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) According to (Gevo CEO Patrick) Gruber, Gevo is working to decarbonize its biorefinery in Luverne, Minnesota, in an effort to improve profitability. He said the company thinks it’s possible to make significant improvements in
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) It’s all very rosy on the cellulosic potential frontier. As Gevo and Renmatix recently observed, “cellulosic sugars are one of the most abundant feedstocks in the world, and in many geographies with dense vegetation, using woody
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Sweetwater Energy has developed a unique and patented technology for producing low-cost sugars and clean lignin fiber from multiple non-food plant materials to help meet the modern world’s increasing demand for biochemicals, bioplastics and biofuels. Jack Baron,
by Helena Taveres Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) ... The acquisition of American Process Inc’s technologies, intellectual property portfolio and physical assets strengthens GranBio’s market position in the deployment of highly competitive industrial processes for conversion of biomass to renewable fuels, chemicals, and
by Liz Gyekye (BioMarket Insights) “There is a huge interest in the circular economy at the moment. In relation to the circular economy, the chemicals sector is really pressing ahead with this agenda.” REDCert was founded in 2010 by leading associations and
(University of Groningen/EurekAlert!) University of Groningen microbiologists and their colleagues from Lithuania have discovered a new glycocin, a small antimicrobial peptide with a sugar group attached, which is produced by a thermophilic bacterium and is stable at relatively high temperatures. They
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Gregory Benz, from Benz Technology International and a member of Lee Enterprises Consulting offers this illuminating overview of wet conversion agitation systems like solids mixers and turbine agitators, various test summaries, and more. READ MORE
(Eni) Today, Eni signed an agreement with COREPLA to launch research projects to produce hydrogen from non-recyclable plastic packaging waste. -- Eni signed an agreement with COREPLA, the National Consortium for the Collection, Recycling and Recovery of Plastic Packaging, to launch
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Port of Seattle Commissioner Fred Felleman noted: “Secretary Mabus advised us to set a goal. If it’s good enough for the Navy, it’s good enough for SeaTac airport, and we’ve established a partnership with 13
by Paul Greene (BioCycle Magazine/Montrose Environmental) California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard, which grew out of the state’s Global Warming Solutions Act, is stimulating markets for biogas, including renewable natural gas -- Biogas project developers and financiers are finding strong offtake opportunities selling
(University of Utah/Science Daily) A team of chemical engineers have developed a new kind of jet mixer for creating biomass from algae that extracts the lipids from the watery plants with much less energy than the older extraction method. This key
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Shell will become an equal equity partner in the proposed commercial-scale waste-to-chemicals project, which will be the first of its kind in Europe to make valuable chemicals and biofuels out of non-recyclable waste materials. The consortium,
by Babetta (Babs) Marrone (Los Alamos National Laboratory) For several years, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) scientists have been taking advantage of the molecular tools that naturally reside within microbial cells. Although microbes use these tools to carry out their metabolism and
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Wayne Lee, CEO of Lee Enterprises Consulting offers this illuminating overview of what bioeconomy litigation is, what makes a good expert witness, and more. Lee Enterprises Consulting is the world’s largest bioeconomy consulting group with over 100
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) With the news that Matt Carr is leaving his post as the Executive Director of the Algae Biomass Organization, it’s beginning to feel like a real changing of the guard is taking place on the watchtowers
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Terry Mazanec, a member of Lee Enterprises Consulting offers this illuminating overview of biogas, what it’s good for, scale, bio-methane, what to do with it, key players, and more. Lee Enterprises Consultingis the world’s largest bioeconomy consulting
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) ...Brazil-based Braskem and Denmark-based Haldor Topsoe just commissioned their pioneering demonstration unit, located in Denmark, for the development of monoethylene glycol (MEG) from sugar. Their innovation for renewable plastic made from sugar instead of traditional fossil
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) IEA Bioenergy Task 42 is working on the analysis and assessment of biorefining in the whole value chain in order to meet its mission to facilitate the commercialisation and market deployment of biorefinery systems & technologies. Johannes Lindorfer from
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The pace of bioeconomy invention and change continues at a frenetic pace. Here are the top innovations for the week of February 8th. In today’s Digest, flax fiber skis, biobased turf for 2020 Olympics, Gevo’s isoprene, Veja
(Global Bioenergies/Globe Newswire) New phase for the H2020 Optisochem project after 18 months of activity; Sugars from wheat straw produced at Clariant's Sunliquid® pre-commercial plant have been shipped to Global Bioenergies' Leuna demo plant; Successful test runs for production of straw-based isobutene, batches delivered
(Netzwerk Biotreibstoffe) It (January 2019 PyNe43 Newsletter) contains contributions on Electrocatalytic upgrading to stabilize pyrolysis oil Progress towards commercialization at pilot and demonstration scale Pyrolysis of forestry and fishery residue for rural applications. Overview on catalysts to upgrade pyrolysis oils.
(University of New Castle) Australia’s $63 billion* agriculture sector stands to benefit from a revolutionary fuel technology that will convert multiple agricultural waste streams into valuable biofuel and green chemical products for the first time. In partnership with the University of
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) For some time, as the advanced bioeconomy has continued its pivot to deployment-scale diesel and jet fuels, there has been quite a bit of scrutiny and skepticism over the sourcing of enough sustainable feedstock to supply
(ExxonMobil/Renewable Energy Group/Globe Newswire) Partnership to expand on joint ExxonMobil and REG research into cellulosic biodiesel; Clariant’s sunliquid® technology to facilitate creation of compatible cellulosic sugars; Objective is to combine technologies into a single, integrated biodiesel production process ExxonMobil and Renewable Energy Group (REG)
(Etihad Airways/Aviation Pros) The Sustainable Bioenergy Research Consortium (SBRC), a non-profit entity established by Masdar Institute that is part of Khalifa University of Science and Technology, announced the world’s first commercial flight using locally produced sustainable fuel on an Etihad Airways
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Ensyn produces a biocrude from forest and agricultural residues using its proprietary thermal technology. Dr. Robert G. Graham, Founder and Executive Chairman of Ensyn gave this illuminating overview of their growth in RFO, advancement in refinery co-processing, and
by Tom Ziemer (University of Wisconsin-Madison/Phys.Org) If environmental engineer Daniel Noguera had his way, he would orchestrate a microbiome to pump out higher-value chemical products. In that vein, Noguera, the Wisconsin Distinguished Professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, along
( VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland/Canadian Biomass) VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd has developed a new technique based on gasification, which offers a sustainable way to turn forest industry byproducts, such as bark, sawdust and forestry waste, into
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ChemCatBio is a research and development consortium dedicated to identifying and overcoming catalysis challenges for biomass conversion processes. Led by U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratories, we work with industry to rapidly transition R&D discoveries
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) IEA Bioenergy Task 42’s goal is to contribute to the development and deployment of integrated biorefineries as part of highly efficient sustainable value chains (co-)producing food/feed ingredients, chemicals, materials, fuels, power and/or heat out of sustainably sourced
(Netzwerk Biotreibstoffe) The aim of the EU-funded project REWOFUEL is to demonstrate the performance, reliability, environmental and socio-economic sustainability of the value chain for the transformation of residual wood to Bio-Isobutene (bio-IBN) by fermentation and its further conversion into biofuels. The
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Cellana develops algae-based products and has demonstrated commercially scalable yields for multi-products. Their algae is the world’s first biomass with two high-value product applications from different components. Martin Sabarsky, Cellana’s CEO gave this illuminating overview of cellana’s
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... The achievement of a major proof of concept is the news, in the case of Industrial Microbes — the ability to show that they can convert methane into multiple products (albeit at low efficiency, in
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