by Mia Breytenbach (Mining Weekly) Zambia’s largest integrated copper producer, Konkola Copper Mines (KCM), owned by global conglomerate Vedanta Resources, has launched the first project of its kind in Zambia to rehabilitate a mining site. The project, launched earlier this month,
by Larry Lee (Brownfield Ag News) A University of Wisconsin professor says his termite research might help the biofuels, livestock, and paper industries improve lignin processing. Researcher Cameron Currie says breaking down the woody substrate in plants called lignin is challenging
(University of Nevada, Reno/EurekAlert!) ... Biochemist and molecular biologist John Cushman at the University of Nevada, Reno will create a gene atlas for the common ice plant that will help find ways to allow bioenergy feedstocks to better tolerate salinity
by P.J. Huffstutter and Michael Hirtzer (Reuters/Times of India) Wet harvest, slow grain sales encourage growth of toxins; Scope of problem in U.S. grain supply not yet known -- A fungus that causes "vomitoxin" has been found in some U.S. corn
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Not long ago, George Huber and Robert Brown wrote in a special issue of Energy Technology of their desire to “highlight recent advances in pyrolysis technologies and to discuss the critical research needs of this
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Among the climate warriors fighting CO2 build-up, perhaps the most ambitious are those who are seeking to use CO2 to make industrial materials, fuels or chemicals — displacing the need to use oil or gas
(NexSteppe) NexSteppe, a company dedicated to pioneering the next generation of sustainable feedstock solutions for biobased industries, announced a new partnership today with Embrapa, the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation. The partnership will focus on commercializing a promising high biomass sorghum
by Daniel A. Lane and Joel A. Stone (Lee Enterprises Consulting/Biofuels Digest) ... As the market for gasoline grew, a shortage soon developed for the lighter fractions of crude oil. This shortage led to the development of the catalytic cracker, which breaks
by Brian Perry (Maui News) Photogenic crop attracts more attention than area can safely handle -- “No Trespassing” signs have been posted around Pacific Biodiesel Technologies’ experimental crop of sunflowers on 14 acres near the intersection of Honoapiilani and Kuihelani
by Ron Alverson (Ethanol Producer Magazine/American Coalition for Ethanol) Life-cycle modeling for ethanol needs to be updated to reflect big improvements in corn's GHG emissions profile -- ... Fuels that help automakers achieve efficiency standards are going to be important. California and the
by Jennifer Aurandt (Valicor/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Centrifugal separation of corn oil from stillage is the accepted method for distillers corn oil (DCO) recovery throughout the ethanol industry. While plant operating parameters influence a plant’s oil yield and performance, the efficiency is
by Luke Geiver (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A Nebraska-focused tech startup and a Latin American chemical supplier highlight two options for using ethanol as the building block for intermediate chemicals. -- The future of ethanol for intermediate chemical production can be
(UFOP (Google Translation)) The cars of the future are also supposed to drive electrically. Today, the share of hybrid vehicles with an electric and an internal combustion engine (plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, PHEV) is increasing. This has an effect on
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Tennessee, officials at Oak Ridge released a report on an ongoing debate about costs and benefits of wood-pellet based bioenergy production in the southeastern United States (SE US) requires an understanding of the science
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Not long ago, George Huber and Robert Brown wrote in a special issue of Energy Technology of their desire to “highlight recent advances in pyrolysis technologies and to discuss the critical research needs of this
(Global Bioenergies) Global Bioenergies today announces that it has succeeded in producing Isobutene by fermentation at the scale of the Leuna Demo plant (a 5,000 litre fermenter), with run length and performances exceeding those performed on the pilot plant in
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Canada, Air Canada just revealed its participation in the Civil Aviation Alternate Fuel Contrail and Emissions Research project, a research project led by the National Research Council of Canada to test the environmental benefits
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) From Wisconsin we have huge news from Virent, which has appointed one of Shell New Energies’ gurus, Stacey Orlandi, as Virent CEO, succeeding Lee Edwards who is headed into retirement after a distinguished 8-year run. Most recently,
Laís F. Thomaz* (Advanced Biofuels USA) The GAF Talk was held last month, in Sao Paulo, to present some agriculture trends and to promote a debate on the new technologies that will surely be on the agenda of the 2018
(Vertimass, LLC) One of four advanced biofuels and bioproducts technology companies invited to present -- Vertimass LLC is proud to announce that it is one of four companies selected to present at the "Pitch for a Green Future" session at
by Dee-Ann Durbin (Associated Press) Hydrogen fuel cell cars could one day challenge electric cars in the race for pollution-free roads — but only if more stations are built to fuel them. Honda, Toyota and Hyundai have leased a few hundred
(KIWARadio.com) Northwest Iowa — With two ethanol plants within 18 miles of Sheldon, this area is one of the leading ethanol producing regions of the state. Now, a study has found that record ethanol and biodiesel production in Iowa in 2016
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
by Chandana Banerjee (Christian Science Monitor) In 60 cities in India, 16,876 tons of plastic waste are generated each day, according to data from the country’s Central Pollution Control Board. Multiply that by 365, and you have more than 6
by Abdul-Sattar Nizami (King Abdulaziz University, Center of Excellence in Environmental Studies (CEES)) (RenewableEnergyFocus.com) The conservation of biomass is essential for ensuring a continuous and quality supply of feedstock for biofuel facilities around the year. However, the conservation of biomass
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Recently, Nexant principal Ron Cascone joined us for a March Madness webinar on the horizons for Biobased Plastics. Here below are his illuminating slides presented on the day. READ MORE
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) Developments in cellulosic ethanol technology are creating opportunities for American ethanol producers. Miloud Araba, head of Enogen® technical services at Syngenta, says cellulosic innovation could enable dry grind ethanol producers to meet the increasing Renewable Fuel Standard
(BBI International/Ethanol Producer Magazine) This February, D3MAX announced the completion and shipment of its pilot plant employing the patented D3MAX cellulosic ethanol technology. Installed at ACE Ethanol LLC, in Stanley, Wisconsin, the testing of the patented D3MAX corn fiber-to-ethanol process
(Biospectrum) The new fungal source Penicillium funiculosum could be a strong alternative in the industrial enzyme repertoire for biofuel production -- Scientists at New Delhi-based International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) have peered into a fungal gene to
by Ola Wietecha (Undercurrent News) Nova Scotia-based SabrTech -- which spent years designing an easy-to-transport algae-growing system called RiverBox -- is planning to launch its product shortly, which the company says will revolutionize algae production. SabrTech spent about two years developing its RiverBox system, which
Bernard Cooker (Chemical Processing Solutions/Lee Enterprises Consulting/Biofuels Digest) Cheap, plentiful lignocellulosic biomass (LCB), consisting of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, is deconstructed to release useful chemical intermediates in the bioeconomy. These include glucose from cellulose, glucose and other sugars from hemicellulose,
(Algae Industry Magazine) Many microalgae strains have received attention in biomass production due to their high biomass productivity per unit time and per unit area. Algae produce oil as well as carbohydrates, occurring mainly in the form of starch. Oil
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Virginia, researchers from Virginia Tech University have determined that 52% of advanced biofuels facilities were already closed in 2015 and have determined a list of 23 barriers that could potentially explain why these projects
(Shell) Shell today(March 31, 2017) opened a new major technology hub in Bangalore - a 52 acre, custom built technology centre - that can house up to 1,500 experts, who would collaboratively work on worldwide innovative energy projects. The inauguration was
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Canada, the long-awaited MSW-to-biofuel plant in Surrey is preparing for commissioning in June, making it North America’s first plant of such kind. Waste collection trucks and other city vehicles will be fueled with the
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This week, news arrived from MetGen that they have developed a novel chemo-enzymatic process that leads to oxidized forms of 5-HMF. They report that “this form of sugar is known to have above 90% conversion
by Jim Lane (BiofuelsDigest) ... For any society, an even more perfect class of technology assets would allow us to move in either direction — perfect convertibility. When energy prices are low and supply is replete, but food prices are
(Ethanol Producer Magazine) Prospects for a cellulosic ethanol plant to be built as part of the Maabjerg Energy Center in Denmark have achieved a breakthrough, according Jorgen Udby, chairman. London-based investment firm Pioneer Point Partners has confirmed in a letter
by Andrew Flinn (Brownfield Ag News) Matt Merritt, Director of Public Relations for POET DSM says the company’s Project Liberty cellulosic ethanol facility at Emmetsburg Iowa – which started production a year ago – is already nearing production goals. “We’re already
by Chris Mooney (The Washington Post) A new large-scale technology has launched in Decatur, Illinois that, by combining together corn-based fuels with the burial of carbon dioxide deep underground, could potentially result in the active removal of greenhouse gases from the
by Liz Gyekye (Bioenergy Insight) A new paper by researchers at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) describes a process that captures methane from natural gas and biogas and that uses photosynthesis to convert it into biomass feedstock. The new paper is called ‘A
(SEAT) Turning wastewater into sustainable fuel. This is the answer to two environmental challenges, namely reusing an increasingly scarce resource, water, and finding alternative energies to counter episodes of severe pollution that impose traffic restrictions in cities such as Madrid
by Lorenz Bauer (Lee Enterprises Consulting/Biofuels Digest) ... The use of biomass to produce value added chemicals for polymer synthesis is a major focus of the effort to replace fossil carbon. The theory is that these products can lead the way
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Four axioms start this presentation by David Dodds, on C5 and C6 sugar opportunities, at a breezy pace: If you are making a molecule from another molecule, you are a chemist, doing chemistry. Synthetic biology is merely
by Krista Eastman (University of Wisconsin-Madison) A team of chemical and biological engineers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison has found a way to produce from biomass a valuable compound used in plastic production that they estimate could lower the cost
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Europe is often thought of as a dead-end for biofuels, owing to a thorny debate over fuel mandates, and agricultural protection. But it’s a reputation entirely undeserved; some of the most fascinating projects are there. In
(Ethanol Producer Magazine) Dutch biotech giant Royal DSM has opened a new state-of-the-art biotechnology facility on its Delft, Netherlands, campus. The Biotechnology Center will accelerate DSM's biotech research and development capabilities for applications in food and nutrition, feed, fuel, pharma
by Ben Wolfgang (Washington Times) Manufacturers of lawn mowers, snowblowers, chainsaws, and other small-engine equipment continue fueling a debate over the supposed dangers of ethanol, but the ethanol industry argues that they are merely looking for a scapegoat to mask operator
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Tennessee, Oak Ridge National Laboratory scientists have reported in Nature a new high resolution approach to visioning the impact of biomass pre-treatment technology. By combining spectroscopy and emerging microscopy techniques, the team measured the
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Illinois, obtaining a certificate of occupancy on a building constructed of 60 Intermodal Shipping Containers is a huge accomplishment for Chip Energy, said company president Paul Wever, president of Chip Energy Inc. These types
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Florida, state legislators are looking to ease restrictions on industrial hemp research. According to the Florida State Senate, house bill 1217 that “authorizes specified universities in state to engage in industrial hemp research projects”
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... At its heart, it’s a company about transformation in basic food feedstocks. But where the technological imperative for years has been about, to use an example, more corn and cheaper corn — with the
by Lee Imada (Maui News) Alexander & Baldwin is close to formalizing a partnership with a seed oil producing company on a 250-acre demonstration project to produce biofuels from the pongamia tree on old sugar fields with planting possibly to
by Jessie Stolark (Energy and Environmental Study Institute) Are we using the right tools to understand land use change, particularly at the local level, and how can understanding of land use change be improved? The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) has been around
(AB Mauri) AB Mauri, a global leader in yeast and bakery ingredient products, has launched a new business division – AB Biotek – in North America and globally. Specializing in fermentation science and yeast innovation, AB Biotek is a technology-driven division
by Sarah Yang (Berkeley Lab) Joint BioEnergy Institute study targets LigM for its role in breaking down aromatic pollutants -- A protein used by common soil bacteria is providing new clues in the effort to convert aryl compounds, a common
(GreenAir Online) A year after issuing a joint Request for Information (RFI) from parties interested in supporting the development and production of sustainable aviation fuel in the region, Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia say they have had strong interest
(GreenAir Online) Seaweed could become a promising source of biofuels for aviation if sustainably produced and economic and policy challenges can be overcome, says a report by Norwegian NGO Bellona. Seaweeds, or macroalgae, generally contain high amounts of carbohydrates (sugars)
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Now on the one hand you have the theory of alternative fuels, chemicals and materials, then there is the actual making of them — often aiming for exotically high rates, titers and yields in order
Göran Bengtsson, Director of Research and Technology, Future Business, Aeronautics, commenting on the 100% biofuel test flight of a Gripen D single engine fighter: “Gaining independence from imports of oil is important from a defence standpoint and opens the way
(SAAB) Gripen has for the first time undergone a series of test flights with 100% biofuel. This demonstrates that the aircraft can be flown with an alternative fuel and gives valuable knowledge for future possible use of alternative fuel. “Demonstrating that
by Ken Roseboro (Huffington Post) Food corn buyers say Syngenta’s Enogen GMO corn is contaminating non-GMO white corn fields, creating a potential “trainwreck;” may be linked to bad masa flour in California. Enogen, a genetically modified corn for ethanol production, has
by Caitlin E. Hicks Pries, C. Castanha, R. C. Porras, M. S. Torn (Science Magazine) Soils contain about twice as much carbon as Earth's atmosphere, so their response to warming is crucial to understanding carbon fluxes in a changing climate. Past studies have heated
by Mark Peplow (Science Magazine) A cutting-edge waste-to-energy plant is taking shape in the industrial heartland of the United Kingdom. When the £60 million facility opens in May, it will be the world’s first commercial-scale plant to use enzymes and microbes
(Ecofys) Sequential cropping can be a promising model to produce additional biomass without negative impacts on land use change or food production. In a research study for the Italian Biogas Consortium (CIB), Ecofys found that agricultural crop yields can increase
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) A California ethanol plant is being awarded a grant from the state energy commission to help build a biodiesel production facility on-site. Calgren Renewable Fuels, an ethanol refinery in Pixley, California—the heart of dairy country—already
by Ron Kotrba (Biomass Magazine) U.S. imports of biomass-based diesel hit extreme heights in 2016, fulfilling a third of the consumption market, driving the domestic biodiesel industry to more actively seek counteracting measures to protect its own investments. --
(University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign/Laboratory Equipment) A multi-institutional team led by the University of Illinois have proven sugarcane can be genetically engineered to produce oil in its leaves and stems for biodiesel production. Surprisingly, the modified sugarcane plants also produced
(Alliance Bio-Products) The company's patented CTS process presents a viable option for growing biofuel production efforts with its ability to produce cellulosic ethanol at a lower cost and without harmful environmental impact -- Alliance Bio-Products, Inc. (Bio-Products), a subsidiary of
(Indian Express Tech) In the quest of more sustainable energy sources, scientists have developed 'grassoline' - a biofuel derived from grass that could one day power airplanes. Researchers investigated methods that can disintegrate and treat grass until it can be used
(Advanced Biofuel Center/AltEnergyMag.com) ... The Advanced Biofuel Center (ABC) recently announced progress on its work with its mission "more Biodiesel oil per hectare" by developing two or more dedicated Biodiesel Crops in same acreage and that without extra inputs. According to
by Nat Willilams (Iowa Farmer Today) ... (Barry) Frazier (president of Center Ethanol) was among biofuels advocates speaking at a conference of the National Postsecondary Agricultural Student Organization here. More than 500 college students and ag professionals were on
(Ehihad Airways) Peter Baumgartner, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, and Mohammad Al Bulooki, Executive Vice President Commercial, joined Scott Fancher, Boeing Senior Vice President, at the integrated seawater and agriculture system facility within Masdar City to check on the
edited by John Love and John A. Bryant (Wiley-Blackwell) With increased public and scientific attention driven by factors such as oil price spikes, the need for increased energy security, and concerns over greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels, the production
(Taurus Energy) Quad County Corn Processors, Galva, Iowa, Lallemand Biofuels & Distilled Spirits and Taurus Energy has agreed to evaluate XyloFerm in the Cellerate™ process on industrial scale. After preliminary lab-scale trials of XyloFerm in the Cellerate™ process and obtained GRAS
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Clariant’s sunliquid technology for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into sugars, followed by fermentation to cellulosic ethanol, is flexible to be used to convert different feedstocks on a regional basis, for example corn stover in
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... But almost nothing about the Billion Dollar Baby Brawl has been standard fare as Aemetis, Edeniq, a string of investors and more lawyers than you can easily chain to the bottom of the ocean
by Amina Khan (Los Angeles Times/The Washington Post) George Olah, a chemist and Nobel laureate who found new ways to study previously imperceptible stages in hydrocarbon-related chemical reactions, died March 8 at his home in Los Angeles. He was 89. ... Dr.
(Ethanol Producer Magazine) The Urban Air Initiative is calling the results of a new Coordinating Research Council emissions study “one more example of the biased and flawed testing procedures used to penalize ethanol.” The ethanol advocacy group said Wednesday CRC’s match
(AkzoNobel) A new online tool which can track the use of bio-based raw materials in products has been launched as a pilot by project partners AkzoNobel, Advanced Biochemical (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (ABT) and EY. It will be the first tool
by Chris Clayton (DTN The Progressive Farmer) Leaders Tout Potential Growth, Challenges for Renewable Refinery Products -- ... Whether it is spoons, Coke bottles or carpets made out of corn, livestock enzymes for pharmaceuticals, or John Deere tractors using soy oil
(Business Wire/Research and Markets) Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Analyzing the Market for Cellulosic Ethanol 2017" report to their offering. The report examines the factors supplementing the growth of this industry as well as the challenges &
by Ashwin Raman (Duluth News Tribune/Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association) I believe the March 21 story, “Habitat loss highest near ethanol plants,” did a disservice to readers because it cited a study that contains dubious and inaccurate conclusions. The study focuses on the period
by Robin Augustin (Free Malaysia Today) Prominent economist Jomo Kwame Sundaram had said Malaysia's research and development of biodiesel was 'too modest'. -- Malaysia has been actively carrying out research and development activities in palm oil-derived biodiesel since the 1980s,
by Patrick Cavanaugh (California Ag Today) A new biomass process will convert woody ag waste, including almond hulls and shells, into ethanol, which has a demand and makes the conversion possible. Eric McAfee is Chairman, CEO and co-founder of Aemetis Inc., a
by Bob Dinneen (Renewable Fuels Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) RFA's president and CEO highlights key facts from the organization's annual industry outlook handbook in the View from the Hill column -- ... The handbook dives into specifics, providing hard-hitting facts to
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Massachusetts, Lux Research in a new report asks “Hyundai, Toyota Lead in Hydrogen Innovation – But Is Anyone Following?” in going pessimistic on the development of the hydrogen economy. “A few automakers led by Toyota
(U.S. Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) published a report titled Alternative Aviation Fuels: Overview of Challenges, Opportunities, and Next Steps. This new report provides an overview of the current state of alternative aviation fuels,
(Netzwerk Biotreibstoffe) This IEA Bioenergy report provides an international update on the status and prospects for using microalgae and macroalgae as feedstocks for producing biofuels and bioenergy products. The report’s scope covers algae-based options for producing liquid and gaseous biofuels,
(Netzwerk Biotreibstoffe) This IEA Bioenergy Task 39 report looks at the potential of biofuels in China. Although climate change and energy security are of concern to China, it is not clear which of these drivers has been the primary motivator for
by Philip Hopkins (Gippsland Times) Australian Paper, working with the CSIRO, a European technology leader and Federation University, is forging ahead with plans to create a bio-manufacturing hub in the Latrobe Valley that could generate several thousand jobs. The venture, which
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Pennsylvania, a new ASTM International standard that supports 100 octane fuel could help drive innovation in the auto industry as cars with higher-performance engines are introduced into the global marketplace. This new standard responds to
by Jonathan Amos (BBC) Some close-quarter flying has provided new insights into aircraft pollution. -- US space agency-led scientists flew small, instrumented, chase planes directly in the exhaust plume of a big jet to measure the sorts of gases and particles
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Last September, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus rode aboard one of the EA-18G Growler fighter jets testing 100% biofuel flights this month to demonstrate his commitment to getting biofuel mainstream within the Navy. Currently all Navy ships
(Lambton Shield) $25-m Sombra operation would take shape on part of plant bought last year -- A 25-million litre capacity plant that would occupy a small slice of a 24-acre site purchased from Methes Energies last year has been announced by
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Licella produces drop-in biofuels from a wide range of biomass and uses a supercritical water-based technology and catalysts to break up biomass and reform it into a drop-in fuel hydrocarbon. The compelling features of supercritical are
(Green Car Congress) A team at RWTH Aachen University has developed a framework for the model-based formulation of biofuel blends with tailored properties by considering the fuel’s molecular composition as the fundamental design degree of freedom. A paper on their
by Cathie Anderson (Sacramento Bee) ... Essentially, the company uses a blast furnace to heat metals, glass, ash and organic solids to a temperature of 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit, hotter than the temperatures at the center of a volcano, Hart said. That
(Wallaces Farmer) Every farmer should plant with B20 biodiesel this spring, says Iowa co-op. -- A demonstration by an Iowa farm cooperative aims to persuade more farmers in the state to use biodiesel. United Farmers Cooperative, based at Afton in
(DSV) Using a combination of biodiesel and electricity to power trucks will reduce unhealthy carbon dioxide emissions. -- DSV Sweden is currently testing a unique Atego Hybrid truck from Mercedes-Benz in Malmo city distribution. The truck runs on both electricity and
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Mercurius says it “has the technology and processes that will, for the first time, make the production of cellulosic biofuels profitable while meeting the needs of the diesel and jet fuel markets and satisfying government
by Bob Shaw (Twin Cities Pioneer Press) ... The $200 million biofuels plant would process Dakota County’s garbage into ethanol, to be blended with gasoline for use in cars and trucks. ... The plant would be built by the Canadian company Enerkem Inc.
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Earlier this month, we reported that Comet Biorefining had successfully closed an investment round to fund its proposed cellulosic sugar production facility using stover and wheat straw as feedstock. PM Equity Parnership, the corporate venture and private
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) There are six oddly-named streams in the bioeconomy, and it reminds one of the nomenclature of subatomic quarks. There is upstream, midstream, downstream, main-stream, waste-stream, and slip-stream. But of all the streams, perhaps there is
(Edie.net) SEAT originally partnered with Spanish firm Aqualia to launch the SMART Green Gas project, aimed at creating 100% renewable biofuels to be used in compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles. The partnership sees wastewater turned into biomethane at Spanish treatment plants
(Mitsubishi Heavy Industries/Forbes) ... Biofuels are one example of the unique synergy that arises when energy developers think “outside the box”. In shifting the focus to fermentation, researchers find themselves relying on sake brewers to produce the biofuels they need. Biofuels,
by Steve Horn (DeSmog) After years of investigating biochar, which promoters have touted as a potential climate change fix, DeSmog is releasing its findings on the science, claims, and controversy surrounding this approach to sequestering carbon. Biochar is the product of plant or animal products (biomass) undergoing
by Sarah Karacs (CNN Tech) A tiny organism thinner than a strand of hair could help fuel airplanes in the future. Japanese firm Euglena has been cultivating a type of algae for use in food and cosmetics. But it sees
(Washington State University/Biomass Magazine) Researchers at Washington State University Tri-Cities and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have found a new way to define the molecular structure of cellulose, which could lead to cheaper and more efficient ways to make a variety of
(Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture) Projects Mark Return of Hemp to PA following Gov. Wolf’s Signing of Act 92 -- After decades of being gone from the landscape of Pennsylvania, a promising and versatile crop with enormous market potential will soon
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Colorado, Cool Planet has closed on $19.3 million in Series A financing and note conversion to commercialize its Cool Terra and Cool Fauna engineered biocarbon products. This latest round of funding was led by
(Vattenfall) Vattenfall aims to provide climate-smart hydrogen gas to large-scale production of biofuel. Preem and Vattenfall have concluded an agreement to investigate the potential of using climate-smart hydrogen gas in the large scale production of biofuel for the Swedish market. The
(University of Copenhagen) University of Copenhagen and the global player Bayer CropScience have successfully developed a new oilseed crop that is much more resistant to heat, drought and diseases than oilseed rape. The breakthrough is so big that it will
(Brookhaven National Laboratory/Lab Manager) Findings point to new biochemical strategies for increasing oil yield from crops grown to produce biofuels and biomaterials -- ... By exploring the details of this delicate energy balance, a group of scientists from the U.S.
(Bangkok Post) New yeast species is key to cutting cost -- ... After 18 months of research and experiments, the Thailand Institute of Science and Technological Research (TISTR) has found that they can use a species of yeast named Saccharomyces Cerevisiae
(AllAfrica) The African Climate Technology Center (ACTC) has the mission of supporting Sub-Saharan countries in scaling-up the adoption of clean technologies for adaptation and mitigation, through activities that include knowledge creation and dissemination, support to policies and enabling environment and
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In December, we reported that Cargill and Calysta will co-create the world’s largest gas fermentation facility in Memphis, Tennessee to produce Calysta’s FeedKind protein, a family of sustainable, traceable nutritional ingredients for fish, livestock and pets. Start-up
(Biofuels Journal) Researchers at John Hopkins University, USA, have created artificial lichens using bacteria and yeast that are capable of producing materials for biofuels directly from sunlight and CO2. The research is published in the open access journal Biotechnology for Biofuels
(Mexico News Daily) A staple of Mexican landscapes and countless dishes, nopal — also known as prickly pear cactus — is now powering a tortilla plant and two vehicles in Michoacán. It was 10 years ago that Rogelio Sosa López, a farmer and tortilla
(Phys.Org) Molds produce a wide range of both valuable and toxic molecules, which have important implications for energy production, agriculture and human health. A recent study revealed that an organelle within fungal cells called the endoplasmic reticulum acts as a
by Jordan Lubetkin (National Wildlife Federation) Millions of acres of wildlife habitat are being lost to crop production, according to a new peer-reviewed study published today in the journal Environmental Research Letters, which found a strong link between the location
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Byogy has developed a catalytic platform that converts any source of ethanol, butanol, mixed alcohols, or related olefins, into full replacement, and cost competitive biofuels including gasoline, diesel and jet fuel. Byogy’s jet fuel is
by Tom Bryan (Ethanol Producer Magazine) National Farmers Union called for the U.S. EPA to open the market to higher blends of ethanol in a landmark resolution passed during the group’s annual meeting held last week in San Diego. "National Farmers
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Ethanol critics bash the fuel for its lower energy value than gasoline, while ethanol supporters point to its octane-boosting properties. University of Illinois ag economists Scott Irwin and Darrel Good analyze the value
(Ethanol Producer Magazine) After announcing plans to purchase an aspirant cellulosic ethanol plant in Florida, Alliance BioEnergy Plus Inc. has released a bold cost-of-production estimate after researching the economics of its patented cellulose-to-sugar (CTS) conversion process. The company’s independent research found
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the High Octane Alliance called the Trump Administration’s recall the fuel economy rule “an important first step in achieving realistic reductions in fuel consumption.” Alliance Chairman Tom Daschle said the recall was necessary due
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Honeywell’s UOP has developed a renewable jet fuel processing technology, a renewable diesel process, as well as a joint venture, Envergent Technologies, that will market technologies and equipment for generating power, transportation fuel and heating
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Louisiana, the Diamond Green Diesel facility in Norco will expand its annual production capacity of renewable diesel from 10,000 barrels per day to 18,000 bpd (275 million gallons per year), using Honeywell UOP’s Ecofining
by Alan Boyle (GeekWire/Yahoo!) A NASA-led study demonstrates that airplanes powered by biofuels can emit up to 70 percent less particulate pollution – providing a potential boost for technologies that are being pioneered at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The study, published today (March 15, 2017)
(Growth Energy) Last week, ASTM International published an important new high-octane fuel standard, ASTM D8076 – 17, Standard Specification for 100 Research Octane Number Test Fuel for Automotive Spark-Ignition Engines. A major victory for the ethanol industry, this new specification
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) An Iowa farm cooperative wants to convince more farmers in the state to use biodiesel by showing just how well it performs. United Farmers Cooperative of Afton, Iowa compared the performance of two trucks with blends of
by Liz Gyekye (Biofuels International) Investment in ethanol production from waste biomass could have great economic environmental benefits, according to a new study from researchers from the Brazilian Bioethanol Science and Technology Laboratory. In this study, the researchers found that ethanol produced
(Government of Canada/CNW) Investments support Canadian-based technologies and create opportunities for businesses to grow and contribute to clean economic growth. -- Technology and the innovation it helps promote are key to the future of Canada's economy. This is why the
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Aemetis owns and operates 110 million gallons per year of ethanol and biodiesel facilities in the US and India, and is upgrading the plants using patented technology to produce lower carbon, higher value advanced biofuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The High Lords of Pyrolysis travel under the unlikely cover identities of “George Huber” and “Robert Brown” — but we know them in their true superhero identities of “The Catalyst” and “The Godfatha”. ... Instead,
(Netzwerk Biotreibstoffe/National Renewable Energy Laboratory) The reports tracks the status of non-starch alcohol and renewable hydrocarbon projects. What it is: Publicly available annual report summarizing U.S. advanced biorefinery projects and global trends in the deployment of commercial technologies as of year-end
(Netzwerk Biotreibstoffe) In the frame of the ENER/C2/2012/ 420-1 Tender a study on high biofuel blends in aviation has been carried out by Deutsche Lufthansa AG and the “Wehrwissenschaftliches Institut für Werk- und Betriebsstoffe”. The purpose of this research was
David C. Walmsley Rob Bailis, and Alexandra-Maria Klein (Environmental Science & Technology) Despite setbacks, interest in Jatropha cultivation remains high. This study addressed the question to what extent Jatropha cultivation has replaced specific vegetation and land use types and how
by Gretchen Miller (Biofuels Digest) ... Meghan Pawlowksi, a graduate student at the University of Hawaii Manoa’s College of Tropical Agriculture, crawled around her field site on the last sugarcane plantation in Hawaii, Maui’s Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company, or HC&S,
(American Association for the Advancement of Science/EurekAlert!) In a package featuring seven new studies, scientists of the Synthetic Yeast Genome Project (Sc2.0) who previously constructed a single yeast chromosome now report constructing five more - representing more than one-third of yeast's
(NexSteppe) NexSteppe Inc., a company dedicated to pioneering the next generation of sustainable feedstock solutions for biobased industries, announced today that the European Union has fully approved two NexSteppe Sorghum hybrids for commercial sale in the region. One of the
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In uniquely combining the whisky by-products, Celtic Renewables Ltd adapt the traditional Weizmann Fermentation process (also known as ABE fermentation) to a brand new and entirely sustainable novel substrate – not only providing a sustainable
by Joanne Ivancic* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Biofuels Digest's Advanced Bioeconomy Leadership Conference started with an afternoon ABLC Feedstock Summit at the US Department of Agriculture. Three points jumped out. The value of the farmers/growers perspective of biofuels; rethinking the value
(Algae Industry Magazine) For algal biofuels to compete with petroleum, farming algae has to become less expensive. Toward that goal, Sandia National Laboratories is testing strains of algae for resistance to a host of predators and diseases, and learning to
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... For now, let’s visit briefly the story of epigenetics. If you are concerned that a) the world doesn’t want genetic modification and b) the world needs crops with more stress tolerance and yield if
(Tokyo Institute of Technology/EurekAlert!) The perimeter of lipid droplet in their cells is an important place for oil synthesis -- Photosynthetic organisms such as plants and green algae can transform atmospheric carbon dioxide into carbon storage molecules, especially oils such as
by William Thornton (AL.com) In a non-descript 40,000-square-foot building not far from the popular Tuscaloosa restaurant Waysider, a group of chemists and engineers are finding uses for the world's industrial food-related waste. Inventure is making industry around the world rethink what
by Amy Mayer (Iowa Public Radio) The agriculture sector needs to ramp up its response to climate change, especially in the Midwest, according to a new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. ... Lead author Xin-Zhong Liang, a
(Algae Industry Magazine) On May 9 Yumiko Sakuragi from the Copenhagen Plant Science Centre will participate in the Danish IP fair in Industriens Hus, Copenhagen. Dr. Sakuragi will present her invention on how smart microalgae can enhance bioethanol production from
(Embrapa (Google translation)) Embrapa Agroenergia (DF) was able to identify species of microalgae that can be cultivated in liquid waste from agroindustrial processes, effluents. This crop can generate renewable raw material for biofuels, feed, cosmetics and various other products. The research,
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