(Siemens/ElectricEnergyOnline) Siemens Energy and Mubadala join strategic partnership to accelerate green hydrogen capabilities in Abu Dhabi; Siemens Energy to collaborate with Masdar and partners on developing clean hydrogen fuels Siemens Energy is advancing the development of green hydrogen ecosystems in the UAE. Around the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, two Memorandums
Process
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) How do you recycle mixed and complex waste? What about waste that can’t be recycled? These are the questions that Mike Hart, CEO of Sierra Energy tackles in this illuminating slide guide that looks at waste generation by region, zero waste goals, FastOx gasification as
(Licella) Licella Holdings (‘Licella’), Mura’s largest single shareholder, congratulate Mura Technology (‘Mura’), UK-based developer and licensee of their Cat-HTR™ platform, on announcing a global partnership with KBR, a leading international provider of science, technology and engineering solutions. The new partnership supports the global deployment of Licella’s commercial-ready Cat-HTR™ chemical recycling solution for post-consumer plastic
(Greenergy) Greenergy announces its continued commitment to renewables through an investment in advanced biofuels. Utilising a combination of existing technologies, the project will create low carbon fuels from waste tyre feedstock. The project will utilise pyrolysis and hydrotreating technologies to convert waste tyres into renewable drop-in advanced biofuels that can be
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s A.J. Simon shared this illuminating slide guide at ABLC 2020 to look at the role that bioeconomy pathways play in drawing down CO2 from the atmosphere. From pathway selection, corn starch, switchgrass, forest residue, and a comparison of their net emissions
(Aemetis/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Aemetis Inc. announced Jan. 15 that its exclusively licensed technology for the production of below zero carbon renewable fuel was awarded U.S. Patent No. 10907184 (to be published February 2, 2021), enabling the launch of Aemetis “Carbon Zero” production plants to commercialize the technology. Using patented technology exclusive to Aemetis
by Kim Chipman (Bloomberg) Green Plains Inc. Chief Executive Officer Todd Becker is getting closer to his goal of never having to worry about U.S. ethanol policy again. Instead of awaiting Washington’s next move in the industry’s battle with Big Oil for share of gasoline tanks, Becker is working to transform Green
by Tammy Klein (Transport Energy Strategies) Following the successful Q&A roundtable discussion on the future of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) last month, I decided to do a video podcast series with several SAF producers and technology developers to get their insight into the future of SAF. First on deck is a
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Barriers abound in the bioeconomy, but this slide guide from Idaho National Lab shows how artificial intelligence and machine learning will lower the barriers to growing a bioeconomy. From biomass supply and logistics to preprocessing and conversion, AI and ML has many applications that can
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Taking trash to treasure to a new level, renewable Dimethyl Ethercan be made from animal manure, food and agriculture waste, landfill gas and wood. Oberon Fuels’ President, Rebecca Boudreaux, PhD shared this illuminating slide guide that dives into Oberon’s small-scale production process, the 1st fuel-grade
(AZO CleanTech) Scientists have figured out a cheaper, more efficient way to conduct a chemical reaction at the heart of many biological processes, which may lead to better ways to create biofuels from plants. Scientists around the world have been trying for years to create biofuels and other bioproducts more cheaply;
(Honeywell UOP) Honeywell UOP Ecofining™ single-stage process produces cleaner-burning high-cetane transportation fuels chemically identical to petroleum-based diesel — Honeywell today announced that it has introduced a single-stage UOP Ecofining™ technology offering for the production of renewable diesel fuel. The new single-stage technology is a fast-to-market, low capital cost solution that is
(Gevo) Gevo, Inc. (“Gevo”) (NASDAQ: GEVO), announces the concept of Net-Zero Projects for the production of energy dense liquid hydrocarbons using renewable energy and Gevo’s proprietary technology. The concept of a Net-Zero Project is to convert renewable energy (photosynthetic, wind, renewable natural gas, biogas) from a variety of sources into energy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The agriculture and waste revolution continues — these are not your Dad’s inputs, or Dad’s outputs either. If you missed last week’s DigestConnect, check out this slide guide from Vanguard Renewables CEO John Hanselman that takes a look at their newest biogas and renewable natural
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) It was styled as a biofuels and biochemical producer, founded back in the heady days of the Recovery Act in February 2009, focused on developing high value oils and animal feeds by fermentation of low cost substrates. The business, as former CEO Colin South once described
(Ruhr University Bochum) Green algae have two almost identical hydrogen-producing enzymes. One has been researched for decades, the other received little attention – until recently. Hydrogen-producing enzymes, so-called hydrogenases, could be a source of regenerative energy. The RUB photobiotechnology working group has now characterized a hydrogenase from the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii that has so far
by Sarah Kaplan (Washington Post) … (Catherine Coleman) Flowers has a vision for a better septic system. It’s cheap to buy and easy to run. It’s equipped with sensors that can monitor for signs of pathogens, including the coronavirus. Instead of allowing sewage to seep into the ground, the system separates
by John Fialka (E&E News) … “Can we afford not to do this?” was the way Steve Oldham, the CEO of Carbon Engineering, headquartered in Squamish, British Columbia, put it in a recent TED Talk. He estimated that climate-related damages will eventually cost the U.S. over $500 billion a year “if
(Morningstar/Globe Newswire) Greenway Technologies, Inc. (OTCQB: GWTI), an advanced gas-to-liquids (GTL) technology development company, today announced receipt of a Notice of Allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for another of its United States utility patent applications relating to its GTL fuel conversion technology. Hunter Adams, of “AdamsIP”, Greenway’s patent attorney
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Four critical challenges in biochemical and thermochemical processing were addressed in the just released “Bioprocessing Separations Consortium Three-Year Overview” U.S. BETO report, including targeting the fractionation of lignin to enable valorization; Developing technologies to enable process intensification to cut bioprocessing capital costs and make processes
Benzhen Yao, Tiancun Xiao, Ofentse A. Makgae, Xiangyu Jie, Sergio Gonzalez-Cortes, Shaoliang Guan, Angus I. Kirkland, Jonathan R. Dilworth, Hamid A. Al-Megren, Saeed M. Alshihri, Peter J. Dobson, Gari P. Owen, John M. Thomas & Peter P. Edwards (Nature Communications) With mounting concerns over climate change, the utilisation or conversion
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Florida, the 2021 50 Hottest Companies inAgriculture and Nutrition was published today (December 31, 2020), as voted by invited international Selectors and subscribers of The Daily Digest, the world’s most widely-read bioeconomy daily. The annual rankings recognize innovation and achievement in fuel, chemicals, materials, advanced
by Tom Bryan (Ethanol Producer Magazine) … DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences, building on years of success with its high-yield, GA-expressing yeasts, is making the previously divergent characteristics of high yield and superior robustness—packaged together—a reality. “What we’ve seen in this industry is that you’re either going after yield or robustness,”
by Lisa Gibson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Novozymes has released a platform to convert more fiber to ethanol, giving producers an attractive ‘D3 lift.’ The company is also helping its customers navigate the low-carbon fuels marketplace, streamlining certification and assisting where it can. … Novozymes has released its Fiberex platform, for
by Chiranjeevi Kulkarni (Deccan Herald) At a time when pollution from stubble burning has become a concern, researchers from IISc have devised a way to extract ethanol from it which is a valuable fuel. Professor T V Ramachandra and his doctoral student Deepthi Hebbale presented the result of their experiments at
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) … In today’s Digest, we look at the HOTTEST Digest Slide Guides like Corbion’s biobased Poly Lactic Acid (PLA), Gevo’s low carbon drop-in transportation fuels, Neste, an exclusive Digest Q&A with Clariant, and even some hydrogen. Check out what YOU, the readers, found the most
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) NextChem is focused on 3 solutions that all tie in together – cleaner hydrogen, biofuels and a circular economy. Find out why and how in this exclusive ABLC slide guide that dives into their low-carbon hydrogen production, biofuels from used cooking oil, animal fats, vegetable
by Mike Timko (Worcester Polytechnic Institute/Biofuels Digest) A recent study led by a team from Worcester Polytechnic Institute shows that metal-oxide-based catalysts reduce char build up during biofuel conversion processes, increasing bio-crude oil yield and decreasing yields of low-value byproducts. … Utilizing wet food waste requires a fast and efficient
(Biofuels International) Downey Ridge Environmental Company, developer of Greasezilla, confirmed new installations will be completed in the next three months with at least 10 additional systems anticipated before the end of 2021. Chicago, New Orleans, Austin and Jacksonville will have the first Greasezilla systems to come online building upon the
(Braskem) Agilyx Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Agilyx AS (Euronext Growth (Oslo): (“AGLX”), a pioneer in the advanced recycling of post-use plastics, and Braskem (B3: BRKM3, BRKM5 and BRKM6; NYSE: BAK; LATIBEX: XBRK), the largest polyolefins producer in the Americas and leading producer of biopolymers in the world, today announced the initiation
(Neste) Neste has a target to process annually over 1 million tons of waste plastic from 2030 onwards. The company plans to use liquefied plastic waste as a raw material at its fossil oil refinery to upgrade it into high-quality drop-in feedstock for the production of new plastics. Neste successfully processed
(Haldoe Topsoe) The world’s first podcast about renewables for the refinery industry season two. This time, Sylvain Verdier and Mikala Grubb from Topsoe look into some of the most pressing topics in renewables and the refining industry, including trends in advanced biofuels and hydrogen, pyrolysis and its challenges and opportunities,
by Ron Kotrba (Bio-based Diesel Daily) Multinational oil, gas and petrochemical company based in Vienna, Austria, is investing 200 million euros at its Schwechat refinery southeast of Vienna to co-process up to 160,000 metric tons of vegetable oils—including used cooking oil and “advanced feedstocks”—into renewable diesel. The investment in the Schwechat
by Kristin Toussaint (Fast Company) Instead of having more carbon go into the atmosphere, making our planet warmer and speeding up the effects of climate change, you might soon be able to eat those emissions. Biotech company LanzaTech has successfully turned CO2 emissions into lipids and omega-3 fatty acids as
(OMV) The test run of the world’s largest bioethanol plant based on wood has proven successful; OMV and AustroCel start cooperation with second-generation bioethanol; 1.5 million liters a month of the advanced biofuel will be delivered from January 2021; Substituting biofuel for fossil fuel will save around 45,000 metric tons
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Sugar-based bioplastics and lignin-based foams and composites are making it possible to transform the huge amount of oil based materials and products in our lives to biobased products. MetGen is making it happen with zero waste biorefineries. Find out how in this illuminating slide guide
by Dave Collings (1898 & Co./Burns & McDonnell) For organizations looking to develop, construct and commission a new renewable diesel plant, it’s important to understand the various market conditions at play to avoid poorly made investments and the pitfalls of lost future opportunities. Since 2018, the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) continued
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Synthetic biology produces fabrics, food, biofuels, health products and more, but we need better predictive power. Machine learning can help and be used to design pathways or choose promoters to optimize production for example. Hector Garcia Martin, Deputy VP of Biofuels and Bioproducts at the
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) … In today’s Digest, United Airlines ambitious goal by investing in sustainable fuels and new tech – NOT buying carbon offsets – to reduce GHG emissions by 100% by 2050, Gevo’s SAF delivered for the Pacific Northwest region, Boeing, Etihad and World Energy using
(Aarhus University/EurekAlert!) Using an unusual, light-dependent enzyme and a newly discovered enzymatic mechanism, researchers from Aarhus University and MIT have enabled the biological synthesis of high-yield industry relevant production of climate neutral drop-in fuels from biowaste — … A special light-dependent enzyme, which was first discovered about three years ago, is
by Alex Kimani (OilPrice.com) After decades of stagnation and multiple false dawns, the hydrogen economy appears primed for a major takeoff. A growing number of countries and industries are proactively investing in hydrogen technologies, with hydrogen being touted as the ‘fuel of the future.’ Meanwhile, industry experts are predicting that hydrogen could become a globally traded
by Lena Nordgren (SEKAB) The second webinar by the EU project REWOFUEL – REsidual soft WOod conversion to high characteristics drop-in bioFUELs, was held in the beginning of December. The specific topic of the webinar was to address the sustainability aspects in the value chain focusing on “Application of LCA on innovative biorefinery concepts –
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) If you missed last week’s DigestConnect, have no fear, check out the Whitefox slide guide here! Whitefox CTO Stephan Blum, advisor Bill Lee, Process Engineer Virginia Andrade and Field Engineer Sean Lorimer shared all about improved plant operations membrane technology, revolutionizing membranes for product diversity, where
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) … Yara announces plans to fully electrify its ammonia plant in Porsgrunn, Norway with the potential to cut 800,000 tons of CO2 per annum, equivalent to the emissions from 300,000 passenger cars. … Yara’s the world’s largest ammonia fertilizer company, has 16,000 employees and operations in over
by Blaine Friedlander (Cornell University/Science Daily) By borrowing nature’s blueprints for photosynthesis, bioengineers have found a way to efficiently absorb and store large-scale, low-cost renewable energy from the sun – while sequestering atmospheric carbon dioxide to use later as a biofuel. By borrowing nature’s blueprints for photosynthesis, Cornell University bioengineers have
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) There is such a thing as green polyols for polyurethanes! And as you probably know, cellulosic ethanol produces tons of co-product lignin, so check out this slide guide that dives into the basic polyurethane chemistry, how lignin-based polyurethanes are made, pretreatment, structural changes, the latest
(Advanced Biofuel Solutions) Advanced Biofuel Solutions Ltd (ABSL), University College London (UCL) and Wood have been awarded a £250,000 grant from Innovate UK to design a production line that makes high purity biohydrogen for fuel cell electric vehicles. The ABSL plant in Swindon will convert household waste into bio-substitute natural
(U.S. Department of Energy) Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced $33 million in funding to support innovative hydrogen and fuel cell research & development (R&D), infrastructure supply chain development and validation, and cost analysis activities. This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) builds upon existing efforts funded by DOE’s Hydrogen and
(Enel Green Power) The MoU is related to a project for the production of green hydrogen via electrolysis using renewable energy from an Enel Green Power solar plant in the United States; The project, which is expected to be operational in 2023, will supply the green hydrogen produced to a
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) From Europe comes news that major hydrogen project developers including ACWA Power, CWP Renewables, Envision, Iberdrola, Ørsted, Snam, and Yara have joined hands to scale-up green hydrogen production 50-fold in 6 years in a bid to slash the production cost to below $2 per kilo. This report
by Mary Page Bailey (Chemical Engineering) Yara International ASA (Oslo, Norway) has announced plans for 500,000 metric tons per year (m.t./yr) of green ammonia production in Norway, powering emission-free shipping fuels and decarbonized food solutions. “Ammonia is the most promising hydrogen carrier and zero-carbon shipping fuel, and Yara is the global ammonia
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Quebec, Enerkem, Shell, Suncor and Proman have proposed the construction of an $669 million biofuel plant in Varennes, Québec, in partnership with the Québec and Canadian governments. The project would use more than 200,000 tonnes of non-recyclable waste and wood waste to produce nearly
(Asian Development Bank) The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $2.5 million technical assistance (TA) to support advanced biofuel development in India. The grant is funded from the Asia Clean Energy Fund, financed by the Government of Japan under the Clean Energy Financing Partnership Facility, and the Republic of Korea’s
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) … Like Braskem’s news that they are expanding their post-consumer resin portfolio and investing $67 million in the construction of a recycling line with capacity to transform around 250 million pieces of packaging into 14,000 tons of high-quality, post-consumer resin per year. In today’s Digest,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) If you missed ABLC this summer, check out this illuminating slide guide from Jeff Thornton at m2p-labs where he shares how microbioreactors can be used to de-risk larger scale, more expensive systems, increase throughput data density at low cost which can help you modify high
by Jules Bernstein (University of California – Riverside/Phys.Org) A new study reveals how bacteria control the chemicals produced from consuming ‘food.’ The insight could lead to organisms that are more efficient at converting plants into biofuels. The study, authored by scientists at UC Riverside and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, has been
by Tom Bryan (Ethanol Producer Magazine) As one of America’s largest biorefiners moves forward with two more installations of Fluid Quip Technologies’ 50% protein technology, critical production redundancy is in hand. Products with even higher protein levels are already in the pipeline. This fall, when Green Plains Inc. announced plans
by Anne Berleant (Ellsworth American) Among the discussion topics for members of the Municipal Review Committee (MRC) board of directors at a meeting on Nov. 29 were a draft of the group’s 2021 budget and news of a prospective buyer of the Hampden waste-to-biofuel facility, which has been closed since May.
(Porsche) Porsche, Siemens Energy and a lineup of international companies are developing and implementing a pilot project in Chile that is expected to yield the world’s first integrated, commercial, industrial-scale plant for making synthetic climate-neutral fuels (eFuels). In the pilot phase, around 130,000 liters of eFuels will be produced as early
by Samuel Morgan (Neste) The whole transport industry agrees on the need to decarbonize traffic fast. However, there’s confusion on what that means for diesel, renewable diesel and the internal combustion engine. Are their days numbered? Questions answered: How long will diesel fleets be allowed? Are the days of the internal
by Mark Wilson (Fast Company) … The problem is that recycling centers, with so much excess cardboard, just toss the material into a dump. But what if we could do something else—anything else—with all these boxes? Like fuel a car? Thanks to Sun-Mi Lee, a research scientist at the Clean
(La Nacion (Google Translation)) The company Explora, which has its plant in Puerto General San Martín, Santa Fe, invested more than US $ 5 million in a new technology to transform sewage waste into biodiesel. In this way, it has already produced 12,000 tons of deacidified residual oil, which were exported
(Ruhr University Bochum) Methanol is an important raw material for the chemical industry. So far it has mostly been obtained from fossil natural gas. A team with RUB participation wants to change that. — The idea is based on CO 2 recycling and renewable energies. Methanol is produced from fossil natural
(Oak Ridge National Laboratory) From soda bottles to car bumpers to piping, electronics, and packaging, plastics have become a ubiquitous part of our lives. Advancements in materials have made plastics low cost, flexible, hygienic, lightweight, durable and readily available. While some plastics are recyclable, only a fraction — about 8.4% nationally
(Neste) Neste is launching a new product, Neste RE, a 100% renewable and recycled raw material for plastics and chemicals production. It is a product for tackling climate change through reducing the need to use virgin fossil resources, while it also provides a new solution to the end-of-life related challenges the
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) We all know variability is inherent to biomass, but what can you do about it? Lots! This ABLC2020 slide guide dives into feedstock variability and the work FCIC is coordinating across an impressive 6 national labs to help address this major operational challenge for anyone
(University of Bristol) Scientists have built tiny droplet-based microbial factories that produce hydrogen, instead of oxygen, when exposed to daylight in air. The findings of the international research team based at the University of Bristol and Harbin Institute of Technology in China, are published today in Nature Communications. Normally, algal cells
(University of North Dakota/News Wise) One of the significant challenges for renewable alternative fuels could be solved if a consortium of research laboratories led by the University of North Dakota can turn corn waste into jet fuel. Wayne Seames, Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor of Chemical Engineering in the College of Engineering &
by Mary Ann Showalter (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory) PNNL’s hydrothermal liquefaction shows promise for turning harmful algal blooms into biocrude — … Algal blooms can also raise treatment costs for drinking water suppliers, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Research and Development Center (ERDC)
(Cielo/MarketWatch) Cielo Waste Solutions Corp. (“Cielo” or the “Company”) announces it has received pre-payment in full for a 60,000 litres of renewable diesel, which is now being produced at the Company’s Aldersyde waste to renewable fuel facility (“Aldersyde Facility”). The renewable diesel will be shipped to a third party of the
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Greenlane Renewables is “changing the nature of natural gas” via renewable natural gas to help decarbonize transportation and the natural gas grid. By producing low-carbon RNG from organic waste like landfills, wastewater treatment plants, dairy and hog farms and food waste, that can go directly
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) It’s possible to summarize the advanced bioeconomy in three words, technology, investment, policy. These are the sine qua non, the foundational forces. Technology without investment and policy is a bunch of pretty things on a shelf, policy without technology or investment is bound to fail, and
by Fintan Burke (Horizon Magazine/Phys.Org) Using light as an energy source, photosynthetic microalgae can be used to produce products like biofuels and cosmetics. But algae grown in a reactor block out the light on which they feed. New reactor designs could solve this problem and help the industry move forward. Photosynthetic
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The world is awash in low-cost ethanol thanks to bioeconomy technology, but we’re not yet awash in high-value renewable chemicals — now, with new technology, we can make those high-value chemicals from ethanol. If you missed last week’s DigestConnect, Catalyxx CEO Joanquin Alarcon shared this
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) Carbios will knock your socks off with their enzyme tech that is now converting textile waste and your old polyester socks and sweaters into clear plastic bottles. We’ve heard of clothing made from plastic bottles like Patagonia’s fleece vests, but now Carbios is making it
(ThermoChem Recovery International) We are proud to announce that TRI‘s Dr. Ravi Chandran and our partners at CPFD were recognized for the innovative work we have done to model deep fluid bed gasification which is essential to the processing of wastes and biomass to renewable fuels and chemicals. The IChemE
by Sara West (Imperial College London) Scientists have developed a cost-effective method of biofuel extraction which could make them viable alternatives to fossil fuels in transport. Biofuels, which are made from renewable organic matter, hold great potential as green alternatives to fossil fuels in the aviation and transport industries. However, although
by Jamie Oberdick (Pennsylvania State University/Phys.Org) A multi-institutional research group led by two Penn State faculty members has identified, for the first time, how cellulose crystals orient themselves relative to the cell wall in plants, with potential implications for chemical and energy development. “A more detailed understanding of the structure of
(Green Science Alliance Co./CISION/PR Newswire) … Artificial photosynthesis is one of the innovative technologies to clean up our atmosphere. Just like plants, this technology utilizes the energy of sun light and from CO2 and water, they can produce organic substances including the raw material of fuel and chemical products, as well
by Jeff St. John (GreenTechMedia) The Intermountain and ACES projects may be the start of a regionwide green hydrogen generation and transmission network. — Out in Utah, a coal-fired power plant supplying electricity to Los Angeles is being outfitted with natural-gas-fired turbines that will eventually be able to run on hydrogen,
by Sheila Van Cuyk (U.S. Department of Energy) … One such project at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is targeting sustainable aviation fuels that can reduce harmful emissions, including greenhouse gases. Not all Transportation Fuels are Created Equal Relative to gasoline and diesel, jet fuel is governed by more stringent specifications
(UPM/Gasnam/NGV Journal) The LIFE SMART AgroMobility project will work and research for the next three years in the production of biomethane from the processing of agricultural waste to later be used as fuel for agricultural vehicles and for biofertilizers. Its main objective is to demonstrate the viability of a new model
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) As part 2 of the seawater-to-fuels discussion from DigestConnect last week, get an insider look at the breakthroughs the U.S. Navy project to produce renewable fuels from seawater using synthetic biology, as shared by Professor Nigel Scrutton of the UK Future Biomanufacturing Research Hub. Details
(The Tribune) The Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G) on Monday said its researchers have formulated efficient ‘pincer’ catalytic systems that transform industrial/biomass wastes into valuable chemicals. According to the research team, tiny amounts of these ‘pincer catalysts’ repeatedly convert large amounts of industrial waste such as glycerol into lactic acid
by Helena Tavares Kennedy) In Spain, Bioo, a biotech startup that generates electricity from nature, has developed Bioo Panel, which collects the electrons liberated in soil from the breakdown of organic substances by its natural microorganisms. Installed underground, Bioo Panel visually fits into the landscape of any yard, garden or park and constantly
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) W2X sounds like a new rock band name, but it’s what Brightmark’s CEO, Bob Powell, talked about at last week’s DigestConnect on fuels and plastics from dairy and MSW wastes. How do the technologies work? What are the economics? Where are the markets? When are
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) … Check out the U.S. Navy’s new gambit and get an inside look at the U.S. Navy’s breakthroughs to produce renewable fuels from seawater using synthetic biology. How does the technology work? What’s the future? Find out what Dr. Patrick Rose from the Office of
by Zia Abdullah (U.S. Department of Energy) Thermochemical conversion of lignocellulosic biomass is a promising route to produce renewable biofuels and oxygenated biochemicals while enabling the reuse, recovery, and recycling of materials containing carbon. Aqueous Waste Streams: A Drag on Biorefinery Profitability To convert biomass into renewable biofuels and biochemicals, biorefiners
by Christina Nunez (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory/Phys.Org) Though we usually think of ethanol as fuel for the gas tank, it can also be transformed into valuable chemicals that could help replace a variety of petroleum-based products beyond just gasoline. However, evolving ethanol for a broader range of industries requires chemical processes
by Ronan Glon (Hagerty) Let’s leave 2020 behind for a moment and travel to 2040. Government regulations have escorted the internal combustion engine off of the global stage, every car sold new is powered by either electricity or hydrogen, and you’re still holding on to the stunning 912 your grandfather purchased
(Lysekil) For the first time, renewable raw materials are being converted to Swedish Environmental Class 1 diesel at Preem’s refinery in Lysekil. The aim is to annually produce up to 950,000 cubic meters of renewable fuel by 2024. This is part of a larger project that intends to rebuild the existing
(NextChem) Maire Tecnimont Group’s company for energy transition strengthens its corporate structure to meet the market with the most innovative technological solutions for circular economy: the new subsidiary MyRechemical is entirely dedicated to the technologies for chemical conversion of waste for the production of hydrogen, methanol, ethanol and “circular” derivatives.
by Luke Upton (BioMarket Insights) Bold news this week from Sekab, the Swedish chemical and cleantech company, who are responding to increasing demand for green chemicals and a growing focus on the impact on climate change by a major green tech investment by building a plant to produce them from residual
by Anmar Frangoul (CNBC) Hydrogen has a diverse range of applications and can be deployed in a range of sectors, including industry and transport. Green hydrogen is produced using renewable sources such as wind, solar and tidal power. — A project located on an archipelago north of mainland Scotland plans to
(Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory/Phys.Org) Researchers from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) have achieved unprecedented success in modifying a microbe to efficiently produce a compound of interest using a computational model and CRISPR-based gene editing. Their approach could dramatically speed up the research and development phase for new biomanufacturing processes, and get cutting-edge
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Taking on the global plastic waste issue is not easy, but NexantECA is up for it and tackling it with thermal plastic waste conversion technologies. The production of feedstocks for olefins gives value to “unrecyclable” plastics and the production of methanol and naphtha creates the
(Times of India) A nano grain-based ethanol unit, installed at the National Sugar Institute-Kanpur, was inaugurated by the vice-chancellor of the Harcourt Butler Technological University Kampur, on Thursday This unit is integrated with existing molasses-based ethanol unit and thus now the system would be ‘Multi Feed Stock Based Ethanol Unit’
(Praj/The Hindu Business Line) Praj Industries’ demonstration plant that deploys innovative technology for the production of Compressed Biogas (CBG) was inaugurated today by Union Min. Shri Prakash Javadekar. Located in the Praj Matrix R&D campus, the plant deploys Praj’s technology which utilises a proprietary microbial consortium made from feedstock such
(Embrapa) Embrapa Agroenergia, in partnership with the company Haka Bioprocessos, headquartered in Catanduva (SP), starts this October research that may result in a green diesel obtained from the hydrogenation of bio-oil from bone waste from birds. The Unit will characterize the chemical components of the raw material (bio-oil), pre-treatment, hydrogenation and
(NextChem) Maire Tecnimont S.p.A. announces that NextChem, the Group’s subsidiary dedicated to green chemistry and technologies for the energy transition, and Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IndianOil), today have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the development of industrial projects using NextChem technologies to foster the industrialization of circular economy in India. The projects will be focused on
by Joanne Ivancic* (Advanced Biofuels USA) This week, Manta Biofuels has launched a crowd investment campaign on Republic and began reaching out to colleagues, business associates, mentors and friends, offering them a chance to invest in this growing business. Dedicated to doing their part to fight climate change, Manta Biofuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Hydrofaction is Hot! Don’t take our word for it – dive into this new slide guide from Steeper Energy’s CEO Perry Toms who takes us through the progress towards commercial scale of Steeper’s hydrofaction technology as it cracks low-value waste feedstocks into high-value fuels. Find
(Bioenergy Insight) Could biochar be the solution for AD plants with minor gas yields? 4CleanTech, a joint venture between Biogas Clapton and CleanTech Leasing, shares its findings. After investing in an AD plant, the majority of operators are confronted with the fact that the gas yield is not nearly
by Jenna Kurtzweil (Brookhaven National Laboratory/Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation) From southeastern Florida to northern Mississippi to the Midwestern Corn Belt, CABBI scientists have struck sustainable oil with sugarcane. But the crop’s potential value to the renewable energy sector earns this particular variety a more appropriate designation: oilcane.
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) If you missed DigestConnect last week, take a look at this illuminating slide guide from Aemetis CEO Eric McAfee on their newest biogas venture, making renewable natural gas from dairy waste, the switch to making hand sanitizer as they adapted to COVID-19, and future plans
by Mark E. Griffin (Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center) … “Bacteria and fungi break down plants through a number of different ways. When you see mushrooms growing on dead logs in a forest, they are breaking down the plant cell wall into small pieces that they ‘eat’ so that they
(RMIT University/EurekAlert!) New ultra-efficient catalyst can recycle old cooking oil into biodiesel and turn food scraps into high-value complex molecules — Researchers have developed a powerful, low-cost method for recycling used cooking oil and agricultural waste into biodiesel, and turning food scraps and plastic rubbish into high-value products. The method harnesses
by Brandon C. Knott, Erika Erickson, Mark D. Allen, Japheth E. Gado, Rosie Graham, Fiona L. Kearns, Isabel Pardo, Ece Topuzlu, Jared J. Anderson, Harry P. Austin, Graham Dominick, Christopher W. Johnson, Nicholas A. Rorrer, Caralyn J. Szostkiewicz, Valérie Copié, Christina M. Payne, H. Lee Woodcock, Bryon S. Donohoe, Gregg T. Beckham, and John E. McGeehan (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences)
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Two world leaders in cellulosic deployment – Jeff Taylor from Chemtex and Paolo Corvo from Clariant – talked about how cellulosic fuels are on the march on last week’s DigestConnect. Check out this exclusive slide guide on 1G/2G biofuels integration opportunities, what are the models,
(University of Wisconsin Oshkosh/Biomass Magazine) The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh has partnered with Agra Energy Corp. to promote a new technology that converts biogas to fuel. The renewable solution makes use of Agra Energy’s Micro-GTL (gas-to-liquids) technology that converts methane-rich biogas into liquid fuels that meet diesel fuel specifications. “Agra Energy’s
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) You’ve probably heard of Honeywell UOP, but did you know they are working on making commercial renewable aviation biofuels a reality? At ABLC Digital, they shared this illuminating slide guide on their latest projects, including ones with AltAir, United Airlines, World Energy, and others. Also take
(The Korea Bizwire) A newly developed technology is capable of producing biodiesel, an eco-friendly fuel for automobiles, using paper waste generated by parcel deliveries. Researchers from the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) announced Tuesday that they had developed a microorganism that can produce base materials for biodiesel from
(Biofuels International) Red Rock and Shell have entered into a cellulosic fuel purchase and sale agreement. The agreement will see Shell purchase Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and cellulosic renewable diesel fuel from Red Rock’s new biorefinery in Lakeview, Oregon. Shell will distribute the SAF to Red Rock’s existing airline customers
(Cielo/The Newswire) Cielo Waste Solutions Corp. (“Cielo” or the “Company”) is pleased to provide an update on its production levels at its facility in Aldersyde, Alberta (“Facility”). While Cielo’s initial goal was to start the Facility slowly after the latest improvements, with expectations between 200 to 500 liters per hour, the
edited by Adrian Bonilla-Petriciolet, Gade Pandu Rangaiah , Christian V. Stevens (Wiley) A comprehensive overview of current developments and applications in biofuels production — Process Systems Engineering for Biofuels Development brings together the latest and most cutting-edge research on the production of biofuels. As the first book specifically devoted to process systems
(U.S. Department of Energy) Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced over $27 million in funding for 12 projects that will support the development of advanced plastics recycling technologies and new plastics that are recyclable-by-design. As part of DOE’s Plastics Innovation Challenge, these projects will also help improve existing recycling
by Julie Chao (Berkeley National Laboratory) If you’ve eaten vegan burgers that taste like meat or used synthetic collagen in your beauty routine – both products that are “grown” in the lab – then you’ve benefited from synthetic biology. It’s a field rife with potential, as it allows scientists to design biological
(Licella) Arbios Biotech creates a low-carbon circular economy by converting post-consumer biomass and residues into advanced biofuels — Licella Holdings Ltd. (‘Licella’) is pleased to announce the Company has entered into a new joint venture, Arbios Biotech (‘Arbios’), with Canadian Forest Products Ltd. (‘Canfor’). With a vision to provide low-carbon circular economy solutions
(Marquard & Bahls) Marquard & Bahls and Nordic Blue Crude have entered into an agreement, through which Marquard & Bahls shall increase its shareholding in the Norwegian company and will commit to equity financing when the first plant (E-Fuel 1) reaches final investment decision. As a result, Marquard & Bahls is consolidating its
by Michael Bates (NGT News) The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has officially launched the Million Mile Fuel Cell Truck (M2FCT) and the H2NEW consortia to advance fuel cell truck and hydrogen production R&D. The announcement builds upon DOE’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Office’s (EERE’s) intention to invest up to $100 million over
by Aleksandra Wójcik (Haldor Topsoe) An article in the esteemed Science magazine suggests that solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) technology can unlock the full potential of renewable power and provide climate-friendly fuels. SOEC is a core technology in power-to-X solutions and offers major advantages over alternative electrolysis technologies. The article
by Steve Zabarnick (University of Dayton Research Institute) With increasing demand for a greater variety of sustainable alternative aviation fuels, the importance of a systematic pathway for the accurate testing, validation and approval of alternative jet fuels has never been more important. Part of this process is the FAA-sponsored “D4054 Clearinghouse”
by Brian Wang (Next Big Future) Algae could be used for fuel production on Mars and it would also produce oxygen on Mars. It would also produce fertilizer for growing crops on Mars. Georgia Tech aims to reduce the Entry Descent Landing (EDL) mass of a crewed mission to Mars by
(National Institutes of Natural Sciences/Phys.Org) … When plants are processed into biofuels or other biomass applications, cellulose has to be degraded into simpler sugar molecules first, and this step can represent up to a quarter of the operating and capital costs of biofuel production. If this process can be made faster
by Nora Goldstein (BioCycle Magazine) Totally enclosed operation is designed to preprocess 250 tons/day of food waste, much of it in packaging. Slurried feedstocks are hauled to dairy farms equipped with AD systems. — In 2015, one of the tours during BioCycle’s 15th Annual Conference on Renewable Energy From Organics Recycling in
(Illinois State University/Biomass Magazine) David Kopsell, professor of horticulture at Illinois State University, and LC (Liangcheng) Yang, assistant professor of environmental health at ISU, have received a two-year, nearly $150,000 grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The purpose of this USDA-NIFA grant program is to increase the capacity
(Cargill/Farm Progress) Goal is to open new markets for corn and expand opportunities for renewable fuels and chemicals. — Cargill and Virent, Inc. are working together to evaluate the use of Cargill’s corn dextrose as a feedstock to Virent’s BioForming technology for the production of “drop-in” low-carbon biofuels and biochemicals. Virent’s
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The 106-billion-gallon global (21-billion-gallon domestic) commercial jet fuel market is projected to grow to over 230 billion gallons by 2050. Cost-competitive sustainable alternative jet fuels for aviation are needed to decouple carbon growth from market growth. With this in mind, the U.S. Department of Energy
(Cetaqua) Cetaqua has launched LIFE NIMBUS, a project that improves the circular economy between the city and the wastewater treatment plants through the implementation of a new sustainable model: the ecofactory, a concept that turns the traditional treatment plant into a facility that generates valuable resources. The initiative is funded by
(Bioenergy Insight) The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has selected 12 organisations and projects to receive around $3 million (€2.55 million) in funding to help reduce food loss and waste and divert food waste from landfills by expanding anaerobic digestion (AD) capacity in the US. The project types chosen for
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Addressing today’s problems like our huge, linear consumption of carbon, our fossil-based carbon emissions, deforestation, land use, waste generation, could seem overwhelming, but not for Genomatica. Find out how Genomatica is tackling these global issues in this ABLC Digital slide guide from Christophe Schilling, CEO and
(EIA Bioenergy) Direct thermochemical liquefaction (DTL) of biomass is an important pathway to bioenergy and biochemical production in the circular economy. The aim of this report is to highlight how DTL technologies currently have a role to play in mobilising biomass into the energy sectors (heat, power and transport), and
by Xiaoxiang Wang, Li Cao, Rosmala Lewis, Tubuxin Hreid, Zhanying Zhang, Hongxia Wang (Renewable Energy) Oxygen-rich porous carbon from sugarcane bagasse via facile biorefining process. Symmetric cell exhibits high energy density of 5.86 Wh kg−1 with 97% retention. Solid residue yield reached 36.1% which can be a feedstock for valuable product. Revealed
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Carbohydrate supply – where will it come from? That’s a question Fluid Quip Technologies asks considering the increase in biobased processes translates into additional ‘sugar’ needs of 7-14 billion pounds just in the next 10-20 years. Neal Jakel, Partner of Strategy and Technology at FQT,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) … DME doesn’t stand for Doesn’t Make Emissions or Dirty Methane Eliminated but might as well, since Dimethyl Ether has the potential to do both. Lots of fuels can reduce or eliminate greenhouse gas emissions, and several technologies use methane. What makes this one so special?
by Erin Voegele (Biodiesel Magazine) BBI International’s Biodiesel Production Technology Summit kicked off on Sept. 16 with the star-studded story of Pacific Biodiesel Technologies unique history and a general session panel focused on emerging biodiesel technologies. Bob King, founder and president of Pacific Biodiesel, opened the event with a keynote address
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) There’s a new generation of low carbon, drop-in transportation fuels and Gevo is targeting jet fuel, gasoline blendstocks, diesel and more with their “Whole Gallons, Net Zero” vision. Patrick Gruber, CEO of Gevo, shared this illuminating presentation at ABLC Digital 2020 that looked at the impact
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) At ABLC Digital in July, Jim Dooley, Chief Technology Officer at Forest Concepts shared this illuminating presentation on the latest innovations in biomass pretreatments, how they maximize flowability, their crumbler solutions that can handle any moisture content and a wide range of materials, how they
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) … In today’s Digest, how Florida-based Transform Materials is literally transforming the petrochemical industry’s ability to convert flared natural gas often emitted at hydraulic fracking wellheads into hydrogen and acetylene using microwave plasma technology, and how scientists who re-engineered the plastic-eating enzyme PETase have now
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) From fermentation ingredients to fermentation technology for fuel alcohol and distilled beverage production, Lallemand Biofuels & Distilled Spirits has an interesting story and even more interesting path ahead. Check out this slide guide from a recent DigestConnect webinar on how the convergence of the two worlds
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Bio2Oil takes biomass to crude oil, like our planets process, just faster. Their technology can convert sewage sludge, municipal solid waste, industrial waste biomass, and other biomass streams into fuel. While they have a continuously operating pilot plant currently, they plan on commercial rollout in Q1
(Total) Within the framework of its net zero strategy, Total will convert its Grandpuits refinery (Seine-et-Marne) into a zero-crude platform. By 2024, following an investment totaling more than €500 million, the platform will focus on four new industrial activities: Production of renewable diesel primarily intended for the aviation industry. Production of
by Michael Bates (NGT News) Suburban Propane Partners LP, a nationwide distributor of propane, fuel oil, and related products and services, says it is purchasing a 39% stake in Oberon Fuels Inc., based in San Diego. Oberon, a development-stage producer of low-carbon, renewable dimethyl ether (rDME) transportation fuel, has been focused on the
by David Bradley (Inderscience/Phys.Org) Green solvents for making biodiesel would reduce the environmental impact of such fuels still further. Writing in the World Review of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development, a team from India discussed the potential of ionic liquids in this field. … There is, however, a need for volatile
(University of Arkansas) University of Arkansas researchers have developed an efficient tool for controlling genes in methanogens, a finding that could advance research in fields as diverse as climate change and biofuel production. The tool, a variation of the CRISPR-Cas9 system, was used to repress targeted gene functions in methanogens without
(Siemens) Evonik and Siemens Energy put pilot plant into operations; Artificial photosynthesis closes carbon dioxide cycle; The Federal Ministry of Education and Research is funding the various project stages with more than €6 million Evonik and Siemens Energy today commissioned a pilot plant sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Tackling two birds with one stone is what Fulcrum is doing with its trash to treasure fuel – dealing with waste disposal AND helping airlines reduce carbon emissions. Jim Macias, President and CEO of Fulcrum, shared this illuminating presentation at ABLC Digital covering Fulcrum’s zero carbon,
(Bioenergy Insight) Green fuel generated from agricultural waste in Cornwall, UK, will be used to power the region’s road maintenance vehicle fleet. Working with Cormac, which looks after the fleet, Cornwall Council has joined forces with six of its Cornwall Council Farms estate-owned dairy farms and a Cornish technology company