by Cheri Bustos (D IL 17th) (FOXBusiness) A solution to high gas prices is being planted across the American Heartland — … I’m lucky enough to represent more than 7,000-square miles of Northwest and Central Illinois — home to nearly 10,000 family farms and seven biofuels plants in and around our
Illinois
(U.S. Department of Energy) Industry-led R&D Projects Will Develop Technologies for More Efficient Hydrogen Turbines and Production with CO2 Capture and Storage — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced $24.9 million in funding for six research and development projects to support the advancement of clean hydrogen for electricity generation.
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) … When news arrived that Bunge and CoverCress signed commercial partnership to support the expansion of CCI’s CoverCress technology, a new winter oilseed crop, and that Bunge Ventures recently increased its stake in CCI through a Series C-1 round, we were suitably impressed. Buried in the
(Navigator CO2 Ventures/PR Newswire) Navigator CO2 Ventures LLC (“Navigator”) announced today a long-term agreement with Big River Resources, LLC and Big River United Energy, LLC (“Big River”) to provide turnkey carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) services on Navigator’s Heartland Greenway system, to capture, transport and utilize or permanently store CO2 from
(ClearFlame) Study by Gladstein, Neandross & Associates highlights ClearFlame’s ability to help fleets lower total costs while meeting sustainability goals sooner than current alternatives — ClearFlame Engine Technologies, an Illinois-based company empowering rapid decarbonization for global heavy-duty industry, announced today the publication of an independent study that finds ClearFlame’s technology could help fleet

Where agriculture and energy meet: Biofuels and Feedstocks 2022 brings together leading experts from The Jacobsen, AgriCensus, and EnergyCensus to discuss the critical issues affecting the North American and worldwide industry. As the biofuels and feedstocks industry continues to gain global interest, join hundreds of decision-makers to hear the latest
(Waste Management) $825 Million Planned Investment Anticipated to Increase WM’s Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) Production 600 Percent to Help Fuel Entire Natural Gas Fleet and Communities across North America — Rounding out Earth Month, WM (NYSE: WM) plans to invest $825 million in its renewable energy footprint from 2022-2025 by expanding its
by Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) U.S. governors from eight Midwest states, many of which are major corn producers, asked the Biden administration on Thursday to apply rules that would allow gasoline blended with a higher level of ethanol to be sold year-round in their states. Governors from Iowa, Illinois and Minnesota said
(U.S. Department of Agriculture) Funding Will Add 40 million Gallons of Biofuels to the Market Annually — United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small today announced that USDA is awarding a $1.6 million biofuel infrastructure grant to Royal Farms to expand the availability of higher-blend renewable biofuels
(U.S. Department of Energy) The Rural Partners Network is a new collaboration to strengthen the link between federal agencies and rural communities. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) is proud to join this effort to help create jobs, build infrastructure, and ensure that federal resources benefit rural America. DOE
(Illinois Institute of Technology) A team of Illinois Institute of Technology researchers received a grant from ARPA-E to scale up an innovative process of carbon capture and conversion directly from exhaust gas sources such as power plants and industrial sites — Illinois Institute of Technology Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering Mohammad
(U.S. Department of Agriculture/Ethanol Producer Magazine) On April 12, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced steps the USDA is taking to implement President Biden’s plan to enable energy independence by boosting homegrown biofuels. “President Biden understands that by expanding our ability to meet our energy needs with homegrown biofuels, we can ensure a more
(Argonne National Laboratory) Made from organic waste, renewable natural gas is rapidly gaining ground as an alternative fuel source with the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Public and private interest in this low-carbon fuel has grown dramatically in recent years, said Marianne Mintz, principal transportation systems analyst at
(KIT) …Two Senate Ag Committee members recently urged the EPA to update its greenhouse gas modeling for biofuels. Senators John Thune, of South Dakota, and Amy Klobuchar, of Minnesota, asked the EPA to adopt the Argonne National Lab’s Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Transportation, or GREET model. The lawmakers
by Jacqui Fatka (Farm Progress) … It is hard to predict the demand picture under the expanded E15 scenario, but lower estimates of a continued status quo indicate at least 300 million gallons of additional ethanol could be used by consumers with the year-round use of E15. “But (if you
(Illinois Soybean Growers) The Illinois Soybean Growers (ISG) is celebrating the passage of the organization’s B20 Legislation, sponsored by State Senator Patrick Joyce (D–Essex) and State Representative Eva Dina Delgado (D–Chicago). The legislation passed both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly and now heads to the desk of Governor Pritzker.
by Chip Flory (AgWeb) The soybean industry continues to prep for what’s expected to be demand growth for renewable diesel, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), “green” marine fuels and higher blends of biodiesel in home heating in the eastern U.S. Here are a few numbers for perspective: Soybean oil use for biofuels
by Mark Peplow (Nature) Companies are scrambling to turn the greenhouse gas into useful products — but will that slow climate change? — Tongyezhen is a town with coal in its bones. … But later this year, a chemical plant here is set to become the world’s largest facility for
(Illinois Soybean Growers) The Illinois Soybean Growers (ISG) is celebrating the passage of the organization’s B20 Legislation, sponsored by State Senator Patrick Joyce (D–Essex). The legislation passed with strong bipartisan support from every region of Illinois, and it will now move to the Illinois House of Representatives where State Representative Eva
by Tony Harrington (GreenAir Online) Three significant new agreements have been announced to collectively deliver more than 1.5 billion litres of sustainable aviation fuel to seven airline operators, reports Tony Harrington. German-based freight airline DHL Express has agreed to acquire more than 800 million litres of SAF within the next five
by Kristen Mally Dean (Argonne National Laboratory) Using hydrous ethanol as a dual fuel in internal combustion engines may help reduce greenhouse gases in the rail industry. — … Essam El-Hannouny, a principal mechanical engineer at the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory, won a Technology Commercialization Fund (TCF) Award
by Valerie Sarisky-Reed (U.S. Department of Energy) … The journal Nature Biotechnology recently published a paper featuring cutting-edge work funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO). The article details a carbon-negative platform that uses microorganisms to convert carbon captured from agricultural, industrial, and societal waste streams into useful chemicals.
by Katie Schroeder (Ethanol Producer Magazine) With three CO2 pipelines in development, carbon capture and sequestration is poised to become a transformative force in ethanol production. The industry’s quest for net-zero emissions, in part, depends on it. — Carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) is arguably the hottest subject in ethanol
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) … (J)ust in is breaking news that they are collaborating in a new carbon capture and utilization project in Western Australia with ReCarbon and Woodside Energy. In today’s Digest, the project details, while you may know LanzaTech, exactly who are ReCarbon and Woodside Energy, what
(GreenBiz) A visit with ‘badass’ LanzaTech CEO Jennifer Holmgren (29:10) Jennifer Holmgren was thinking about retirement when she was recruited to lead the carbon recycling company LanzaTech. Under her leadership, the company has forged high-profile relationships to turn captured CO2 into materials for the likes of Zara, L’Oreal and Coty.
(Bergeson & Campbell) On March 16, 2022, the House Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Energy held a hearing on “Bioenergy Research and Development for the Fuels and Chemicals of Tomorrow.” According to the hearing charter, the purpose of the hearing was to examine the status of bioenergy research, development, and
(Newswise/Argonne National Laboratory) New chemical separations enable battery recycling, biodiesel — When recycling cans and bottles, at some point it becomes necessary to separate out plastic from metal. When recycling car batteries, getting out the most valuable metals also requires a separation, but this time it entails a specific kind of chemical
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) On Day 2 of ABLC in Washington, DC, The Digest announced the 50 Hottest Projects in the Advanced Bioeconomy 2022. This year, the focus was on advanced bioeconomy manufacturing sites, completed or in development, at pilot, demonstration or commercial scale for intermediates or finished products, rather
(Growth Energy) Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor sent a letter to U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Jennifer Granholm calling on the department to address the most recent inaccurate and misleading study by Tyler Lark and others that claims to have been partially funded by the department. The study directly contradicts conclusions from
by John Moody (Illinois State University/Biobased Diesel Daily) John Sedbrook, a professor of genetics at Illinois State University, is in the midst of a project that may prove to be the most important research of his career. Sedbrook and a team of researchers—comprised of faculty and students—are working to rapidly
by John O’Malley (Purdue University) Gozdem Kilaz, associate professor of engineering technology, has been recognized for her contributions to the research mission in Purdue University’s Polytechnic Institute. In May 2021, Kilaz received the college’s Outstanding Faculty in Discovery Award. Kilaz holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Bogazici University and earned a
by Fungmin Eric Liew (Lanza Tech/Nature Bioengineering Community) Industrial waste gas can serve as feedstock to manufacture fuels and chemicals through gas fermentation. Our work describes a collaborative and multidisciplinary team effort to engineer gas-utilizing microbe to produce acetone and isopropanol at industrial pilot scale in a carbon-negative fashion. Back
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Illinois, news arrived that LanzaTech will go public in a merger with the NASDAQ-traded blank check firm AMCI Acquisition Corp II. The deal is reported to value the company at $2.2 billion. The transaction is expected to raise gross proceeds of approximately $275 million, comprised
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) How are Thermal Kinetics and LanzaTech working together to solve today’s carbon problems? From distillation, dehydration and evaporation, from pilot to demo to full scale, find out how these two companies are collaborating on carbon solutions, and more. READ MORE
by Chen Ly (New Scientist) Bacteria have been modified to produce chemicals found in paint remover and hand sanitiser from carbon dioxide in the air, meaning they have negative emissions compared with traditional industrial methods — Bacteria engineered to turn carbon dioxide into compounds used in paint remover and hand sanitiser could
by Fungmin Eric Liew, Robert Nogle, Tanus Abdalla, et al. (Nature Biotechnology) Many industrial chemicals that are produced from fossil resources could be manufactured more sustainably through fermentation. Here we describe the development of a carbon-negative fermentation route to producing the industrially important chemicals acetone and isopropanol from abundant, low-cost
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) Biodiesel producers using soybean oil as a feedstock had what one agriculture economist called a “devastating year” in 2021, as the unprecedented high cost of soybean oil far outweighed all-time-high biodiesel prices of $6.42 a gallon. In a new profitability analysis of the industry released
by Chris Clayton (DTN Progressive Farmer) … An Iowa state senator’s bill would take away the companies’ ability to use eminent domain. The bill introduced by state Sen. Jeff Taylor, a Republican from northwest Iowa, would limit the use of eminent domain to public utilities and double the annual fee paid
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In part 2 of the Great Plains Institute’s just published Atlas of Carbon and Hydrogen Hubs, we look at where these 14 key carbon and hydrogen hubs are in the U.S., how can they offer the capacity to help the country expand and accelerate emissions
(U.S. Department of Energy ) On December 1, 2021, a United 737 Max 8 carried more than 100 passengers from Chicago to Washington, D.C.—just one of roughly 87,000 flights over the United States that day. Reporters and TV crews gathered to meet the travelers on the tarmac because this flight differed
by Sara Schafer (AgWeb) … “The administration is committed to making this happen, and so I think there is a much larger appetite to get this industry off the ground now than there even was six months or a year ago,” says Alexa Combelic, director of government affairs for the
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) A startup company developing technology that allows diesel trucks to run on straight renewable fuels such as ethanol announced this week at had successfully completed an on-road demonstration of the technology. ClearFlame Engine Technologies said in a news release the demonstration included installing its technology
by Will Thurmond (Emerging Markets) Renewable Diesel & Sustainable Aviation Fuels 2030, Vol 2. (249 pages, September 2021) provides a detailed analysis and outlook for low-carbon feedstock availability, and a feasibility assessment for technology commercialization pathways in sustainable aviation fuels and low-carbon renewable diesel production. INTRODUCTION AND TABLE OF CONTENTS
(LanzaJet) This partnership will utilize carbon capture and sequestration, renewable energy, and other innovative practices to bring lower-cost, low carbon-intensity sustainable aviation fuel, renewable diesel, and other sustainable hydrocarbons to the global market and help accelerate the decarbonization of various industries, including the tough to decarbonize aviation sector. Today, LanzaJet, a sustainable
(Air Liquide/Biomass Magazine) Air Liquide continues its development of biomethane activities with the construction in the U.S. of its largest biomethane production unit in the world. This will bring the worldwide biomethane production capacity of the group to 1.8 TWh. The new production unit in the State of Illinois will allow
by Mike Hughlett (Star Tribune) … Right now, the CO2 pipelines don’t require approval from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC). But the PUC in December opened a proceeding on whether it should change state regulations to deem CO2 pipelines as hazardous. The Minnesota Departments of Transportation, Agriculture, Commerce and
(ATR) Regional aircraft manufacturer ATR today announced that it has successfully performed a series of ground and flight tests on its ATR 72-600 prototype aircraft, cumulating seven flight hours with 100 % Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in one engine. The aircraft was powered by Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel™ produced
by Catherine Clifford (CNBC) • Chicago-based start-up LanzaJet is scaling one potential solution for the airline industry: jet fuel made with low carbon intensity ethanol. • The aviation sector causes 11% of transportation-related emissions in the United States, and virtually all of that comes from jet fuel. • Other solutions
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) Like a feeding frenzy that doubles Godzilla’s size, in West Virginia, Downey Ridge Environmental Company, developer of Greasezilla FOG (fats, oils & grease) separation and processing systems will more than double the number of Greasezilla systems in operation during 2022, and that’s on top of
(National Biodiesel Board/Clean Fuels Alliance Americ) Clean Fuels Recognized as Essential Part of a Low-Carbon Transportation Future — The National Biodiesel Board this week announced its transition to a new name, Clean Fuels Alliance America, reflecting the organization’s progressive vision and the diversity of clean fuels its members produce – including
(National Biodiesel Board/Biobased Diesel Daily) … Six decades later, a lot has changed for John Benish Jr., the second-generation executive of the family-owned and operated school bus company based in Oak Brook, Illinois. For one thing, today’s kids have clean-emission buses to ride on—with biodiesel playing a big role. Benish
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) News just in that Indaba Renewable Fuels will build two greenfield refineries in California and Missouri to produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel utilizing Topsoe’s HydroFlex technology. The facilities are expected to begin production of SAF in 2024 with the capacity of the plants expected to be 6500
by Tyne Morgan (Farm Journal AgWeb) The Biden Administration is ramping up its efforts to deploy clean energy infrastructure across the country. The White House announced this week plans to utilize public lands and rural America for wind, solar and other clean energy projects, but admits it will be a balance to ensure
(ADM) Wolf Carbon Solutions US LLC (Wolf Carbon Solutions) and ADM (NYSE: ADM), a global leader in nutrition and agricultural origination and processing, today announced that they have signed a Letter of Intent paving the pathway toward further decarbonization of ADM’s footprint via construction of a pipeline – developed, owned and
by Christina Nunez (Industry Today) Research suggests that swapping heavy fuel with fuel made from wood waste, waste fats, oils and greases could cut planet-warming emissions. … Using batteries instead of heavy fuel oil to propel gigantic cargo ships, which annually move more than 10 billion tons of goods, isn’t yet
(National Biodiesel Board) With much of the country facing the onslaught of winter weather and the challenges it can bring, many fleets will power their diesel vehicles with biodiesel blends throughout the winter months, including the Chicago Park District. With much of the country facing the onslaught of winter weather and
by Hugo Martin (Los Angeles Times/Aviation Pros) … In a first, one of the two engines on the 737 Max 8 was powered exclusively by fuel made from used cooking oil and rendered waste fat from beef, pork and chicken. Refined at a Southern California plant, the fuel produces about 80%
by Tony Harrington (GreenAir Online) New US-based short-haul carrier Connect Airlines has announced plans to become “America’s first zero-emission airline”, signing a letter of intent to retrofit up to 24 turboprop aircraft with hydrogen propulsion systems from California’s Universal Hydrogen. The airline has committed to 12 conversion kits for Dash 8-300
by Herb Trix (WVIK/Radio Iowa) Iowa’s largest manufacturing employer is partnering with a Chicago-area company to reduce harmful emissions from its equipment by replacing diesel fuel with ethanol. Quad Cities-based John Deere is working with ClearFlame Engine Technologies of Geneva, Illinois, where CEO B.J. Johnson says their initial work was on
(Fulcrum Bioenergy) Represents a significant milestone for Fulcrum’s second zero-carbon transportation fuels project — Fulcrum BioEnergy, Inc., a pioneer in the production of low-carbon transportation fuels, announced today the completion of an interim financing to fund Fulcrum’s second waste-to-fuels project, culminating in the issuance by the Indiana Finance Authority of
by Martha Blum (AgriNews) … “I’m very confident biofuels will play an important role in our global energy future, but I expect it to be a bumpy ride,” said Scott Irwin, Laurence J. Norton Chair of Agricultural Marketing in the Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics at the University of Illinois.
by Susanne Retka Schill (Great Plains Institute) As US and world leaders engage on climate change and carbon reduction efforts, leaders in the American ethanol industry have announced pledges and efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The country’s largest ethanol producer, POET LLC, and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA),
by Ariana Fine (NGT News) Chicago Area Clean Cities Coalition (CACC) has named its 2021 Leadership Award winners. The awards are given annually to organizations and individuals that take actions to locally reduce vehicle emissions and improve air quality. This year’s awardees include Rivian, Ozinga, Cook-Illinois Corp., Trillium and B20 Club. Dr.
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Advanced Biofuels Association commissioned LMC International to forecast the outlook for supply of lipid feedstocks to determine their ability to meet the ABFA’s goal of reaching 21 billion gallons of biomass-based diesel (BBD) by 2040 and 9 billion gallons of BBD by 2030. So
(LanzaTech) Today, LanzaTech has announced a collaboration with Inditex that led to the design of a capsule collection for the retail group’s largest brand Zara that incorporates fabric made with carbon emissions, avoiding their emission into the atmosphere (CarbonSmart™). “We are hugely excited about this collaboration with Inditex and Zara which
by Leslie Josephs (CNBC) -Sustainable aviation fuel accounts for much less than 1% of global aviation fuel. -The FAA is giving research grants in effect to help drive down the high cost of greener sustainable fuel. -Airlines, trade groups and governments are striving to meet ambitious targets to reduce aviation
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The USDA on Dec. 3 awarded a combined $3.1 million to eight recipients under the Higher Blends Infrastructure Inventive Program. HBIIP aims to increase the sales and use of higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel by expanding renewable fuels infrastructure. The HBIIP awards were announced
(National Biodiesel Board) Optimus and ADM long-haul trucking collaboration led to significant insights — B100 is one step closer to being a reality for commercial fleet operations thanks to the results of a pilot program that tested the fuel in five class-8 over-the-road trucks. The pilot, which was a collaboration among
(U.S. Department of Energy) The first United Airlines passenger flight to fly using 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) will depart today from Chicago O’Hare International Airport at 1 p.m. ET and will arrive at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport at 4 p.m. ET. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO)
(Oberon Fuels) Awards recognize DME as a viable, low-carbon solution for use in a variety of vehicles and as a variety of fuel types — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) has awarded more than $4 million in funding to test novel applications of dimethyl ether (DME)
by Tony Harrington (GreenAir Online) A major partnership has been formed by SAS Scandinavian Airlines, Swedish energy company Vattenfall, Shell Aviation and LanzaTech to explore the large-scale production in Sweden of synthetic sustainable aviation fuel, using carbon dioxide recycled from district heating, reports Tony Harrington. By 2026-27, the consortium plans

The agriculture industry’s premier producer-focused business conference. The insights, updates and conversations are all designed to help you Power Up Your Business in 2022 and beyond. This year’s theme is Power Up Your Business, and we’re putting together a dynamic lineup of speakers and discussion sessions to get you ready
by Steve Lundeberg (Oregon State University/TechXplore) Alternative-energy research at Oregon State University is charting a path toward the mass adoption of clean cars powered by direct-ethanol fuel cells. Zhenxing Feng of the OSU College of Engineering helped lead the development of a catalyst that solves three key problems long associated with
by Donnelle Eller (Des Moines Register) … Two companies — Summit Carbon Solutions and Navigator CO2 Ventures — want to build pipelines that will be used to move carbon dioxide captured from ethanol, fertilizer and other agricultural industrial plants. The companies plan to use pressure to liquify the carbon dioxide, transport it and then
(ACT News/Trillium) … The Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District (MTD) in Illinois, recently unveiled two hydrogen fuel cell buses and fueling stations. … Champaign-Urbana Buses are ‘Riding on Sunshine’ — MTD is the first transit agency in the nation with a hydrogen fleet fueled entirely from a 100% renewable source. By harnessing
by Matthew Choi (Politico’s Morning Energy) A bipartisan group of Midwestern lawmakers is taking aim at the potential for EPA to retroactively lower biofuel blending mandates under the Renewable Fuel Standard. Reps. Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa), Rodney Davis (R-Ill.), Angie Craig (D-Minn.) and Ron Kind (D-Wis.) introduced the Defend the Blend Act on Tuesday that would prevent the agency from
(U.S. Department of Agriculture) … One approach to making soy jet fuel relies on the use of a precious metal called ruthenium to catalyze reactions that chemically modify the structure and properties of the oil’s unsaturated fatty acids. The problem with this approach is that it generates too few aromatic compounds,
by Jenna Hoffman (AgWeb) BioUrja Ethanol Trading Manager Jordan Fife shared blending insights with AgriTalk’s host Chip Flory earlier this week. Fife says when you pull up to the pump, 10% ethanol blended fuel is going to be cheaper than straight gasoline, even if they’re both at the 87 percent octane. He
by Craig Bettenhausen (Chemical & Engineering News) The deal would be an expansion for Gevo and a move away from ethanol for ADM — … ADM and the biobased chemical maker Gevo have signed a letter of intent that calls for Gevo to take 3.4 billion L per year of
by Tom Doran (AgriNews) The Illinois Soybean Association delivered its biodiesel message directly to farmers as they brought their crops to elevators. ISA hosted Breakfast and Biodiesel events at Central Grain Co., Belvidere; M&M Service Co., Litchfield; Roanoke Farmers Association, Roanoke; and Premier Cooperative, Thomasboro. Breakfast sandwiches, coffee and a flier promoting
by Erik Kobayashi-Solomon (Forbes) A visit this summer to New Zealand-American synthetic biology company, LanzaTech, opened my eyes to what the term “paradigm shift” means. LanzaTech is an industrial chemicals company that leverages innovations in biology, artificial intelligence, and precision engineering to create the molecules that make everything from yoga
by Michael Bates (NGT News) The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) has awarded more than $4 million in funding to test novel applications of dimethyl ether (DME) as a low-carbon alternative to fossil fuels. Oberon Fuels, a company producing renewable DME (rDME) in the U.S., is a supporting
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) LanzaTech, Northwestern, University of South Florida and Georgia Institute of Technology researchers are working on the engineered reveral of the β-oxidation cycle in clostridia for the synthesis of fuels and chemicals. The objective? To develop clostridia to ferment synthesis gas produced from cellulosic biomass by established
(On, Inc./CISION) Swiss sports brand On leads supply chain coalition to reshape carbon waste into running shoes — Main Facts: – On announces CleanCloud™ – a sustainability initiative using carbon emissions to create foam for running shoes. – On is moving away from petroleum-based resources and is reshaping carbon waste into EVA foam.
(Office of Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17)) Today (November 3, 2021), during a House Agriculture Committee hearing on the immediate challenges to the nation’s food supply chain, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17)responded to testimony urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set lower 2021 and 2022 Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) mandates for biodiesel
(U.S. Department of Energy/Clean Technica) 25 Research, Development, and Demonstration Projects Will Advance Electrification of Freight Trucks, Reduce Vehicle Emissions and Improve Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure — Vice President Kamala Harris joined U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm in New York yesterday to announce the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) Count John Deere among the companies investing in a startup company developing a heavy-duty truck engine able to run on straight ethanol. ClearFlame Engine Technologies announced Thursday it had secured another $17 million in funding from several companies, including the agriculture-industry stalwart. The funding is
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) How can we produce bioenergy in a manner that increases water use efficiency, lowers regional water stress, and mitigates nutrient and sediment loss? That’s the question Argonne National Lab researchers are working on with their latest water resource management for bioenergy and bioproducts project. From
(Illinois Soybean Association/Biobased Diesel Daily) Elliott Uphoff, the Illinois Soybean Association’s District 10 director and board secretary, is in the thick of the harvest season and is proving that biodiesel can fuel farmers’ bottom lines all year long. Uphoff fuels up with B20, a blend of 20 percent biodiesel, in
(WNAX) The North Dakota Soybean Council is launching a biodiesel campaign after harvest to increase use in the state. Director or Market Development Jena Bjertness says they want to help farmers get more accustomed to using biodiesel blends on their own farm. She says the rebate program will help incentivize farmers
by Rod Nickel and Karl Plume (Reuters) The biggest global agriculture companies are competing on a new front: enticing farmers to join programs that keep atmosphere-warming carbon dioxide in the soil. Fertilizer producers Nutrien Ltd (NTR.TO) and Yara (YAR.OL), agribusiness giant Cargill Inc (CARG.UL), and seed and chemical dealers Corteva Inc (CTVA.N) and Bayer AG (BAYGn.DE) are
(Gevo) ADM (NYSE: ADM), a global leader in nutrition and agricultural origination and processing, and Gevo, Inc., (NASDAQ: GEVO), a pioneer in transforming renewable energy into low carbon, energy-dense liquid hydrocarbons, announced today that they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to support the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Illinois, the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center (NCERC), located in University Park of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, has been awarded $1.9 million though the Rebuild Illinois Wet Lab Capital program by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). NCERC joins seven other laboratories from
(New Flyer/NGV Journal) The Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District (MTD) unveiled its first-in-America renewable transportation project. MTD’s “Riding on Sunshine” project will see the deployment of zero-emission, fuel cell Xcelsior CHARGE H2™ articulated buses from New Flyer of America Inc. (subsidiary of NFI Group), refueled with a 100% renewable hydrogen supply powered
(Navigator Ventures/PR Newswire) Navigator CO2 Ventures LLC (“Navigator”) announced today that as a result of commitments received during its binding open season, it has obtained the necessary board approvals to proceed with its proposed carbon capture pipeline system, the Heartland Greenway. Based upon the substantial market reception for the project, Navigator is
by Amanda Morris (Northwestern Now) Method can be implemented based on existing technologies — Researchers argue that long-range vehicles, including cargo ships, should be powered by solid oxide fuel cells and use onboard carbon dioxide (CO2) capture; Depending on fuel type, this solution is CO2 neutral or even CO2 negative;
by Nora Goldstein and Kat McCarthy (BioCycle Magazine) NRDC commissioned a survey of food waste hierarchy-related policies in 12 states across 3 regions. The publicly available reports are an invaluable resource. — The NRDC’s (Natural Resources Defense Council) Food Matters initiative partners with cities to “achieve meaningful reductions” in food waste
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Argonne National Laboratory’s Systems Assessment Center on Oct. 11 announced the 2021 release of the suite of GREET models, an analytical tool that stimulates the energy use and emissions output of vehicle and fuel combinations. Major expansions and updates included in GREET 2021 include those

(Illinois Soybean Association) The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) is hosting Breakfast + Biodiesel events this October at four Illinois grain elevators this fall to promote on-farm use of soy-based biodiesel. This harvest season ISA will provide a well-deserved hearty meal as a thank you to Illinois farmers for their long harvest
by Gene Lucht (Iowa Farmer Today) Things are looking up, but they are also very much up in the air when it comes to ethanol this year. While ethanol production facilities have benefited from an improved national economy as the U.S. emerges from the economic doldrums of the COVID-19 pandemic, industry experts
(LanzaTech) Visit highlights the potential of rural America to create domestic supplies of sustainable fuels and chemicals. — LanzaTech and LanzaJet welcomed Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm and Senator Jon Ossoff to the Freedom Pines Biorefinery in Soperton, Georgia. The site is a center of research, development and scale-up
(Biofuels International) LanzaTech is partnering with the Energy Department’s Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) to build and operate a pre-pilot facility to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). This will be made from biogenic waste carbon dioxide (CO2) such as is emitted from corn refining, and renewable hydrogen (H2). LanzaTech will use renewable power from
(U.S. Department of Agriculture) U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today an investment of more than $146 million in sustainable agricultural research projects aimed at improving a robust, resilient, climate-smart food and agricultural system. This investment is made under the National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s (NIFA) Sustainable
(Biofuels Central) Two studies conducted by Transport Energy Strategies (TES) and THiggins Energy Consulting show that gasoline blended with ethanol lowers carbon intensity (CI) even more than what is modeled and what is shown in recent studies. A key finding in both studies is that blended ethanol not only displaces some
(Marquis) Marquis Incorporated’s CEO, Mark Marquis, announced a plan for the Marquis Industrial Park to be the world’s first carbon-neutral industrial park with on-site carbon injection. Last week Marquis began drilling its first 5,000-foot test well to determine the total capacity available for carbon sequestration in the Mt. Simon Sandstone
(Honeywell/PR Newswire) – Wood’s hydrogen plant technology coupled with Honeywell UOP EcofiningTM process technology and carbon capture and storage can reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions 100% when compared to petroleum-based aviation fuels – Widespread use of Honeywell and Wood technologies have potential to remove the equivalent of 34 million metric tons
(LanzaTech) The U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office announced more than $64 million in funding for 22 projects focused on developing technologies and processes that produce low-cost, low-carbon biofuels. SkyNRG Americas in partnership with LanzaTech was awarded $1 million in funding for Project LOTUS (Landfill Off-gas To Ultra-low carbon intensity SAF) to design, build, operate, and maintain
(LanzaTech) LanzaTech and Argonne National Lab Awarded funding for Aviation Project in Georgia. — The White House set a goal of replacing all jet fuel with sustainable alternatives by 2050, saying it could cut emissions from flying by 20 percent by the end of the decade. To help meet that goal,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) There are literally tons of food waste per year but biofilm can help increase hydrolysis and methanogenesis reaction rates and help solve anaerobic digestion challenges. Take a look at Argonne National Lab’s latest on how they are improving reaction kinetics to increase methane yield while reducing
(U.S. Department of Energy) Projects align with administration’s new goal of decarbonizing the aviation sector by 2050 – – As part of a White House roundtable to launch the Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) Grand Challenge to decarbonize the aviation sector by 2050, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced $64.7 million in funding for projects focused on producing cost-effective, low-carbon biofuels. These investments will advance technologies to create replacements for petroleum fuels used in heavy-duty forms of transportation, like airplanes and
(United Airlines/PR Newswire) United agrees to purchase 1.5 billion gallons of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) over 20 years – which is one and a half times the size of the rest of the world’s airlines’ publicly announced SAF commitments combined Honeywell first pioneered SAF production technology and will use its proven
(RadioIowa) Third district Congresswoman Cindy Axne is co-chair of the new Rural Reinvestment Task Force formed by the New Democrat Coalition in the U.S. House. Axne says she’ll be recruiting other House Democrats who can articulate a policy agenda that supports rural communities. “I see it as an opportunity for us
(Argonne National Laboratory/Tech Xplore) Marine shipping traffic has grown steadily over the past decade—and so have the associated greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon emissions from ships grew almost 10% between 2012 and 2018, and the industry is a large consumer of petroleum fuel. Substituting biofuel could reduce the amount of greenhouse
by Lillianna Byington (Bloomberg Government) Lawmakers and industry are pushing for incentives to make flying greener as part of a $3.5 trillion tax and spending bill. Democrats, who are prioritizing environmental projects in budget negotiations, say they see support for provisions such as a sustainable aviation fuel tax credit among their caucus. American
by Keith Button (Aerospace America) The air transport industry lacks enough suppliers of sustainable aviation fuel to meet the anticipated demand as airlines become more aggressive about reining in their carbon footprints and more travelers take to the air. Keith Button describes one company’s unique approach to meeting the demand. The
(Pantagraph) … The renewable fuel, produced from plants like corn and soybeans, is big business in the Midwest, providing a key market for farmers and helping support thousands of jobs in mostly rural areas. A half-dozen federal lawmakers heard from some of these producers Wednesday morning at a “Biofuels Policy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Bunge, REG and Bayer helped CoverCress raise a total of $22 million including $8 million in Series B in 2021. What does that mean for this low carbon cash cover crop and for growers? What is their commercial track? How are the harvest and oil
by Beth Welbers (Geneseo Republic) Henry County has the good fortune to have two ethanol plants call the county home. Farmers are able to sell their corn directly to the plants. The addition of the ethanol plants to the market expands the options of selling directly to the local elevators, holding grain in
(Brookhaven National Laboratory) A team from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) has bred a plant that produces more oil by manipulating the availability of sugar for oil synthesis. The team, led by BNL’s John Shanklin, achieved these results in using leaves of the fast-growing plant Arabidopsis, to mimic stem cells of
(National Biodiesel Board) Truck Was Part of Cooperative Pilot Program That Could Pave the Way to Widespread B100 Use in Fleets — One of the five trucks used in last year’s cooperative B100 pilot program will be on display at the 2021 Farm Progress Show in Decatur, Illinois. The pilot, conducted by ADM,
by Alexander H. Tullo (Chemical & Engineering News) LyondellBasell’s facility, nearly 70 years old, couldn’t compete with ethanol distillers — The petrochemical giant LyondellBasell Industries will exit the synthetic ethanol business—one of its longest-standing operations—by the end of October. The company is closing its ethanol plant in Tuscola, Illinois, where it
(Office of Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17)) Industry leaders praise bill, Bustos as champion for clean liquid fuels — U.S. Representatives Cheri Bustos (IL-17) introduced the Next Generation Fuels Act, legislation that leverages greater fuel octane to reduce carbon emissions from transportation, improve air quality by reducing the use of harmful aromatics and increase
by Tim Theiss (Oak Ridge National Laboratory) A multi-laboratory team of scientists led by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is studying the feasibility of using energy-dense biofuels such as biocrude and bio-oil to meet new emissions regulations for cargo ships. Cargo vessels ferrying commodities around the world are powered by two-stroke
(Bio Market Insights) A team of researchers from Northwestern University, Illinois have developed a novel means of decarbonising the shipping industry, using CO2-capturing solid oxide fuel cells to make vessels carbon neutral – or even carbon negative. These fuel cells ‘burn’ traditional carbon-based fuels and generate their own CO2 onboard
by Chris Clayton (DTN Progressive Farmer) After years of battles over oil pipelines, two companies are pitching carbon dioxide pipelines that would crisscross six states and combine to sink as much as 24 million metric tons of carbon emissions into geologic formations — if they can convince landowners and others their
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) Two of four antitrust lawsuits filed against Archer Daniels Midland, alleging ethanol market manipulation, were dismissed by a federal court in Illinois. The remaining two cases are on track for trial in 2024. The U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois in Urbana
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) … Change represents opportunity. Here are 7 Transformations of the Highway system worth tracking now. 1. New roadtop materials. Paving materials are heading in a sustainable direction. Bitumen (asphalt) can now be made using biobased technology and biomass resources — typically, pyrolysis is used. That’s a same-as
(U.S. Department of Energy) Nine Research Projects Will Advance Cost-Effective Carbon Capture Technologies — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced $24 million in funding for nine research projects to explore and develop new methods of capturing and storing carbon from the air. Direct Air Capture (DAC) is an expanding field in decarbonization and a key facet of the plan to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. “Finding ways to remove and store carbon directly from
(University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign/Science Daily) Scientists have developed a bioprocess using engineered yeast that completely and efficiently converted plant matter consisting of acetate and xylose into high-value bioproducts. A team of scientists at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign developed a bioprocess using engineered yeast that completely and efficiently converted
(UOP Honeywell) North American-based refiner selects Honeywell UOP single-stage Ecofining™ technology — Honeywell today (August 5, 2021) announced that PBF Energy Inc., an independent petroleum refiner and supplier of transportation fuels, would use Honeywell Ecofining™ technology for a potential renewable diesel project at its Chalmette Refinery in Louisiana. PBF is
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) How can anaerobic membrane bioreactors increase wet waste’s net energy yield? That’s exactly what University of Illinois scientists are working on to develop improved AnMBR and integrate it into pilot demonstration. Find out their results so far, if they were able to improve wet waste
by Stephen Groves (Associated Press) Two companies seeking to build thousands of miles of pipeline across the Midwest are promising the effort will aid rather than hinder the fight against climate change, though some environmental groups remain skeptical. The pipelines would stretch from North Dakota to Illinois, potentially transforming the Corn
by Lisa Gibson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The Summit Carbon Solutions’ pipeline, a visionary multi-billion dollar project in the making representing about 15% of the U.S. ethanol industry, will allow producers to permanently sequester their carbon dioxide and cut their CI scores in half. Stretching across five states and collecting carbon
(GTI) GTI is pleased to announce it has recently entered into licensing agreements with the Global LPG Partnership (GLPGP) and BioLPG, LLC (BioLPG), for GTI’s Cool LPG technology that indicates utility for decarbonizing energy systems and supplying green LPG for both the developing and developed worlds. The Cool LPG technology
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) LanzaTech’s Dr. Laurel Harmon shared this illuminating slide guide at the BETO Peer Review on jet and diesel fuel production from industrial waste gases, commercialization of ethanol-to-jet technology by building a standalone Alcohol-to-Jet pre-commercial demonstration facility to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and diesel, the
(PBS NewsHour) Plastic pollution is a global threat on our lands and seas. Since World War II, we have created over 9 billion cubic tons of it, yet its recycling remains extremely limited. As part of our “Breakthroughs” series, Miles O’Brien looks at new ideas and innovations, such as chemical
by Stephen Groves (Associated Press) Two companies seeking to build thousands of miles of pipeline across the Midwest are promising the effort will aid rather than hinder the fight against climate change, though some environmental groups remain skeptical. The pipelines would stretch from North Dakota to Illinois, potentially transforming the Corn
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) LanzaTech, Purdue and PNNL are working together to develop a commercially viable process to convert an ethanol-derived olefin intermediate into a jet-range hydrocarbon with 60 wt.% yield to cycloalkanes and demonstrate its commercial utility as a jet blendstock via fuel property analysis, ASTM characterization, and
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Evaluating sustainable scale up of algae production systems, algal biofuels, and algal bioproducts is no easy task, but scientists at Argonne National Lab are looking into this by looking at the life cycle analysis of advanced algal systems to see just how feasible it really

Returning to Chicago this fall, the 13th Annual OPIS RFS, RINs & Biofuels Forum will be in-person! This means you’ll have the chance to experience the same unsurpassed regulatory and marketplace discussions that you’ve come to rely on at this event in addition to essential in-person networking. Refiners, blenders, retailers, importers
(University of Illinois/EurekAlert!) Bioenergy from crops is a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. New crops such as energycane can produce several times more fuel per acre than soybeans. Yet, challenges remain in processing the crops to extract fuel efficiently. Four new studies from the University of Illinois explore chemical-free pretreatment methods,
(Fulcrum BioEnergy/PR Newswire) World’s First Garbage to Zero-Carbon Transportation Fuels Plant Has Begun Start-up and Commissioning — Fulcrum BioEnergy, Inc., a pioneer in the production of low-carbon fuels, announced today that it has completed construction on the world’s first commercial-scale plant converting household garbage into low-cost, zero-carbon transportation fuels. Through Fulcrum’s
by Ian Palmer (Biofuels Digest) … Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is an escape hatch, or an offset, to be used if there are “leftover” GHG emissions. If a country is on a pathway to reduce GHG to zero by a certain date, but leftover GHG are still being emitted at
(U.S. Department of Energy/Biomass Magazine) A multi-laboratory team of scientists led by Oak Ridge National Laboratory is studying the feasibility of using energy-dense biofuels such as biocrude and bio-oil to meet new emissions regulations for cargo ships. Cargo vessels ferrying commodities around the world are powered by two-stroke engines that are
U.S. Environment Agency Urged by 21 States to Toughen Vehicle Emissions Rewrite
by David Shepardson (Reuters) A group of 21 state attorneys general, the District of Columbia, and several major U.S. cities urged the Biden administration to finalize significantly stricter vehicle emissions rules than it has proposed. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in August called for reversing the Trump-era loosening of vehicle