by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... Ethanol has gone through many cycles, said Lucy Norton, managing director of Iowa Renewable Fuels. It became popular in the fuel shortages around the oil embargoes in the industry’s early years, and then as
Ethanol Producer Green Plains Has Plans to Feed Its Own Cattle
by Lynn Doan (Bloomberg) Green Plains Inc. (GPRE), which just became the first major ethanol producer to buy its own cattle-feed yard, has plans to milk it for more -- by buying the cattle too. The fourth-largest ethanol maker in the U.S.
June 12, 2014 Read Full Article
Developers of the First Cellulosic Plants Share Updates at FEW
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... A week before the FEW, Enerkem Inc. celebrated the inauguration of its 10 MMgy facility in Edmonton, Alberta. Commissioning is nearly completed, reported Tim Cesarek, senior vice president of business development. The thermochemical process
June 12, 2014 Read Full Article
Chimera Enzyme May Make Better Biofuels from Waste
by Hal Hodson (New Scientist) A chemical chimera may one day help break down stubborn plant matter into biofuel. The feat involves mixing enzymes from two types of plant-munching bacteria that would never have met in nature. Biofuel producers use the
June 12, 2014 Read Full Article
Why Are Ethanol Prices and Production Profits So High?
by Scott Irwin and Darrel Good (FarmDocDaily/University of Illinois) The ethanol production industry is in the midst of a long "winning streak" in terms of profits. The current run of historically high profits began in March 2013 and was punctuated
June 12, 2014 Read Full Article
Producers Presented with Options for Coproduct Diversification
by Ron Kotrba (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Diversifying ethanol coproduct streams is big business in today’s market as producers seek to add value to their product portfolios, a major focus of discussion at the 2014 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo
June 12, 2014 Read Full Article
USDA Announces Funding Availability for Turning Biomass Material into Energy
(US Department of Agriculture) Now Apply for Renewed Biomass Crop Assistance Program. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today (June 9, 2014) announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin accepting applications June 16 from energy facilities interested in receiving
June 12, 2014 Read Full Article
Boat Motor Makers Issue Warning on Gas with Higher Ethanol Content
by Rick Barrett (Journal Sentinel) Wisconsin now has a dozen gasoline stations selling fuel with a 15% blend of the fuel additive ethanol, second only to Iowa and ahead of 10 other states. Beaver Dam-based United Cooperative recently upgraded its
June 12, 2014 Read Full Article
Storm over China's Corn, DDG Imports 'Temporary' - USDA Boss
(Agrimoney.com) China's apparent curbs on imports of US distillers' grains and corn represent only a "temporary" hiccup, Joseph Glauber, one of the most important people in agriculture, although the head of a major Chinese grains group took a more cautious
June 12, 2014 Read Full Article
Hydro Dynamics, Inc. Expands Ethanol Industry Offerings to Include Integrated Biodiesel Plants for Corn Oil Processing
(Hydro Dynamics, Inc./PR Web) Hydro Dynamics, Inc. and its partners World Energy and PhiBro Ethanol Performance Group are now offering “bolt-on” biodiesel plants incorporating the ShockWave Power Reactor for the conversion of corn oil to biodiesel. By installing a biodiesel
June 12, 2014 Read Full Article
The 50 Most Visible Companies in the Advanced Bioeconomy 2014
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Product launches, project start-ups, scale-up stumbles, litigation, feedstock controversy, name investors coming on board — they all add up to one thing: visibility. And if you’re among those who believe “I don’t care what you write,
June 12, 2014 Read Full Article
Japanese Cars Soda Drinks Show Future for Abengoa Biofuel
by Rodrigo Orihuela (Bloomberg) Abengoa SA (ABG/P), the Spanish renewable energy company investing in biofuels, is in talks with Japanese car manufacturers and soft-drink makers to help them develop products ranging from bottles to chemicals. “All types of companies -- automotive,
June 12, 2014 Read Full Article
McIntyre Announces Over $1.7 Million to Support New Biofuel Facility
(U.S. Representative Mike McIntyre) Project will create 65 jobs and support clean energy production U.S. Representative Mike McIntyre announced today that the City of Clinton has received $1,758,150 to construct water and sewer infrastructure to support the new Chemtex cellulosic biofuel
June 10, 2014 Read Full Article
Edeniq Validates Ethanol Yield Increases
(Edeniq/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Edeniq Inc., a biomaterials and sustainable fuels company, has announced the successful performance of its Pathway Validation Facility. Edeniq’s Pathway Platform is a proprietary, integrated platform that produces cellulosic ethanol inside existing corn ethanol plants. The pilot
June 10, 2014 Read Full Article
An Open Letter to Tom Steyer
Dear Mr. Steyer: According to a Washington Post article on June 9th 2014, you will be divested of all your investments in fossil fuel enterprises by the end of this month. As the article discussed, that meant you continued to make
June 10, 2014 Read Full Article
Exporting U.S. Natural Gas Isn’t as “Clean” as You Think
by Steven Mufson (The Washington Post) One of the rallying cries in favor of liquefying and exporting U.S. natural gas has been to help reduce greenhouse gases in other countries, by crowding out coal in Asia and Europe. Yet tucked into
June 10, 2014 Read Full Article
Expanding American Ethanol to China
by Kelly Davis (Renewable Fuels Associations) I (Kelly Davis, Director of Regulatory Affairs) had the unique opportunity to participate in a 10-day U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) trade mission to China that began on May 5. I joined USDA Under Secretary
June 09, 2014 Read Full Article
Obama Really Wishes He Could Put a Price on Carbon
(Grist) President Obama explained his thinking about climate change during a sit-down interview with New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman; it will air Monday night during the final episode of Showtime’s climate series “Years of Living Dangerously.” Friedman also shared lots of
June 09, 2014 Read Full Article
BIOFUELS – Eucalyptus Gold
(Oak Ridge National Laboratory) By optimizing the production of terpene in eucalyptus plants, researchers hope to reduce this organic compound’s volatility and ultimately increase energy yields per plant. Terpene, a hydrocarbon, can be converted in sufficient quantities into a biofuel,
June 09, 2014 Read Full Article
EPA Should Recognize Roles of Biomass, Biotechnology in Mitigating Global Warming, BIO Says
(Biotechnology Industry Organization) The Environmental Protection Agency should recognize that carbon emissions from renewable biomass are fundamentally different from those of fossil fuels and that biotechnology can and must play a key role in mitigating fossil carbon emissions, the Biotechnology
June 09, 2014 Read Full Article
An Ecological Risk Research Agenda for Synthetic Biology
(Synthetic Biology Project) Environmental scientists and synthetic biologists have for the first time developed a set of key research areas to study the potential ecological impacts of synthetic biology, a field that could push beyond incremental changes to create organisms
June 09, 2014 Read Full Article
Boeing Reports Improved Environmental Performance
(Boeing) Boeing [NYSE: BA] today (June 5, 2014) released its annual Environment Report highlighting the company's commitments and accomplishments in improving environmental performance for its products and operations. The report also features Boeing's continuing progress in sustainable growth and environmental conservation
June 09, 2014 Read Full Article
Ennovor First in UK to Earn RSB Sustainability Certification
(Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials) – Ennovor Group has earned the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) sustainability certification for their used cooking oil methyl ester (UCOME) biodiesel. “As an international certification system, RSB is appropriate for any feedstock in any country thus works
June 09, 2014 Read Full Article
18 Free Studies on 21 Next-Wave Biofuels Feedstocks
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Thought you knew everything there was to know about some of biofuels’ favorite feedstocks? Here are 18 free reports that may dampen or re-ignite your enthusiasm. ...To bring you up to speed on the latest about
June 09, 2014 Read Full Article
Court Upholds Upper Peninsula Ethanol Plant Review but Project Likely Dropped
by Eric Freedman (Great Lakes Echo) A federal appeals court has rejected a challenge to an environmental assessment of a $100 million construction subsidy for an ethanol plant in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) had assessed the project’s
June 09, 2014 Read Full Article
Summer Means No E15
by Cindy Zimmerman (Domestic Fuel) ...“The Environmental Protection Agency’s outdated interpretation of Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) regulations is preventing the sale of E15 in most of the country during the busy summer driving season, adding billions to travelers’ fuel costs,”
June 09, 2014 Read Full Article
Government Urged to Promote Algae Bio-fuel Products
by Manish Raj (The Times of India) CHENNAI: Chemical Industries Association, an apex body representing a cross section of chemical industries based in Chennai, has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to consider promoting algae bio-fuel products. ... While the demand of crude
June 09, 2014 Read Full Article
ICM Announces Agreements for Cellulosic Technology, Selective Milling Technology (SMT)
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ...Annawan, Illinois-based Patriot Holdings LLC has signed a letter of intent for ICM’s patent-pending FST and Gen 1.5. According to ICM, the FST is a value-added platform technology that increases ethanol yield and throughput.
June 09, 2014 Read Full Article
Bioenergy Sorghum May Be a “Sink” For Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Texas A&M Study Finds
by Rafaela Relvas (BioNews Texas) Researchers at Texas A&M University conducted a study that brought new insights regarding bioenergy sorghum, finding that, more than an energy supply, it may offer a “sink” for greenhouse gases. ... The team worked in a field near
June 09, 2014 Read Full Article
Ethanol Blending at 10% Won't Be Major Game Changer: Praj
(Moneycontrol.com) Praj Industries has been on focus post reports suggesting that ethanol blending with petrol could become a reality soon. Praj, which provides technology and machinery for ethanol production, is likely to benefit from the move. In an interview to CNBC-TV18’s Ekta
June 09, 2014 Read Full Article
Ultrafine Particles from Vehicles: A Missing Piece in Emissions Regulations
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) On Monday June 2, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) took the single largest step to control stationary sources of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other harmful emissions in the nation’s history. It announced a proposed regulation
June 09, 2014 Read Full Article
Report Provides Global Overview of Bioenergy, Biofuel Development
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) A new report published by Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21) provides a global overview of advances in renewable energy development, including development related to bioenergy, ethanol and other types of biofuels. The
June 06, 2014 Read Full Article
Engineered Microbe Could Ease Switch to Grass
by Kate Yandell (The Scientist) Researchers from the University of Georgia and at Tennessee’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory have engineered the thermophilic bacterium Caldicellulosiruptor bescii to directly convert switchgrass into ethanol, according to a study published on June 2 in PNAS.
June 06, 2014 Read Full Article
Trade Mission to Peru to Address Biomass, Biofuel Opportunities
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration is organizing a renewable energy and energy efficiency trade mission to Peru. Scheduled for November, the policy mission will promote the export competitiveness of U.S. renewable energy
June 06, 2014 Read Full Article
In ‘Galileo’s Torch,’ Unlikely Group of Washingtonians Debate Issue that Resonates
by Frances Stead Sellers (The Washington Post) ... But that’s former Reagan DOJ official Bruce Fein high on a promontory pulling a white cowl up over his head. And there’s conservative commentator Richard Viguerie opposite, clad from head to
June 06, 2014 Read Full Article
Haiti’s First Biofuel Project Steps Up
by (Biofuels International) Illinois Sustainable Technology Centre (ISTC) along with non-for-profit business, Jatropha Pepinyè, has been working on achieving a consistent biofuel production method in Haiti. Jatropha Pepinyè has developed this production method and thought of adequate ways to obtain indigenous
June 06, 2014 Read Full Article
Microbes Chow Down on Latest Fuel-Cell Tech
(MIT News) Cullen Buie manipulates micro-scale phenomena to optimize energy conversion devices. ... Buie's work on microbial fuel cells is just one effort of many at LEMI, where projects draw upon fields including microfluidics, electrokinetics, electrochemistry, and microscale surface engineering. In addition
June 06, 2014 Read Full Article
Waste-to-Biofuel Facility Opens
by (Biofuels International) ...Enerkem has officially inaugurated its first full-scale municipal waste-to-biofuels and chemicals facility in Edmonton, Alberta. The facility will have a production capacity of up to 38 million litres per year and is expected to generate net economic spending
June 06, 2014 Read Full Article
DF Cast: Senators, Industry Push EPA on Biofuels
by John Davis (DomesticFuel.com) Time is ticking down for the Environmental Protection Agency to make a decision on how much renewable fuel will be mixed into the nation’s fuel supply, and ethanol and biodiesel groups are pressing for a change
June 06, 2014 Read Full Article
Ricoh Awards Prizes for Students' Sustainable Innovations at Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF)
(Ricoh/PR NewsWire) Winners of the 10th Ricoh Sustainable Development Award prove sustainability and good business are entirely compatible Derived from plants, biofuel is an environmentally sustainable approach to the world's energy needs, but its production is generally too inefficient and expensive
June 05, 2014 Read Full Article
Finland To Give €100,000 To The Best Biorefinery Investment Proposal
(Finnbay) Finnish Ministry of Employment and the Economy is organising an international competition to accelerate the commercialisation of biorefinery innovations and the emergence of new biorefineries in Finland. The government is preparing to give €100,000 as an award to the best “Biorefinery
June 05, 2014 Read Full Article
New White Paper Warns of Gasoline’s Growing Health Risks
(Governors' Biofuels Coalition/Clean Fuels Development Coalition) Gasoline exhaust is a much greater source of toxic emissions than previously reported, and lethal, ultra-fine particulates are not being adequately regulated and controlled. according to a new White Paper released here today. The paper
June 04, 2014 Read Full Article
Trade Focus: China
by Bob Dinneen (Renewable Fuels Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) RFA joined Growth Energy and others on a USDA trip to China, where signs of rapid growth were everywhere, writes Bob Dinneen. The goal was to develop additional markets for DDGS. ... (T)he
June 04, 2014 Read Full Article
White House Biofuels Proposal Is Baffling
by Ronnie Shows (The Hill/Congress Blog) ... For example: when I first heard several months ago that the administration proposed making across the board cuts to the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) – the federal policy that requires biofuels in our nation’s fuel
June 04, 2014 Read Full Article
Fishing For Profit
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Ethanol producers looking for the next big market for distillers grains may want to seriously consider aquaculture feed. “For a variety of reasons, we’re just at beginning phases of seeing the potential for a significant
June 04, 2014 Read Full Article
Study finds that increased corn yields and more efficient use of corn ethanol co-products will greatly decrease land needed for ethanol production
(PR NewsWire/Illinois Corn Marketing Board) Land attributable to ethanol will drop from current 25% to as little as 11% of U.S. corn acres A too common error made in reporting the amount of land used for U.S. ethanol production is to measure
June 04, 2014 Read Full Article
Deinove Signs Bioethanol Research Deals with Suez, Abengoa
(Reuters Africa) French green biotech firm Deinove said on Tuesday it had signed research agreements with France's Suez Environnement and Spanish energy company Abengoa to develop bacteria-based second generation bioethanol. The company, which develops biofuels and other chemicals using a bacteria
June 04, 2014 Read Full Article
CALL FOR SPEAKERS: AMI's Green Polymer Chemistry 2015 March 18-19 Cologne, Germany DEADLINE: September 12, 2014
AMI's Green Polymer Chemistry 2015 is the 4th edition of the international conference on sustainable synthesis of plastics and elastomers including materials currently available in the marketplace. The event will take place from 18-19 March 2014 at the Maritim Hotel, Cologne, Germany. The conference consists of a
June 03, 2014 Read Full Article
CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS: Algae Production Workshop July 2014 Texas DEADLINE: June 15
Join commercially-minded Algaepreneurs, Researchers and Equipment Companies involved in the Algae Production Industry. Be involved and present at our next Commercial Algae Production Networking Workshop in July 2014. Sharing of information and collaboration is key to building the algae production industry. "Call for Presentations" The
June 03, 2014 Read Full Article
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS: International Summit on Past and Present Research Systems of Green Chemistry August 25-27, 2014 Philadelphia, PA DEADLINE: June 16
OMICS Group invites all the participants across the globe to attend the International Summit on Past and Present Research systems of Green Chemistry during August 25-27, 2014 at Philadelphia, USA. The major objective of the International conference is to emphasize the importance of
June 03, 2014 Read Full Article
Biofuels Are Part of Vibrant Energy Marketplace
by Rebecca Maitland (Houston Chronicle) ... Biofuels' primary benefits are in energy security, economic growth and environmental performance. "Biofuels reduce dependence on imported fuels. This strengthens our energy security while also creating jobs and improving local economies," Dascal (Rob Dascal, vice president,
June 03, 2014 Read Full Article
Hoke Refinery to Reopen Using Tobacco to Make Ethanol
by Matthew Burns (WRAL) A Virginia company plans to reopen an ethanol refinery in Hoke County, using tobacco as its primary feedstock, officials said Monday. The former Clean Burn Fuels biorefinery in Raeford has been idle for more than three
June 03, 2014 Read Full Article
USDA Awarding $6 Million to Prepare Farmers for New Farm Bill Programs
(US Department of Agriculture) Farm Bill Implementation Continues at Brisk Pace with Universities and State Cooperative Extension Programs Now Set to Help Educate Farmers Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is awarding $6 million
June 03, 2014 Read Full Article
Successful Production of High-Octane Renewable Gasoline from Woody Biomass
(Gas Technology Institute) In a recently completed project, Gas Technology Institute (GTI) worked with Haldor Topsoe, Inc. on an integrated biorefinery to make renewable “drop-in” gasoline, successfully producing a high-octane transportation fuel. The use of renewable gasoline could reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by approximately
June 03, 2014 Read Full Article
Biofuel-Obsessed U.S. Seen Blowing 'Historic Opportunity' in Nascent Green Chemical Market
by Amanda Peterka (E&E reporter/Greenwire) The United States may be losing a major opportunity to be a global leader in the growing market for green chemicals because of its overwhelming policy tilt toward biofuels, industry experts say. There are big profit
June 03, 2014 Read Full Article
Garbage-to-Gas Progress May Open Green Frontier in Iowa
by Gabriella Dunn (Des Moines Register) ... Iowa's budding advanced biofuels industry stretches from Emmetsburg in the west to Marion in the east. Although business and political challenges remain, engineers have concocted an expensive cocktail of enzymes too small to see with
June 03, 2014 Read Full Article
ACORE Announces Submission of Comments on DOE's Biofuel Research and Development Pathways
(American Council On Renewable Energy) Today (June 2, 2014), the American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE) announced that it has submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) which sought stakeholder input regarding the biofuel pathways that the DOE's Bioenergy Technologies
June 03, 2014 Read Full Article
A-Gas Launches 'Even Greener' Carbon Dioxide, Derived from Sugar Beet
by Andrew Gaved (Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Magazine) Refrigerant, branded ‘eCO2’, offers sustainable sourcing and lower moisture content than current offerings, distributor claims. In a first for the UK, A-Gas has launched a new high specification carbon dioxide refrigerant, produced sustainably
June 03, 2014 Read Full Article
EPA Outlines 30% Cut in Power-Gen CO2 by 2030: What’s the Role for Carbon Capture and Use, Algae?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) EPA comes down hard on CO2, with proposed rule calling for deep emission cuts, but opts for highly-flexible, state-by-state approach. Carbon Capture and Use not deemed a key strategy, but algae advocates aim to change
June 03, 2014 Read Full Article
All-Renewable Plastic Bottles Creep Closer: Gevo Shipping Renewable PX to Toray
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Major step towards stable commercial supply chain for 100% renewable plastic bottling; big step forward for Gevo’s Silsbee operations in paraxylene, jet fuel and iso-octane. From Colorado, news has arrived that Gevo is now selling paraxyleme
June 02, 2014 Read Full Article
Recent Ethanol Blending Margins
by Scott Irwin (University of Illinois/FarmDocDaily) Ethanol prices went on a tear in March and April 2014 and reached new record levels exceeding $3 per gallon (see earlier farmdoc daily articles here and here). A single factor did not appear explain the price rise, but
June 02, 2014 Read Full Article
ACE Informs Motorists that Many Vehicles Are Eligible to Use E15
(American Coalition for Ethanol/Ethanol Producer Magazine) The summer driving season is now hitting the United States, and the Senior Vice President for the American Coalition for Ethanol, Ron Lamberty, says many motorists might not realize it, but they could be
June 02, 2014 Read Full Article
Biodiesel Producers, Farmers Take to The Hill
by John Davis (domesticfuel.com) Biodiesel producers and farmers who raise the feedstocks for the biodiesel industry took to Capitol Hill this week, joining a group of U.S. Senate Democrats in their calls to end policy uncertainty that is hurting their industry. “The uncertainty
June 02, 2014 Read Full Article
Biodiesel Producer Certain Uncertainty Will End
by John Davis (domesticfuel.com) The manager of a biodiesel refinery from the Nation’s largest biodiesel producer believes the uncertainty in the green fuel’s future will disappear. I caught up with Bryan Christjansen, a general manager for Renewable Energy Group’s Albert Lea,
June 02, 2014 Read Full Article
Ethanol on the Rails
by Cindy Zimmerman (domesticfuel.com) In the last couple of weeks there have been two derailments of trains carrying crude oil, one in Virginia on April 30 and one in Colorado on May 9. These incidents are just the latest in
June 02, 2014 Read Full Article
Students’ Biodiesel Wins Environmental Award
by John Davis (domesticfuel.com) A project by a group of Tennessee high school students to make and promote biodiesel garnered an environmental award in that state. The Whites Creek High School group is the winner in the Excellence in Energy
June 02, 2014 Read Full Article
Poplars Designed for Deconstruction: A Major Boon to Biofuels
(University of Wisconsin-Madison/Biomass Magazine) What began 20 years ago as an innovation to improve paper industry processes and dairy forage digestibility may now open the door to a much more energy- and cost-efficient way to convert biomass into fuel. ... Poplar trees,
June 02, 2014 Read Full Article
Neol Biosolutions to Scale up Microbioil-2.0 Process at CB2G
(Neol Biosolutions/Biomass Magazine) Neol Biosolutions, a 50/50 joint venture between Repsol and Neuron Bio, has reached an agreement with the Center for Second Generation Biofuels (CB2G) of CENER, the Spanish National Renewable Energy Centre, in order to carry out the scale-up
June 02, 2014 Read Full Article
Researchers Find Potential to Grow Biofuel Feedstock on PV Farms
by Ker Than( Stanford University/Biomass Magazine) Growing agave and other carefully chosen plants amid photovoltaic panels could allow solar farms not only to collect sunlight for electricity but also to produce crops for biofuels, according to new computer models by Stanford
June 02, 2014 Read Full Article
MSC Developing Sustainable Seaweed Standard
(Algae Industry Magazine) The London, England-based Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is expanding its sustainability standard beyond wild-capture fish and invertebrate fisheries for the first time to include various groups of wild macroalgae. With global seaweed fishery production increasing, and demand
June 02, 2014 Read Full Article
Proposals for a Reform of the Renewable Energy Directive to a Renewable Energy and Materials Directive (REMD)
by Michael Carus, Lara Dammer, Andreas Hermann and Roland Essel (nova-Institute) nova-paper #4 “Proposals for a Reform of the Renewable Energy Directive to a Renewable Energy and Materials Directive (REMD)” presents a reform proposal that aims at creating a level
June 02, 2014 Read Full Article
Companies Quietly Apply Biofuel Tools to Household Products
by Stephanie Storm (The New York Times) Consumer products containing ingredients made using an advanced form of engineering known as synthetic biology are beginning to show up more often on grocery and department store shelves. A liquid laundry detergent made by
June 02, 2014 Read Full Article
EPA Funds Cook Stoves Research to Ameliorate Air Quality and Mitigate Climate Change
By Olatomiwa Bifarin* (Advanced Biofuel USA) If the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) systematic analysis study of 2010 is anything to go by, then by the time you are done reading this article about 35 people would probably be dead
May 30, 2014 Read Full Article
UK Researchers Aim to Convert Oilseed Straw into Biofuels
(Institute of Food Research/Biomass Magazine) Researchers at the Institute of Food Research are looking at how to turn straw from oilseed rape into biofuel. Preliminary findings are pointing at ways the process could be made more efficient, as well as
May 30, 2014 Read Full Article
European Scientists Stabilize Bio-Oil for Use as Marine Biofuel
(Aston University/Biomass Magazine) A sustainable biofuel made from Norwegian forest wood waste could help transform the shipping industry and reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. Alternative sustainable fuels are urgently needed in the marine transport sector due to stringent upcoming regulations demanding
May 30, 2014 Read Full Article
EPA: Cellulosic RINs Were Generated in April
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The U.S. EPA has released renewable identification number (RIN) generation data for April, reporting that both D3 cellulosic biofuel and D7 cellulosic diesel RINs were generated during the month. EIA data indicates 643 D3 cellulosic biofuel
May 30, 2014 Read Full Article
Addressing Climate Change in South Dakota
by US Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) (Black Hills Pioneer) ... Our state’s long-standing leadership in renewable fuels like wind power and ethanol has helped us be a part of the solution. ... South Dakota has tremendous renewable energy resources and we
May 30, 2014 Read Full Article
Renewable Energy Group Buys Tyson Foods' Stake in Dynamic Fuels
(Arkansas Business) Renewable Energy Group Inc. has reached an agreement with Tyson Foods Inc. of Springdale to acquire Tyson’s 50 percent ownership of Dynamic Fuels LLC, the companies announced Wednesday. The deal, contingent upon REG's previously announced acquisition of Syntroleum Corp.,
May 30, 2014 Read Full Article
Fargo Conference Highlights Future for Biotechnology
(Forum News Service/SC Times) Opportunities to provide bio-based industrial products exist, but they probably will need to provide price, utility and environmental benefits, especially if they want to compete at a premium to petrochemical substitutes, according to a recent industry
May 29, 2014 Read Full Article
Nearly 120 Companies Ask Obama to Boost Biodiesel Standard
(National Biodiesel Board) One hundred seventeen biodiesel companies and affiliated businesses from 41 states called on President Obama Wednesday to stand behind his past support for the U.S. biodiesel industry by continuing sustainable growth under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Highlighting
May 29, 2014 Read Full Article
Using Less Corn Ethanol Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions
(Environmental Working Group) The Environmental Protection Agency’s pending proposal to cut the amount of corn ethanol that must be blended into gasoline in 2014 by 1.39 billion gallons would lower U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by the equivalent of 3 million
May 29, 2014 Read Full Article
US Navy Supports ASU's Development of Algae-Based Biofuels
by Sarah Mason (Arizon State University Light Works) The similarities between the U.S. Navy and civilian cities and industry may not be readily apparent, said Dennis McGinn, U.S. Navy Assistant Secretary for Energy, Installations and Environment, but in the realm of
May 29, 2014 Read Full Article
Biomass Supplies Applies for RSB Sustainability Certification: Biomass Supplies Would Be First RSB-Certified Company in Sri Lanka
(Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials) The Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) is pleased to announce that Biomass Supplies has applied for RSB certification. Biomass Supplies is pioneering innovative and progressive partnerships with small farmers and land owners to access biomass supply that
May 29, 2014 Read Full Article
CALL FOR POSTERS: Biomass 2014: Growing the Future Bioeconomy July 29-30 Washington, DC DEADLINE: June 10
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) invites students, researchers, public and private organizations, and members of the general public to submit poster abstracts for consideration for the annual Biomass Conference Poster Session. The Biomass 2014 conference theme focuses on
May 29, 2014 Read Full Article
Managing Climate Risks in the Southeast
By Olatomiwa Bifarin* (Advanced Biofuels USA). The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) hosted a briefing, on May 22, on Capitol Hill, examining the current and projected impacts of climate change in the Southeast, and efforts to manage these risks.
May 28, 2014 Read Full Article
EPA Funds University Research on Cleaner Fuel Burning to Improve Air Quality/The World Health Organization Estimates that Cookstove Smoke Accounts for over 4 Million Premature Deaths Annually
(US Environmental Protection Agency) Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced new funding for six universities to research cleaner technologies and fuels for cooking, lighting, and heating homes that will help improve air quality and protect the health of
May 28, 2014 Read Full Article
Navy Secretary Ray Mabus Outlines A More Self-Sufficient, Efficient Future For The Fleet
by Christopher Harress (International Business Times) ... For Mabus (Ray Mabus, the secretary of the Navy), who had come to New York for Fleet Week, the real story was taking place on the drawing boards, where the Navy is being transformed
May 28, 2014 Read Full Article
Texas Nearly Takes Top Clean Energy Jobs Spot
by Jennifer A. Dlouhy (Houston Chronicle/McClatchy-Tribune Regional News/RenewablesBiz.com) Texas added nearly 800 clean energy jobs during the first three months of the year, putting the Lone Star State second only to Idaho and above California, according to an analysis released
May 28, 2014 Read Full Article
Fuels America Campaign Reminds Drivers of Savings
by John Davis (DomesticFuel.com) Just as a good-sized portion of the country is hitting the road for Memorial Day weekend, Fuels America launches an ad campaign to remind drivers just how much they are saving at the pump, thanks to ethanol and
May 28, 2014 Read Full Article
Former Ethanol Car Driver Wins Indy 500
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) It was mid-season in 2007 when Ryan Hunter-Reay burst on the IndyCar Series scene wearing the green and blue ethanol logo for Rahal-Letterman Racing. He finished 6th in his first Indy 500 in 2008 and won Rookie of
May 28, 2014 Read Full Article
Walking a Rough Road to a World Free of Non-Renewable Sources of Energy: Memories of 2014 International Biomass Conference and Expo
By Danilo Gusmão de Quadros* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Imagine a world without non-renewable energy sources, where we just use sun, wind, and biomass to generate our electricity for industries and homes, and fuel for transportation. Is it a dream? I
May 27, 2014 Read Full Article
Defusing the Cellulosic Bomb inside the Renewable Fuel Standard
by Jim Lane (Biofuel Digest) Thought the 2014 volume debate over the Renewable Fuel Standard was tough enough?What about the ticking bomb inside the RFS — that could completely flat-line the value of cellulosic RINs and make it near impossible
May 27, 2014 Read Full Article
Palm Oil, Deforestation, and the Fast Food Industry: Would You Like a Side of Forests with That?
by Calen May-Tobin (Union of Concerned Scientists/Tropical Forest and Climate Initiative ) ... In our report Donuts, Deodorant, Deforestation, UCS was one of the first groups to highlight how little the fast food sector as a whole has done to address palm-driven deforestation.
May 27, 2014 Read Full Article
ACE Informs Motorists Most New Model Vehicles Eligible For E15 Blends
(Biofuel Journal) The summer driving season is now hitting the United States, and the Senior Vice President for the American Coalition for Ethanol, (ACE) Ron Lamberty says many motorists might not realize it, but they could be eligible to get a little extra
May 27, 2014 Read Full Article
Transportation Forecast: Light Duty Vehicles
(Navigant) Light Duty Stop-Start, Hybrid Electric, Plug-In Hybrid Electric, Battery Electric, Natural Gas, Fuel Cell, and Conventional Vehicles: Global Market Forecasts, 2014-2035 ... Over 1.2 billion vehicles are on the world’s roads today, and more than 95% belong to the LDV segment. Of
May 27, 2014 Read Full Article
US Senate Completes Mark-Up on Defense Budget, Supports Continuation of Advanced Biofuels Program
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the Senate version of the National Defense Authorization Act, following mark-up, is reported to not include any attempts to undermine the Defense Production Act’s Advanced Drop-In Biofuels Production Project, which protects the military’s ability
May 27, 2014 Read Full Article
Fortunately, Unfortunately: Pathways and Barriers to Algae Biofuels at Scale
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Think algae biofuels are real and near? Or, think it’s a promotional scheme for attracting finance for nutraceuticals and academic bridges-to-nowhere? The barriers might be more, or less, daunting than you think. Let’s look at
May 27, 2014 Read Full Article
How Fossil Fuel Interests Attack Renewable Energy
by Gabe Elsner (Energy and Policy Institute/Renewable Energy World) Fossil fuel-funded front groups repeatedly spread disinformation on renewable energy standard and net metering policies in an effort to overturn pro-clean energy laws in 2013 and 2014. A new report details the efforts of
May 27, 2014 Read Full Article
Climate Panel and Years of Living Dangerously
By Olatomiwa Bifarin* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Enlightening and Shocking are apt words that describe the eighth episode of the Years of Living Dangerously that was screened on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, May 20. The event, hosted by the Senate Climate
May 27, 2014 Read Full Article
US Fleet Conversion Turns Navy to Biofuels
by Brendan Nicholson (The Australian) Australia's defence ties to the US have taken on a green hue, with the Royal Australian Navy planning to make all its ships and aircraft biofuel-capable within six years. READ MORE
May 27, 2014 Read Full Article
Making Money from Lignin: Roadmap Shows How to Improve Lignocellulosic Biofuel Biorefining
by Brett Israel (Georgia Institute of Technology) When making cellulosic ethanol from plants, one problem is what to do with a woody agricultural waste product called lignin. The old adage in the pulp industry has been that one can make
May 27, 2014 Read Full Article
RTA Expands Green Bus Fleet
by Shafaat Shahbandari (Zawya/Gulf News) Dubai: A total of 118 biodiesel-powered green buses will be in operation in Dubai by the end of this year as the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) expands its green fleet in phases, Gulf News
May 27, 2014 Read Full Article
Sixth Circuit Greenlights Cellulosic Ethanol Plant
by Paul E. Gutermann (Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP/Lexology.com) The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit held this week that the Department of Energy (DOE) complied with its obligations under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in providing
May 27, 2014 Read Full Article
Future Uncertain for Ukiah Biodiesel Producer
by Justine Fredericksen (Daily Journal News) Cash-strapped Yokayo Biofuels is for sale ... "The grant was to install an enzymatic process that would increase our capacity by about 75 percent, which would dramatically increase the yield we get, and dramatically change
May 27, 2014 Read Full Article
Mauritius: The EU Will Provide 4 Million Euro to Support the Use of Ethanol as Fuel
(AgenceEcoFin.com) ... But Mauritius will now demonstrate strong commitment, after blowing 10 million euros for non-compliance with EU indicators relating to the production of electricity. " With regard to the use of ethanol in Mauritius, we make no judgment. If Mauritius wants to take
May 27, 2014 Read Full Article
Patriot Renewable Fuels Hires Leifmark to Plan First Stage of Major US Cellulosic Ethanol Project
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Inbicon technology planned as centerpiece of low-carbon, high-profit platform: “Patriot will lead the way.” In Illinois, Patriot Renewable Fuels announced that Leifmark has been hired to create a custom Project Definition, the first stage of a
May 27, 2014 Read Full Article
When Refiners Cry Wolf, Who Will Be Fooled?
by Brent Erickson (Biotechnology Industry Organization/Biofuels Digest) EPA’s proposed rule went too far in correcting a problem largely of the refiners’ own making. It’s in the nation’s interest to put the final RFS rule back on course. Last year, it appears
May 27, 2014 Read Full Article
Microalgae in Animal Feed
(Algae Industry Magazine) Although the use of whole microalgae in animal diets has long been studied, the de-fatted biomass of microalgal species, derived from biofuel production research, has only recently shown feasibility in replacing corn and soybean meal in animal
May 27, 2014 Read Full Article
Cheaper Renewable Fuels: Is Algae the Missing Ingredient?
by Sarah Lozanova (Triple Pundit) ... “Not all algae can be lumped together,” says Paul Woods, CEO of Algenol, a biotechnology company that produces ethanol and other fuels. “There are lots of [algae-based biofuel] programs that use fresh water and open ponds
May 27, 2014 Read Full Article
Biofuels Forum Underscores Increased Emission Benefits from Ethanol
(25 x '25) Ethanol’s role in the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions was underscored this week in a forum of biofuel value chain partners, conservation and greenhouse gas experts organized by the 25x’25 Alliance at the request of the
May 23, 2014 Read Full Article
Why Amyris, Total SA, and The Boeing Company Are Excited About Renewable Jet Fuel
by Maxx Chatsko (The Motley Fool) The global aviation industry accounts for roughly 2% of all greenhouse gas emissions. On a per-passenger basis, a flight on an airplane emits far more greenhouse gases than the same trip in a car.
May 23, 2014 Read Full Article
Minnesota Is First to Mandate B10 Biodiesel
by John Davis (DomesticFuel.com) The land of 10,000 lakes becomes the first for another 10… a 10 percent biodiesel mandate. The move from a B5 to B10 blending requirement for summer months starting this July 1st was welcomed by the
May 23, 2014 Read Full Article
Aftermath of Climate Change: National Landmarks at Risk
by Olatomiwa Bifarin* (Advanced Biofuels USA) With the impact of climate change becoming evident by the day, many of the United States iconic landmarks are at risk as never before. On the 20th of May, 2014, The Environmental and Energy
May 23, 2014 Read Full Article
Where is Blue Carbon Going?
by Olatomiwa Bifarin* (Advanced Biofuels USA) On Wednesday, May 21, 2014, a panel of experts discussed the importance of blue carbon and the ramifications of its release in a “Managing Our Planet” seminar series developed jointly by George Mason University,
May 23, 2014 Read Full Article
E15 Arrives in Missouri, though Consumers May Have to Look Hard to Find It
by Jacob Barker (St. LouisPost-Dispatch) It’s hard to find a gas station these days that doesn’t sell a 10 percent ethanol blend. A 15 percent mix, now that it’s available, probably won’t become as common anytime soon. New rules that take
May 23, 2014 Read Full Article
ACT Expo 2014- North America’s Largest Clean Fleet Expo
by Milsa Vijayadharan* (Advanced Biofuels USA) ACT Expo 2014, co-located with NVG Global 2014, was held on May 5-8 in Long Beach CA. It was the largest clean transportation industry gathering in North America. The four day program was on
May 23, 2014 Read Full Article
US Navy Approves Biofuels MILSPECS, Opens Pacific Fuel Buy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) From Washington, the Navy’s Director of Operational Energy, Chris Tindal, advises the Digest: “As of two weeks ago, the Navy has fully approved MILSPECs for JP-5, JP-8, and F-76 for the F-T and HEFA pathways. As
May 22, 2014 Read Full Article
“But I Won’t Cry for Yesterday”: The Re-Making of the US Ethanol Industry
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The migration from first-gen to next-gen biofuels is becoming less ‘Invisible’ — and the new landscape is not, by anyone’s estimation, an ‘Ordinary World’. If Aemetis’ latest earnings hadn’t rocked your world quite enough, here
May 22, 2014 Read Full Article
InteSusAl Project Building One-Hectare Demo Unit
(Algae Industry Magazine) The InteSusAl Consortium of biotechnology experts has started building a one-hectare unit in Southern Portugal that will demonstrate an innovative integrated approach to produce microalgae biomass with biodiesel validation in a sustainable manner. The demonstration pilot unit is one of
May 22, 2014 Read Full Article
Renewable Energy Group Agrees to Acquire Tyson Foods’ Half Ownership of Dynamic Fuels
(Renewable Energy Group) Deal to Result in REG Owning All of 75-Million Gallon Renewable Diesel Biorefinery Renewable Energy Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGI) has reached an agreement with Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN) to acquire Tyson’s 50% ownership position in Dynamic Fuels,
May 22, 2014 Read Full Article
Alternative Jet Fuels: Federal Activities Support Development and Usage, but Long-term Commercial Viability Hinges on Market Factors
(Government Accountability Office) The federal government supports the development and use of alternative jet fuels through both broad and targeted initiatives. Broad national strategies promote the development of a variety of alternative fuels—including alternative jet fuel—to help achieve national goals, such as securing
May 22, 2014 Read Full Article
New Joint Ventures Aim to Establish Hemp-Ethanol Pilot Plant
by Holly Jessen (Biomass Magazine) Edmonton, Alberta-based Syngar Technologies Inc. has announced two separate joint venture projects that will, together, help make hemp-to-cellulosic ethanol a step closer to reality. Syngar Technologies, which was featured in a March 2012, article in Ethanol Producer Magazine has licensed
May 22, 2014 Read Full Article
House Committee Passes Anti-Biofuel Amendments in Markup Session
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) On May 7, the House Armed Service Committee held a markup session on H.R. 4435, the fiscal year 2015 national defense authorization bill. During that markup session, committee members voted in favor of three amendments that
May 22, 2014 Read Full Article
The Bio-Fuel Sector Is Attracting Some Big Names
by Reuben Brewer (The Motley Fool) Solazyme (NASDAQ: SZYM ) and FutureFuel (NYSE: FF ) are two relatively small companies largely focused on the emerging bio-fuel market. However, they aren't the only players in the space. And some of the other companies, like DuPont (NYSE: DD ) , operate on a
May 22, 2014 Read Full Article
Mallee Biofuels May Fuel Perth Engines
(Biofuels International) By 2030, young mallee trees could create an aviation grade bio kerosene Airline operations from Perth could see its flights fuelled up to 100% with the aviation grade bio kerosene, according to a report by the Future Farm Industries
May 22, 2014 Read Full Article
Södra and Statkraft to Form New Biofuel Company
(Biofuels International) Södra and Statkraft have signed a letter of intent to create a company that will produce biofuels using forest raw material. The agreement means that Statkraft, a renewable energy producer, will acquire Södra Cell Tofte, which owns the industrial site of
May 22, 2014 Read Full Article
NASA and DLR Research Biofuel-Powered Flights
(Biofuels International) The United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) and the Canadian National Research Council (NRC) are researching the use of biofuels in their flights by undertaking a joint testing project under the
May 22, 2014 Read Full Article
KLM Embarks on Transatlantic Biofuel Trial
(Biofuels International) KLM has launched a six month biofuel trial using an A330-200 on flights from Amsterdam Schiphol to Aruba and Bonaire in the Netherlands Antilles. The Initiative Towards Sustainable Kerosene for Aviation (ITAKA) sourced the biofuel for the flight, which
May 22, 2014 Read Full Article
Draft Appropriations Bill Aims to Cut Funding for BCAP, REAP
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The House Appropriations Committee has released its fiscal year 2015 agricultural appropriations bill, which aims to reduce funding levels for several Farm Bill Energy Title programs. A markup session on the legislation was held May
May 22, 2014 Read Full Article
COLUMN-Money to Burn: OPEC's Wasteful Energy Subsidies: Kemp
by John Kemp (Reuters Africa) Fossil fuel subsidies cost governments in emerging markets more than $500 billion every year and are a major contributor to climate change, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA) and International Monetary Fund (IMF). The biggest
May 19, 2014 Read Full Article
Putting the Squeeze on Gasoline
by Kelly Taylor (Chronicle Herald Wheels) It’s a breakthrough that has eluded engine researchers for more than a century. Now, it might be as little as five years away. ... The dream of using diesel’s compression-ignition idea — where the air-fuel mixture
May 19, 2014 Read Full Article
Genetic Assets from Mendel Added to Product Development Program
(REPREVE® RENEWABLES, LLC) REPREVE® RENEWABLES, LLC, announced today it has purchased certain genetic assets or germplasm for its giant miscanthus grass product development program from Mendel biotechnology, Inc., a privately held company in Hayward, Calif. The purchase adds Mendel’s diverse miscanthus
May 19, 2014 Read Full Article
A Strong Voice in Indiana
by Jim Dukart (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... Ethanol plants in Indiana account for some 600 jobs, with an additional 4.9 jobs created for every job at an ethanol plant. The industry has pumped $1.5 billion in direct capital into the state
May 19, 2014 Read Full Article
Biobased Delta Teams up with Bioindustrial Innovation Canada
(Biorizon) South-western Netherlands-based Biobased Delta Foundation has agreed to work closely with the Canadian sustainable chemistry alliance Bioindustrial Innovation Canada. Together they aim to accelerate the international commercialization of advanced new technologies. Biorizon is one of the flagships of the
May 19, 2014 Read Full Article
Another Day, Another Oil Spill
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) An oil pipeline ruptured in Los Angeles on LA Street yesterday and in response Americans United For Change said, “Like oil spills? You’ll love what happens after dismantling the Renewable Fuel Standard. 50,000 gallons of crude oil
May 19, 2014 Read Full Article
Advanced Biofuel Producers Anticipate the Greatest Impact from Proposed Changes to the RFS
(Renewable Fuels Association) Today (May 15, 2014), 33 advanced biofuel companies, led by the Advanced Ethanol Council and Biotechnology Industry Organization, sent a letter to President Barack Obama to express the industry’s concern about the proposed rule for the 2014 Renewable Fuel Standard
May 19, 2014 Read Full Article
Fermentable Cellulosic Sugars for Capex of 6.5 Cents per Gallon? Freakishly Low-Cost Venture Still at Early-Stage.
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) It’s a capex figure so low that it sounds like a decimal point is missing. Though early-stage and just developing data out of its pilot — it’s well worth seeing what Sustainable Ethanol Technologies is
May 19, 2014 Read Full Article
Senators and Industry Speak Out In Favor of Biodiesel
by Jesse Stolark (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) With a final decision in the Renewable Volume Obligates (RVOs) expected in June, the biodiesel industry is getting increasingly vocal about the damage that regulatory uncertainty has already caused their industry. Biodiesel
May 18, 2014 Read Full Article
Joule Achieves ASTM Compliance for Sustainable Diesel, Jet Fuel
(Joule) Marking another step towards commercial readiness of CO2-neutral fuels, Joule today announced that its Sunflow®-D and Sunflow®-J products meet the standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) for diesel and jet fuel, respectively. Joule products achieve all accepted standards for fuel
May 18, 2014 Read Full Article
Lignin Valorization: Improving Lignin Processing in the Biorefinery
by Arthur J. Ragauskas, Gregg T. Beckham, Mary J. Biddy, Richard Chandra, Fang Chen, Mark F. Davis, Brian H. Davison, Richard A. Dixon, Paul Gilna, Martin Keller, Paul Langan, Amit K. Naskar, Jack N. Saddler, Timothy J. Tschaplinski, Gerald A. Tuskan,
May 16, 2014 Read Full Article
Media Advisory: Waterloo and Bordeaux to Launch Canada’s First Bachelor of Bio-based Chemistry Program at Conference
by (University of Waterloo) Media are invited to attend as researchers from Waterloo and Bordeaux gather to create a bio-chemistry program that will support research into sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels. The University of Waterloo and Université de Bordeaux also begin a longer
May 16, 2014 Read Full Article
SkyNRG Supplies KLM’s New Series of Transatlantic Biofuel Flights to Aruba and Bonaire
(SkyNRG) SkyNRG, the global market maker for sustainable fuels, will supply sustainable jet fuel to a new series of KLM flights from Amsterdam to the Caribbean islands Aruba and Bonaire. The program will run for six months and is operated
May 16, 2014 Read Full Article
Smallholder Group Certification Standard
(Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials) RSB recognizes the complex realities of smallholder production systems and is committed to make the RSB certification requirements more accessible to small producers, in order to facilitate their entry into the mainstream sustainable biomaterials market and
May 15, 2014 Read Full Article
Unilever Protects Wildlife Habitat through RSB Certification
(National Wildlife Federation) Last week, Unilever announced that any product certified by the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) will be considered to be “sustainably sourced” according to their corporate standards. This step helps to simplify the assessment of sustainability of Unilever’s supply chain and reduces the
May 15, 2014 Read Full Article
Joyce Admits Budget Will Be Tough for Rural Australia
(ABC Rural) ... The ethanol and biodiesel industries face grant cuts worth millions of dollars. The Ethanol Production Grants program will be scrapped from July 2015, saving the government $120 million. The Dalby Biorefinery, in Queensland, is Australia's only grain biofuel producer. Agforce grains
May 15, 2014 Read Full Article
Grants Further Environmental Policy Research
by Stacy Shackford (Cornell Chronicle) ... A $499,998 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture – one of two awarded to Cornell as part of a $12 million program – will allow researchers to delve
May 15, 2014 Read Full Article
'Green Bank' Would Fund Private Eco-Energy Projects
by Hamish Rutherford (Stuff Business Day) Increased royalties from oil and gas would be used to create a profit-oriented Green Investment Bank under Green Party proposals. Co-leader Russel Norman has unveiled plans for "an enduring, government-owned, for-profit bank" that would partner
May 15, 2014 Read Full Article
How Laboratory Information Management Systems Can Prepare Labs for Biofuels Growth
by Colin Thurston (Thermo Fisher Scientific) With dramatic drops in U.S. energy imports, a clear sign of our growing energy independence, it would appear that renewables investment is at risk, including within the biofuels market. There’s certainly some evidence to
May 15, 2014 Read Full Article
$2M Supports Soybean Research
(Lab Canada) A University of Guelph scientist using genetics to improve Ontario’s most valuable crop has received nearly $2 million in government and industry support. Prof. Istvan Rajcan, Department of Plant Agriculture, was recently awarded a Collaborative Research and Development Grant
May 15, 2014 Read Full Article
Ames Lab Creates Multifunctional Nanoparticles for Cheaper, Cleaner Biofuel
(e! Science News) The U.S. Department of Energy's Ames Laboratory has created a faster, cleaner biofuel refining technology that not only combines processes, it uses widely available materials to reduce costs. Ames Laboratory scientists have developed a nanoparticle that is