by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) International Energy Agency is an autonomous organization that works to ensure reliable, affordable and clean energy for its 30 member countries and beyond. Dr. Paolo Frankl, Head of the Renewable Energy Division, gave this illuminating overview of
Asia
Back TO HOMEInsight: US Ethanol Moving to China by Various Means, Including Ship-to-Ship Transfers
by Clare Pennington, Izham Ahmad, Steven McGinn (ICIS) Trans-shipments of ethanol from the US to China are taking place in renewed efforts to thwart US-China tariffs, including ship-to-ship transfers, several sources in Asia and Europe have confirmed. Importing US ethanol into China carries
March 28, 2019 Read Full Article
UFOP Report on Global Market Supply 2018/2019: Combining Economically Viable Agriculture with Appropriate Agricultural Market and Climate Protection Policies
(Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Crops (UFOP)) The Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Crops (UFOP) has formulated its policy expectations on the occasion of the presentation of the third edition of the Global Market Supply
February 05, 2019 Read Full Article
Sustainable Connectivity: How Biofuels Can Boost Mobile Access, Support Small Farmers – And Fight Climate Change
by John Garrity, Dennis Garrity and James Daniel (Next Billion) In rural villages across communities in Africa and Asia, families stay connected with distant loved ones, and benefit from reduced information and transaction costs, by using a mobile phone — but only during the
January 21, 2019 Read Full Article
Bringing the Concept of Climate-Smart Agriculture to Life : Insights from CSA Country Profiles Across Africa, Asia, and Latin America (English)
(The World Bank) Bringing the Concept of Climate-Smart Agriculture to Life: Insights from CSA Country Profiles across Africa, Asia, and Latin America The Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) Country Profile Series assesses climate change challenges and solutions in the agricultural sectors of more than
January 03, 2019 Read Full Article
The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to the Energy Outlook through 2040
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The BP Energy Outlook explores the forces shaping the global energy transition out to 2040 and the key uncertainties surrounding that transition. It shows how rising prosperity drives an increase in global energy demand and how
November 02, 2018 Read Full Article
Fat Profits: Asian Traders Cash in as Europe Thirsts for Waste Oils
(The Star) Once surreptitiously dumped down drains in the dead of night, Asia’s used cooking oil is fast becoming one of the most sought-after commodities in Europe - as a feedstock for biodiesel. Aggressive green energy targets in the European Union that
October 11, 2018 Read Full Article
The Future of Electric Vehicles Lie in the Sourcing of Lithium and Cobalt for Batteries
by Vishnu Rajamanickam (Freight Waves) ... But unless the manufacturing process and the raw material sourcing is regulated and stabilized, it would be hard to sell EVs to the larger middle-class populace. This is because the on-road price of an electric vehicle is
August 06, 2018 Read Full Article
Top 10 Biodiesel Trends 2018: What’s up with the World’s Favorite Advanced Biofuel?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... We’ve organized the state of biodiesel into 10 areas of vital interest ranging from the development of markets to the entry of ancillary products and new feedstocks. #1 Tax & Trade Free trade vs fair trade: Dumping
June 07, 2018 Read Full Article
NE Asia Hydrous Ethanol Discussions Halted by Brazil Concerns
by Izham Ahmad (ICIS) Import discussions in northeast Asia’s spot hydrous ethanol market have ground to a halt on uncertainty over logistics in Brazil, which is the region’s main supplier. ... “No one is willing to give us any kind of quotations or prices due
May 31, 2018 Read Full Article
Looking Back on Platts 7th Annual Geneva Biofuels Conference
(Biofuels International) Struggles and triumphs of the biofuels industry were brought into sharp focus at the Platts 7th Annual Biofuels Conference in Geneva, Switzerland. With speakers from across the biofuels sector, the event at the Grand Hotel Kempinski covered the latest policy updates
May 17, 2018 Read Full Article
USGC: APEC Roadmap Supports Development of Global Ethanol Markets
(U.S. Grains Council/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Constructing a national ethanol industry is a monumental task, but an effort that pays dividends economically and environmentally—as U.S. farmers and agribusinesses understand. The U.S. Grains Council is working alongside the U.S. government and with the
April 10, 2018 Read Full Article
Sustainability Is All the Rage but Financing of Extreme Fossil Fuels Is on the Rise
by Eshe Nelson (Quartz Media) ... Last year, when economic losses from natural and man-made disasters exceeded $300 billion, big banks across the globe increased their financing of “extreme” fossil-fuels activities by 11% to $115 billion, according to a new report by a
March 30, 2018 Read Full Article
Heard from the Floor at ABLC — Thursday March 1, 2018
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) ... On March 1, ABLC 2018 kicked off at the Mayflower Hotel in the heart of D.C. with five Avengers – a superhero bunch who all had a common thread – we are stronger together
March 05, 2018 Read Full Article
Top 10 Bioeconomy Predictions for 2018
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) A mere “The Year in Rewind” as we sail into 2018? Not the good ship Digest! Instead, we dust off our crystal ball and offer our predictions for the year ahead. As the sunset of 2017 gives
January 03, 2018 Read Full Article
Biofuels Mandates Around the World 2018
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Florida, the Digest today releases its annual review of biofuels mandates and targets around the world, looking at the state of biofuels mandates in 65 countries. The bulk of mandates continue to come from the EU-27,
January 02, 2018 Read Full Article
Avoiding GMOs Isn’t Just Anti-Science. It’s Immoral.
by Mitch Daniels (The Washington Post) Of the several claims of “anti-science” that clutter our national debates these days, none can be more flagrantly clear than the campaign against modern agricultural technology, most specifically the use of molecular techniques to create
December 28, 2017 Read Full Article
Top 10 Asia Bioeconomy Trends
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) With apologies to every other region around the world. we continue to see Asia as the epicenter of the biobased revolution over the next 20 years. The reasons are three and relatively straightforward: 1. Continued and robust
December 26, 2017 Read Full Article
#AltFuelRocks: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to below50 and Alt Fuels Deployment
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Below50 is an initiative that brings businesses together with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), Roundtable for Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) and Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) to promote the best-of-breed of sustainable fuels. The companies
December 26, 2017 Read Full Article
The 12: The Advanced Bioeconomy’s 12 Biggest Talking, Fretting, Praying and Action Points Right Now
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... What are the top trends? Here are the 11 we see dominating the debate on the stage and on the floor. Jet fuel deployment – how much, how soon, by whom? California, look up, not down!
December 13, 2017 Read Full Article
30 Hot Cellulosic Technologies, 30 Quick Takes
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Last week, DowDuPont said it was exiting the cellulosic biofuels business and you’d think that the company just burned down the warehouse with the original text of the Renewable Fuels Standard — the coverage of the
November 14, 2017 Read Full Article
Chicago! Fulcrum BioEnergy Picks the Midwest Hub for Its Next MSW-to-Jet Fuel Project
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) From California we received the news that Chicagoland has been selected as the site of Fulcrum BioEnergy’s second commercial-scale waste-to-fuels biorefinery. We reported last month that the long-awaited financing was completed for Fulcrum Bioenergy’s highly-anticipated first commercial project
November 07, 2017 Read Full Article
The Brazilian Conference on Science and Technology BioEnergy and the Progress in the BioEconomy in Brazil
by Laís F. Thomaz* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Held in Campos do Jordão on 16-19 October 2017, the Third Edition of the Brazilian BioEnergy Science and Technology Conference (BBEST) highlighted the theme "Designing a Sustainable Bioeconomy". [caption id="attachment_89735" align="alignleft" width="300"] BBEST--Brazilian BioEnergy
October 28, 2017 Read Full Article
Global Demand for Biofuels Continues to Increase
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) The 2017 Renewables outlook from the International Energy Agency (IEA) is once again projecting continued increased demand for conventional biofuels. The report notes that while sales of electric vehicles are increasing, “the share of EVs remains limited, and biofuels are
October 10, 2017 Read Full Article
Biodiesel: 2017 World Market Outlook and Forecast up to 2021 - Research and Markets
(Research and Markets/PR Newswire) The "Biodiesel: 2017 World Market Outlook and Forecast up to 2021" report has been added to Research and Markets' offering. The present report is an essential resource for a one looking for detailed information on the
August 18, 2017 Read Full Article
The Valley of Fog: As Sundrop Moves on from Louisiana, What’s up and What’s Wrong with Loan Guarantee Programs?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Louisiana, reports surfaced in Alexandria’s TownTalk online paper that Sundrop Fuels has struck an agreement to sell the 1200-acre site where it once planned to build its $450 million, 50 million gallon capacity first commercial plant
August 16, 2017 Read Full Article
Cassava Bioethanol Report by Material, Application, and Geography – Global Forecast to 2021
(Absolute Reports) Cassava Bioethanol Report by Material, Application, and Geography – Global Forecast to 2021 is a professional and in-depth research report on the world's major regional market conditions, focusing on the main regions (North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific) and
July 28, 2017 Read Full Article
BioAmber and the Charm of Making
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... If you’re not chasing biosuccinic or at least salivating over it, check your pulse. DSM, PTT, Mitsui, Roquette, Corbion, Vinmar and BASF are just a few of the major players around the world chasing
May 12, 2017 Read Full Article
Sugar, Sugar: Toray, Mitsui Set out to Build Monster Cellulosic Sugar Plant in Asia
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Last week we reported that Toray Industries has teamed with Mitsui to produce cellulosic sugars from bagasse leftover from the sugar production process at Thai sugar mills. The companies will invest up to $51 million to build
January 17, 2017 Read Full Article
U.S. Ethanol Exports Increase as More Countries Take Steps to Fight Air Pollution
(Iowa Corn) ... As the world strives to meet goals set by global climate initiatives, U.S. ethanol provides an affordable solution. Government mandates, which dictate a certain amount of ethanol to be blended with gasoline, make a big impact on
December 08, 2016 Read Full Article
Strategic Intent: The Digest’s 2016 Multi-Slide Guide to BASF, Audi
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This season, The Digest is hosting the Strategic Intent webinar series, looking at the plans, progress and future milestones of strategic stakeholders in the Advanced Bioeconomy. In this slide deck, we looked at BASF and Audi and their direct investments,
October 12, 2016 Read Full Article
White Biotechnology Market to Reach $487.08 Billion By 2024: Grand View Research, Inc.
(Grand View Research/PR Newswire) The global white biotechnology market is expected to reach USD 487.08 billion by 2024, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Rising awareness and emphasis for the adoption of greener and environment-friendly technologies in various
October 03, 2016 Read Full Article
Water-Energy Dependence around Pacific Rim Mapped in New Sandia Study
(Sandia National Laboratories) A wide-ranging analysis of water vulnerability across the Pacific — including the U.S., China, Russia and Japan — has identified hundreds of locations where energy production depends upon scarce water supplies. The Sandia National Laboratories study, “Mapping Water
September 20, 2016 Read Full Article
Gates Backs Renmatix; Total Inks 1 Million Ton/Year Cellulosic Sugar License
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Pennsylvania, Bill Gates is leading the latest investment round into the pioneering cellulosic sugars producer Renmatix as energy giant Total joins in with second investment and a 1 million ton per year license. Gates is
September 15, 2016 Read Full Article
Chinese Ethanol Almost Competitive Enough to Export
by Xiaojuan Gao (Platts) The export arbitrage for China ethanol has narrowed to the point where transactions could be occurring very soon, market participants said Friday, citing a combination of factors including increasing international ethanol market prices and government support policies
September 12, 2016 Read Full Article
Strategic Intent: The Digest’s 2016 Multi-Slide Guide to ExxonMobil in the Advanced Bioeconomy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This season, The Digest is hosting the Strategic Intent webinar series, looking at the plans, progress and future milestones of strategic stakeholders in the Advanced Bioeconomy. In this slide deck, we looked at ExxonMobil and its
September 06, 2016 Read Full Article
Biomass-Based Diesel Mandates and Trade Trends around the World
by Susan Olson (Genscape/Biofuels Digest) Biomass-based diesel mandates for blending in transportation fuel have increased in many nations worldwide over the last year. In several of these countries, domestic biodiesel production is underutilized and many of these same countries are
September 01, 2016 Read Full Article
Doing More (and Better) with Less: 2016 Global Agribusiness Forum Shows the Ways to Provide Food and Bioenergy, with Sustainability, for an Increasing Population
by Lais Thomaz* and Dan Quadros** (Advanced Biofuels USA) With diverse and dynamic programming involving agribusiness, food safety, nutrition, sustainability and bioenergy, the 2016 GAF achieved its mission to gather producers, companies and academia to discuss the importance of agribusiness supply
July 26, 2016 Read Full Article
Cellulosic Sugars Heading for Scale: The Digest’s 2016 Multi-Slide Guide to Leaf Resources
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Leaf Resources Limited (ASX:LER) is focused on making sustainable products from plant biomass, offering an advanced technology package for breaking down plant derived biomass to useful, sustainable, renewable and biodegradable products. Leaf Resources’ Glycell technology is
July 26, 2016 Read Full Article
Leaf Resources (ASX: LER) Joint Venture to Develop Five Projects with World-Class Project Ceveloper Claeris, LLC
(Leaf Resources) Leaf Resources Ltd (ASX: LER, “Leaf” or “Leaf Resources”) is pleased to announce the signing of binding legal agreements with US-based project developer Claeris, LLC (“Claeris”), to establish a joint venture (JV) entity, Leaf Development, LLC (“Leaf Development”), for the purpose
July 21, 2016 Read Full Article
US West Coast Emerges as Likely Ethanol Supplier for Asian Importers
by Toh Wei Zheng (Platts) The US West Coast is set to become a new export outlet for ethanol cargoes to Asia as competition heats up among traders and producers to capture more market share in the region, sources said on
July 05, 2016 Read Full Article
Big Soy Crop No Help for U.S. Biofuel Makers Overrun by Imports
by Mario Parker (Bloomberg) Biodiesel plants idled as shipments from Asia, Argentina jump; Foreign supplies cheaper or cleaner than fuel from Midwest soy -- Makers of renewable fuels derived from the vast soybean fields across the American Midwest can’t seem to
June 27, 2016 Read Full Article
Solutions from the Land Leaders Bring North American Climate Smart Agriculture Ideas to Global Summit in Rome
(North American Climate Smart Agricultural Alliance) Solutions from the Land (SfL) is taking an active role in the Global Alliance for Climate Smart Agriculture (GACSA) summit underway this week in Rome, pressing business, government, NGO and other leaders there to
June 16, 2016 Read Full Article
Ethanol Sets Sights on Asia-Pacific Region
by Tom C. Doran (AgriNews) The U.S. Grains Council has long served as an international promoter of corn and other grain exports and has expanded its efforts to include ethanol and dried distillers grains with solubles. The efforts coincide with a
May 18, 2016 Read Full Article
Hope Springs Eternal for Ethanol in the Far East
By Ed Hubbard (Renewable Fuels Association) ... At APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum), I found a delegation of countries that weren’t just committed to biofuels, but eager about the future and promise they held for those countries’ domestic economies, energy
May 18, 2016 Read Full Article
APEC Ethanol Forum Highlights Asia as Next Frontier For Exports
(U.S. Grains Council) The growing interest for ethanol in the Asia-Pacific region is driven in part by ever-growing environmental concerns, especially those related to rising greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and deteriorating air quality, the direct results of rapidly-rising fossil fuel consumption
April 15, 2016 Read Full Article
Towards a Sustainable Future
by Sarthak Saraswat (The Hindu) Shell is providing engineering students a platform to design energy-efficient vehicles and reduce carbon emissions. The recent Shell Eco-marathon Asia in Manila saw a clash of the best minds. The atmosphere is charged with excitement. As
April 11, 2016 Read Full Article
Growth Energy to participate in Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) - The Auto Channel's Marc Rauch Part of the Presentation Team
(Growth Energy) This week, Jim Miller, Vice President and Chief Economist of Growth Energy will travel with Steve Bleyl, Executive Vice President of Green Plains Inc., and Doug Berven, Vice President of Corporate Affairs of POET to Chinese Taipei to
April 11, 2016 Read Full Article
Biofuels Mandates Around the World: The 2016 Visual Guide
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) 64 countries have targets or mandates - but how much where, and when, and what? The bulk of mandates continue to come from the EU-27, where the Renewable Energy Directive specified a 10 percent renewable content
April 04, 2016 Read Full Article
AP Interview: Corruption Probe Holds Lessons for Monaco
by Angela Charlton (Associated Press/Washington Post) Monaco’s government says it’s investigating how an alleged vast oil corruption scandal involving a Monaco-based company long went unnoticed, even though the principality has opened up its financial sector and cracked down on tax
April 01, 2016 Read Full Article
Automakers Should Expect Biodiesel Blends -- Global Biofuels Outlook Forecasts through 2035
(Stratas Advisors/PR Newswire) Like government leaders around the world, candidates in the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign have pandered to opposing constituencies surrounding the future of biofuels, agricultural versus petroleum, environmentalists versus industrialists. However, refiners, automakers, governments and investors want a
March 18, 2016 Read Full Article
Swallowing the Frog
by Doug Rich (High Plains/Midwest Ag Journal) The best statement made about the current market situation for grains at the Kansas Commodity Classic came from Chris Novak, CEO of the National Corn Growers Association. Novak said if you eat a
February 23, 2016 Read Full Article
14 More Answers for your Burning Questions about Biofuels, Renewable Chemicals, the New Agriculture, and Biobased Products
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Q. How have the US elections and the regulatory situation in the US impacted development of biofuels for other countries, particularly Latin America? ... Not much impact from the 2014 US elections, so far —
December 28, 2015 Read Full Article
New Biobased Projects Around the World
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Who’s building what, where, now. 29 projects in construction or in commissioning in Africa, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Australia, and the Americas Despite low oil prices, first-gen biofuels and advanced biofuels continue to develop, and
November 18, 2015 Read Full Article
ADB, Japan Companies Plan Asia Green-Energy Fund
(Nikkei Asian Review) The Asian Development Bank will team with Japanese companies to establish a roughly $750 million fund investing in Asia's alternative energy industry. ... Asia Climate Partners will use ADB's connections and information network to find promising investments. It will
September 22, 2015 Read Full Article
Saudis Expand Price War Downstream
by By Gaurav Agnihotri (OilPrice.com) The undisputed king of oil and gas is making some moves that could change the face of the global refining sector. In June 2015, Saudi Arabia pumped a record 10.564 million barrels a day, a record
July 28, 2015 Read Full Article
Valero Expands into Ethanol Export Market for 1st Time
by Chris Prentice (Reuters) Valero Energy Corp, one of the biggest U.S. oil refiners, is preparing to sell ethanol for export for the first time, the company said, betting on the $2 billion overseas market as U.S. demand remains plagued
July 14, 2015 Read Full Article
Thailand Set to Become Regional Bioenergy Hub
by Krissana Parnsoonthorn (Bangkok Post) Thailand has high potential to transfer biomass and biogas technology to other Asean members in the next five years, say industry experts. With abundant biomass resources and the government's past success in promoting bioenergy, the
June 02, 2015 Read Full Article
At Eco-Marathons, Shell De-emphasizes Renewable Transportation Energy, Except, Possibly, for "100% Ethanol"
by Joanne Ivancic* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Having recently completed the inaugural Detroit Shell Eco-Marathon, Adrian Juergens, Fuel Scientist and Shell Eco Marathon technical manager for the Americas held a press event at the Detroit Grand Prix track at Belle Isle
May 31, 2015 Read Full Article
Tough Characters: Looking for Biofuel Plants that Can Survive Drought and Other Harsh Conditions
by Chris Woolston (Bioenergy Connection) With its crown of pink blossoms, the humble seashore mallow may look unassuming, even delicate. But when it comes to brutal environments, this seaside shrub is no pushover. Seashore Mallow can survive one drought after
February 16, 2015 Read Full Article
The Outlook for Renewable Fuels: The Top 10 issues for 2015
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...Here’s our most recent update, focusing on 10 key issues (though not ranked in order of importance): 1. Oil price volatility — will it stabilize? 2. RIN price volatility — will the rollercoaster end? 3. Ethanol blend wall
February 13, 2015 Read Full Article
Top 10 Bioeconomy and Biofuels Predictions for 2015
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) A mere “The Year in Rewind” as we reach the end of 2014? Not the intrepidSS Digest! Instead, we dust off our crystal ball and peer into tomorrowland. 1. The Year of Supercritical, and thermal conversion.
January 02, 2015 Read Full Article
10 Biggest Bioeconomy Blockbuster Stories of 2014: Asia and Oceania
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The East is Green. Asia is confirmed as “the new Brazil” as project developers head en masse to the friendly receptions in Asian countries — based on energy diversification and rural development opportunities. Whether you look
December 29, 2014 Read Full Article
Solanbridge Group Announces Reseller Agreement With Vega Biofuels SLNX to Market Biochar in Canada, Jamaica, and South Central Asia
(Accesswire/Solanbridge Group) Solanbridge Group Inc (OTC: SLNX) is pleased to announce that it has signed a Reseller Agreement with Georgia-based Vega BioFuels, Inc (OTC: VGPR) where Solanbridge has the opportunity to market Vega's Biochar product to its clients worldwide. Vega's Biochar
December 08, 2014 Read Full Article
Africa, ME, Asia to Drive Global Biofuels Demand to 115 mn Tonnes by 2018
(Business Standard) Growth in 2013-18 period likely to be moderate compared to 2008-13 period as demand from the US stagnates, says the Freedonia Group report. Asia-Pacific region, Central and South America, and the Africa/Mideast region are expected to drive the global biofuels demand
September 09, 2014 Read Full Article
VIII Annual ISO DATAGRO New York Sugar and Ethanol Conference: Report
by Pamela Rockwell* (Advanced Biofuels USA) It was fitting that the VIII annual ISO DATAGRO New York Sugar and Ethanol Conference took place in the Empire Room of the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. The event is sponsored jointly by
September 08, 2014 Read Full Article
Biodiesel Push Leads to Big Fall in Indonesia Fuel Import
(The Rakyat Post) Previously ranked as Asia’s top diesel importer, now No 3 Indonesia is expected to take a third less of the fuel this year as demand from mining falters and biodiesel use in transport and industry grows with a
August 21, 2014 Read Full Article
Summary of World Bioenergy Association Global Bioenergy Statistics 2014
by Milsa Vijayadharan (Advanced Biofuels USA) Bioenergy is considered to be an important source of energy for the next decades for several reasons. Most important reasons are: bioenergy can contribute to the reduction of CO2, and therefore decrease the greenhouse-effect;
June 27, 2014 Read Full Article
New Horizons
By Bob Dinneen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The Renewable Fuels Association is working to expand ethanol export markets, says Bob Dinneen, president and CEO, Renewable Fuels Association. For example, the group has led trips abroad to connect U.S. ethanol producers with new
April 25, 2014 Read Full Article
Biobased Investment Triples, to $391M for Q1; Biofuels Digest’s 5-Minute Guide to the Investment Landscape
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Florida, Biofuels Digest reports that 9 biobased ventures raised $391 million in new capital in Q1 2014, while 8 biobased ventures raised $128.6 million in Q4 2013. This compares to $363.8M million in Q2,
April 03, 2014 Read Full Article
X-Crobes: Kuraray Invests in Amyris, What’s Next for Synth-Bio and Performance Molecules?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... In California, Amyris and Kuraray announced the expansion and extension of their ongoing collaboration in high performance polymers using Biofene, Amyris’s brand of renewable farnesene. Amyris and Kuraray launched the collaboration in 2011 with an initial
April 02, 2014 Read Full Article
Ethanol Makers Looking for Export Boost
(St. Louis Post Dispatch/Omaha.com) U.S. ethanol makers will be looking to boost exports of the fuel if the federal government, as expected, scales back the amount mandated for use in the domestic market. With low corn prices, thanks to a record
December 11, 2013 Read Full Article
Argentine Biodiesel Exports Seen Increasing on Demand From U.S.
by Whitney McFerron (Bloomberg BusinessWeek) Argentina, the world’s biggest biodiesel exporter, is increasing shipments of the fuel on stronger U.S. demand, Oil World said. Argentine exports of biodiesel made from soybean oil will climb to 450,000 metric tons in the three months
November 19, 2013 Read Full Article
More Customers Can Benefit From Ennovor's Premium Quality Sustainable Fuels Following $12m Cash Injection
(Ennovor/PR NewsWire) Customers seeking premium quality, reliable and sustainable biofuels will have greater choice. This follows a $12m investment in expanding the supply chain, production and feedstock capabilities of sustainable energy sector leader Ennovor Group. The enhancements are being financed by a $12 million
November 07, 2013 Read Full Article
Concord Energy Announces Agreement to Establish Asia Pacific Joint Venture with Cool Planet Energy Systems
(BusinessWire/Cool Planet) Concord Energy today announced that it has signed an agreement with Cool Planet Energy Systems to establish a joint-venture in the Asia Pacific Region. The JV will develop commercial production facilities for the conversion of non-food biomass into
September 25, 2013 Read Full Article
RNCOS White Paper: Asia Pacific Leads Biofuel Production Growth
(RNCOS) In a world which is ever thirsty for energy, economies eye on renewable energy sources to conserve environment and reduce costs. Our recent analysis of global biofuel industry revealed that in 2012, Asia Pacific witnessed the fastest growth of
September 23, 2013 Read Full Article
Alternative Biofuel Crops to Fuel the Future of the Poor
(EurekAlert/World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF)) The World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have launched the IFAD-ICRAF Programme for the Development of Alternative Biofuel Crops, an initiative focused on providing clean energy for rural communities, enhancing
July 24, 2013 Read Full Article
Cobalt Signs Strategic Partner and Investor to Commercialize Bio-Based Butadiene Solution
(Cobalt/PRNewswire) Strategic Partnership Opens Pathway to $40 Billion Butadiene Market Cobalt Technologies, a leading developer of next generation bio-based chemicals, today announced a strategic relationship with two prominent Asian chemical companies for the development of a complete biomass-to-butadiene solution, to be
April 19, 2013 Read Full Article
Versalis Invests $20M in Genomatica, Launches JV for Bio-based Butadiene
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Italy, Versalis and Genomatica announced the establishment of a technology joint venture for bio-based butadiene from non-food biomass. The resulting process will be licensed across Europe, Asia and Africa by the newly-created joint venture. Versalis —
April 11, 2013 Read Full Article
Algae.Tec Gets Green Light for $12.15 million from Australian Government
(Algae.Tec/PR NewsWire) Algae.Tec today announced approval from the Australian Government for an AU$12.15 million cash refund on Australian and overseas development expenditure for the financial year 30 June 2012 to 30 June 2015. The terms of the payment allow for an
January 14, 2013 Read Full Article
15 Burning Questions (and Answers) for Biofuels in 2013
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Policy, finance, technology, feedstocks, markets, prices, opposition. Here’s what’s on your mind, as the critical 2013 deployment year for biofuels looms. So here are 15 burning questions as suggested by various Digesterati — divided for convenience
December 14, 2012 Read Full Article
Despite Urban Migration, Scale Elusive for MSW-to-Fuels
by Mackinnon Lawrence (Biofuels Digest/Pike Research) There are few topics that get the clean technology sector excited less than trash. Meanwhile, the news is littered with stories discussing municipal areas from Zimbabwe to Los Angeles and Mumbai to Moscow struggling to
December 05, 2012 Read Full Article
False Hope: The Harmful Promotion of Agrofuels in Asia and Canada
by Jack Litster (CCCI-CCIC) When the price of agrofuel production finally became economically competitive with the high price of oil around 2005, a debate soon opened up about whether transport fuel produced from crops (such as palm oil, corn, sugarcane,
November 17, 2012 Read Full Article
The GM Tree Plantations Bred to Satisfy the World's Energy Needs
by John Vidal (The Guardian) Israeli biotech firm says its modified eucalyptus trees can displace the fossil fuel industry It's a timber company's dream but a horrific industrial vision for others: massive plantations of densely planted GM eucalyptus trees stretching across Brazil, South Africa,
November 16, 2012 Read Full Article
Disconnect Between Biofuel Mandates & Demand?
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) A new study, Global Biofuels Outlook to 2025, authored by Hart Energy, finds a disconnect between mandates established in the U.S. Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) and Renewable Energy Directive in the European Union, and actual market demand.
September 26, 2012 Read Full Article
The Top 10 Advanced Biofuels and Biorefining Companies in Asia
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...While the economic growth in China has been drawing virtually all the headlines in recent years, the “Tiger” economies of Southeast and South Asia have been fast-growing for a long time, and with resources including
September 04, 2012 Read Full Article
The Global Energy Market Welcomes US
by Mike Bryan (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ...To sum it up: it’s a big world and a world that is growing increasingly hungry for clean, domestically produced energy. The opportunities abound for those who can think outside the borders of the
July 25, 2012 Read Full Article
Biomass Burning Really Heats Things Up: New Study Shows Significance of Fire's Brown Carbon for Global Warming
(Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development / Environmental News Network) Emissions from forest fires and other biomass burning has a greater impact on global warming than previously understood, according to a new study. “We used to think the lighter particles in
July 06, 2012 Read Full Article
Anticipating Asia: Asian Biofuels Consumption Expected to Grow Substantially
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Conditions are ripe for biofuels demand and production to boom in Asia over the next few years, as steady growth in countries such as China, India and Japan will prompt an “astronomical” rise in
June 05, 2012 Read Full Article
Contribution of Biofuels to the Global Economy
(Global Renewable Fuels Association/Cardno ENTRIX) ...As is the case with virtually all other emerging and developing countries, biofuels offer the prospects of a new cash crop for farmers, increased employment in rural areas, expanded manufacturing output, reduced fuel import costs, and foreign
May 21, 2012 Read Full Article
TMO Renewables Expands Production of 2G Ethanol with Cassava Stalk
(Business Wire) TMO Renewables (“TMO Group”), a leading technology provider for cellulosic biofuels production, today announced the company has advanced to demonstration scale on cassava stalk feedstock with major Chinese fuel and food producers. TMO is now processing an initial
May 04, 2012 Read Full Article
JOil Announces Elite Jatropha Varieties Returns Repeatable Yields of over 2 Tons of Seeds per Hectare in First Year of India Field Trials
(JOil) • Tamil Nadu sites achieve first-year flowering in three months and first harvest in five months • Field trials now being conducted in India, Indonesia, the Philippines and Cambodia JOil (S) Pte. Ltd., a scientific bioenergy crop developer of a new
March 22, 2012 Read Full Article
Biofuels Thrive in the Shadow of Asia’s Oil Crisis
by Joelle Brink (Biofuels Digest Asia) ... So why, you ask, is the US lagging behind Asia? In the US too, biofuels will create lots of jobs as always happens in new growth industries, and lots of new business startups
March 22, 2012 Read Full Article
The Palms Of Controversy
by Joelle Brink (Biofuels Digest Asia) Palms are said to be a symbol of peace and prosperity, but you can’t prove it by the past few weeks of heated debate over palm biofuel. Last week, we looked at the discrepancy between
March 13, 2012 Read Full Article
Biofuels Industrials Shift Focus to Waste, Asia as World Biofuels Markets 2012 Opens
by Nadim Chaudhry (Biofuels Digest/Greenpower Conferences) 1500 industry leaders expected to gather in Rotterdam as oil prices, aviation dominate thinking on growth, in 100-leader industry survey. As we gear up for the 2012 World Biofuels Markets event in Rotterdam, March 13-15, we asked
March 13, 2012 Read Full Article
US Forces Give the Nod to Biofuels
Michael Richardson (Canberra Times) Don't laugh! The United States military is dead serious about being able to fly its combat and cargo planes on jet fuel derived from algae and plants, and to power many of its warships on biodiesel
February 01, 2012 Read Full Article
New Biofuel Production Technologies: Overview of These Expanding Sectors and the Challenges Facing Them
(IFP Energies Nouvelles) The numerous research programmes looking at new-generation biofuels that were initiated over the last ten years are now starting to bear fruit. Although no plants are producing and marketing biofuels yet, the large-scale, industrial feasibility of second-generation biofuel production at
December 30, 2011 Read Full Article
Is Asia Ready for Commercial Algae Production?
by Toby Price (Renewable Energy Magazine) ...Government-subsidised researchers are hunting for local algae strains, while clean tech companies are exploding and foreign investors are tying up deals to bring algae production technologies to China and the rest of Asia.
October 07, 2011 Read Full Article
Giant King Grass Pellets Tested By Korea Forest Research Institute
(PRNewsWire/Viaspace) - VIASPACE Inc., a clean energy company growing Giant King™ Grass as a low-carbon, renewable biomass crop and its subsidiary VIASPACE Green Energy Inc., provided results of testing of Giant King Grass energy pellets by the Korea Forest Research Institute
July 25, 2011 Read Full Article
Europe May Introduce Land Use Sustainabilty Criteria
by Joelle Brink (Biofuels Digest Asia) This was one of the best weeks yet in the Asian biofuels industry. China decided to promote 2G biofuels production and reduce its CO2 emissions by up to 45 percent by 2020. India moved to
May 05, 2011 Read Full Article
Can We Innovate Our Way Out of the Challenges that Confront Us?
by Joelle Brink (Biofuels Digest-Asia) As New Year celebrations get under way throughout Asia, the year in biofuels is shaping up to be one of uncertainty. Already, notable advances in sustainable palm oil supply, cellulosic ethanol production, and biofuels from
January 28, 2011 Read Full Article
Ten Asian Trends to watch in 2011
by Joelle Brink (Biofuels Digest Asia) ...#1 It’s a breakthrough year for Asian biofuels science and technology. Many scientific and technological developments that simmered away in Asian labs and pilot plants in 2010 are set to burst on the scene
January 06, 2011 Read Full Article
2010: Asia’s Biofuels Boom Charges Ahead
by Joelle Brink (Biofuels Digest Asia) 2010 is sure to be remembered as the year Asia’s biofuels boom became self-sustaining. Double digit Asian economic growth, government and private investment, international business collaborations and research networks drove progress as national policy mandates
December 30, 2010 Read Full Article
Biofuels from the Bottom Up
by Joelle Dent (Biofuels Digest-Asia) “Why wait for top-down solutions? Providing energy in a bottom-up way instead has a lot to recommend it. There is no need to wait for politicians or utilities to act. The technology is is rapidly falling
November 04, 2010 Read Full Article
Big Oil and Biofuels Clash over UK’s 2020 Biofuels Target
by Joelle Dent (Biofuels Digest Asia) There’s blast furnace heat but little light so far in the debate on the UK biofuels target for 2020. Some advisors have urged that the current target of 10 percent be halved or entirely
September 21, 2010 Read Full Article
“May You Live in Interesting Times”: Biofuels Digest Asia Debuts Amidst China, Jatropha Surge, Gulf Woes
(Biofuels Digest) ...Closely watched in Asia, the ongoing crisis is likely to be viewed in retrospect as an energy tipping point, emblematic of the case for biofuels and the decline of the world oil and gas industry, which like most
June 02, 2010 Read Full Article
Thailand Biofuels: Feedstocks and Market Opportunities
by Ben Lazarus (Biofuels Digest, American World Services) Looks at cassava, sugarcane, cellulosic feedstocks (rice husks, bagasse), spare production capacity, and export opportunities in Thailand. READ MORE
May 17, 2010 Read Full Article
Asia's First Clear Nano-Emulsion Diesel Plant Opens in Singapore
Singapore Emulsion Fuel Pte Ltd., an innovative player in the green energy space, announced the opening of Asia's first clear nano-emulsion diesel plant. Located within Singapore's Tuas industrial zone, the 40,000 sq. ft. facility is poised to cater to the