by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Several of the better known IEA Bioenergy rock stars — there are four and possibly five in this set, from the US and Canada, so we’ll put them sort of on a par with Neil
BioChemicals/Renewable Chemicals
Back TO HOMEThe Present and Future for Pure-Plays: The Digest’s Multi-Slide Guide to Pacific Ethanol
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Pacific Ethanol is a leading producer and marketer of low-carbon renewable fuels and high-quality alcohol products, and in some ways more importantly, they are a beacon for us to understand the future of pure-play ethanol
October 07, 2019 Read Full Article
Face Fungus, Sustainable Camping Gear, Stationery Made from Stone, Renewable Naphtha, Hydrogen-Powered Tugboat: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of October 4th
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) October has arrived with fall fashion, and amongst our offerings this week, the latest in face fungus, sustainable camping gear and apparel. For those looking for a sustainable statement, why not stationery made from stone.
October 04, 2019 Read Full Article
Biofuels Digest Names Gevo as One of the “The Next 50 Companies to Disrupt the World”
(Gevo/Globe Newswire) Gevo, Inc. (NASDAQ: GEVO) announced today that Biofuels Digest has named Gevo on its NEXT 50 list “the Next 50 Companies to Disrupt the World.” The honor was specifically given for Gevo’s partnership with Renmatix and their work to
October 03, 2019 Read Full Article
Engineering Thermophiles to Produce Drop-in Fuels from Syngas: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Syngas Bioprocess
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Drop-in fuels from syngas are in. Syngas feedstocks are relatively inexpensive and diverse, thermophiles have several unique advantages, and end products have value as fuel and solvent applications among others. Sounds like win, win, win, right?
October 03, 2019 Read Full Article
“The Mindset Is There, We Need the Technologies and to Integrate Them: The Time Is Now”: Looking at Enerkem’s Evolution and the Rise of the Circular Economy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Enerkem has been famed as a plaform for producing ethanol from municipal solid waste. Yet, there’s methanol as a platform. There’s also the possibility of moving from syngas to ethylene. There’s methanol to olefins, which
October 03, 2019 Read Full Article
Honeywell Ecofining Technology Helps Diamond Green Diesel Become One of The World’s Largest Renewable Diesel Plants
(Honeywell UOP) Louisiana facility plans 2021 expansion to meet growing demand for renewable fuels -- Honeywell (NYSE: HON) today announced that Diamond Green Diesel will expand its annual production capacity of renewable diesel using Honeywell UOP’s Ecofining™ process technology to meet growing demand
October 02, 2019 Read Full Article
$73 Million, 35 Projects, Who Won, for What and Why: The DOE Bioenergy Technologies Office 2019 Project Selections
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the U.S. Department of Energy has selected 35 projects totaling $73 million for bioenergy research and development support. Funded through the DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, these projects will help reduce
October 02, 2019 Read Full Article
Call for Partners: Use or Invest in (Biobased) Polymerization Shared Facility
by Jim Lane and Marcel van Berkel (Biofuels Digest/Polymerization Shared Facility) Green Chemistry Campus, REWIN and Wageningen University are planning the development of the first multipurpose Polymerization Shared Facility Pilot Plant in Bergen op Zoom. In this facility new and redesigned
October 01, 2019 Read Full Article
Houston-Based Company Planning $100 Million Plant in St. Martinville that Would Use Sugar Cane Waste to Make Ethanol
by Kristen Mosbrucker (The Advocate) Praj Industries, a publicly traded bioenergy engineering business with headquarters in India, is laying the foundation for a $100 million plant in Louisiana that would use sugar cane bagasse as a fuel and raw material for
October 01, 2019 Read Full Article
Magnificent Microbes: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Targeted Microbial Development
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The industry is always on the look for microbial pathways that are capable of producing high carbon efficiency intermediates that are amenable to economic bioconversion, separation, and catalytic upgrading to hydrocarbon fuels and chemicals. At
October 01, 2019 Read Full Article
Convert CO2 into Raw Materials Using Nanoparticles
(Ruhr University Bochum (Google Translation)) Enzymes use cascade reactions to produce complex molecules from comparatively simple raw materials. The principle was copied by researchers. An international research team has converted carbon dioxide into raw materials using nanoparticles. The scientists at
September 30, 2019 Read Full Article
Bio-Sourced Materials: A New Milestone!
(Michelin) The BioButterfly project launched by Michelin in 2012 has just achieved another milestone: the construction of France's first industrial demonstrator capable of producing butadiene from ethanol. The goal is to replace the oil-based raw materials used in the company's
September 27, 2019 Read Full Article
The Competitive Edge: Sweet Gazoil Inc.
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Sweet Gazoil (SGO) was founded with the goal of protecting the environment by providing cost-effective technologies to treat mixed waste plastics, heavy and used/waste oils, and other waste hydrocarbons. SGO has developed and patented an
September 27, 2019 Read Full Article
Increase Value, Reduce Costs: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Advanced Algal Systems
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Advanced Algal Systems. Maybe you’ve heard of it but did you know that technologies are being developed as part of a DOE program to enable production of sustainable algal feedstocks that perform reliably in conversion processes
September 24, 2019 Read Full Article
The NEXT 50 Companies to Disrupt the World
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Florida, The Digest recognized the NEXT 50, “the 50 Next Companies to Disrupt the World”, bioeconomy companies that are just now reaching commercial scale with an emerging technology, or earlier in their journey to commercial
September 24, 2019 Read Full Article
Biorefinery: ‘The Potential for Farmers to Diversify Their Business in the Future’
by Emma Gilsenan (AgriLand) Biorefinery – which converts biomass to energy and other beneficial by-products – could potentially add more value to an outside block of land, according to UCD lecturer, Bridget Lynch. Speaking to AgriLand at the National Ploughing Championships this week, James
September 23, 2019 Read Full Article
UC Engineering Excels with $11.8m MBIE Endeavour Funding
(University of Canterbury/Scoop) ... This research will develop a new process and materials to produce bio-hydrogen and capture carbon dioxide by using New Zealand wood biomass resources from log harvesting and wood processing. The bio-hydrogen produced could be used as
September 19, 2019 Read Full Article
Design and Deconstruction: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Recycling and Upcycling Plastics
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) We all know plastics are an issue but could there be a solution with a circular carbon economy for plastics? That’s exactly what BETO is looking at with biobased designs for recyclability, reduced use, improved
September 19, 2019 Read Full Article
USWTE Green Industrial Fund Launches Seeking Ozone Investors to Establish Waste to Energy Facilities in the Qualified Opportunity Zones Throughout the United States
(USWTE Green Industrial Fund/PR Newswire) USWTE Green Industrial Fund launches, seeking Ozone investors to establish Waste to Energy (WTE) projects with a view to having follow up funds to invest in WTE type industrial parks in the Qualified Opportunity Zones throughout the United
September 18, 2019 Read Full Article
Replacing the Barrel: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Conversion Technologies
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Developing efficient and economical biological and chemical technologies to convert biomass feedstocks into energy-dense liquid transportation fuels, such as renewable gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel, as well as bioproducts, chemical intermediates, and biopower is the primary goal
September 18, 2019 Read Full Article
Forest Products Industry Barriers to Producing Biofuels
(Biorenewable Deployment Consortium) BDC is a 501c3 organization focused on education and brokering partnerships in order to accelerate the deployment of economic bioprocesses and assist the forest products industry to get the most value from the tree. BDC membership represents
September 16, 2019 Read Full Article
Gevo Successfully Secures Renewable Electricity for its Biofuel Production Processes
(Gevo/Globe Newswire) Electricity from Wind Turbines will Power Gevo’s Agri-Energy Luverne Facility -- Gevo, Inc. (NASDAQ: GEVO) a leading renewable fuels and chemicals manufacturer, announced today it secured the supply of 5.0 MW of fully renewable electricity for its Agri-Energy production
September 16, 2019 Read Full Article
VTT Says Materials and Chemicals the First Commodities to Be Commercialized by Carbon Reuse
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) In Finland, VTT published a new report called “The Carbon Reuse Economy – Transforming CO2 from a pollutant into a resource” and presents its view on how carbon can be turned from a pollutant into
September 16, 2019 Read Full Article
Sugarcane and Cotton Waste Turned into Fuels, Plastics, Feed
(Manufacturers Monthly) The potential to manufacture high-value products from sugarcane and cotton by-products is one step closer to realisation with an injection of funding from the Australian federal government into a project by Queensland University of Technology (QUT). Professor Ian O’Hara, of
September 13, 2019 Read Full Article
Friday Fun with Fungus: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Fungal Biotech for Biofuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Noone knows fungus like these guys. A PNNL team has been developing fungal genetic engineering tools for industrially relevant fungi (filamentous and yeasts) and applying them to development of biofuel and bioproduct bioprocesses in stirred tank
September 13, 2019 Read Full Article
Betting on Waste
(EurekAlert!/University of California - Santa Barbara) Most of the materials that maintain our modern lives -- fuels, pharmaceuticals and other commodity chemicals -- come from non-renewable sources. Over time the acquisition of these materials becomes more costly as their supplies diminish.
September 12, 2019 Read Full Article
Lube It up with Sugar: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Lubricants from Cellulosic Sugar
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Petroleum based lubricants are everywhere, but Cargill is working on producing lubricants from cellulosic sugars instead. Utilizing a novel bioprocess that converts lignocellulosic hydrolysate sugars to caprylatemethyl ester, they are laying the foundation for this product
September 12, 2019 Read Full Article
Gevo Reaches Joint Development Agreement to Explore Converting Plant Sugars into Fuel
by Andrew Kessel (Proactive Investors) The plan is to investigate the potential of sugars and glycerol derived from cellulose to be converted into hydrocarbon molecules for use in fuels or chemicals --Gevo Inc (NASDAQ:GEVO), a renewable fuels company, announced Tuesday
September 11, 2019 Read Full Article
Highest Yield, Lowest Cost: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to 2nd Gen Mixotrophy for Biochemicals
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Shawn Jones from White Dog Labs shared this as part of the of U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office presentations on second-generation mixotrophy for the highest yield and least expensive biochemical production. Check out
September 09, 2019 Read Full Article
Gevo Announces Breakthrough Development of Low-Carbon No Particulate Renewable Diesel
(GEVO) Converting Isobutanol or Fusel Oils to Renewable Diesel -- Gevo, Inc. (NASDAQ: GEVO) a leading renewable fuels and chemicals manufacturer, announced today that it has developed proprietary, breakthrough processes that converts either low-carbon isobutanol or low-value “fusel oils,” a mixture of alcohols
September 06, 2019 Read Full Article
Biotech to Biochem: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Versalis’ Chemistry from Renewables
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Versalis, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eni, and while their history lies with traditional chemicals, they now have strategic guidelines for chemistry from renewables. Their biotech business unit is one of the ways they are integrating
September 06, 2019 Read Full Article
Rice Reactor Turns Greenhouse Gas into Pure Liquid Fuel
by Mike Williams (Rice University) Lab’s ‘green’ invention reduces carbon dioxide into valuable fuels -- A common greenhouse gas could be repurposed in an efficient and environmentally friendly way with an electrolyzer that uses renewable electricity to produce pure liquid fuels. The catalytic reactor
September 05, 2019 Read Full Article
Biobased Battery, Starch-Based Gift Cards, Future Fashion, Plant-Based Flame Retardants, and More: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of September 5th
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This week is a merry mix of biobased innovations around the world. From the creation of artificial reefs made from PLA in Israel and Spain’s starch-based gift cards to the U.S. where biobased battery materials are
September 05, 2019 Read Full Article
India’s Rising Prowess in Bioeconomy: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Praj’s Perpective from India
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Product, processes and partnerships are what it’s all about in India right now with the country’s latest bioenergy policies and growing activity in the bioeconomy. Pramod Chaudhari, Executive Chairman at Praj Industries gave this illuminating presentation at
September 04, 2019 Read Full Article
Clariant Successfully Concludes Testing of Energy Crop Miscanthus at Straubing Plant for GRACE Project
(Clariant) INA has chosen Clariant’s sunliquid® technology to assess usability of miscanthus for conversion into lignocellulosic sugars & ethanol within the EU-funded GRACE project in which INA participates; About 30 tons of miscanthus were processed at Clariant’s pre-commercial plant in
September 03, 2019 Read Full Article
Development Renewable Fuels Paper as Support to the UPEI 2050 Vision
by Eric van den Heuve (VOF studio Gear Up/UPEI) In the world and in the EU in majority fossil liquid and gaseous fuels are the dominant fuels used in the transport sector. Renewable fuels only contribute about 5-6% of total
August 30, 2019 Read Full Article
Zero-Emission Hydrogen Beer Trucks, Algae to Generate Clean Water, Cheesy Biogas, Algae Backpacks, Bamboo Toothbrushes, and More: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of August 30th
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Pumpkin spice everything is already appearing in stores across the U.S. and so is beer for Oktoberfest, but Anheuser-Busch’s beer will be delivered using zero-emission hydrogen beer trucks! Have some cheese with that beer as cheese
August 30, 2019 Read Full Article
SoCalGas Project Uses Renewable Electricity for RNG Production
by Betsy Lillian (NGT News) Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) and Electrochaea have commissioned a new biomethanation reactor system, which uses renewable electricity to convert hydrogen into pipeline-quality methane for use in homes, businesses and transportation. The pilot project is located at
August 29, 2019 Read Full Article
Insane in the Membrane: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Whitefox’s Membranes
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Whitefox uses membranes to carry out industrial water separation steps, including membranes for biofuels. Their first industrial installation was in Europe in 2002 for pharmaceutical grade ethanol, but installations now have expanded to industrial and
August 28, 2019 Read Full Article
How’s the Bioeconomy Doing?: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to 9 Bellwether Stocks
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Here’s The Digest’s very own condensed look at 9 bioeconomy companies –Amyris, Aemetis, Codexis, Gevo, Green Plains, Neste, Novozymes, Pacific Ethanol and Renewable Energy Group, in their own words and images. From their latest projects, expansions, accomplishments,
August 27, 2019 Read Full Article
Cool Catalytic Conversion: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Vertimass’ Hydrocarbons
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Vertimass’s catalytic conversion is so cool it can convert ethanol into fungible blend stocks in one step without added hydrogen. Their technology produces hydrocarbon fuels and chemicals from biomass – taking biomass through existing biofuels facilities
August 26, 2019 Read Full Article
Renewable Energy Producer S.G. Preston Interested in Buying PES Refinery
by Catalina Jaramillo (WHYY) Philadelphia-based biofuel company S.G. Preston Co. is the first of at least two prospective buyers to publicly express interest in taking over the damaged Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery to make renewable diesel, marine diesel and jet fuel,
August 26, 2019 Read Full Article
The Future of Hydrogen -- Seizing Today's Opportunities
(International Energy Agency) "Hydrogen is today enjoying unprecedented momentum. The world should not miss this unique chance to make hydrogen an important part of our clean and secure energy future." -- Hydrogen and energy have a long shared history – powering
August 23, 2019 Read Full Article
From Lignin to Value: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to MetGen’s Enzymes
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) MetGen are pioneers in industrial enzymes for lignocellulosic biomass and are trying to empower industries to get the most out of biomass with their enzymatic technologies. Alex Michine, CEO of MetGen gave this enlightening overview of MetGen’s
August 22, 2019 Read Full Article
New Catalysts, Improved Genetic Tools Bring New Opportunities: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to ORNL’s Biomass to Bioproducts
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Organisms are interesting creatures and genetic tools and biochemical pathway knowledge is changing the way we look at them. Brian Davison, Chief Scientist for Biotechnology at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, gave this knowledge-filled presentation on how
August 22, 2019 Read Full Article
Gevo Discusses Plans for Hydrocarbon, RNG Production
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) ... During an earnings call, Gevo CEO Patrick Gruber discussed the company’s future plans for aviation fuel production and announced plans to launch a renewable natural gas (RNG) division. Gruber opened the call by discussing progress the
August 21, 2019 Read Full Article
Cellulose Microbeads, Sequins and Eyeware, 3D Printed Sandals and Menswear, Biobased adhesives, and more: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of August 21st
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This week, it’s all about cellulose and 3D printing and these Top 10 Innovations are so cutting edge you can literally dress yourself from head to toe in it. From cellulose sequins and cellulose eyeware to
August 21, 2019 Read Full Article
Three UK Companies Join Forces to Create Waste Plastic to Hydrogen Facilities
(Bioenergy Insight) Three companies have joined forces to create waste plastic to hydrogen facilities across the UK. Peel Environmental has signed a collaboration agreement with Waste2Tricity and PowerHouse Energy which will see 11 waste plastic to hydrogen facilities developed. The £130 million
August 20, 2019 Read Full Article
Bioenergy Startup Licenses ORNL Food-Waste-to-Fuel System
(Oak Ridge National Laboratory) Electro-Active Technologies, Inc., of Knoxville, Tenn., has exclusively licensed two biorefinery technologies invented and patented by the startup’s co-founders while working at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The technologies work as a system that
August 20, 2019 Read Full Article
The Digital Deluge: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Praj’s Digital Biology
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Digital biology is a phrase that seems as mystical as a unicorn, but Vineet Rajgarhia, Senior VP of Biochemicals at Praj Industries, shared this presentation at ABLC 2019 in Washington, D.C. on how the oil
August 20, 2019 Read Full Article
The Golden Cow – Is India the Place to Be for Biofuels?
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) ... Is India the cash cow for biofuels? Or even the golden cow? If Aemetis’ recent 200% year over year increase in biodiesel sales is any indication…well, let’s just say we see the value. The market It
August 19, 2019 Read Full Article
Replacing Crude Oil with Waste Plastics
(Neste) The aim is to proceed to an industrial scale trial during 2019. By 2030, Neste targets to process more than one million tons of plastic waste annually by 2030. Neste is already the world's largest producer of renewable diesel
August 19, 2019 Read Full Article
Scars Are Beautiful: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Gevo’s Market Perspectives
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Scars are a sign you’ve been there and survived. You overcame. You learned something, maybe the hard way. And Patrick Gruber, CEO of Gevo, a company that produces low-carbon, renewable, high-performance fuel products, shows us just how
August 16, 2019 Read Full Article
Gevo Enters into Purchase and Sale Agreement for Sustainable Aviation Fuel to Supply Air TOTAL International
(Gevo) Gevo, Inc. (NASDAQ: GEVO) announced today that Air TOTAL International SA (“Air TOTAL”) and Gevo have entered into a partnership agreement to produce and supply sustainable aviation fuel (“SAF”) for use and distribution in France and other parts of
August 15, 2019 Read Full Article
No Carbon Left Behind: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to LanzaTech
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) LanzaTech has produced 5.5 million gallons of ethanol since start up and has compelling project economics to back it up. Jennifer Holmgren, CEO of LanzaTech gave this ‘Carbon Smart’ overview of how LanzaTech is recycling
August 15, 2019 Read Full Article
Robocar’s Biobased Seat Cushions, Miscanthus Bedding, Churro Waste Fat Based Diesel, Edible Spoons, Cellulose-Based Fabric, Sausage without the Sausage, and More: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of August 15th
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) As the end of summer approaches, county fairs are popping up around the U.S. and with it, churros and other waste. But innovators are turning churro waste fats into renewable diesel, using edible flavored spoons to
August 15, 2019 Read Full Article
Promising New Solar-Powered Path to Hydrogen Fuel Production
(Lehigh News) A team at Lehigh is the first to use a single enzyme biomineralization process to create a solar-driven water splitting catalyst that produces hydrogen with the potential to be manufactured sustainably, cheaply and abundantly. -- Engineers at Lehigh University
August 14, 2019 Read Full Article
Tulane Researcher Working to Turn Waste to Fuel Wins NSF Career Award
by Barri Bronston (Tulane University) Nicholas Sandoval's lab at Tulane works on the development and application of advanced synthetic biology tools for microbes and other model cell lines for the purpose of therapeutics and sustainable fuel and chemical production. -- Nicholas
August 14, 2019 Read Full Article
Vegan Renewable Diesel, Futurol Tech: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Axens’ Fuel Feedstocks
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Axens Solutions is covering the entire project development cycle and working on things like BioTfuel and Vegan which are renewable diesel and jet fuels, Futurol, a cellulosic ethanol using biomass enzymatic fermentation, Atol made from
August 14, 2019 Read Full Article
FAME Is Fleeting: FAEE as a More Sustainable Option for Biodiesel in the US: Filling the Tank on the Road to the Future
by Ron Cascone and Steven Slome (Nexant/Biofuels Digest) The term “fatty acid methyl ester” or FAME has been synonymous with biodiesel for the better part of the last two decades that have seen its widespread promotion and use. This has been
August 14, 2019 Read Full Article
DOE Seeks Information on Opportunities to Leverage Bioethanol Production Facilities, Food Waste Streams, High-Impact Data, and Algal Biomass to Advance the Domestic Bioeconomy --DE-FOA-0002150: FY 2019 BETO-WIDE RFI DEADLINE: September 6, 2019
(U.S. Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s (EERE’s) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) is requesting information on the following research opportunities to help inform its priorities and funding strategies: advanced processes and
August 13, 2019 Read Full Article
Just Drop It in!: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Gevo’s Drop-in Hydrocarbons
by Jim Lane (Biofuhttp://radar.weather.gov/radar_lite.php?product=NCR&rid=LWX&loop=yesels Digest) Gevo produces and sells low-carbon, renewable, high-performance fuel products. From ethanol to isobutanol, jet fuel, isooctane, oxygenate blendstocks, and more, Gevo is on a mission to replace fossil based products and decarbonize products for large markets. Tim
August 08, 2019 Read Full Article
Ready to Meet Market Growth?: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Biomass Gasification
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Missed The Digest’s webinar on Biomass Gasification? Wondering what it is or where it’s at? Biomass Gasification is a thermochemical process in which a renewable solid carbonaceous feedstock is reacted with air, oxygen, CO2 and/or steam
August 07, 2019 Read Full Article
Novo Holdings Invests $72 Million in Sustainable Products Leader LanzaTech
(Lanza Tech) Novo Holdings A/S (Novo Holdings) and LanzaTech, a pioneer in the production of next generation fuels and chemicals through the recycling of carbon pollution, announce today that they have formed a partnership to grow LanzaTech’s revolutionary sustainable fuels and
August 06, 2019 Read Full Article
Gevo Receives ISCC Plus Certification
(Geva/Globe Newswire) Gevo, Inc. (NASDAQ: GEVO) announced today (August 5, 2019) it has achieved its International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) under the ISCC PLUS scheme for Food, Feed, Industrial Applications, Energy, Biofuels outside Europe. In obtaining ISCC certification, Gevo continues
August 06, 2019 Read Full Article
Range of Possibilities: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Global Bioenergies’ Bio-Isobutene
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Global Bioenergies produces isobutene from sugars with a commercial plant in preparation. Their technology can transform isobutene into isooctane, ETBE, C12/C16 hydrocarbons and more, which makes it relevant for a wide range of markets including specialty
August 06, 2019 Read Full Article
Licella Ignites Carbon Re-Use Week with Oji Deal to Make Fuels, Chemicals from End-of-Life Plastic
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Licella signed a memorandum of understanding with New Zealand’s pulp, paper and packaging business giant Oji Fibre Solutions to investigate plastic recycling technology for New Zealand. Specifically, the physical and chemical recycling of what they’re
August 06, 2019 Read Full Article
From Biomass to BioPlus: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to GranBio’s Nanocellulose
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) GranBio is focused on commercial deployment of technologies for the production of biofuels, biochemicals, and nanocellulose. Kim Nelson, PhD, CTO Nanocellulose of GranBio gave this illuminating overview of GranBio’s two distinct nanocellulose processes, the BETO project for
August 05, 2019 Read Full Article
“I Am Not Charcoal.” – Sincerely, Biochar: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Biochar
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) On a recent Digest webinar, we heard all about biochar. The science. The markets. The technology. The results. The needs. And much more. If you missed The Digest’s webinar then check out the slides that cover
August 05, 2019 Read Full Article
Euglena Sets Sights as an Olympic Hopeful for Algae-Based Aviation Jet Fuel
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) Midorimushi – other than being a cool sounding Ninja name, it’s scientific name is Euglena. No, it’s not the latest superhero in a manga comic. It’s a kind of algae. In a magical sort of hybrid
August 05, 2019 Read Full Article
Cielo Announces MOU to Build a Renewable Diesel Refinery in Lethbridge, Alberta and Settlement of Debt
(Cielo/Bloomberg) ("Cielo" or the "Company") announces that it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with Renewable U LethbridgeInc. ("Renewable U LA") to build a renewable diesel refinery in the City of Lethbridge, Alberta. Renewable U LA and Cielo are now working
August 02, 2019 Read Full Article
Batteries from Trees, 3D Printing Developments, Canola Straw Cling Wrap, Biochar, and More: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of August 2nd
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Can you really produce anode materials from trees? Stora Enso says absolutely yes! And they are investing a nice chunk of change to build a pilot plant for lignin-based battery materials. Ok, sounds great, but come
August 02, 2019 Read Full Article
Solar Energy Becomes Biofuel without Solar Cells
(Uppsala University/Science Codex) Soon we will be able to replace fossil fuels with a carbon-neutral product created from solar energy, carbon dioxide and water. Researchers at Uppsala University have successfully produced microorganisms that can efficiently produce the alcohol butanol using carbon
August 01, 2019 Read Full Article
Neste Hosts Foundation Stone Ceremony for Singapore Expansion
(Neste) Following up from the EUR 1.4 billion investment to expand its renewable products production capacity in Singapore, Neste today held a foundation stone ceremony to officially mark the extension of the new production line. The construction started at the beginning
August 01, 2019 Read Full Article
Blazing Pathways through the Clean-Tech and Governmental Wilderness
by Douglas L. Faulkner (The Cleantech Conservative/Leatherstocking LLC/ Biofuels Digest) ... (W)e first addressed bio-based plastic research needs; second, we reviewed government regulations preventing the growth of advanced biofuels, a controversial action; then we launched an effort for 2019 for an intensive look
August 01, 2019 Read Full Article
Here Comes the Sun – Sunliquid Tech: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Clariant
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Clariant, a Switzerland based specialty chemicals company, has four business areas: Care Chemicals, Natural Resources, Catalysis and Plastics & Coatings. While the first half of the year has been challenging, Clariant was able to increase sales
July 29, 2019 Read Full Article
Rules and Regulations: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Regulatory Landscapes
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) How chemical products and novel substances are regulated in the U.S. has a huge impact on the bioeconomy and the companies that are producing bioproducts today. Bergeson & Campbell shares their thoughts on the Toxic Substances
July 26, 2019 Read Full Article
Genera Repositions Itself, Gets $118M Investment – Movin’ on up to Get a Piece of the Pie
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) ... A $118 million pie in new investment money for this Tennessee-based biomass company. The financing was anchored by an equity investment from WindSail Capital Group, which partnered with investors Coppermine Capital and Stairway Capital
July 26, 2019 Read Full Article
ICC Brazil Teams with Lallemand on R&D and Supply of Inactive Yeast from Sugarcane Ethanol
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Brazil, ICC Brazil announced that it has entered into a long-term global partnership with Lallemand Animal Nutrition (LAN) for the research, development, and supply of inactive yeast products and derivatives derived from sugar cane ethanol. Over recent
July 24, 2019 Read Full Article
Gin from Peas, Infinite Hoodie, Plant Shoe, Light and Heat Stabilizers for Agricultural Plastics, Slimy Sea Lettuce for biofuels, and More: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of July 24th
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Gin being made from pea fermentation instead of wheat fermentation, slimy sea lettuce as a feedstock for biofuels, Icelandair is one of the first airlines to start using biodegradable single-use items, adidas and stella mccartney created
July 24, 2019 Read Full Article
Airgas Opens Liquid Carbon Dioxide and Dry Ice Facility in Stockton, California
(Airgas) Airgas, an Air Liquide company and a leading U.S. supplier of industrial, medical and specialty gases, and related products, announces the grand opening of its new liquid carbon dioxide and dry ice facility in Stockton, California. The facility, which was engineered
July 23, 2019 Read Full Article
Ayas Renewables Completes Definitive Engineering for Glycerin to Bio-Renewable Propylene Glycol Plant
(Ayas Renewables/PR NewsWire) New Facility To Showcase US Presidential Green Chemistry Award-Winning Process That Provides 99.9% Pure, Bio-Renewable Propylene Glycol At Competitive Price -- Ayas Renewables, Inc. has completed definitive engineering and is in the process of final site selection for a
July 23, 2019 Read Full Article
Renewable Hydrogen: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to SBI BioEnergy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Today’s top story talks about the value of hydrogen so what better Multi-Slide Guide than SBI BioEnergy and their renewable fuel process including their new venture of what they call bio-hydrogen using a proprietary catalytic technology.
July 23, 2019 Read Full Article
Negatonnes: Beyond the ZEV, the Negative Emission Vehicle and Its Amazing Hydrogen Fuel and Electric Drive
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... There’s the technically tougher path, which is to split ethanol and make CO2 and hydrogen. The point source, high-grade CO2 has value. The bio-based hydrogen has even more value than the ethanol. Conceptually, the recipe is
July 23, 2019 Read Full Article
Biobased Briefing: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to BIO
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... If you want to get a quick overview of what BIO does, some fascinating statistics they have on the U.S. renewable chemicals market, both current and predicted, and more, check out today’s Multi-Slide Guide. Jim Greenwood,President
July 22, 2019 Read Full Article
Designer Proteins: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Arzeda
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Proteins are molecular machines that carry out the vast majority of functions within living things and Arzeda’s unique combination of computational protein design and state-of-the-art high-throughput screening is a radical change over what’s possible with traditional
July 19, 2019 Read Full Article
Surf’s up with Bioboards, Panasonic’s Biobased Appliances, CO2 Textile Fibers, Nestlé’s Biodegradable Snack Bar Wrapper, and More: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of July 17th
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Keep cool this summer with CO2 based textile fibers, biobased appliances, and surf the ocean waves on a biobased surfboard. But that’s not all because bioeconomy innovations are ripping and roaring! Here are the Top 10
July 17, 2019 Read Full Article
Relieving Two Headaches with One Process: Acetaminophen from Lignin
by Jill Sakai (Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center) With a new method to synthesize a popular pain-relieving medication from plants rather than fossil fuels, researchers at the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center have found a way to relieve two headaches at once. A
July 12, 2019 Read Full Article
New Coalition Working on SAF: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to AFCC
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Alternative Fuels & Chemicals Coalition advocates for public policy to promote the development and production of alternative fuels and chemicals, especially sustainable aviation fuels. It’s a collaborative government affairs effort formed just months ago in January
July 11, 2019 Read Full Article
Supply Chain Management: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Algenol
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Algenol knows a thing or two about supply chains. As a global biotechnology company that develops all natural products, as well as customized biology solutions, they use fundamental science and cutting edge technology to convert algae
July 10, 2019 Read Full Article
Paper Pen, Bioasphalt, Water Activated Bio Shampoo, Lignin Self-Healing Elastomer, Bio Crop Coating, and More: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of July 10th
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) While many are on vacation this time of year, the bioeconomy is not even close to taking a break. In fact, bioeconomy innovations, are like a beach goer in Florida this time of year – hot!
July 10, 2019 Read Full Article
Heard on the Floor at the 2019 BIO World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... (T)he bioeconomy’s biggest and grandest show, the BIO World Congress, takes us on an accustomed journey through the present and future in a sector that has more twists and turns than the rides at
July 10, 2019 Read Full Article
USDA to Amend Guidelines for Designating Biobased Products for Federal Procurement
(Bergeson & Campbell) The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Office of Procurement and Property Management published a final rule on July 5, 2019, that will amend the Guidelines for Designating Biobased Products for Federal Procurement (Guidelines) to add 30 sections designating the product
July 09, 2019 Read Full Article
WEBINAR: New TSCA at 3: Key Implementation Issues --- July 25, 2019

This one-hour webinar will build upon the Bergeson & Campbell, P.C.-sponsored “TSCA: Three Years Later” one-day conference, co-sponsored by the Environmental Law Institute (ELI) and the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health on June 24, 2019. The
July 09, 2019 Read Full Article
The Energy Transition and Oil Companies’ Hard Choices
by Rob West and Bassam Fattouh (The Oxford Institute for Energy Studies) In this Energy Insight, we explore the challenges of the energy transition for international oil companies (IOCs). We argue that energy demand forecasts are inconsistent with meeting Paris Agreement
July 09, 2019 Read Full Article
All About Algae: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to ABO
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Algae Biomass Organization advocates for algae-advancing policy and funding, serves as a hub for innovation and networking, and drives demand for “made with algae” products and services. Mark Allen, Chairperson of ABO, offers this enlightening overview of
July 09, 2019 Read Full Article
Vertimass Completes First Technology License To Alliance BioEnergy Plus Inc.
(Vertimass/Oil&Gas 360) Vertimass' ethanol to renewable chemicals and jet fuel offers ethanol producers new product capabilities -- Vertimass completed its first technology license agreement with Alliance BioEnergy Plus, Inc. in West Palm Beach, Florida, to produce renewable jet fuel along with Benzene, Toluene,
July 05, 2019 Read Full Article
Wärtsilä Forms Biogas Solutions Unit to Speed up Adoption of Clean Fuels
(Wärtsilä) The technology group Wärtsilä further strengthens its commitment to environmental sustainability with the formation of Wärtsilä Biogas Solutions. Wärtsilä Puregas Solutions, specialists in biogas upgrading technology, is now merged with Wärtsilä’s biogas liquefaction team, a unit with expert
July 05, 2019 Read Full Article
Raised & Rooted Alt Protein, African Iron Superfood, Biological Biocide, Digital Agronomic Tools, CO2 Munching Microbe, and More: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of July 4th
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In the U.S., it’s Independence Day and many folks are celebrating across the country, but it doesn’t mean the bioeconomy is taking a break. In fact, bioeconomy innovations, much like hamburgers and hot dogs across America,
July 05, 2019 Read Full Article
These Nano-Bugs Eat CO2 and Make Eco-Friendly Fuel
by Trent Knoss (University of Colorado Boulder) CU Boulder researchers have developed nanobio-hybrid organisms capable of using airborne carbon dioxide and nitrogen to produce a variety of plastics and fuels, a promising first step toward low-cost carbon sequestration and eco-friendly manufacturing
July 03, 2019 Read Full Article
Making Every Carbon Count: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Praj
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Praj had a humble beginning as a supplier of ethanol plants, and today is a global company with a bouquet of sustainable solutions for bioenergy, high purity water, critical process equipment, breweries and industrial wastewater treatment. Dr.
July 02, 2019 Read Full Article
Oh My! Dan’s Back: AgCertain Industries Acquires KemX Global
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) For some time, many have been uncertain as to what direction former REG CEO Dan Oh would take in developing a new entry into the fast-growing bioeconomy, but now we can be certain, or rather, AgCertain. News
July 02, 2019 Read Full Article
Avantium Awarded Funding for VEHICLE
(Avantium) Avantium N.V. announces that it has been awarded €1.3 million for its Dawn and Mekong Technologies from the Bio Based Industries Joint Undertaking (BBI JU) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program. The total subsidy granted to the Industry Consortium
July 01, 2019 Read Full Article
How Low Can You Go with Carbon?: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Aemetis
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Aemetis is an international renewable fuels and biochemicals company using patented industrial biotechnology for the construction and operation of advanced biorefineries. They own and operate a 60+ million gallon ethanol plant in California, a 50 million gallon
July 01, 2019 Read Full Article
Enerkem Co-Founder Vincent Chornet Dies at 45
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Canada, Enerkem announced the death of co-founder and long-time CEO Vincent Chornet following a prolonged illness. He was 45. The company noted, “faithful to himself, he fought this terrible disease with the passion and determination that
June 28, 2019 Read Full Article
Letter from Route 12 and the Pacific Northwest: From Waste Streams, a Bioeconomy Rising
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington state, there’s a new mill near the city of Dayton that is the first to use waste straw to make pulp for paper products, and biopolymers; and, a new project near Granger turning
June 27, 2019 Read Full Article
Fighting Forest Fires with Biofuels: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Red Rock Biofuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Red Rock Biofuels produces drop-in, renewable, low-carbon jet and diesel fuels. RRB makes the long-commercialized Fischer-Tropsch process economic at the biomass scale. By using forest and sawmill residues, Red Rock reduces the risk of catastrophic wildfires
June 26, 2019 Read Full Article
Partnership for Production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel
(NTBInfo/Avinor) Avinor has entered into an agreement with Quantafuel to buy sustainable aviation fuel based on Norwegian biomass. The fuel will be produced in a pilot plant partly funded by ENOVA*. “Sustainable aviation fuel is essential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from
June 25, 2019 Read Full Article
Renewable Polymer Plant: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Avantium
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Avantium, a renewable chemicals company, develops and commercializes biobased plastics, chemicals, and fuels. The company offers polyethylene furanoate (PEF), a biobased and recyclable polymer that is used in various applications, such as packaging of soft drinks,
June 25, 2019 Read Full Article
Turning the Switch on Biofuels
by Anne M Stark (Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory/Phys.Org) Plant cell walls contain a renewable, nearly limitless supply of sugar that can be used in the production of chemicals and biofuels. However, retrieving these sugars isn't all that easy. ... Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL)
June 20, 2019 Read Full Article
Hemp Product of the Year, BASF’s Sun Protection, Saving Kiwi with Algae, Biodegradable Polyester Fashion, Renewable Surfactants, and More: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of June 19th
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) As summer gets hotter, bioeconomy inventions and changes are getting hotter too. Here are the top innovations for the week of June 19th – from hemp face cream and hemp protein powder to saving the kiwifruit
June 20, 2019 Read Full Article
Efficiently Producing Fatty Acids and Biofuels from Glucose
(The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)/Phys.Org) Researchers have presented a new strategy for efficiently producing fatty acids and biofuels that can transform glucose and oleaginous microorganisms into microbial diesel fuel, with one-step direct fermentative production. The newly developed strain,
June 19, 2019 Read Full Article
Bioprocessing in Iowa: Reflecting on Our Journey
by Debi Durham (Iowa Economic Development Authority/Biofuels Digest) ... For decades, we’ve applied our work ethic and expertise in laboratories, innovation centers and refineries throughout the state. As a result, we’ve become a leader in bioprocessing, in addition to our agrarian achievements. ... There’s
June 18, 2019 Read Full Article
4 Key Bioenergy Technologies: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to SoCalGas
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) he Southern California Gas Company is the primary provider of natural gas to the region of Southern California and has a vision to become the cleanest natural gas utility in North America. As California works to
June 17, 2019 Read Full Article
Potential to Decarbonize Long Distance Transport: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Drop-in Biofuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) IEA Bioenergy Task 39, with the help of the National Renewable Energy Lab and University of British Columbia, has been working facilitating the commercialization of conventional and advanced liquid biofuels from biomass drop-in biofuels for quite
June 14, 2019 Read Full Article
Study Identifies Most Promising Feedstocks for Pyrolysis-Based Biorefinery
(CORDIS/Phy.Org) A study into the composition and processability of different biomass feedstocks has found sunflower seed husks and poplar wood slabs to be the most suitable for producing bio-based products via fast pyrolysis conversion. The study was conducted by Capax Biobased
June 13, 2019 Read Full Article
Biomanufacturing 2.0 Cell-Free: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Invizyne Technologies
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Invizyne Technologies is making chemicals the cell-free way using synthetic biology and metabolic engineering. By inputting sugar and using engineered microbes, they can result in useful compounds and commodity chemicals, biofuels, fuel additives, fragrances, and pharmaceuticals. James
June 13, 2019 Read Full Article
Researchers Create Microorganism for Algae Biomass to Produce Biofuel and Biochemical
(AZO CleanTech) ... (T)he collaborative research team of POSTECH and Seoul National University created a new microorganism, which they christened as Vibrio sp. dhg. In their research, they effectively showed that Vibrio sp. dhg can be a capable microbial platform for the
June 13, 2019 Read Full Article
Promising Start to 2019: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Stora Enso
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Digest’s “Stocks Worth Tracking” Multi-Slide Guide Series highlights hot companies that are making strides in the bioeconomy. Today’s “Stock Worth Tracking” is Stora Enso. Stora Enso celebrated some positive Q1 2019 financials including sales that
June 11, 2019 Read Full Article
Of Impossibles and Whoppers: Notes from the Planet Synthetica
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) There’s been a stream of good news and bad news on the “made in a lab” front in recent weeks. First, the amazing news that Impossible Foods raised a $300 million in its Series E round was led
June 04, 2019 Read Full Article
EU-India Conference on Advanced Biofuels
(Netzwerk Biotreibstoffe) The 2nd EU-India Conference on Advanced Biofuels was organised by the Directorate General for Energy of the European Commission and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas of India under the framework of the India-EU CECP. The conference aimed at
June 03, 2019 Read Full Article
Thermochemical Pulp Biorefinery Opens in Ontario
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) FPInnovations and Resolute Forest Products Inc. announced May 27 the commissioning of a new pilot biorefinery that converts wood biomass into lignin and sugars. On the same day, the Canadian government awarded C$2 million to the
May 29, 2019 Read Full Article
Nouryon Announces 2019 Imagine Chemistry winners
(Nouryon) Surfactants derived from plants, eco-friendly membranes, and miniature sensors were among the eight winning ideas in the 2019 Imagine Chemistry collaborative innovation challenge, organized by Nouryon. More than 160 submissions from 30 countries were received, and the winners were
May 29, 2019 Read Full Article
BASF, The Estee Lauder Companies, Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil and Solidaridad partner for sustainable palm project partner for sustainable palm project
(BASF) Sustainability project in Lampung, Indonesia launched; Program to encompass 1,000 independent Indonesian smallholder farmers -- BASF, The Estée Lauder Companies and the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) are partnering with the civil society organization Solidaridad to promote sustainable palm oil and
May 29, 2019 Read Full Article
Rethinking Tomorrow and New Product Launches: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Novozymes
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Digest’s new “Stocks Worth Tracking” Multi-Slide Guide Series highlights hot companies that are making strides in the bioeconomy. Today’s “Stock Worth Tracking” is Novozymes. Novozymes has had 17 years of innovation driven growth with a
May 29, 2019 Read Full Article
MicroNiche Engineering: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Microvi
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Microvi has a vision of safe water, sustainable chemicals and a clean environment for all. How they do this is through their exclusive MicroNiche Engineering platform which combines material science and microbiology to provide novel, fit-for-process biocatalyst
May 28, 2019 Read Full Article
EERE’s SBIR Selects Bioenergy Phase I Innovation Projects
(U.S. Department of Energy) American small businesses got nearly a $22 million boost from the Energy Department’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. Small businesses are receiving Phase I Release 2 grants (from
May 28, 2019 Read Full Article
BASF Develops Process for Climate-Friendly Methanol
(BASF) Successful team of experts applies for patent for complex process; With the help of BASF’s OASE® gas treatment technology, no carbon dioxide should be emitted during the entire production process The production processes of the most important basic chemicals are responsible for around
May 28, 2019 Read Full Article
The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Gevo
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Digest’s new “Stocks Worth Tracking” Multi-Slide Guide Series highlights hot companies that are making strides in the bioeconomy. Today’s “Stock Worth Tracking” is Gevo. Gevo produces and sells low-carbon, renewable, high-performance fuel products. From ethanol
May 28, 2019 Read Full Article
Project LIBERTY: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to POET
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) POET has been turning one big idea after another into biofuel and renewable alternative product solutions for thirty years. They have grown from a single, humble refinery in Scotland, South Dakota, to one of the world’s
May 24, 2019 Read Full Article
Plant Robot, Wheat Bran and Food Waste Coffins, Lyocell Car Seats, 3D Biobased Dwelling, Milk Protein Films, and More: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of May 23rd
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The pace of bioeconomy invention and change continues at a frenetic pace. Here are the top innovations for the week of May 23rd In today’s Digest, plant robot, wheat bran and food waste coffins, lyocell car seats,
May 24, 2019 Read Full Article
Corn More than Just for Foodstuffs
by Mary Smallsreed (Tribune Chronicle) ... After I read an article about GMOs by my favorite agricultural blogger — The Farm Babe, Michelle Miller — I did some Internet surfing to find everyday items that contain corn. Even when you
May 23, 2019 Read Full Article
Methanol Institute Releases New Report on Renewable Methanol
(Methanol Institute) Compared to conventional fuels, renewable methanol cuts carbon dioxide emissions by up to 95%, reduces nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 80%, and completely eliminates sulfur oxide and particulate matter emissions. The report, prepared for MI by ATA Insights, features
May 23, 2019 Read Full Article
Pushing Plants Harder Reduces Costs More Than We Thought
Dennis Zeedyk (Glycerin Traders, LLC/Lee Enterprises Consulting) ... Glycerin Traders LLC takes in waste raw glycerin from multiple biodiesel plants around the country. It acidulates the raw glycerin to remove the fats for sale to multiple industries. It also strips
May 23, 2019 Read Full Article
RoadToBio: Roadmap for the Chemical Industry in Europe towards a Bioeconomy
The RoadToBio project is funded by the EU under the Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme. It aims to pave the way for the European chemical industry towards a higher bio-based portfolio and competitive success based on the benefits offered by the bioeconomy. The
May 21, 2019 Read Full Article
Innovative Foundation in Iowa
by Debi Durham (Iowa Economic Development Authority) ... Iowa is home to three public universities – the University of Iowa, Iowa State University (ISU) and the University of Northern Iowa – that are world-renowned for dynamic research capabilities in plant, animal
May 21, 2019 Read Full Article
Development of Novel Processes for the Aqueous Extraction of Natural Rubber from Taraxacum kok‐saghyz (TK)
by David A Ramirez‐Cadavid, Katrina Cornish, Upul Hathwaik, Robert Kozak, Colleen McMahan and Frederick C Michel Jr. (Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology) Taraxacum kok‐saghyz (TK) is a rubber‐producing plant being developed as a commercial alternative source of natural rubber (NR). The
May 21, 2019 Read Full Article
LanzaTech Aims to Fuel Jets and Make Consumer Goods from Recycled Carbon Pollution
by Tom DiChristopher (CNBC) -LanzaTech sells technology that transforms carbon pollution into ethanol, a renewable fuel and feedstock for chemicals. -Founded in 2005, the start-up is now aiming to produce sustainable jet fuel and chemicals that can be used in consumer
May 17, 2019 Read Full Article
Greening the Chemical Industry Requires Massive Amount of Renewables
by Michael Le Page (New Scientist) ... While in theory carbon dioxide captured from the air could replace fossil fuels as a feedstock for the global chemicals industry, in practice it would likely require vastly more clean electricity than we currently have. ... They
May 16, 2019 Read Full Article
Ireland's First Grass-Fed Biorefinery Hits the Road to Help Farmers Go Green
(European Science Communication Institute/Phys.org) A New Mobile Refinery Is Travelling Across The West Of Ireland To Turn Grass Into Sustainable Materials -- Along the windy west coast of Ireland a biorefinery on wheels is turning grass into a series of different
May 16, 2019 Read Full Article
Genera Begins Farmer Recruitment
(Genera) Genera is launching a new business line that will manufacture disposable food service and packaging products from sustainable ag fibers in Vonore, made from locally grown biomass crops. Genera will be making a variety of ag-based paper products like plates, bowls,
May 16, 2019 Read Full Article
Running on Refuse
by Matt Thompson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Enerkem is producing methanol and ethanol at its Edmonton, Alberta, plant, diverting up to 24 percent of the city’s landfill waste. The company has partners for another project in the Netherlands. -- A Canadian company is
May 15, 2019 Read Full Article
Converting CO2 to Carbon at Mild Conditions
by Paul Grad (Chemical Engineering) ... (C)onverting CO2 into a solid offers an attractive alternative method for safely and permanently removing CO2 from the atmosphere. To date, CO2 has only been converted into a solid at extremely high temperatures, making it industrially unviable. The team created a liquid
May 15, 2019 Read Full Article
Canada’s First Bioeconomy Strategy Launched
(Bioenergy International) Canada’s first national Bioeconomy Strategy has been released by Bioindustrial Innovation Canada (BIC). Produced by BIC in partnership with BIOTECanada, FPInnovations and Forest Products Association of Canada, the report reflects the views of more than 400 industry representatives from
May 15, 2019 Read Full Article
Indian Perspective on Bioenergy: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to IndianOil Corp.
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) IndianOil has a 33,000-plus work-force, extensive refining, distribution & marketing infrastructure and advanced R&D facilities. In the country’s pursuit of alternative sources of energy, IndianOil is focusing on CNG (compressed natural gas), Autogas (LPG), ethanol blended
May 15, 2019 Read Full Article
Mushroom Burial Suits, Fish Gut Bioplastic, Algae Foam Bags, Power Generated from Human Sweat, Castor Oil Polyamides, and More: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of May15th
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The pace of bioeconomy invention and change continues at a frenetic pace. Here are the top innovations for the week of May 15th. In today’s Digest, mushroom burial suits, fish gut bioplastic, algae foam bags, power generated
May 15, 2019 Read Full Article
Biomass to Hydrocarbon Fuels and Chemicals: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Vertimass
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Vertimass technology converts renewable ethanol into gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel blend stocks and high value chemicals. They recently had $2 million scale-up and $500k catalyst optimization awards by DOE BioEnergy Technology Office (BETO) accelerating commercialization. Charles E.
May 14, 2019 Read Full Article
Biomethane Business Is Booming – From Waste to Watts and Wonder Chemicals
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) ... First, let’s make sure we aren’t confusing biogas with biomethane. Biogas is mostly methane and carbon dioxide but that doesn’t mean it’s biomethane. You see, biogas is produced from organic matter breaking down in the absence
May 14, 2019 Read Full Article
Gevo Announces Plans to Decarbonize Luverne Plant
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Gevo Inc. released first quarter 2019 financial results May 8, highlighting efforts to decarbonize its Luverne, Minnesota, biorefinery and predicting the company could be become profitable during the next 18 months. Patrick Gruber, CEO of Gevo,