by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The DOE established and funded a project to develop a novel Multistage Hydrothermal Liquefaction (HTL) of biomass and integrate with Virent’s Catalytic BioForming Process to efficiently produce cost effective “drop‐in” fuels from woody biomass and
drop-in biofuels/hydrocarbons
Back TO HOMEVertibirds Are GO: DOE OKs Vertimass Drop-In Biofuels Technology, Clears Path to Demo Scale
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In California, Vertimass gained its intermediate technology validation with the US DOE’s Bioenergy Technology Office, which verified performance against negotiated milestones, provided progress on scale-up, and reviewed Vertimass’ estimated cost for their transformative catalytic technology.
August 23, 2017 Read Full Article
DOE, DOD Aim for Take-Off: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to Biofuels in Defense and Aviation
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In June 2011, the Secretaries of Agriculture, Energy, and Navy signed MOU to commit $510M (up to $170M from each agency) to produce hydrocarbon jet and diesel biofuels in the near-term. This initiative sought to
August 22, 2017 Read Full Article
SynSel Energy Inc. to Open Biofuels Plant in Ontonagon
by Jan Tucker (Your Daily Globe) Ontonagon has been selected as one of two initial sites in the U.S. for the construction of an advanced biofuels plant. SynSel Energy, Inc., is partnering with a U.S.-based financier and Lost Bowl Development, LLC,
July 19, 2017 Read Full Article
Heat Death: Joule Unlimited Collapses as Oil Prices Flag, Time Passes, Pressure Mounts
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) One of the more striking outcomes from the DOE Bioeconomy 2017 conference in Washington DC was confirmation of the demise of Joule Unlimited. “We had a lot of prospects last year,” former CEO Brian Baynes
July 19, 2017 Read Full Article
Shell Goes Carbon Negative, Signs Commercial-Scale Deal with SBI
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Petroleum fuels emit 94 grams of CO2 per megajoule of energy. Shell’s latest deal with SBI Bioenergy gives it access to a fuel that emits Minus 14. That means the atmosphere gets less carbon, with every mile you drive.
July 04, 2017 Read Full Article
Shell Signs Agreement With SBI BioEnergy Inc.
(Cision Newswire/Shell Canada Ltd) Agreement grants Shell exclusive development and licensing rights for SBI BioEnergy patented renewable drop-in biofuels. -- Royal Dutch Shell plc, through its subsidiary Shell International Exploration and Production B.V. ("Shell"), and SBI BioEnergy Inc. have reached an agreement
June 29, 2017 Read Full Article
Can’t Get No (Liquefaction): The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide Liquefaction of Forest Biomass to Drop-in Fuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Lysle Whitmer on behalf of an Iowa State-led group of researchers gave this illuminating overview of Liquefaction of Forest Biomass to Drop-in Fuels, at the 2017 DOE Project Peer Review sessions. READ MORE
June 23, 2017 Read Full Article
And No Extra Hydrogen: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to One-Step, High-Yield, Drop-In Biofuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Vertimass’ John Hannon gave this illuminating overview of one-step, high-yield production of drop-in fuels without added hydrogen, at the 2017 DOE Project Peer Review sessions. READ MORE
June 22, 2017 Read Full Article
Fuels from Thin Air: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to Soletair Technology
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Soletair process, developed by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and Lappeenranta University of Technology, is using carbon dioxide and solar power to produce renewable fuels and chemicals and has reached an end-to-end small
June 13, 2017 Read Full Article
Fuels from Thin Air: Drop-In Liquid Fuels from Sky CO2, Water and Solar Power
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... In the latest news, the Soletair process, developed by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and Lappeenranta University of Technology, is using carbon dioxide and solar power to produce renewable fuels and chemicals and has
June 13, 2017 Read Full Article
Renewable Jet Fuel’s Progress: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to Gevo’s ATJ
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Alcohol-to-jet. Several are working on it – Byogy, for example, and Vertimass, Virent and LanzaTech. But Gevo has been working through the rigorous ASTM process for six years, which includes extensive engine testing and data analysis
June 02, 2017 Read Full Article
Roll-Out of Smaller-Scale GTL: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to Velocys
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Velocys enables modular gas-to-liquids and biomass-to-liquids plants to convert unconventional, remote and problem gas and waste biomass into valuable, drop-in liquid fuels. After 15 years and some $300 million in investment, Velocys technology is headed for
May 30, 2017 Read Full Article
More More RHD: REG Expanding Drop-In Diesel?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) From Iowa we received news that Renewable Energy Group has agreed to acquire approximately 82 acres of land at its Geismar, Louisiana biorefinery from Lion Copolymer, for $20M. The goal? To improve and utilize to
May 08, 2017 Read Full Article
The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to Renewable Drop-In Fuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Digest had a well-received webinar on drop-in renewable fuels, featuring Drop-in Fuels 2020 author and in-demand industry consultant Will Thurmond on hand to detail the very latest in a wide array of approaches to
May 02, 2017 Read Full Article
Great Leaf Forward: The Top 10 Trends Driving the Canadian Advanced Bioeconomy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Although the bigger players — China, the US, Brazil and the EU take most of the headlines in the advanced bioeconomy, Canada is definitely “boxing above its weight class” these days, as the saying goes. In
May 02, 2017 Read Full Article
With Air Traffic on the Upswing, Global – and Indian – Interest Picks up in Aviation Biofuels
by Sapna Gopal (The Wire) Bio-jet fuel is generally two- to seven-times more expensive than conventional fossil-derived jet fuels but can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 60-70%. -- People in this industry are looking for ways to reduce the sector’s carbon
April 25, 2017 Read Full Article
The Hydrogen Spring that Became the Year without a Summer
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Massachusetts, Lux Research in a new report asks “Hyundai, Toyota Lead in Hydrogen Innovation – But Is Anyone Following?” in going pessimistic on the development of the hydrogen economy. “A few automakers led by Toyota
March 30, 2017 Read Full Article
Port of Amsterdam Reduces CO2 Footprint
(GoodFuels) Port of Amsterdam reduces CO2 footprint by 25% through fleet-wide use of advanced marine biofuel from GoodFuels Marine. Following a previous successful pilot, GoodFuels Marine has also won Port of Amsterdam’s tender for its fleet of five patrol vessels.
March 14, 2017 Read Full Article
Drop-In Biofuels for Marine and Aviation Markets
(Netzwerk Biotreibstoffe) A workshop was held in conjunction with ExCo78 in Rotorua, New Zealand on the 9th November 2016. With approximately 60 participants, the theme of the workshop was Drop-in biofuels for international marine and aviation markets. Fifteen invited speakers gave presentations (including
March 13, 2017 Read Full Article
Ethanol to Drop-In Fuels: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to Oak Ridge’s Catalytic Ethanol Upgrade Technology
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The program objective seen in these slides is to take a technology from Technical Readiness Level 2 to TRL 3/4 — a technology that directly upgrades ethanol to a drop-in hydrocarbon fuel at a high
February 22, 2017 Read Full Article
Makin’ Hydrocarbons: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to Catalytic Upgrading of Thermochemical Intermediates
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) To demonstrate an advanced biofuels technology that integrates a catalytic biomass pyrolysis step and a hydroprocessing step to produce infrastructure compatible biofuels, here’s the basic recipe, according to a research team led by David Dayton at RTI
February 17, 2017 Read Full Article
A New Hydrocarbon Brew: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to Technical Market Analysis for Biochemical Conversion
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) As the project team behind this presentation explains, there’s trouble right here in River City when it comes to accessing good market and technical data on making hydrocarbons from a biochemical process. Process and economic data
February 16, 2017 Read Full Article
AY-YI YI-YA AAAY, Gevo Just Can’t Stop Dancin’
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... But there’s something so cool in that technology that we can’t take our eyes off the company and its progress, even though looking at the balance sheet can feel like watching a car crash in slow
February 16, 2017 Read Full Article
Neste Rebrands Its Renewable Diesel in North America
(Neste/Biomass Magazine) Neste recently announced the rebranding of its renewable diesel fuel in San Diego, California, during its customer seminar and appreciation event. Neste replaces its "Neste Renewable Diesel" and earlier brand name "NEXBTL" with "Neste MY Renewable Diesel" brand
February 03, 2017 Read Full Article
Fracking Biomass: Steeper Energy and the Pursuit of Renewable Hydrocarbons
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... And it (the history of fracking) reminds us that one of the great tipping points for world civilization is when technology liberates a value great enough that the fear of the risk fades for
February 03, 2017 Read Full Article
Faster than Fermentation: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to Mercurius and REACH Technology
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Mercurius says it “has the technology and processes that will, for the first time, make the production of cellulosic biofuels profitable while meeting the needs of the diesel and jet fuel markets and satisfying government
January 25, 2017 Read Full Article
UK Company Makes Breakthrough with Sustainable Diesel Fuel Production
by Liz Gyekye (Biofuels International) A UK sustainable energy company is the first ever to have successfully converted actual landfill gas into usable diesel fuel with no fossil fuel additives, during recent trials. Renovare Fuels, which has its headquarters in London,
January 24, 2017 Read Full Article
Small Is Beautiful: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to Velocys’ Microchannel Reactor Tech
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Velocys enables modular gas-to-liquids and biomass-to-liquids plants to convert unconventional, remote and problem gas and waste biomass into valuable, drop-in liquid fuels. After 15 years and some $300 million in investment, Velocys technology is headed for
December 30, 2016 Read Full Article
Old Carbon, New Jet Fuels: The Digest’s 2016 Multi-Slide Guide to LanzaTech’s ATJ Jet Fuel Tech
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) LanzaTech’s gas fermentation platform disrupts the current highly centralized global energy system by enabling the regional production of low-cost energy from local wastes and residues, including gases as varied as industrial flue gas, gasified biomass
December 30, 2016 Read Full Article
We Really Do Mean “Drop-in”: The Digest’s 2016 Multi-Slide Guide to Gevo
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Gevo has two proprietary technologies that combine to make it possible to retrofit existing ethanol plants to produce isobutanol, a four carbon alcohol which serves as a hydrocarbon platform molecule. They have developed an industrial
December 12, 2016 Read Full Article
Renewable Drop-In Fuels at Scale: The Digest’s 2016 Multi-Slide Guide to Ensyn
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Ensyn uses its patented and proprietary RTP fast thermal technology to convert wood residues and other non-food, cellulosic biomass to liquid biofuels. Ensyn has had continuous commercial operations for more than 25 years. Its technology has
December 01, 2016 Read Full Article
GAO RFS Reports Paint Incomplete Picture of Advanced Biofuels
by Ron Kotrba (Biomass Magazine) The U.S. Government Accountability Office issued two reports Nov. 28 suggesting that the renewable fuel standard (RFS) program is unlikely to meet its targets for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and expanding the U.S. renewable fuels sector.
December 01, 2016 Read Full Article
Renewable Fuels for all Transport Modes: The Digest’s 2016 Multi-Slide Guide to Byogy Renewables
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Byogy has developed a catalytic platform that converts any source of ethanol, butanol, mixed alcohols, or related olefins, into full replacement, and cost competitive biofuels including gasoline, diesel and jet fuel. Byogy’s jet fuel is
December 01, 2016 Read Full Article
Renewable Fuel Standard: Low Expected Production Volumes Make It Unlikely That Advanced Biofuels Can Meet Increasing Targets
(U.S. Government Accountability Office) The Renewable Fuel Standard program calls for greater use of advanced biofuels—fuel made from waste fats and oils or crop residues, for example—in the transportation fuel supply through 2022. Yet, there is not nearly enough of this
November 30, 2016 Read Full Article
Joule Unlimited: The Digest’s 2016 8-Slide Guide
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Joule is advancing a production platform for Liquid Fuel from the Sun, expected to eclipse the scale, productivity and cost efficiency of any known alternative to fossil fuel today. Its transformative Helioculture platform directly and
October 24, 2016 Read Full Article
Think Small, Tough Times: The Digest’s 2016 Multi-Slide Guide to Velocys Microchannel F/T Technology
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Velocys enables modular gas-to-liquids and biomass-to-liquids plants to convert unconventional, remote and problem gas and waste biomass into valuable, drop-in liquid fuels. After 15 years and some $300 million in investment, Velocys technology is headed for
October 21, 2016 Read Full Article
Drop-In Biofuel Developers See Promise in US EPA Rule Change
by Meghan Gordon (Platts) US advanced biofuels production could get a boost under a rule change the Environmental Protection Agency is considering that would allow conventional refineries to receive renewable fuel credits for using drop-in biofuels when making gasoline and diesel. Developers
October 13, 2016 Read Full Article
Global Bioenergies Joins Preem, Sekab and Sveaskog in the “Bio-Based Gasoline Project” in Sweden
(Global Bioenergies) Global Bioenergies (Alternext paris: ALGBE), Preem, Sekab and Sveaskog announce having joined forces to develop a high-performance fuel entirely based on forest resources. The consortium has signed a collaboration agreement to carry out a conceptual scope study for a
September 26, 2016 Read Full Article
jetBlue loves you: The Digest’s 2016 8-Slide Guide to SG Preston
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) jetBlue has announced a 10-year, 330 million gallon renewable jet fuel purchase agreement with SG Preston. This marks one of the largest renewable jet fuel purchase agreements in aviation history, and the largest, long-term, binding
September 20, 2016 Read Full Article
JetBlue Announces One of the Largest Renewable Jet Fuel Purchase Agreements in Aviation History
(JetBlue) Preparing for a Lower Carbon Future, Airline Partners with SG Preston to Purchase Renewable Jet Fuel; JetBlue Expects To Take First Delivery of Renewable Jet Fuel In 2019 With A 10-Year Purchase Agreement and the Ability to Lower the
September 19, 2016 Read Full Article
Now Boarding: Commercial Planes Take Flight with Biobased Jet Fuel
by Melissae Fellet (C&EN) Aviation industry hopes to cut emissions with renewable fuels -- This year, renewable jet fuel took off, graduating from demonstration and test flights to some regular commercial use. In January, some flights left the airport in
September 19, 2016 Read Full Article
Navy Tests 100-Percent Advanced Biofuel
by Andrea Watters (Naval Aviation News) Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus' energy vision came to fruition in September when the EA-18G "Green Growler" completed flight testing of a 100-percent advanced biofuel at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland. The U.S.
September 17, 2016 Read Full Article
GoodFuels Marine and Boskalis Have Successfully Tested UPM's Sustainable Wood-Based Biofuel for Marine Fleet
(UPM) Boskalis, the leading global dredging and marine expert, and GoodFuels Marine, the leading provider of sustainable marine biofuels to the global commercial shipping fleet, today announced to have performed successful live tests on a sustainable wood-based drop-in biofuel called
September 09, 2016 Read Full Article
Gevo, Lufthansa Rock Markets with Renewable Jet Fuel Deal
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Colorado, Gevo has entered into a heads of agreement with Lufthansa to supply Gevo’s alcohol-to-jet fuel from its first commercial hydrocarbon facility, intended to be built in Luverne, MN. The terms of the agreement
September 09, 2016 Read Full Article
Changing the Way We Fly: Biofuels Made from Waste Gases Reaching New Heights with Airline Industry
by Zia Haq (U.S. Department of Energy) Booking a flight soon? You may be leaving on a jet plane powered with renewable fuel. With more than 87,000 flights and approximately 1.56 million barrels of jet fuel consumed each day in
August 30, 2016 Read Full Article
Competitively Priced, ECA Compliant, Sustainable Biofuel Bunkers Will be a Reality in the Near Future
(Ship & Bunker) Chuck Red, Vice President at US-based biofuels firm Applied Research Associates (ARA), says the current cost of biofuel bunkers is misunderstood, and that competitively priced sustainable products are not only possible, they will be a reality in
August 22, 2016 Read Full Article
No Petroleum Required: U.S. Navy Completes Sea Trial with ARA’s 100% Drop-in Renewable Diesel Fuel
(ARA) For the first time ever a Navy ship has operated on a 100 percent drop-in renewable diesel fuel. Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division's (NSWC PHD) Self Defense Test Ship (SDTS) completed final-phase testing of a 100% drop-in
August 08, 2016 Read Full Article
U.S. Commerce Department Invests More Than $4 Million In Maine, Deploys Interagency Team To Help Strengthen State's Forest Economy
(U.S. Economic Development Administration) U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Matt Erskine today announced the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) will invest more than $4 million to help diversify and grow the Maine economy, which includes
August 05, 2016 Read Full Article
Energy Department Announces $11.3 Million for MEGA-BIO: Bioproducts To Enable Biofuels
(U.S. Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced today up to $11.3 million for three projects that support the development of biomass-to-hydrocarbon biofuels conversion pathways that can produce variable amounts of fuels and/or products based on external
August 02, 2016 Read Full Article
Cellulosic Ethanol, What Happened, What’s Happening?
by Irshad Ahmed (Lee Enterprises) ... I believe cellulosic ethanol is here to stay for the long haul and it is finally exhibiting real potential to establish a critical-mass commercial base alongside the corn-ethanol industry. Its commercial success will come from the
August 02, 2016 Read Full Article
Biodiesel Firm Eyes Expansion
by Tennessa Wild (The Western Producer) Processor developing second generation biofuel with opportunity for wider use -- Growing demand worldwide for renewable diesel fuel has Saskatchewan’s only biodiesel producer looking to expand. Milligan Biofuels Inc. produces biodiesel as well as half
July 19, 2016 Read Full Article
Making It Work for the Grower: The Digest’s Multi-Slide Guide to DuPont’s Cellulosic Feedstock
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) DuPont has developed a three-part strategy to deliver these new technologies to the growing biofuels market to help biofuels become more competitive with petroleum. The strategy includes: (1) improving existing ethanol production through differentiated agriculture seed
July 19, 2016 Read Full Article
Send the Marines: The Digest’s 2016 8-Slide Guide to GoodFuels Marine
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Netherlands-based GoodFuels Marine and its partners, Boskalis, the leading global dredging and marine expert and Wärtsilä, the global supplier of engines and power systems to the marine industry, announced in October a two-year pilot program
July 05, 2016 Read Full Article
Advance Australia Air: Byogy Steps up in Australia in Drive for Low-Carbon Jet Fuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) From Australia comes the news that the country’s former Federal Resources and Energy Minister, Martin Ferguson, is now the chairman of the advisory board for Byogy Renewables, the California-based alcohol-to-jet fuel pioneer that has been
July 05, 2016 Read Full Article
GoodFuels Marine Signs up Dutch Dredging as Second Major Dredging Customer on Sustainable Marine Biofuels
(Dutch Dredging) Dutch Dredging has kicked off its year round operation on sustainable “drop-in” marine biofuel out of the Dutch Port of Moerdijk. The Alouette, permanently stationed in the port of Moerdijk will operate on a unique marine fuel which
July 05, 2016 Read Full Article
Global Bioenergies Obtains a EU400,000 Grant from the German Federal Ministry of Research and Education (BMBF) to Produce Renewable Gasoline Additives - Audi Will Use These for Engine Testing
(Globe Newswire/Global Bioenergies) Global Bioenergies announces today that its German subsidiary, Global Bioenergies GmbH, secured a €400.000 grant from the BMBF (the German federal ministry for research and education) to finance a 14 month-project aimed at producing renewable gasoline additives. The Company
July 05, 2016 Read Full Article
The DME Option: The Digest’s 2016 Multi-Slide Guide to DME as a Fuel
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest)Dimethyl ether has several fuel properties that make it attractive for use in diesel engines. It has a very high cetane number, which is a measure of the fuel's ignitibility in compression ignition engines. The energy
June 27, 2016 Read Full Article
Simple Fuel, Engine, Infrastructure: The Digest’s 2016 Multi-Slide Guide to Oberon Fuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) DME : it burns like natural gas, handles like LPG, powers like diesel. READ MORE
June 27, 2016 Read Full Article
They ♥ DME, Yeah Yeah Yeah: NREL, Enerkem Advance BIO-DME to Commercialization
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Poor DME. it burns like natural gas, handles like LPG, powers like diesel, and it’s as well-known as a good place for sewing machine repair in Burundi. San Diego-based Oberon Fuels has been the one consistent
June 27, 2016 Read Full Article
Amyris Fuels First Delivery of New Airbus A350-900 Airplane for Cathay Pacific as Part of Two-Year Biojet Agreement
(Amyris/Globe Newswire) Two Year Committed Jet Fuel Supply Deal Demonstrating Continued Strong Farnesene Demand -- Amyris, Inc. (Nasdaq:AMRS), the industrial bioscience company, today announced that, on May 29, 2016, Cathay Pacific commenced a two-year program of flights from Toulouse to
June 13, 2016 Read Full Article
Burning “Liquid Sunlight” Instead of Fossil Fuels Is Getting Closer to Reality
by David Roberts (Vox) ... However, some uses of energy are not easy to electrify in the short term, maybe even in the long term. They rely on energy-dense liquid fuels. So if we're ever going to get to net zero emissions,
June 08, 2016 Read Full Article
Of Sausage-Making, DC and Bioenergy Budgets
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The signals coming out of Washington DC are so confusing, you might be wondering if there’s going to be a budget for the US Department of Energy for the fiscal year starting this October. ... Meanwhile, the DOE’s
June 02, 2016 Read Full Article
Licella, Canfor Form JV for Low-Cost, Drop-In Biofuels from Wood Residues and Biomass
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Licella and Canfor will form a joint-venture under the name “Licella Pulp Joint Venture” to integrate Licella’s unique Catalytic Hydrothermal Reactor upgrading platform into Canfor Pulp’s kraft and mechanical pulp mills to economically convert biomass,
May 31, 2016 Read Full Article
CAAFI Celebrates 10th Anniversary!
(Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative) We are proud to announce the 10th Anniversary of the initiation of the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI) as of May 24, 2016, and more importantly, to reflect on the success we’ve achieved to date,
May 27, 2016 Read Full Article
Sub-$2/Gallon Biobased Hydrocarbon Fuels Head for Diesel-Hungry India
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) India’s SunLight Fuels licenses IH2 Technology for hydrocarbon transportation fuels from agricultural waste -- In India, Sunlight Fuels has signed a Front End Loading license agreement for IH2 Technology with CRI Catalyst, a division of
May 25, 2016 Read Full Article
Sweden Takes the Lead in Biofuel-Use in Europe
by Tomas Ekbom (Task 39 May 2016 Newsletter) The production and use of biofuels in Sweden have increased substantially since the mid-2000s. According to preliminary statistics from SPBI, the share of renewable energy in the road sector was 14.7% in 2015
May 20, 2016 Read Full Article
Baseball, the Trade Deadline, and the Industrial Bioeconomy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Some teams are sellers. They reduce costs, go lean, and hunker down in a case of “wait’ll next year”. In industrial biotechnology, the calendar tells us it’s May but it might as well be July, because
May 17, 2016 Read Full Article
Unitel Wins Patent for Direct Conversion of Algae to Fatty Acids
(Algae Industry Magazine) Unitel Technologies, an Illinois-based designer and builder of pilot and mini-plants, announced that it has received a patent for a new technology to make fatty acids from a feedstock “soup” of cultivated algae and water. “The major stumbling
May 11, 2016 Read Full Article
Energy Department Announces Funding for Design and Construction of Manufacturing of Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biopower
(U.S. Department of Energy) Recognizing the importance of biofuels to energy and climate security, the Energy Department today announced up to $90 million in project funding focused on designing, constructing and operating integrated biorefinery facilities. The production of biofuels from
May 09, 2016 Read Full Article
Armed Forces Testing Biofuels to Reduce Costs
by Vic Schoonover (The Lawton Constitution) While this isn't information making Oklahoma oil and gas companies any happier during the downturn in oil and gas prices, the U.S. armed forces, namely the Navy and the Air Force, are actively testing biofuels
May 04, 2016 Read Full Article
Bioenergy Technologies Office Announces Notice of Intent for the Manufacturing of Biofuels, Bioproducts, and Biopower
(Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) intends to issue, on behalf of the Bioenergy Technologies Office, a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) entitled “Project Definition for Pilot and Demonstration Scale Manufacturing
April 28, 2016 Read Full Article
What Do We Do about Palm Oil?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... In the world of fuels, Neste Oil has backed away from palm oil in order to expand in the US market on more favorable terms, with palm’s lowly status after indirect land use change modeling
April 18, 2016 Read Full Article
New Alternative Jet Fuel Approved
(Federal Aviation Administration) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has played an integral role in development, testing and recent approval of a new alternative, environmentally-friendly, bio-based jet fuel, bringing the total number of these approved products for use in air travel
April 15, 2016 Read Full Article
Boom-boom: The Digest’s 2016 Multi-Slide Guide to Renewable Diesel’s Growth and Horizons
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This week, we held a well-attended webinar on the boom on in Renewable diesel. Here below is a slide deck presented on the day, from Will Thurmond, President of Emerging Markets Online — highlights from the upcoming Drop
April 11, 2016 Read Full Article
Make Haste with Waste
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... (W)hen you compare them to homogenized, uniform, high-yield, purpose-grown energy crops. residues may be queer, but they are here. Not only available, but reliable, you can count on the fact that they will not
April 08, 2016 Read Full Article
Key Enzyme Discovered in Botryococcus braunii
(Algae Industry Magazine) An enzyme responsible for making hydrocarbons has been discovered by Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientists studying the common green microalga Botryococcus braunii. The study, published in the current issue of the journal Nature Communications, could enable scientists
April 07, 2016 Read Full Article
Key Projects and Trends: The Digest’s 2016 Multi-Slide Guide to Drop-in Fuels 2020
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This week, we held a well-attended webinar on “Drop-In Fuels” Here below is the second slide deck presented on the day, from Will Thurmond, President of Emerging Markets Online — highlights from the upcoming Drop In Fuels
April 01, 2016 Read Full Article
Drop in, Trip Out, Turn On: The Digest’s 2016 Multi-Slide Guide to Drop-In Fuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Yesterday, we held a well-attended webinar on “Drop-In Fuels” Here below is the first slide deck presented on the day. We’ll have the remainder of slides tomorrow. The recorded version can be accessed here. READ MORE
March 31, 2016 Read Full Article
NREL Updates Survey of Advanced Biofuel Producers in the United States
(U.S. Department of Energy) The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) updated its annual survey of U.S. non-starch ethanol and renewable hydrocarbon biofuels producers. The survey report, titled 2015 Survey of Non-Starch Ethanol and Renewable Hydrocarbon Biofuels Producers, documents important changes
March 18, 2016 Read Full Article
Biofuel Manufacturer to Invest US$95 Million in Jamaican Plant by 2017
(South Florida Caribbean News) As renewable energy demands increase globally, biofuel developer Benchmark Renewable Energy LLC has officially announced plans to develop a large scale bio-ethanol operation in Jamaica. The company has confirmed that the project will include the development of
March 08, 2016 Read Full Article
Perspectives for Sustainable Aviation Biofuels in Brazil
by Luis A B Cortez, et al. (International Journal of Aerospace Engineering) The aviation industry has set ambitious goals to reduce carbon emissions in coming decades. The strategy involves the use of sustainable biofuels, aiming to achieve benefits from environmental, social,
March 03, 2016 Read Full Article
Ensyn Chairman Dr. Robert Graham Receives Lifetime Achievement Award at ABLC 2016
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, Ensyn Chairman Dr. Robert Graham has received the 2016 Holmberg Award for Lifetime Achievement in Bioenergy. ... Commenting on the award, Jim Lane said “Bob Graham founded Ensyn in the early 1980’s and has
February 23, 2016 Read Full Article
7 Megatrends for the Bioeconomy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Where is the bioeconomy headed? In the annual State of the Industry briefing at the 2016 Advanced Bioeconomy Leadership Conference, the Digest presented a survey on that topic. Here are the trends we spotted in the
February 23, 2016 Read Full Article
The Usual Suspects in Renewable Jet Fuels
by KSL (Lee Enterprises/Renewable Energy World) As renewables are moving from niche to mainstream, the industry is facing a paradigm shift in cost, quality, complexity, and scale — creating opportunities to develop new and different technologies and operating models. Achieving
February 16, 2016 Read Full Article
ARA Ships 100% Drop-In Biofuels for Navy Certification
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Florida, ARA completed the delivery of over 150,000 gallons of 100% drop-in jet and diesel fuel to fulfill its DLA/US Navy certification fuel contract, two months ahead of schedule. For the first time ever,
February 15, 2016 Read Full Article
Drop-In Renewable Fuels, Competitive with $30 Oil: The Digest’s 20-Slide Guide to the Correia Process
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Germany and Portugal, a new drop-in biofuels process has emerged which is cost compettive with $30 oil, according to the inventors. The process breaks even with crude oil, on an 10-year amortized basis for
February 10, 2016 Read Full Article
A New, Renewable, Drop-In, Waste-Based Fuel Emerges, Competitive with $30 Oil
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Out of the EU comes a biogasoline blendstock made from waste residues in a novel process that promises to radically slash the cost of bioconversion. The Digest reports. In Germany and Portugal, a new drop-in biofuels
February 10, 2016 Read Full Article
Affordable, Drop-In Hydrocarbons from Wood: The Digest’s 2016 8-Slide Guide to CRI/GTI’s IH2 process
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The IH2 process was developed by Gas Technology Institute (GTI) of Des Plaines, Illinois—a research, development, and training organization serving energy markets. GTI experts invented, tested, and patented IH2 technology and are providing ongoing commercialization support. Twelve
February 09, 2016 Read Full Article
Virent Announces Strategic Collaboration with Tesoro to Advance the Commercialization of Virent’s BioForming Technology for Low Carbon Fuels and Chemicals
(Virent) Virent has entered into a new strategic relationship with Tesoro to accelerate the development and commercialization of Virent’s BioForming technology to produce cost effective, low-carbon, drop-in, bio-based fuels and chemicals. The agreement provides funding to Virent to advance its
February 01, 2016 Read Full Article
Readying for Market: The Digest’s 2016 8-Slide Guide to REG Life Sciences
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In January 2014, REG acquired LS9 for a purchase price of up to $61.5 million. Most of the old LS9 team, including the entire R&D leadership group, joined the newly named REG Life Sciences, LLC.
January 27, 2016 Read Full Article
ExxonMobil, REG Tie-Up to Take Cellulosic Biodiesel to Scale
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Two giants hook up to bring cellulosic biodiesel to scale. A new source of biodiesel feedstock, and a new source of renewable fuels. In Iowa, ExxonMobil and Renewable Energy Group have agreed to jointly study the
January 27, 2016 Read Full Article
GoodFuels Marine Receives Highest Standard Certification for Its Sustainable Marine Biofuels
(GoodFuels Marine) The Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials’ (RSB) 12-point certification is considered having the strictest sustainability criteria, guaranteeing the sustainability of biofuels -- GoodFuels Marine, the first marine biofuel company focused on the global commercial fleet, has received the highest
January 25, 2016 Read Full Article
Strong 2015 Places Joule as a Global Leader in Scalable Ultra-Low Carbon Fuel Technologies
(Joule/BusinessWire) Major milestones include acquisition of Red Rock Biofuels, expanded partner relationships, continued strong technology development backed by strong financing partners -- Joule, the pioneer of drop-in liquid fuels from recycled CO2, announced today that it has gained significant traction in
January 22, 2016 Read Full Article
Eni Research Brings You Eni Diesel +
(Eni) This is another great example of Eni’s focus on sustainable innovation. Starting from next Monday, 18 January, the new Eni Diesel + will be available in over 3,500 fuel stations all over Italy. The efforts of Eni’s research activities
January 22, 2016 Read Full Article
Launch of the Great Green Fleet
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) $2.05 per gallon for drop-in, non-food advanced biofuels blends. Who would have thought it possible a few years ago. Well, the Navy for one. Their remarkable vision results in Carrier Strike Group 3 operating in a
January 22, 2016 Read Full Article
US Energy Secretary Expresses Support for Biofuels at DC Auto Show
by Robert E. Kozak and Joanne Ivancic (Advanced Biofuels USA) This year, for a change, in the introduction to his remarks at the Washington, DC Auto Show, US Energy Secretary Dr. Ernest Moniz pointed out the importance of alternative fuels
January 21, 2016 Read Full Article
Great Green Fleet: The Digest’s 2016 8-Slide Guide to the US Navy’s Transition to Renewable Fuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Department of the Navy is now buying advanced, drop-in, cost-competitive, next gen renewable fuels. The biofuels sought can be blended in a range of 10 to 50 percent with conventional petroleum products and must meet
January 20, 2016 Read Full Article
Joule Unlimited: The Digest’s 2016 8-Slide Guide
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Joule is advancing a production platform for Liquid Fuel from the Sun, expected to eclipse the scale, productivity and cost efficiency of any known alternative to fossil fuel today. Its transformative Helioculture platform directly and
January 19, 2016 Read Full Article
Carrier USS John C. Stennis Leaves Kitsap-Bremerton for Great Green Fleet Deployment
by Sam LaGrone (US Naval Institute News) Carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) departed Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton, Wash. for a seven-month Western Pacific deployment on Friday, Navy officials told USNI News. The Stennis Carrier Strike Group (CSG) will be the
January 18, 2016 Read Full Article
One-Stop Shop for Biofuels
by Lynn Yarris (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory) ... Led by Seema Singh and Blake Simmons, JBEI researchers have developed a “high-gravity” one-pot process for producing ethanol from cellulosic biomass that gives unprecedented yields while minimizing water use and waste disposal. The
January 14, 2016 Read Full Article
Shell India to Build New Demo Biofuel Plant in Bangalore
(Biofuels International) Shell India Markets, the Indian arm of Royal Dutch Shell, has announced plans to build a five tonne/day biofuel demonstration plant using IH2 technology on the site of its new technology centre in Bangalore, India. IH2 technology is a
January 14, 2016 Read Full Article
Audi Beefs up Collaboration with French Biotech to Extend Biofuels Scope
(Biofuels International) Car giant Audi is entering a renewed collaboration agreement with French renewable energy firm Global Bioenergies to promote the development of biofuels. The two companies recently announced the delivery by Global Bioenergies to Audi of a first batch of
January 14, 2016 Read Full Article
Virent Bio-Jet Provides More than 50% Reduction in Particulate Matter Emissions
(Virent) Rolls-Royce Testing Demonstrates Virent Synthesized Aromatic Kerosene (SAK) Bio-Jet Fuel Blend Provides Health and Environmental Benefits While Maintaining Engine Performance Bio-jet emissions testing by Rolls-Royce and supported by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under the Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions, and
January 08, 2016 Read Full Article
Great Green Fleet: The Digest’s 2016 8-Slide Guide to the US Navy’s Transition to Renewable Fuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Department of the Navy is now buying advanced, drop-in, cost-competitive, next gen renewable fuels. The biofuels sought can be blended in a range of 10 to 50 percent with conventional petroleum products and must meet
January 08, 2016 Read Full Article
Navy to Launch Great Green Fleet with 77 Million Gallon Buy of Cost-Competitive, Non-Food Advanced Biofuels Blends
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) They’re here. $2.05 per gallon, at-scale, domestically produced advanced renewable fuels — utilizing non-food feedstocks and based on next-generation technology. The Navy’s 7-year quest to diversify its fuel supply without paying more or changing its
January 08, 2016 Read Full Article
Any Alcohol into Jet Fuel: The Digest’s 2016 8-Slide Guide to Byogy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Byogy has developed a catalytic platform that converts any source of ethanol, butanol, mixed alcohols, or related olefins, into full replacement, and cost competitive biofuels including gasoline, diesel and jet fuel. Byogy’s jet fuel is
January 04, 2016 Read Full Article
REACHing towards Cellulosic Fuels: The Digest’s 2016 8-Slide Guide to Mercurius
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Mercurius says it “has the technology and processes that will, for the first time, make the production of cellulosic biofuels profitable while meeting the needs of the diesel and jet fuel markets and satisfying government
December 30, 2015 Read Full Article
NREL's Min Zhang Keeps Her "Bugs" Happy, Leading to Biofuel Breakthroughs
(National Renewable Energy Laboratory) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Senior Scientist Min Zhang has a special relationship with Zymomonas mobilis, a rod-shaped bacterium that has bioethanol-producing capabilities. Of her 80 peer-reviewed papers and 21 U.S. patents in the field of biochemistry
December 15, 2015 Read Full Article
Volvo Trucks Approves Use of Renewable Diesel Fuel for Proprietary Engines
by John Mies (Volvo Trucks -- United States) Volvo Trucks North America, after concluding truck and engine lab testing, today approved the use of renewable diesel fuel for all of its proprietary Volvo engines, offering environmental and cost-savings benefits to
December 11, 2015 Read Full Article
GREET Model Expanded to Better Address Biofuel Life-Cycle Analysis Research Questions
(U.S. Department of Energy) The Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Transportation (GREET) model allows researchers and analysts to fully evaluate the energy and emission impacts of advanced vehicle technologies and new transportation fuels. Argonne National Laboratory recently
December 03, 2015 Read Full Article
Fuel Made from Plants Is Like ‘Running on Solar Energy’
by Joel Schlesinger(The Globe and Mail) ... To that end, the startup has developed a technology to turn biomass – plant matter – into heavy fuel that burns like diesel. “Using a combination of pressure, temperature and some catalysts, we take biomass
December 02, 2015 Read Full Article
Skyfill: Where the Sky Is a Free Sewer, Are Bioeconomy Thermodynamics Extremely Flawed from the Get Go?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... As the reader notes, much of the original underlying biomass is not utilized when we make a hydrocarbon fuel, or any fuel. Take the case of corn, for example, and conversion into ethanol. We start
November 17, 2015 Read Full Article
The Ministry of All the Talents: The Digest’s 2015 8-Slide Guide to the Joint BioEnergy Institute
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) JBEI’s mission is to convert biomass to biofuels. The goal is to provide the nation with clean, renewable transportation fuels identical to gasoline, diesel and jet fuel. Inside JBEI’s Emeryville laboratories, researchers are using the latest
November 13, 2015 Read Full Article
The Airlines: Who’s Doing What in Aviation Biofuels?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Who’s a Major Player, who’s a Pioneer, who’s committed, who’s monitoring the space as a stakeholder? We look at 45 airlines and their efforts in bringing low-carbon fuels to the marketplace. ... The activity includes participation in
October 20, 2015 Read Full Article
That Was Then, This Is Now: 10 Signature Biofuels Projects for 2015-16, and Where They Are
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) All have soaring ambitions, some will be realized on schedule, some later, some probably not now or possibly ever. Where are 10 key projects that were announced in recent years for deployment in 2015-16. What’s
October 19, 2015 Read Full Article
8 Ways around the Big, Bad Oxygen Problem in the Advanced Bioeconomy Parts 1 and 2
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In the terrestrial world, oxygen is colorless, odorless, and try to get through an hour without some. In the Bioeconomy Cinematic Universe, oxygen is harder than steel, heavier than a black hole, and higher than
October 14, 2015 Read Full Article
Renewable Diesel for Oakland and Oregon
by Rich Piellisch (Fleets & Fuels) Fleets Continue to Switch to 100% Drop-In Replacement Product -- Fleets including the City of Oakland, Calif. and the Eugene Water & Electric Board in Oregon report switching their diesel vehicles to renewable diesel. Both are
October 07, 2015 Read Full Article
Boskalis, Wärtsilä, GoodFuels Marine Launch Sustainable Marine Biofuels Program
(Wärtsilä) A consortium comprised of Wärtsilä, GoodFuels Marine, and Boskalis will head a two year pilot programme to accelerate the development of sustainable, scalable and affordable marine bio-fuels. Bio-fuels are today not part of the marine fuel mix that operators
October 07, 2015 Read Full Article
Joule Achieves U.S. EPA Registration for CO2-Recycled Ethanol
(Joule/BusinessWire) Joule, the pioneer of liquid fuels from recycled CO2, today announced that its fuel grade Sunflow®-E ethanol has been registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for commercial use in E10 and E15 gasoline blends. “We are approaching commercialization
October 02, 2015 Read Full Article
The New Tobacco Road: A Path beyond Smoking for America’s Traditional Cash Crop
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Tobacco’s been re-thought, re-engineered and re-invented as a platform for sustainable, low-carbon fuels, and green chemicals – who’s doing what, where and how? ... If tobacco’s reputation has fallen into disrepute on soil sustainability and smoking
September 10, 2015 Read Full Article
Energy Department Awards up to $4 Million to Develop Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts
(US Department of Energy) The Energy Department today announced two additional projects selected to receive up to $4 million to develop next-generation biofuels that will help reduce the cost of producing gasoline, diesel, and jet fuels from biomass. These projects—in
August 27, 2015 Read Full Article
Neste’s NEXBTL Renewable Diesel: The Digest’s 2015 8-Slide Guide
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Neste’s renewable traffic fuels and other renewable products are “part of the solution for the struggle against the climate change,” the company says. Using NEXBTL renewable diesel made from 100% renewable raw materials can result
August 18, 2015 Read Full Article
North Set to Be Biofuel Capital
by Charlie Peel (Townsville Bulletin) Up to 30 mini biofuel plants could be rolled out across North Queensland as part of an ambitious plan to make the region Australia’s renewable fuel capital. The centrepiece of the project would be a $150 million
August 17, 2015 Read Full Article
The Pyromaniax, Class of 2015: The Top 10 Pyrolysis Projects in Renewable Fuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) It’s been around for a generation or so — fast pyrolysis, that is. Though in the original low-tech incarnation — known as “cooking fire” — pyrolysis has been around since the dawn of man. But
August 04, 2015 Read Full Article
DOE Solicits Applications for Loan Guarantee Program
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) In early July, the U.S. Department of Energy announced it is soliciting applications for up to $4 billion in loan guarantees to support renewable energy and energy efficiency projects located in the U.S. that
August 03, 2015 Read Full Article
The Roar for Diesel, Diesel, Diesel: UPS Jumps Its Renewable Diesel Use by 15X
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) UPS brings overall use of drop-in fuels over 10% of fleet use in REG, Neste , Solazyme buy. In Georgia, UPS announced agreements for the purchase up to 46 million gallons of renewable fuels over the
August 03, 2015 Read Full Article
The 35 Hottest Companies in Feedstock Development & Supply in the Advanced Bioeconomy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Solazyme took the #1 spot in the 2015 “35 Hottest Companies in Feedstock Development & Supply” rankings, announced today by The Digest, the world’s most widely-read bioeconomy daily, at the Advanced Bioeconomy Feedsrtocks Conference (ABFC
June 30, 2015 Read Full Article
Up with Octane and Down with Aromatics: Continuing Health Risks with Petroleum Fuels and the Need for Engine Efficiency
by Bill Brandon (Leaders in Energy) Our country has seen many transitions in travel technologies and fuels. In the first installment I reviewed our transition from 1) barley and oats for our horses and mules to high carbohydrate corn for
June 25, 2015 Read Full Article
Joule Wins Key Patent for Direct Conversion of CO2 to Hydrocarbon Fuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Massachusetts, Joule, the pioneer of liquid fuels from recycled CO2, announced the issuance of an additional patent on the direct, continuous production of hydrocarbon fuels – extending its ability to target the highest-value molecules
June 17, 2015 Read Full Article
Ethanol and Butanol: Symbiotic Partners for a Modern Fuel
by Bill Brandon and Richard Ezike (Biofuels Digest) The debate touting butanol over ethanol as a ‘better’ fuel component has gone on for quite some time in biofuel circles. Those who support butanol point to three key factors: • Butanol has
June 11, 2015 Read Full Article
Gulfstream, World Fuel Sign Renewable Fuels Agreement
(Gulfstream Aerospace, Corp./Biomass Magazine) Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. and its fuel supplier, World Fuel Services Inc., recently finalized a three-year agreement that provides Gulfstream with a consistent supply of renewable fuels for its daily flight operations in Savannah, Georgia. The fuel is
May 20, 2015 Read Full Article
Quadrennial Energy Review Contains Clues on Federal Biofuels, Biomass Priorities
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) ... And while not a major focus of the report, the QER contains language pertaining to biofuels and bioenergy which give some hints as to the top-level goals for DOE for biofuels and biomass power. ... The
May 08, 2015 Read Full Article
IH2* Technology Licensed to Leading Global Forest Products Company
(BusinessWire/IH2) Producing liquid transportation fuels from woody biomass -- A leading global forest products company headquartered in Northern Europe has entered into an FEL-1 license agreement with CRI Catalyst Company (CRI), a global catalyst technology company. IH2 technology is a thermal catalytic
April 06, 2015 Read Full Article
Advanced Biofuels Community Leaders Meet: Persistent and Dogged in the Throes of a Tough Slog
by Joanne Ivancic* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Every year, the annual Washington, DC gathering of leaders in the advanced biofuels world at the Advanced Bioeconomy Leadership Conference sports a different "vibe." In the early days of the late 2000's, the atmosphere
March 16, 2015 Read Full Article
4 Minutes with…Karl Seck, President, Mercurius Biorefining
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... converts any biomass into drop-in, hydrocarbon jet fuel and diesel as well as green chemicals. The technology is called REACH which stands for Renewable Acid-hydrolysis Condensation Hydrotreating, describing the three steps of the process. ... We have
December 31, 2014 Read Full Article
New Conversion Process Turns Biomass 'Waste' into Lucrative Chemical Products
(Purdue News) A new catalytic process is able to convert what was once considered biomass waste into lucrative chemical products that can be used in fragrances, flavorings or to create high-octane fuel for racecars and jets. A team of researchers from
December 30, 2014 Read Full Article
You Can Turn E.Coli Bacteria into Microscopic Fuel Factories
by Mark Hay (Good Magazine) At some point in your life, Escherichia coli has probably brought you to your knees topray to the porcelain god. Common bacteria that often live harmlessly in the guts of most animals, a few strains
December 30, 2014 Read Full Article
10 Biggest Bioeconomy Blockbuster Stories of 2014 (EU, Middle East and Africa)
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Aviation biofuels on the rise, in the skies” tops the trend list; drop-in and cellulosic ethanol projects; M&A and cap raises, and action from strategic investors and customers dominate the headlines this year. You might know
December 29, 2014 Read Full Article
Biofuel Facts for the Road: The Energy Department and Your Gasoline Pump
by Alicia Moulton (US Department of Energy) Going “over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house” this holiday season could require a significant amount of gasoline if you’re traveling by car. Before you hit the road to visit relatives
December 18, 2014 Read Full Article
REG Acquires Majority Stake in Petrotec; Tender Offer for All Shares Imminent
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) US biodiesel leader heads for the EU – what’s up with used cooking oil, and what is REG’s path forward with the German-based biodiesel producer? In Iowa, Renewable Energy Group and IC Green Energy announced
December 11, 2014 Read Full Article
Vertimass Receives Up to $2 Million Grant From U.S. Department of Energy to Convert Ethanol Into Jet Fuel, Diesel Fuel, and Gasoline
(Vertimass) "Green" Catalyst Technology Will be Commercialized Into Stocks Compatible With Current Transportation Fuel Infrastructure Vertimass LLC announced today the company has received a grant of up to $2 million from the U.S. Department of Energy. The grant was awarded to
December 03, 2014 Read Full Article
14 for ’15: The Bioeconomy Agenda, 2015
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) 14 perspectives on policy, technologies and geographies of compelling interest in the new year -- At ABLC Next this year in San Francisco — naturally, the focus is on “what’s next” in technology, finance, deployment
December 01, 2014 Read Full Article
Billionaire Vinod Khosla’s Big Dreams for Biofuels Fail to Catch Fire
by Steven Mufson (The Washington Post) Just over a year ago, billionaire venture capitalist Vinod Khosla was bubbling with optimism about one of his latest investments: KiOR, a biofuel outfit he said would turn wood chips into hydrocarbons that could
November 30, 2014 Read Full Article
Gevo Signs Letter of Intent With Highlands EnviroFuels to License Isobutanol Technology for Florida Plant
(Gevo) Plant to Convert Sugar Cane and Sweet Sorghum to 20-25 Million Gallons Per Year of Isobutanol Gevo, Inc.(Nasdaq:GEVO), the world's only commercial producer of renewable isobutanol, announced today that Highlands EnviroFuels, LLC ("Highlands") has signed a letter of intent to
November 25, 2014 Read Full Article
Shell: Expects to Be Producing Advanced Biofuels at Scale, in US, by End of Decade
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Shell VP Matthew Tipper, at ABLCNext: “We will likely begin manufacture in the southeast United States. We plan to be operational by late this decade. “We believe our best bet is woody biomass and energy
November 21, 2014 Read Full Article
Advanced Biofuels’ Beltway Crusader
by Tim Portz (Biomass Magazine) Mike McAdams discusses work on Capitol Hill, founding of the Advanced Biofuels Association and the importance of engaging in the ongoing public debate about renewable fuels. “We’re the people you hire to protect you from the
November 13, 2014 Read Full Article
Yield Quest for Cellulosic biofuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Could a new wave of cellulsoic processes find the key to capturing the carbon lost by today’s technologies — and providing a drive to lower costs that busts through infrastructure barriers? Iogen has been running its
November 13, 2014 Read Full Article
Virent and the PlantPET Technology Collaborative (PTC) Sign Expression of Interest to Access Commercial Quantities of Virent’s BioFormPX® Paraxylene
(Virent) Virent’s Bio-based Paraxylene, BioFormPX®, Will Allow PTC Members to Offer Customers 100% Renewable and Recyclable PET Resin and Polyester October 30, 2014 – Virent and the PlantPET Technology Collaborative (PTC) today announced that the parties have signed an Expression of
October 30, 2014 Read Full Article
Abengoa Celebrates Grand Opening of Its First Commercial-Scale Next Generation Biofuels Plant
(Abengoa/GlobeNewswire) U.S. Secretary of Energy Dr. Ernest Moniz, Kansas Governor Sam Brownback and Kansas Senator Pat Roberts offer remarks during on-site event commemorating landmark occasion for advanced biofuels industry. Abengoa's proprietary enzymatic hydrolysis technology turns crop residue (stalks, stems and leaves)