by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The European Court of Justice has ruled that organisms altered via genome editing are GMOs and subject to GMO regulation in Europe, including warning labels for foods. And in the US, President Trump announced $12 billion in
European Union (EU)
Back TO HOMEPlastics Proliferation Transitioning to Bioplastics Boost
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) IHS Markit published a plastics report saying that the market value for biodegradable polymers exceeds $1 billion and will rise sharply by 2023 thanks to increased plastic regulations and bans in Western Europe. But it’s not just Europe
August 06, 2018 Read Full Article
Renewable Carbon is Key to a Sustainable and Future-Oriented Chemical Industry
(nova-Institute) The equivalent to decarbonisation in the energy sector is a transition to carbon from renewable sources in the chemical and plastics industries. The nova-Institute published a position paper on the future of chemistry. The chemical industry may only develop into
August 06, 2018 Read Full Article
Belgium Urges Malaysia to Open Diplomatic Mission to EU to Lobby for Palm Oil
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Malaysia, the Borneo Post reports that the Belgian ambassador to Malaysia suggested the country set up a separate diplomatic mission in Brussels specifically to lobby the European Union’s 28 countries, especially on issues such as palm oil.
August 02, 2018 Read Full Article
Biofuel Mandates in the EU by Member State in 2018
by Sabine Lieberz (US Department of Agriculture) This report provides an overview on the biofuel use mandates in the various EU-28 member states. It supplements the EU-28 Biofuel Annual Report. The 2009 EU Energy and Climate Change Package set out a 10
August 01, 2018 Read Full Article
Map of over 500 European Biomethane Facilities
(Netzwerk Biotreibstoffe) The European Biogas Association (EBA) and Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE) have collaborated on a comprehensive map of all known biomethane installations currently running in Europe. ‘European Biomethane Map 2018’ lists over 500 units on the continent, and according to
August 01, 2018 Read Full Article
Repsol Is Developing Technology to Produce Renewable Hydrogen
(Enagás/Repsol/NGV Journal) Repsol and Enagás have signed an agreement to continue developing technology that allows for the production of renewable hydrogen. This technology, which was originally developed by Repsol, will drive progress toward a medium-term objective for both companies: incorporating the
August 01, 2018 Read Full Article
Carbon Capture, Solar Fuels, Fossil Bubble
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Spain, BIOCON-CO2, a new €7 million EU Horizon 2020-funded research project, has recently kicked-off with intentions of supporting EU leadership in carbon dioxide (CO2) re-use technologies. BIOCON-CO2 aims to re-use excess CO2 produced from the iron, steel,
August 01, 2018 Read Full Article
PCA, Stakeholders Push for Enforcement of 5% Bio-Diesel Blend
(GMA News Online) To arrest the detrimental affects of plunging price of copra, the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) and industry stakeholders are urging the government for the immediate implementation of the Biofuels Act of 2006 or Republic Act No. 9367. The RA
July 31, 2018 Read Full Article
Finns Prefer Biofuels and Carbon Captures as Measures, Want to Directly Impact CO2 Emissions of Flying
by Theodore Koumelis (Travel Daily News) 76% of the respondents were ready to pay more for a flight ticket, or alternatively, pay an additional charge, if the money is used for reducing environmental impacts. -- According to a study, almost all Finns (94
July 22, 2018 Read Full Article
Croatia Approves 0.1% Advanced Biofuels Mandate
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Croatia, not to be left behind as the European Union moves towards advanced biofuel consumption, the government has approved a 0.1% blending mandate for second generation fuels but it could be shifted higher in 2019 depending
July 20, 2018 Read Full Article
ADVANCEFUEL at EU Sustainable Energy Week
(ADVANCEFUEL) The ADVANCEFUEL project was represented at the EU Sustainable Energy Week, with a stall in its Networking Village on 6 June in Brussels. The stall was hsoted by Ayla Uslu (ECN) and Ric Hoefnagels (Utrecht University), with support from Greenovate! Europe. The
July 18, 2018 Read Full Article
SET-Plan Steering Group Approved Implementation Plan of SET-Plan Action 8: Bioenergy and Renewable Fuels for Sustainable Transport
(European Technology and Innovation Platform-Bioenergy) On 13 June 2018 the SET-Plan Steering Group approved the Implementation Plan of SET-Plan Action 8: Bioenergy and Renewable Fuels for Sustainable Transport. The plan was prepared by a working group, co chaired by industrial experts from
July 18, 2018 Read Full Article
One Day at the World’s Leading Biomass Technology Conference, EUBCE 2018
by Steve Bi* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Renaissance-era facades capped with green copper patina and orange clay shingles harmonize seamlessly with imaginative, hallmark-of-Scandinavia, hyper-modern structures in downtown Copenhagen. [caption id="attachment_99349" align="alignleft" width="212"] Setting of the EUBCE 2018 Copenhagen[/caption] The city provided the perfect backdrop
July 17, 2018 Read Full Article
Air Pollution: Agriculture and Transport Emissions Continue to Pose Problems in Meeting Agreed Limits
(European Environment Agency) Emissions from agriculture and transport continue to pose problems for European Union Member States in meeting EU and United Nations air pollution limits, according to updated data published by the European Environment Agency (EEA) today. While emissions of
July 17, 2018 Read Full Article
Advanced Biofuels Are Key to Decarbonising Transportation
by Markus Rarbach (Clariant/EurActiv) The recent agreements on the revised Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) are setting the tone for creating a stable and predictable business environment that will trigger the development of and investment in advanced biofuel production within the EU.
July 17, 2018 Read Full Article
Agroindustry Argentine Biodiesel Emits 70% Less GHG
(Clarin Rural (Google Translation)) By a calculation of the INTA and the Argentina Chamber of Biofuels (Carbio), Argentina can certify that almost 100% of the biofuel exported to the European Union is sustainable -- ...And the certification of environmental sustainability is
July 17, 2018 Read Full Article
US Trade, Biofuel Policies and Immigration Hit Farmers Hard
(Associated Press/The Vindicator) ... The threat of counter-tariffs on U.S. farm goods and the impact of President Donald Trump’s other policies on immigration and biofuels, though, have some farmers more worried than ever about their ability to continue eking out an
July 16, 2018 Read Full Article
MaREI Secure €4.4 Million to Support Ireland’s Indigenous Biomass and Bioenergy Industry
(Science Foundation Ireland) ... The Spoke research teams will collaborate in developing technologies capable of converting a wide variety of residues and by-products to homogenous energy carriers and optimising performance of internal combustion engines using advanced fuels including biofuel blends. The Spoke
July 12, 2018 Read Full Article
France: Palm Oil Sustainability Still a Concern for Consumers
by Rachel Lau (Borneo Post) Palm oil will not be discriminated as a biofuel in the European Union, but the oil’s sustainability remains a key concern for its consumers and its industries. Earlier this year in January, the European Parliament (EP) voted to
July 12, 2018 Read Full Article
Teresa Kok’s Palm Oil Challenges
by Tan Xue Ying (The Edge) With numerous challenges dominating Malaysia’s palm oil industry, all eyes are on Teresa Kok as she officially begins as the minister of primary industries. ... Other markets that the Malaysian palm oil industry could look at is the
July 11, 2018 Read Full Article
Potential of Biodiesel in the Commercial Vehicles Sector Revealed
(Biofuels International) A recent survey among vehicle manufacturers shows that the widespread use of biodiesel in the commercial vehicle sector is ‘technically possible’, according to the Association Quality Management Biodiesel (AGQM). AGQM, along with the Union for the Promotion of Oil and
July 10, 2018 Read Full Article
RED Alert -- Canadian Biofuel Lobbying Intensifies
(Politico Brussels Influence) Canadian company Agrisoma Biosiences Inc. is pushing to get “Carinata,” its second generation biofuel, subsidized by the EU and placed on the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive (RED) list. The proposal passed the first hearing in the Parliament and
July 10, 2018 Read Full Article
Swiss Re No Longer Offers Re/Insurance to Firms with More Than 30% Coal Exposure
(Insurance Journal) Swiss Re announced it no longer is providing re/insurance to businesses with more than 30 percent exposure to thermal coal across all lines of business. The thermal coal policy applies to both existing and new thermal coal mines and power
July 09, 2018 Read Full Article
Big Oil, Utilities Are Lining up for an Electric Vehicle War
by Kelly Gilblom and Anna Hirtenstein (Bloomberg) BP and Shell have bought electric-car charging companies; Power utilities are boosting sales to homes, chargers on roads -- A red-hot electric vehicle market has triggered a face-off between Big Oil and utilities. Oil majors, who’ve sold fossil
July 05, 2018 Read Full Article
EU Biofuels Effort Kicks off in Örnsköldsvik
(SEKAB/MyNewsDesk) Representatives from eleven European companies and universities gathered yesterday in the Swedish town of Örnsköldsvik, to kick-start the EU-funded project Rewofuel. The long-term aim is to lay the groundwork for many new biorefineries across Europe, using wood residues from the
June 28, 2018 Read Full Article
Minister Humphreys Announces College Group’s €10m expansion
(College Group) Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD today announced that College Group will invest €10m in building a new renewable energy facility producing biofuel from used cooking oil and animal fats in north Co. Meath. The investment
June 27, 2018 Read Full Article
European Ethanol Sets New High Level for Greenhouse Gas Savings
(ePURE/Ethanol Producer Magazine) European renewable ethanol delivered an average of more than 70 percent greenhouse-gas savings compared to fossil fuels in 2017, according to new certified data from European ethanol producers. The number represents the latest of a string of annual increases
June 27, 2018 Read Full Article
EU Backs Industrial-Scale Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production Project and Camelina Cultivation Research
(GreenAir Online) A new EU-backed project has been launched to demonstrate the first industrial-scale production and use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in Europe. The four-year BIO4A initiative will also investigate the potential of reclaiming dry marginal land at risk of
June 25, 2018 Read Full Article
Sustainable Aviation Fuels Incentive under New EU Renewable Energy Directive Not Enough, Says IATA
(GreenAir Online) The EU Council, European Parliament and European Commission have agreed a new post-2020 regulatory framework that includes an EU-wide binding renewable energy target for 2030 of 32% with a 14% for transport energy. The current Renewable Energy Directive (RED
June 25, 2018 Read Full Article
The Role of Advanced Biofuels in the Energy Transition
(ADVANCEFUEL) Interview with Kristin Sternberg and Birger Kerckow, Agency for Renewable Resources (FNR) How has the bioenergy sector – particularly in transport – developed over the past decade? The share of energy from renewable sources in gross final energy consumption has almost
June 22, 2018 Read Full Article
Small Cut in EU's Total Greenhouse Gas Emissions in 2016 but Transport Emissions Keep Increasing
(European Environment Agency) Total greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union (EU) decreased by 0.4 % in 2016, according to latest official data published today by the European Environment Agency (EEA). Using less coal to produce heat and electricity was enough
June 20, 2018 Read Full Article
EU Reaches Deal on REDII, Sets New Goals for Renewables
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) On June 14, negotiators from the European Commission, the European Parliament and the European Council reached a deal on a revised Renewable Energy Directive (REDII) that sets new targets for renewables. Information released by the European Parliament
June 20, 2018 Read Full Article
MPOC Elated on EU Palm Biofuel Ban
(Borneo Post) The Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) is elated on the latest development in the European Union (EU) which deferred the proposed total ban on palm biofuel to 2030 from the earlier date of 2021. Chief executive officer Datuk Dr Kalyana
June 20, 2018 Read Full Article
Czech Company to Produce Biofuels from Waste Cooking Oil
by Ruth Fraňková (Radio Praha) The Czech company Chemoprojekt, based in Ústí nad Labem in north Bohemia, is set to launch production of biodiesel made from waste frying oil, the daily Hospodářské noviny reported on Tuesday. It will be the first
June 20, 2018 Read Full Article
EU Ethanol Delivers over 70% GHG Savings on Average: ePure
by Chrysa Glystra (Platts) European ethanol delivered an average of more than 70% greenhouse gas savings compared with fossil fuels in 2017, according to new data from European ethanol producers, the European renewable ethanol association, ePure, said Wednesday. This has been certified by
June 20, 2018 Read Full Article
EU Recognises Importance of Crop-Based Ethanol to Achieving Climate Goals
(ePURE/EurActiv) RED II agreement by negotiators is a step in the right direction, allowing Member States to use sustainable biofuels in fighting climate change -- Negotiators from the European Parliament, Council and Commission agreed early Thursday morning on a new target for
June 15, 2018 Read Full Article
EU Farmers Boss: DG Agri ‘Not Properly Consulted’ in Biofuels Talks
by Sarantis Michalopoulos (EURACTIV.com) EU farmers are “quite worried” about the fact that the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (DG Agri) is often disregarded when it comes to policy decisions that have a direct impact on the farming
June 12, 2018 Read Full Article
Chart of the Week (23) -- Argentina Accounts for Almost Two Thirds of EU Biodiesel Imports − Indonesia Is the Largest Palm Oil Exporter to the EU
(Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen (UFOP)) Biodiesel imports from Argentina have increased considerably over the past several months. In contrast, imports of soybean oil as feedstock from Argentina have been virtually non-existent. The reverse trend can be seen in
June 12, 2018 Read Full Article
Top 10 Biodiesel Trends 2018: What’s up with the World’s Favorite Advanced Biofuel?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... We’ve organized the state of biodiesel into 10 areas of vital interest ranging from the development of markets to the entry of ancillary products and new feedstocks. #1 Tax & Trade Free trade vs fair trade: Dumping
June 07, 2018 Read Full Article
Palm Oil to Be Phased out as Biodiesel Feedstock?
by Cheryl Kalisch Gordon (Rabobank/The Land) A proposal to alter the EU’s overarching renewable energy policy has been announced, which would phase-out palm oil as a biodiesel feedstock by 2021, due to production sustainability concerns. ... Malaysia and Indonesia, which account for 90 per
June 05, 2018 Read Full Article
The Carbon Rescuers: 20 Top Waste Projects and Breakthroughs that Capture Used Carbon from the Waste Pile for New Uses
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In these top 20 projects, we usually say that we are using waste, but really we are converting something from a state of waste to a state of value — and that’s not just good for
June 05, 2018 Read Full Article
EU Biofuel Regulation Is Not Sustainable Long-Term
(EurekAlert!/Lund University) The EU biofuel regulation does not guarantee a reduced climate impact - nor does it address the core issue of substantially reducing transport emissions, according to a new doctoral thesis from Lund University in Sweden. "On a smaller scale, biofuels
May 31, 2018 Read Full Article
Biodiesel Mandate to Take Effect from 1st September
(EU Scoop) Bulgaria is expected to implement a minimum of 6% biodiesel blend requirement for all transportation fuels from 1st September 2018. At least 1% of the blend will come from new generation biofuels. The mandate comes through a new regulation
May 31, 2018 Read Full Article
RED II: Time’s Running out to Save European Biofuels
(European Oilseed Alliance/EurActiv) As the discussions between the European Parliament and the Council continue on the recast of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II), the European Oilseed Alliance (EOA) calls on policymakers to support European rapeseed producers and acknowledge the role
May 30, 2018 Read Full Article
Chinese Ethanol Buyers Turn to Central, South America for Arbitrage Supply
by Christina Siantar (Platts) Chinese ethanol buyers are turning to Central and South America for arbitrage supply, after Beijing's imposition of additional 15% import tax on US ethanol has priced US cargoes out of the Chinese market. A Chinese oil refiner has bought 16,000-17,000 mt
May 30, 2018 Read Full Article
EU Warms to Plastic Waste ‘Recycling’ as Transport Fuel
by Frédéric Simon (EURACTIV.com) A proposal to use non-recyclable plastic waste in the production of transport fuels is picking momentum among EU member states and legislators in the European Parliament, despite warnings from environmentalists. Old plastic materials that cannot be recycled
May 30, 2018 Read Full Article
CORRECTED-UPDATE 1-Argentina Raises Biodiesel Export Tax to 15 Percent
by Caroline Stauffer and Maximilian Heath (Reuters) Argentina’s government is raising an export tax on biodiesel to 15 percent from 8 percent, effective July 1, according to a decree published in the official Gazette on Monday. Argentina is one of the world’s
May 29, 2018 Read Full Article
One Commercial, Two Commercial, Three Commercial, Four: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Clariant’s Sunliquid Cellulosic Ethanol Technology
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Clariant’s sunliquid technology for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into sugars, followed by fermentation to cellulosic ethanol, is flexible to be used to convert different feedstocks on a regional basis, for example corn stover in North
May 24, 2018 Read Full Article
INSIGHT: Standoff between Oil and UK Government Main Obstacle to E10
by Clare Pennington and Samantha Wright (ICIS News) The UK government and the country's transport fuel suppliers have been entrenched in a disagreement over whether biofuel E10 will be mandated by the government or introduced by suppliers at petrol stations, delaying its introduction
May 23, 2018 Read Full Article
SEKAB Receives Major EU Funding to Demonstrate the Production of Isobutene-Derived Gasoline and Jetfuel from Wood
(SEKAB) European financing package amounting to €13.9 million, of which €4.2 million for SEKAB E-Technology AB. Industry consortium led by Global Bioenergies and bringing together SEKAB E-Technology, Graanul Invest, Neste Engineering Solutions, Repsol, PEAB, SkyNRG, Ajinomoto Eurolysine, IPSB, TechnipFMC and Linz
May 22, 2018 Read Full Article
EIB Launches Financing Initiative for Bioeconomy, Agriculture
(European Investment Bank/Biomass Magazine) The European Investment Bank, the EU bank, announced the launch of a new financing initiative April 16 that aims to unlock close to EUR 1 billion of investment in the agriculture and bioeconomy sector. Bioeconomy encompasses the
May 18, 2018 Read Full Article
Looking Back on Platts 7th Annual Geneva Biofuels Conference
(Biofuels International) Struggles and triumphs of the biofuels industry were brought into sharp focus at the Platts 7th Annual Biofuels Conference in Geneva, Switzerland. With speakers from across the biofuels sector, the event at the Grand Hotel Kempinski covered the latest policy updates
May 17, 2018 Read Full Article
The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Sustainable Aviation Fuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) SAF development in Europe. An update on EU policy and initiatives by SkyNRG's Oskar Meijerink at ABLC in Washington, DC on March 1, 2018. READ MORE
May 17, 2018 Read Full Article
This Land Is Your Land, This Land Is My Land: European Biofuels and the Debate over the ‘Agreeable Corridor’
by Michael Eggleston* (Advanced Biofuels USA) As Europe’s revised Renewable Energy Directive (REDII) plans are set into motion, disagreements about how biofuels are treated in the newly proposed legislation have sparked concerns that Paris’ target of holding global warming below
May 16, 2018 Read Full Article
Biofuels in the Renewable Energy Directive: The Last Call
by Géraldine Kutas (The Parliament Magazine/Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA)) Ahead of this week's RED II negotiations, Géraldine Kutas explains where policymakers are getting it wrong on biofuels - and how they can fix their mistakes before it's too late. -- ...
May 15, 2018 Read Full Article
Drop-in Fuels and Biomaterials: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Global Bioenergies
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Global Bioenergies is a pioneer in the development of one-step fermentation processes for the direct and cost-efficient transformation of renewable resources into light olefin hydrocarbons, the key building blocks of the petrochemical industry. Since inception, the
May 15, 2018 Read Full Article
Global Bioenergies and an Industrial Consortium Including Sekab, Neste Engineering Solutions, Repsol and SkyNRG Receive Major EU Funding to Demonstrate the Production of Isobutene-Derived Gasoline and Jetfuel from Wood
(Global Bioenergies) European grant amounting to €13.9 million, of which €5.7 million for Global Bioenergies Industry consortium led by Global Bioenergies and bringing together Sekab, Graanul Invest, Neste Engineering Solutions, Repsol, Peab Asfalt, SkyNRG, Ajinomoto Eurolysine, IPSB, TechnipFMC and Linz University Aim at
May 14, 2018 Read Full Article
EU Low Carbon Fuels Conference Week, Part 2: Driving Capability with Flexibility
By Steve Bi* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Part one of this article addressed the first two consensuses emerging from international biofuels research and business initiatives discussed in Brussels April 10-12, 2018: first, that bioenergy must be massively scaled up, according to
May 11, 2018 Read Full Article
NGOs Tell Commission to Listen to Science and Differentiate Biofuels
by Claire Stam (EurActiv) A coalition of Czech and Slovak NGOs has called on the European Commission to draw a line in the Renewable Energy Directive revision (RED II) between more sustainable ethanol and the high greenhouse gas emitting tropical oils. They also said that
May 09, 2018 Read Full Article
Research and Innovation Perspective of the Mid-and Long-Term Potential for Advanced Biofuels in Europe
(EU Publications) Research and Innovation (R&I) plays a central role in developing advanced biofuels technologies to help achieve the EU’s climate and energy targets. This study examines the R&I potential for feedstock production, advanced biofuels production, and use of advanced biofuels. The
May 09, 2018 Read Full Article
Bioenergy (Biofuels/Biomass) Low-Carbon Biofuels, Bioproducts Crucial to Two Degree Scenario
by Jessie Stolark (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) In April, the European Commission, International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), below50, the Biofuture Platform, and the ART Fuels Forum formally expressed the sense that low-carbon fuels will be required as part of capping
May 07, 2018 Read Full Article
Drills and Pipelines May Pollute Our Climate but Words Will Break or Make Us
by Michael Eggleston* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Carbon is the backbone of the fossil-based economy and feedstock to a bio-based economy. However, how exactly this carbon is handled continues to divide people regarding what the development of a bio-based economy is
May 03, 2018 Read Full Article
To Meet Emission Reductions Objectives in Transport, Sustainable Renewable Fuels Are an Important Part of the Solution
(Methanol Institute/EIN Presswire) The Methanol Institute (MI), the trade association representing the global methanol industry this week released a paper providing input for the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) trilogue procedure currently underway between the European Council, Parliament and Commission. The Methanol
May 02, 2018 Read Full Article
Ireland Increases Crop-Based Biofuel Transport Share, Provides ‘Business Certainty’
by Sarantis Michalopoulos (EurActiv) Ireland’s environment ministry has decided to increase the crop-based biofuel share in transport to 10% from the existing 8% and draw a 2030 plan aiming to provide long-term business certainty in the field. Irish Minister for Communications, Climate
April 30, 2018 Read Full Article
Indonesian Oil Palm Smallholders Sue State over Subsidy to Biofuel Producers
(South Africa Today/Mongabay) -A union of palm oil smallholders is challenging the allocation of a billion-dollar fund that they say fails to help them rejuvenate their low-yielding oil palms and instead unfairly subsidizes large biofuel producers. -Only 1 percent of the
April 27, 2018 Read Full Article
Air Canada, Red Rock and SkyNRG Move forward on Biofuel Initiatives While Air New Zealand Takes Longer View
(GreenAir Online) ... Canada’s Biojet Supply Chain Initiative (CBSCI) is a three-year project between 14 stakeholder organisations, including Air Canada, which are working to enable a biojet supply chain in the country, with testing the feasibility of co-mingling biojet with an airport’s
April 27, 2018 Read Full Article
UK Prioritizing Waste-Based Biofuels, but RTFO Revisions Possible: Official
by Chrysa Glystra (Platts) The UK wants to push the country's transition to waste-based biofuels, but some revisions are possible depending on how the market responds to the new increased Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation, Rachel Solomon Williams, the head of Low Carbon
April 27, 2018 Read Full Article
Upgraded Aemetis Plant in India Completes Biodiesel Production Using Lower Cost, High FFA Waste Feedstock
(EconoTimes/Aemetis) Pre-treatment Unit Passes First Production Tests Required to Supply BP Singapore Under Three-year Agreement -- Aemetis, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMTX) announced today that its Universal Biofuels subsidiary completed the production of high quality distilled biodiesel from lower quality, high Free Fatty Acid (FFA) waste
April 26, 2018 Read Full Article
As Petroleum Prices, Demand Soars, US, EU Dither on Biofuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... US gasoline prices are at a three-year high, says CNBC. This time, the response has been to dither on biofuels and to point to reasonably dismal sales of EVs as evidence that an electrics solution is on
April 26, 2018 Read Full Article
A New Lithium War Is About To Begin
by James Stafford (OilPrice.com) It’s the modern gold rush. Around the world, the most sought-after mineral isn’t a precious metal, nor is it oil and gas…it’s lithium. Lithium, or “white petroleum” as some call it, has become a crucial element in today’s high-tech economy. Demand
April 25, 2018 Read Full Article
Is the EU Killing the Magic Plant? The Emerging International Consensus on Low Carbon Fuels Takes Center Stage in (Spite of) Brussels
by Steve Bi* (Advanced Biofuels USA) At one of a series of bioenergy conferences in Brussels, April 10-12, 2018, some combination of hearty guffaws, inward chuckles and solemn nods greeted the predictable but well-delivered punchline from Miguel Ivan Lacerda de
April 25, 2018 Read Full Article
UPM Biofuels Gains the World's First RSB Low Indirect Land Use Change (ILUC) Risk Certification for Its Feedstocks
(Globe Newswire) UPM Biofuels' continuous efforts for a more sustainable supply chain and operations has been recognized by the world's first RSB (Roundtable of Sustainable Biomaterials) low ILUC (indirect land use change) risk certification. The certificate was received for crude tall
April 25, 2018 Read Full Article
EPA Announces Biomass from Managed Forests Will Be Considered Carbon Neutral
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Georgia, in a meeting with members of the forestry community, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency announced the Agency issued a statement of policy making clear, that future regulatory actions on biomass from managed forests will
April 24, 2018 Read Full Article
Europe’s Renewables ‘Multipliers’ Only Subtract
by Emmanuel Desplechin (ePURE/Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... They rely on “multipliers” that artificially inflate the contribution of certain renewables, while doing nothing to help the climate. Double counting electrified rail transport or certain waste-based fuels are good examples. These “virtual renewables” allow countries
April 23, 2018 Read Full Article
BBI JU Announces a further € 115 Million of Funding to Boost the Development of EU's Bio-Based Industries Sector DEADLINE: September 6, 2018
(BBI-Europe) The BBI JU is the largest and most ambitious initiative ever launched in the EU to develop competitive and sustainable bio-based industries. The ambition that drove its creation was to bring about the systemic change needed to develop a European
April 20, 2018 Read Full Article
Messages from Brussels: More Biofuels for Transport Are Badly Needed and Can Be Produced Sustainably
(BioFuture Platform) Several international initiatives and organizations met in Brussels to discuss the need and the ways to scale up low carbon fuels in transport. The international conference, titled “The role of low carbon fuels in decarbonising transport: the emerging consensus
April 18, 2018 Read Full Article
EIB’s Agriculture and Bioeconomy Programme Loan under Juncker Plan Will Support Close to EUR 1bn of Private Investment across Europe
(European Investment Bank) New financing initiative targets investments by private cooperatives and companies in the agriculture and bioeconomy sector; The EIB financing will amount to EUR 400m and is expected to back close to EUR 1bn of investment across Europe; Agreement is guaranteed
April 18, 2018 Read Full Article
Why We Need Ecological Biofuels
by Paloma López Bermejo (The Parliament Magazine) We must establish concrete criteria for determining how sustainable growing, manufacturing, transporting and marketing biofuels is, says Paloma López Bermejo. -- ... Simply distinguishing between biomass, biofuels or bioliquids - as is currently the
April 17, 2018 Read Full Article
RED II Perpetuates Advanced Biofuel Trade Distortions and Incentivises Fraud
(Ethanol Europe Renewables/EurActiv) The Energy Directive (RED 2) transport decarbonisation ambitions ostensibly promote major capital investment in truly advanced biofuels breakthrough technologies. However, the Directive will not generate meaningful advanced biofuels investment. Instead, it incentivises fake wastes to meet biofuels
April 17, 2018 Read Full Article
Biodiesel Dumping Controversy Pushes German Producer to Cut Production
(Biofuels International) German renewable fuel producer Natural Energy West is to reduce its biodiesel output by 50%. According to Reuters, the company is making the cuts in response to surging biodiesel imports from Indonesia and Argentina to the EU. Reuters reports that the company will
April 12, 2018 Read Full Article
A New Tailor-Made Approach to Biofuels
(Phys.Org/CORDIS) ... Some microbes have natural structures called cellulosomes that contain cellulases, enzymes that break down cellulose efficiently into sugars. The EU-funded CELLULOSOMEPLUS project developed designer cellulosomes (DCs) to achieve high yields of fermentable sugars from the organic fraction of municipal solid waste
April 11, 2018 Read Full Article
Vivergo Fuels £350m Saltend Biofuel Plant in Hull Restarts after Four-Month Shut Down
by Henry Saker-Clark (Hull Daily Mail) Vivergo Fuels stopped production in November putting 150 jobs at risk -- A £350m Hull-based biofuel facility has restarted production after a four month shutdown, but warns that government action is still needed to secure its
April 11, 2018 Read Full Article
Weak Governance at UN Shipping Agency Delaying Action on Climate Change
(Transparency International Secretariat) The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is at risk of unresolved conflicts of interest due to shortcomings in its governance, according to preliminary key findings of a new study by Transparency International. Private shipping-industry concerns could have undue influence over the policymaking
April 09, 2018 Read Full Article
EU Needs to Rethink, Set Goals to Reduce Palm Oil in Biodiesel
by Sudheer Mopperthy (Asian Age) The EU adopted this new fuel with rigour and pledged that by 2020, 10 per cent of all transport fuels in EU nations would be biodiesel. ... The EU’s palm oil ban will effectively push three million
April 06, 2018 Read Full Article
Talking Carbon: Europe’s Prejudice towards Carbon Capture Utilization (CCU) Technology
by Michael Eggleston* (Advanced Biofuels USA) With over 260 million cars on the road in Europe, industry leaders and governmental representatives alike are putting the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) under fire for its lack of clarity surrounding its impact
April 06, 2018 Read Full Article
Proteins and Renewable Energy: One and the Same Challenge
(Farm Europe) Despite 30 years of efforts and no less than 5 “protein plans”, the European Union still suffers from a considerable chronic deficit in plant proteins: more than 30 million tonnes of soybean crops were imported during 2016-17. This figure comes under
April 02, 2018 Read Full Article
Presentations Published for EU-India Conference on Advanced Biofuels
(European Commission) This event, jointly organised by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Energy and India's Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, aimed to facilitate the deployment of advanced renewable fuels in the EU and India. It will primarily be aimed
April 02, 2018 Read Full Article
CO2 Use Is Slowly Picking up Speed
(Bio-based News/nova-Institut) First semi-commercial facilities, technical advances, but political support still unclear -- 6th Conference on Carbon Dioxides as Feedstock for Fuels, Chemistry and Polymers in Cologne, 15-16 March, showed state of the art technologies, current levels of investment as well as
April 02, 2018 Read Full Article
Neste Delivers First Batch of 100% Renewable Propane to European Market
(Neste Corporation) Neste has started up the world's first large-scale renewable propane production facility in Rotterdam in the Netherlands. The first cargo of renewable propane has been delivered to SHV Energy, who will market and sell the product to its customers
April 02, 2018 Read Full Article
UPDATE 1-ADM to Suspend Biodiesel Output at German Plant
by Michael Hogan (Reuters) U.S. agribusiness group Archer Daniels Midland Co will suspend production at a major biodiesel plant in Germany because of increasing cheap imports of the renewable fuel into the European Union, it said on Friday. The standstill is expected to
March 30, 2018 Read Full Article
Europe’s Ethanol CEOs Besieged by RED II and Illusory Truths
by James Cogan (Ethanol Europe Renewables Ltd/Biofuels Digest) The CEOs of Europe’s big ethanol firms (Tereos, Cristal Union, Alco Group, Crop Energies) are under seige. They are battling imported and sometimes fake used cooking oil, not-yet-viable advanced fuels, palm oil diesel, imports from
March 30, 2018 Read Full Article
Sustainability Is All the Rage but Financing of Extreme Fossil Fuels Is on the Rise
by Eshe Nelson (Quartz Media) ... Last year, when economic losses from natural and man-made disasters exceeded $300 billion, big banks across the globe increased their financing of “extreme” fossil-fuels activities by 11% to $115 billion, according to a new report by a
March 30, 2018 Read Full Article
JRC Released New Certified Reference Materials for Automotive Diesel Fuel Testing
(EU Science Hub) The JRC released two new Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) for automotive diesel fuel containing 7 % biodiesel, so-called 'diesel (B7)'. These CRMs will support fuel producers and fuel testing laboratories in assuring the quality of their measurements, thus improving
March 23, 2018 Read Full Article
Global Bioenergies to Present Results of Engine Testing with Renewable Fuels
(Global Bioenergies) Global Bioenergies (Euronext Growth: ALGBE) will present engine testing results on April 5th. Its commercial partner Audi, and German engine & fuels specialist FEV, will join the presentation. ... Global Bioenergies is one of the few companies worldwide, and
March 22, 2018 Read Full Article
RED II – Europe’s €25 Billion Blunder
by Dick Roche (EURACTIV) ... Investments worth billions have already been written off as a result of EU U-turns on biofuels. The half-billion Euro Vivergo plant, at one point the largest industrial project in England, is a monument to confused biofuel
March 21, 2018 Read Full Article
EU Scraps Duty on Most Argentina, Indonesia Biodiesel: Document
Philip Blenkinsop (Reuters) The European Union has removed duties on biodiesel imports for 13 Argentine and Indonesian producers following the end of legal proceedings at the European Court of Justice (ECJ), an EU document shows. The bloc set anti-dumping duties on imports
March 21, 2018 Read Full Article
Project Focus: Converting Dairy By-Products into High Value Bio-Based Chemicals.
(AgriChemWhey/Biobased World News) ... Producers that can access plentiful feedstocks with the minimum of fuss can have the best of both worlds – exactly the position that Ireland finds itself in. The country is in the midst of a bio-based revolution
March 21, 2018 Read Full Article
Questions Raised over EU’s Proposed Advanced Biofuels List
by Sarantis Michalopoulos (EurActiv) Not all second-generation biofuels listed by the European Commission are sustainable, critics warn, urging policymakers to use the indirect land use change (ILUC) factor to “clean up” the list. The Commission’s proposed revision of the Renewable Energy Directive
March 20, 2018 Read Full Article
EU Biofuel Policy Requires Reliable Framework Conditions -- UFOP and FOP Appeal to Council, Parliament and Commission
(Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP)) The trialogue procedure for redrafting the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) began in late February 2018. Against this backdrop, the German Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen (UFOP -
March 19, 2018 Read Full Article
New Edition of “Good Reasons for Biofuels” Brochure Published
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) In Germany, the Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP) updated and reissued its consumer information “Good Reasons for Biofuels”. The brochure provides the most important aspects on 24 pages justifying the
March 19, 2018 Read Full Article
Defence Ministry Upholds 'Palm Oil First Call' in Proposed Jet Buy Deals with France
by Sangeetha Amarthalingam (The Edge Markets) The proposed palm biodiesel ban by the European Union (EU) parliament has bearings on negotiations on Malaysia’s plan to buy multi-role combat aircraft (MRCA) from Europe. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein indicated a bilateral relationship
March 13, 2018 Read Full Article
Report on 8th ISCC Global Sustainability Conference; Presentations Published
(International Sustainability and Carbon Certification) Tuesday 20 February 2018, Brussels, Belgium high profile speakers discussed on the latest updates on a broad range of topics: The future of bioenergy discussed by the European Commission and Member States RED II negotiations Implementation of
March 12, 2018 Read Full Article
Praj in Advanced Stage of Discussion to Set up Two 2nd Gen Ethanol Plants in EU
by Jayashree Bhosale (Economic Times) Pune-based PrajBSE -3.22 % Industries is in advanced stage of discussion to set up second generation ethanol plants in two counties of the European Union. Pramod Chaudhari, Executive Chairman of Praj commented at the occasion, “We are
March 09, 2018 Read Full Article
EU-Wide Taxes on Jet Fuel and Plane Tickets Could Help Plug Budget Gap and Address Transport Climate Impact, Says T&E
(GreenAir Online) Taxing jet kerosene and applying a value added tax to plane tickets within Europe could raise €26.5 billion ($32bn) a year that could be used to plug an EU budget gap, reduce labour taxes and help meet climate targets,
March 07, 2018 Read Full Article
Aemetis Completes Operation of Cellulosic Ethanol Integrated Demonstration Unit, Produced Record Yields
by Kelly Shaver (Aemetis) Aemetis, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMTX) announced today that the company successfully built and operated an integrated demonstration unit for more than 120 days of continuous operations with 94% uptime, meeting the requirements for a federal USDA 9003 Biorefinery Assistance
March 06, 2018 Read Full Article
Heard from the Floor at ABLC — Thursday March 1, 2018
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) ... On March 1, ABLC 2018 kicked off at the Mayflower Hotel in the heart of D.C. with five Avengers – a superhero bunch who all had a common thread – we are stronger together
March 05, 2018 Read Full Article
European Commission Grants Nearly €5 Billion to Develop Biofuels in Italy
(European Commission/NGV Journal) The European Commission has approved under EU State aid rules an Italian support scheme for the production and distribution of advanced biofuels, including advanced biomethane, for the use in the transport sector. The measure will contribute to reaching
March 05, 2018 Read Full Article
ABLC 2018 Preview: Deployment Dawns, Products Proliferate, and Techs Land Major Venture Deals as the Bioeconomy Advances into a Big 2018
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, ABLC 2018 opens amidst a flutter of government rollbacks of deployment support but the hope of regulatory relief, breakthroughs in financial structuring, a decisive shift in early-stage projects to nutrition & health, and an
February 28, 2018 Read Full Article
Position Paper: The European Commission’s Action Plan on Alternative Fuels Infrastructure
(European Automobile Manufacturers Association) The European Commission presented its Clean Mobility Package on 8 November 2017. Besides a number of legislative and non-legislative initiatives, the Commission also launched an Action Plan on Alternative Fuels Infrastructure as well as investment solutions for
February 27, 2018 Read Full Article
Bio-CCS and Bio-CCUS in Climate Change Mitigation--Market and Regulatory Issues Related to Bio-CCUS
(International Energy Agency Bioenergy Task 41) The fourth IEA Bioenergy Task 41 workshop on Bio-CC(U)S was organized in Brussels 16 January 2018. The topic of the workshop was Market and regulatory issues related to Bio-CCUS. The workshop was a full day event divided
February 27, 2018 Read Full Article
Is Energy from Woody Biomass Positive for the Climate?
(International Energy Agency) IEA Bioenergy has produced a brief on the question ‘Is energy from woody biomass positive for the climate?’ The brief provides background and a number of concise arguments on this question. Overall, energy from woody biomass can be very
February 27, 2018 Read Full Article
The H2020-Funded Project greenGain Was Successfully Completed
(International Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe e. V) The project greenGain was funded by the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme of the European Union for research, technological development and demonstration under Grant Agreement No 646443. Eight institutions from Germany, Italy, Spain and the
February 27, 2018 Read Full Article
Renewable Gas Use Will Help Reduce Europe’s GHG to Net-Aero by 2050
(Gas for Climate/NGV Journal) Renewable gas used in existing gas infrastructure could play an important role in reducing Europe’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to net-zero by mid-century, according to a study published by the Gas for Climate initiative. Such a reduction
February 26, 2018 Read Full Article
Farmers Defend Biofuels as Part of EU’s Upcoming ‘Protein Strategy’
by Sarantis Michalopoulos (EURACTIV.com) There is a need to maintain the EU’s main source of protein feed that are the co-product of biofuels, the European farmers association Copa-Cogeca told EURACTIV.com as the Commission announced its intention to draw up an EU-wide “protein
February 24, 2018 Read Full Article
US Ethanol Groups Slam Potential Extension of EU Antidumping Duties
(ICIS) -US ethanol trade groups on Wednesday slammed the European Commission’s review to extend antidumping duties on US fuel ethanol. The 9.5% duties are set to expire at the end of this month, but on Tuesday the European Renewable Ethanol Association (e-Pure) announced it will
February 22, 2018 Read Full Article
Map of Over 500 European Biomethane Facilities Released
(Bioenergy Insight) The European Biogas Association and Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE) have collaborated on a comprehensive map of all known biomethane installations currently running in Europe. ‘European Biomethane Map 2018’ lists over 500 units on the continent, and according to its creators
February 21, 2018 Read Full Article
Biomethane Market Development Gains Momentum in Italy
(Xebec/NGV Journal) Canada-based Xebec has signed an exclusive three-year agreement with SAPIO Produzione Idrogeno Ossigeno Srl, distributor of technical gases, to help develop Italy’s renewable natural gas (RNG) upgrading infrastructure from biogas facilities such as landfills, digesters and waste water treatment
February 21, 2018 Read Full Article
Off-Road Engines, Aftertreatment Systems Perform Well on B100
(AGQM/Biodiesel Magazine) The University of Rostock demonstrates in current research results that off-road engines conforming to exhaust emission category EU Stage IV are suitable for operation with pure biodiesel. The German government’s climate protection plan 2050 intends a reduction of the greenhouse
February 21, 2018 Read Full Article
Biofuels and Electric Vehicles Key to EU Decarbonisation, Report Claims
(Biofuels International) A new report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) says the EU could double the renewable share in its energy mix, cost effectively, from 17% in 2015 to 34% in 2030. In order to reach long term decarbonisation goals, the report
February 21, 2018 Read Full Article
EU Commission Reopens US Ethanol Antidumping Case; Extends Duty for 15 Months
by Chrysa Glystra (Platts) The European Commission announced Tuesday it will initiate an expiry review of the antidumping duty against US fuel ethanol imports, with the duty staying in the place for another 15 months while the investigation takes place. The duty
February 20, 2018 Read Full Article
Hot Spots Around the World: Who’s Adding What, Where in Biofuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) South America -- In Brazil, ICM has completed startup and commissioning of the FS Bioenergia dry-mill corn ethanol plant. ... The driver for corn ethanol in Brazil? In part, the country’s new RenovaBio policy, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas
February 20, 2018 Read Full Article
Trash to Treasure – From Canada to Europe, Enerkem Turns Trash to Cash
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) In Canada, more big news is coming out of Enerkem with the latest waste-to-chemistry project in Rotterdam to be the first of its kind in Europe to provide a sustainable alternative solution for non-recyclable wastes, converting waste plastics
February 19, 2018 Read Full Article
De-Coding the West’s Addiction to Fossil Fuels: Fostering a Sustainable Transportation Fuel Market in the US & EU
by Michael Eggleston* (Advanced Biofuels USA) “If we do not break the lock-in effect of our dominant fuel sources, we may in fact facilitate mother nature in breaking the lock-out of her dominant species,” wrote Stephen L. Bi in The
February 15, 2018 Read Full Article
Greening Gas: Conference of the European Biogas Association Presents Emerging Technologies for European Energy Transition in a Circular Economy
By Dan Quadros* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Antwerp, Belgium, is known for diamonds and fine chocolates. But what shined there a couple of weeks ago was the Conference of the European Biogas Association (EBA). [caption id="attachment_93154" align="alignleft" width="194"] Danilo Gusmao at the
February 08, 2018 Read Full Article
Advanced, to Go: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to 2G Biofuels Implementation Timetable
The biggest news out of Novozymes this month is its new yeast platform for starch-based ethanol, while also introducing the first product, Innova Drive. A completely new yeast strain, the product can reduce fermentation time by up to two hours compared
February 07, 2018 Read Full Article
The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to the Future of the Internal Combustion Engine
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) When it comes to the future of the combustion engine, what are the future developments from a scientific viewpoint? That’s the ambitious topic that Gennadi Zikoridse of the University of Applied Sciences Dresden took on in this recent presentation. Combustion
February 06, 2018 Read Full Article
10 Years After: Advanced Biofuels’ Status, Opportunities and Challenges
by Lorenz Bauer (Lee Enterprises Consulting/Biofuels Digest) In 2007 the US government established a national strategy for the development of advanced biofuels made using non-edible biomass. After 10 years we are still short of achieving the targets of this plan
February 06, 2018 Read Full Article
ICAO Opens Consultation with States on Proposed Rules for CORSIA Implementation
(GreenAir Online) ICAO’s proposed rules for States and aeroplane operators on the administration; monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) of CO2 emissions; carbon offsetting requirements; and emissions units under the CORSIA scheme have been circulated to the UN agency’s 192 member States
February 05, 2018 Read Full Article
Realistically Assess and Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Rapeseed Cultivation
(Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP) (Google translation)) Global standard values overestimate nitrous oxide emissions in rapeseed cultivation -- A network of eight partners under the coordination of the Thünen Institute (TI) for agri-climate protection engaged in a
February 05, 2018 Read Full Article
Yay or Nay – Will EU Really Say No More Palm-Based Biodiesel?
by Helena Taveres Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) ... Environmental groups have long been against palm oil plantations on these crucial climate fighting forests. But consumers are using more palm oil products, from cosmetics to biofuels to food ingredients, and the demand for
February 05, 2018 Read Full Article
European Union to Prioritize Sustainable Aviation Fuel
(Air Transport Action Group) The aviation industry today welcomed a move by the European Parliament to ensure that sustainable aviation fuel is a key component of the future of air transport. The European Parliament this week adopted its position on
February 02, 2018 Read Full Article
EU Launches New Trade Inquiry into Argentine Biodiesel
by Philip Blenkinsop and Sybille de la Hamaide (Reuters) The European Commission has begun a new investigation into whether Argentine biodiesel exporters benefit from unfair subsidies, following a complaint in December by the European Biodiesel Board (EBB). The EU’s official journal said on
February 01, 2018 Read Full Article
Palm Oil to Be Phased out as Biodiesel Feedstock?
by Cheryl Kalisch Gordon (Rabobank/The Land) Only a month after the European Union confirmed Australian canola would satisfy the new 2018 greenhouse gas requirements for use in EU biodiesel, a proposal to alter the EU’s overarching renewable energy policy has
January 31, 2018 Read Full Article
Global Grain Production Mainly Used For Food, Not Fuel
(Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association) There’s no shortage of food in the world because of biofuel production, a new report says. A new report from the Union For The Promotion Of Oil And Protein Plants E.V, a Germany-based trade association for biofuels and grain farmers,
January 30, 2018 Read Full Article
Biomass Biggest Contributor to EU Renewables in 2016, but Ominous Signs for the Industry’s Future
by Daryl Worthington (Bioenergy Insight) Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, has figures on Renewable Energy use in 2016. The newly published data reveal that the share of renewables reached 17% in 2016, with the biggest contributor to that
January 30, 2018 Read Full Article
EU Set to Launch Subsidy Inquiry into Argentinean Biodiesel
(Reuters/NASDAQ) The European Commission will next week launch an investigation into whether Argentine producers exporting biodiesel to the bloc are benefiting from unfair subsidies, people familiar with the case said. The Commission, which oversees trade policy across the 28-nation bloc, is expected
January 30, 2018 Read Full Article
MIT Professor Says Biomass-Based Power Worse than Coal for the Environment
Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Massachusetts, a new report from MIT Sloan professor John Sterman supports the growing argument that burning wood pellets for power is worse for the climate than burning coal, because of the short-term effects and the “potentially irreversible impacts
January 30, 2018 Read Full Article
Europe’s Polarized Transport Future: A Shift in Biofuel Quality
by Michael Eggleston* (Advanced Biofuels USA) On January 22, 2018, the 15th International Conference on Renewable Mobility titled “Fuels of the Future” was opened up by a discussion with Members of the European Parliament, as well as representatives from the
January 29, 2018 Read Full Article
WTO Rules EU Must Change Duties on Indonesia Biodiesel
by Philip Blenkinsop and Bernadette Christina Munthe (Reuters) The World Trade Organization (WTO) has ruled in favor of several challenges by Indonesia to anti-dumping duties imposed on its biodiesel exports to the European Union, saying the measures needed to be changed. The ruling is
January 26, 2018 Read Full Article
REINPLUS FIWADO Bunker and GoodFuels Marine Enter into Partnership for Sustainable Inland Shipping
(GoodFuels) Advanced Biofuels more widely available for European inland shipping -- From today, VARO Energy subsidiary REINPLUS FIWADO Bunker and GoodFuels Marine will work together to make European inland shipping more sustainable. As a result, the sustainable advanced biofuels from GoodFuels Marine
January 26, 2018 Read Full Article
Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand Ready to Retaliate on EU Palm Oil Ban
By Ooi Tee Ching (New Straits Times) Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand will retaliate if the EU’s ongoing discrimination and attack on the palm oil industry becomes legislative, said Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong. On April 4 last
January 25, 2018 Read Full Article
Public Consultation on EU Funds in the area of Investment, Research & Innovation, SMEs and Single Market DEADLINE: 8 March 2018
In 2018, the Commission will make comprehensive proposals for the next generation of financial programmes for the post-2020 Multiannual Financial Framework, which is the EU's long–term budget. The Commission's proposals will be designed to make it possible for the EU
January 25, 2018 Read Full Article
The Rise, Rise, Rise of Bio-Methanol for Fuels and Chemical Markets
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... The clearest intersecting theme is bio-methanol. Let’s see why. For one, Södra has much more going on than Silva, and we reported on a major development in December when we related that Södra will invest more
January 25, 2018 Read Full Article
Despite EU Palm Oil Ban, Biofuel Problems Will Continue
(Deutsche Welle) Members of the European Parliament have rejected an attempt to phase out support for crop-based biofuels. So what's next in the food versus fuel debate? -- ... The legislative shift, set to take effect in 2020, won't actually change much
January 24, 2018 Read Full Article
Calculating the CO2 Emissions of Biofuels Is Not Enough
(Science Daily/Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL)) A new EU regulation aims to shrink the environmental footprint of biofuels starting in 2021. But a scientist thinks we should go one step further and take into account all compounds produced at biorefineries,
January 24, 2018 Read Full Article
Biomass Industry Responds to ‘Morbid Mathematics’ of FERN Study
by Daryl Worthington(Bioenergy Insight) Two major associations for the biomass industry have responded to a study claiming the burning of biomass prematurely kills tens of thousands of people each year. The study was commissioned by FERN, an NGO created in 1995 “to keep track
January 22, 2018 Read Full Article
Legal GHG Reduction Requirement for Biofuels Rises to 50 Percent
(Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen (Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants, UFOP) (google translation)) The Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP) recalls that from 1 January 2018, the increased greenhouse gas (GHG)
January 22, 2018 Read Full Article
Updated UFOP Report on Global Market Supply Published
(Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen (Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants, UFOP)) Strong global harvest yields mean that supply on international markets is more than sufficient. The figures indicate that there is enough to meet worldwide
January 22, 2018 Read Full Article
The European Parliament Just Avoided a Biofuels Fail. Now Here’s How to Move forward on Decarbonising Transport
(ePure) 2030 EU target for renewables in transport leaves an opening for sustainable crop-based biofuels to help reach Paris goals -- The European Parliament’s vote to phase out palm oil and allow some crop-based biofuels is a welcome recognition that the EU
January 17, 2018 Read Full Article
.jpg)
Our Sponsors
FREE Subscription! Advanced Biofuels USA events calendar; policy and actions; education newsletters
