(Biobased Radio) Joel Stone, President of ConVergInce Advisers and Executive Vice President of Lee Enterprises, the world’s premier bioeconomy consulting group. Denny and Joel discuss necessary investments within the bioeconomy ranging from monetary investments to feedstocks and human developments. Many things have led us
Feedstocks
Back TO HOMEWashington State Tackles Transportation Emissions
by Jeremy Martin (Union of Concerned Scientists) ... The largest source of pollution in Washington state is transportation, which is another way to say burning petroleum-based fuels like gasoline and diesel. Tackling emissions from transportation requires policies that focus on vehicles
March 09, 2019 Read Full Article
Federal Agencies Release Framework for Advancing the Bioeconomy
(US Department of Agriculture) The federal Biomass Research and Development (BR&D) Board today unveiled a multi-agency strategy to accelerate innovative technologies that harness the nation’s biomass resources for affordable biofuels, bioproducts, and biopower. The Bioeconomy Initiative: Implementation Framework was developed by the B&RD
March 05, 2019 Read Full Article
The Expert Witness: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Bioeconomy Litigation
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Wayne Lee, CEO of Lee Enterprises Consulting offers this illuminating overview of what bioeconomy litigation is, what makes a good expert witness, and more. Lee Enterprises Consulting is the world’s largest bioeconomy consulting group with over 100
February 21, 2019 Read Full Article
Potential Trade‐Offs of Employing Perennial Biomass Crops for the Bioeconomy in the EU by 2050: Impacts on Agricultural Markets in the EU and the World
(ResearchGate) Perennial biomass crops (PBC) are considered a crucial feedstock for sustainable biomass supply to the bioeconomy that compete less with food production compared to traditional crops. However, large‐scale development of PBC as a means to reach greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation
February 05, 2019 Read Full Article
Biofuel Production in Sub-Saharan Africa Could Be Prioritized for Aviation
(International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis) A new study, designed by IIASA researchers for conservation charity WWF, has found that while there is a small but not insignificant potential for the production of sustainable biofuels in sub-Saharan Africa, this should be
February 03, 2019 Read Full Article
Ready for Take Off? Aviation Biofuels Past, Present, and Future
by David Hitchcock (Atlantic Council) ... However, the importance of powering the aviation sector (both military and commercial) through sustainable fuels cannot be overstated. David Hitchcock’s paper, “Ready for Takeoff? Aviation Biofuels Past, Present, and Future,” provides a keen look at
January 26, 2019 Read Full Article
The 7 Most Promising Aviation Biofuels
by Jeff McMahon (Forbes) ... "We really need to focus on the feedstocks that are cheapest and most abundant," said Jeff Skeer, a senior program officer for the International Renewable Energy Agency. "And I think there’s a lot out there, not just from the
January 26, 2019 Read Full Article
Now Open for Entries: 2019 Bio-Based World News Innovation Awards DEADLINE: February 15, 2019
(Bio-Based World News) Innovation is at the heart of the Bio-Based World Community, from our news portal and Quarterly magazine, to our growing social media platforms and our newly launched reports and webinars, right through to our flagship event, World
January 24, 2019 Read Full Article
Quest Fulfilled? Holy Grail Found? 40% Crop Yield Increase Really Possible?
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) ... (S)cientists in Illinois may have just gotten incredibly close to finding the treasure that any crop producer has been searching for. In field testing across two different growing seasons, they showed >25% increase
January 21, 2019 Read Full Article
Neste Is Not Using Palm Oil as a Raw Material for Renewable Aviation Fuel
(Neste) Biofuel Watch published a report “Neste: The Finnish company preparing to put palm oil in aircraft fuel tanks” on 9 January 2019. The report suggests that Neste is looking to palm oil as a key raw material for the expansion
January 11, 2019 Read Full Article
Green Energy Biofuel Receives 2018 Project of the Year Award
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) The South Carolina Biomass Council held an award ceremony Nov. 15 on the grounds of its 2018 Biomass Project of the Year Award recipient, Green Energy Biofuel, in Warrenville, South Carolina. Green Energy Biofuel won the
December 26, 2018 Read Full Article
What Will it Take?: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide ABLC Guide to Policies for the Biofuture Take-off
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Promote short term deployment of mature options, stimulate the development and deployment of new technologies, deliver the necessary feedstock sustainably, backed by a supportive sustainability governance system, and develop capacity and catalyse investment via a coordinated international collaboration
December 06, 2018 Read Full Article
Govt Allows Ethanol Extraction for Blending from Foodgrains, Too
(The Hindu Business Line) With maize, jawar, bajra in blended petrol programme, farmers’ income may get a boost -- The Centre has extended the ambit of the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme to extract the fuel from surplus quantities of maize, jawar,
November 30, 2018 Read Full Article
Private Investment Boosts Booming Miscanthus Bio-Economy
(Terravesta) Former IG Group chief executive and current Scotgold chairman Nat le Roux has bought a personal stake in renewable biomass business Terravesta. Le Roux has invested £2 million in the business, reflecting the growing importance of clean energy, and the
November 26, 2018 Read Full Article
The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide ABLC Guide to Antares and Innovations in Harvest, Pre-Processing of Herbaceous Biomass
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ANTARES has been assisting clients identify and use biomass resources since the company was founded and our experience ranges from conducting feedstock supply assessments to serving as owner’s representative in the conceptualization, development and operation of
November 21, 2018 Read Full Article
Biodiesel 2016/2017 - Report on Progress and Future Prospects; Excerpt from the UFOP Annual Report
(UFOP) The assessment report provides information on the most important aspects of the national and European biofuel policy and the biodiesel markets. It is an excerpt from the UFOP business report 2016/2017 and includes the chapters “Biodiesel and Co.”, the report
November 07, 2018 Read Full Article
2018 State of the Industry: ABLC Global Kickoff Presentation and Remarks
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Where is the industry right now?What are the 25 Key trends, how the industry is organizing, what’s up, what’s hot, what’s down, and what 6 Future Technologies should we keep a sharp eye on? Let’s take
November 07, 2018 Read Full Article
The Complex Dynamics of Coprocessing
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) While oil refiners adding a small percentage of renewable feedstock to their operations sounds simple, the political, economic, technical, societal and market consequences are anything but. In 2007, at the height of the biodiesel boom, ConocoPhillips and
November 06, 2018 Read Full Article
The Road to Feedstock Flexibility
by Chris Abrams (Biodiesel Magazine/Imerys Filtration) Imerys personnel have spent much of 2018 talking about new and diverse feedstocks for biodiesel production, and how to help biodiesel manufacturers incorporate them into their existing processes. Here is an overview of that discussion. ... We
October 31, 2018 Read Full Article
Bioethanol: Use of Cereal Raw Materials Has Shifted
(Deutsches Maiskomitee eV (Google translation)) The proportionate use of cereal raw materials in the production of bioethanol has clearly shifted in Germany in recent years. As reported by the Deutsches Maiskomitee eV (DMK), the range of products and prices has led to
September 28, 2018 Read Full Article
Developing a Bioenergy Project in South America? This Is One Thing You Need to Get Funding from the U.S.
by Marcin Lewandowski (Ecostrat Inc.) Many South American companies looking to develop bioenergy projects are seeking capital in the United States. However, the majority of these companies fail to convince American lenders and investors that their projects are viable (whether
September 27, 2018 Read Full Article
Incentives Watch: Oregon’s Bovine Manure Tax Credit Isn’t the Only “Crappy” Credit That Exists
by Lauren Colandreo (Bloomberg) ... Last fall, Oregon enacted the Bovine Manure Tax Credit, which offers bovine manure producers and collectors a tax credit for each wet ton of manure collected to be used as a biofuel or to produce a biofuel.
September 19, 2018 Read Full Article
Pennsylvania’s Next Biorefinery: Discussion Held at the Penn State Energy Days Annual Conference, 2018
by Anahita Bharadwaj (Pennsylvania State University for Advanced Biofuels USA) Energy Days, 2018 at The Pennsylvania State University- University Park, brought together leading researchers, government agencies, industries, non-profit organizations and academics in the field of energy to understand the current challenges
August 22, 2018 Read Full Article
FSSAI Launches RUCO Initiative to Collect, Convert Used Cooking Oil into Biofuel.
(GK Today) The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) launched RUCO (Repurpose Used Cooking Oil) initiative to enable collection and conversion of used cooking oil to biodiesel. Under this initiative, 64 companies at 101 locations have been identified to enable
August 17, 2018 Read Full Article
Mechanisms and Indicators for Assessing the Impact of Biofuel Feedstock Production on Ecosystem Services
by Caroline Ochieng, Francis X. Johnson and Anne Nyambane (Stockholm Environment Institute) This paper synthesizes the current knowledge about the impact of biofuels on ecosystem services. -- Biofuel feedstock production can be a significant driver of landscape modification, ecosystem change and biodiversity
August 15, 2018 Read Full Article
Working Paper: "Gaps and Research Demand for Sustainability Certification and Standardization in a Sustainable Bio-Based Economy in the EU"
(Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants) The English-language working paper analyzes the current state of sustainability certification and standardization in the bio-based economy with the help of a comprehensive secondary analysis supplemented by a series of expert interviews. The
August 09, 2018 Read Full Article
Cannabis, Canola, Solids, Hog Fuel, Wheat: What’s New with Food and Feedstocks?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) We eat it, we wear it, we burn it, we glue it, we live in it and more. Feedstock that is — crops and residues of the municipal, industrial, agricultural and forest type. We’ve been reporting
August 08, 2018 Read Full Article
Biomass, Biomass and More Biomass: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to the DOE’s Billion Ton Report, Vol. 1
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The US Department of Energy’s Billion-Ton Report: Advancing Domestic Resources for a Thriving Bioeconomy says that 1.2 billion tons of biomass would be available at $40 or less per ton by 2040, and 1 billion tons would be available
August 06, 2018 Read Full Article
Deeper into the Biomass: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to the DOE’s Billion Ton Report, Vol. 2
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The US Department of Energy’s Billion-Ton Report: Advancing Domestic Resources for a Thriving Bioeconomy says that 1.2 billion tons of biomass would be available at $40 or less per ton by 2040, and 1 billion tons would be available
August 02, 2018 Read Full Article
Cutting Bio-Project Costs via Supply Chain Standards: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Biomass Supply Chain Risk Standards
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In March, EcoStrat CEO Jordan Solomon announced the US Standards for Biomass Supply Chain Risk (BSCR) this year. This has been an ongoing 3 year USDOE/BETO project which we are leading with Idaho National Labs for
August 02, 2018 Read Full Article
Annual ‘Biofuels in Canada’ Report Released with Expanded Coverage of Canadian Biofuel Use, GHG Reductions, and Costs
(Advanced Biofuels Canada/EIN Presswire) Advanced Biofuels Canada commissions third report, now addresses tax impacts. -- Advanced Biofuels Canada (ABFC) announced the release of the Biofuels in Canada (BIC) 2018 report, which updates and expands upon the last annual report by Navius Research. “Data
July 12, 2018 Read Full Article
Punjab Will Produce Bio-Ethanol from Paddy Straw: Sunder Sham Arora
(5 Dariya News) To curb the menace of crop residue burning and create a positive atmosphere for industrialization, Punjab Government has taken a decision to set up a Bio-ethanol project. In this regard, Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed today
July 10, 2018 Read Full Article
PNNL Technology Clears Way for Ethanol-Derived Jet Fuel
(U.S. Department of Energy/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory/EurekAlert!) ASTM International updates standard for alcohol-to-jet synthetic paraffinic kerosene based on fuel produced by PNNL partner LanzaTech -- ASTM International recently revised ASTM D7566 Annex A5 -- the Standard Specification for Aviation Turbine Fuel Containing
June 12, 2018 Read Full Article
Waste to Wing Project First to Enable Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production in South Africa
(SKYnrg) Airlines are facing increasing pressure to become more sustainable, yet options to reduce carbon emissions in aviation are limited. Electric planes for example are not foreseen to have a significant share of passenger movements before 2040. Besides efficiency gains, through
May 23, 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
Biofuels Lab Opens at Penn State Behrend: HERO BX Partnership Extends Open-Lab Model to College's School of Science
(Pennsylvania State University) A $1 million investment by HERO BX, an Erie-based biodiesel company, will create research opportunities for students and faculty members in the School of Science at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. Much of the work will be
May 07, 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
What’s the Latest in Bioenergy R&D, DOE? The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to US DOE’s Bioenergy Technologies Office
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office establishes partnerships with key public and private stakeholders to develop technologies for producing cost-competitive advanced biofuels from non-food biomass resources, including cellulosic biomass, algae, and wet waste (e.g.,
May 03, 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
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
Veolia Launch New Online Marketplace for Organic Resources in the UK
(Veolia) As part of the drive to increase the circular economy global resource management company, Veolia, is launching an online trading platform that makes it easier to sell and buy organic resources. Designed to save users time and money, BioTrading will
April 17, 2018 Read Full Article
Economic Feasibility of Moringa- Castor Bean - Camelina: Dual Cropping in Same Acreage for Sustainable Biodiesel Production
(Advanced Biofuel Center/AltEnergyMag.com) With introduction of Camelina and Castor Bean crops with MOMAX3 Moringa, as much as 1450 gallon of oil can be produced per year from a well developed, properly cared and efficiently managed Moringa Farm The Advanced Biofuel Center (ABC)
April 02, 2018 Read Full Article
The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to the 2018 Bioeconomy Business Outlook
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Florida, The Digest reports that 72 percent of bioenergy executives are more optimistic about their organization’s prospects for growth and 68 percent about industry growth, than 12 months ago. The findings were among the highlights
March 14, 2018 Read Full Article
Neste's Human Rights Program Making Gradual Impacts on Labor Issues within the Palm Oil Industry
(Neste Corporation) ... In order to truly have impacts in human rights, we have started identifying potential human rights issues and put in motion a plan to manage the associated risks, particularly in our palm oil supply chain. Engagement to ensure capacity
March 13, 2018 Read Full Article
Advanced Bioeconomy Leadership Conference—Thoughts and Tidbits from Day 1
by Joanne Ivancic* (Advanced Biofuels USA) The ABLC 2018 conference began at the US Department of Agriculture headquarters with a focus on feedstock. Jordan Solomon, Managing Director & CEO Ecostrat Inc.. kicked off the event with news of new US
March 01, 2018 Read Full Article
BETO 2017 Peer Review Results Are Now Online!
(U.S. Department of Energy) Last spring, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) conducted its seventh biennial external review of its research, development, and communications portfolio. More than 40 external subject matter experts from industry, academia, and
February 27, 2018 Read Full Article
Aviation Biofuels: 10 Years, 100,000 Flights and We’re Still Arguing about Feedstock – Why?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This week marks the 10th anniversary of the first demo flight on biofuel which was done by Virgin Atlantic. LanzaTech CEO Jennifer Holmgren shared the factoid that, since that day, more than 100,000 commercial flights have used
February 27, 2018 Read Full Article
Unilever and PT Perkebunan Nusantara (PTPN) Reach Agreement to Accelerate Production of Sustainable Palm Oil in Indonesia
(Unilever) Unilever and Indonesian government-owned palm oil plantation company PT Perkebunan Nusantara (PTPN) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to work together in Indonesia to support local mills and smallholder farmers to produce palm oil according to the standards of no
February 19, 2018 Read Full Article
Biofuels Feedstock Study Supports Billion-Ton Estimate
(South Dakota State University/Biomass Magazine) Can farmers produce at least 1 billion tons of biomass per year that can be used as biofuels feedstock? That’s the question that researchers are trying to answer, according to North Central Regional Sun Grant Center Director
February 11, 2018 Read Full Article
Department of Energy's 2017 Project Peer Review Report
(U.S. Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) hosted the 2017 Project Peer Review on March 6–9, 2017, in Denver, Colorado. During the event, approximately 192 projects in BETO’s research, development, and demonstration portfolio were
February 06, 2018 Read Full Article
Which Tree? Where? Why?
(World Agroforestry Centre) While India has a world-first national policy for agroforestry, aka trees on farms, farmers in different agro-climatic zones need help with which trees to grow. A new book is now here to help. “With multiple research initiatives underway, a
February 05, 2018 Read Full Article
Search for Sustainable Fuels Drives Researchers at UI's New Bioenergy Center
byJulie Wurth (News Gazette) A Midwest crop of the future: grasses and other plants that produce their own oils to be used as fuel or byproducts. That's the vision behind a new bioenergy research center being launched today at the University of
February 01, 2018 Read Full Article
The Relay Race toward Energy Security: Passing the Baton from Bioenergy Research to Industrial Commercialization
by Alison Goss Eng (U.S. Department of Energy) ... One approach is through using domestic biomass resources, such as agricultural and forestry residues, grasses, and municipal solid waste. But, how do these biological materials make it from the field or forest to
January 25, 2018 Read Full Article
Dry Idea: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to the Bioeconomy in Arid Regions
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Sustainable Bioeconomy for Arid Regions (SBAR) is a multi-level research project that will cultivate two desert-dwelling crops, guayule and guar, for a sustainable bioeconomy. Scale up to profitable production, however, requires feedstock improvements, expansion of cultivation,
January 22, 2018 Read Full Article
BETO Launches New Feedstock-Conversion Interface Consortium
(Department of Energy/Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office is proud to announce the establishment of the Feedstock-Conversion Interface Consortium—a research and development consortium dedicated to identifying and overcoming technical uncertainty in research and development of robust biomass supply,
December 05, 2017 Read Full Article
Government Initiates Rejuvenation Program for North Sumatra`s Palm Oil Plantations
(AntaraNews.com) The government has initiated a program to rejuvenate palm oil plantations in North Sumatra spread across 9,109.29 hectares in 12 districts. Serdang Bedagai, Langkat, South Labuhan Batu, Labuhan Batu, Asahan, Batubara, Simalungun, North Labuhan Batu, North Padan Lawas, Padang Lawas, Deli
November 29, 2017 Read Full Article
Make Ethanol from Surplus Food Grains: Draft Policy
(The Economic Times) The government plans to allow foodgrains during surplus production years to be used for production of ethanol that can be blended with petrol, in a bid to widen the availability of raw materials needed for making biofuel, according
November 27, 2017 Read Full Article
EU Renewables Directive Sparks Mixed Feelings among Players
(ICIS) ... Charles-Albert Peers, CEO of ethanol producer Alcogroup and chairman of the European trade group for renewable ethanol ePURE, criticised what he called a “U-turn” in EU policy. “RED II removes one of the best options for decarbonising transport. I don’t see how
November 07, 2017 Read Full Article
Low Carbon Demand Regears Biodiesel Inputs
by Niamh Boyle (Biodiesel Magazine/Prima Markets) Prima Markets provides a comprehensive summary of the growing international demand for low carbon fuels, including U.S. policy drivers and waste feedstock consumption, along with a detailed overview of the international trade of low carbon
October 30, 2017 Read Full Article
Slash and Build: Study Aids Forestry Biofuel Industry
by Siddharth Vodnala (Washington State University News) Researchers from Washington State University, along with those from Oregon State University and the University of Montana, have recently devised refined methods to estimate the amount of forest residue — the leftovers from trees
October 26, 2017 Read Full Article
Sweden-Based Biofuels Producer SEKAB Joins LSB
by Liz Gyekye (Biofuels International) Biofuels group Leaders of Sustainable Biofuels (LSB) has welcomed Swedish company SEKAB as its new member. SEKAB is a producer of bio-based chemicals and biofuels and also commercialising in-house technologies to convert forestry and agriculture residues to
September 25, 2017 Read Full Article
New Study Relaunches Controversy about Biofuels and Food Prices
by Sarantis Michalopoulos (Euractiv) A new study commissioned by environmental NGOs found that the production of first generation biofuels has driven up food prices in Europe, running counter to the European Commission’s own data which found the impact of ethanol
September 18, 2017 Read Full Article
Nigeria: Experts Fault Proposed Field Trial of Genetically Modified Cassava
by Cornelius Essen (The Guardian/All Africa) Experts have condemned an alleged move by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, (IITA) and Zurich, Switzerland-based ETHZ Laboratories to carry out confined field trial of genetically modified cassava in Nigeria. They alleged that the application,
September 07, 2017 Read Full Article
What Price Biomass? The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to Feedstock Supply Forecasting
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) How much biomass is there? What types, prices, when will they be available, and produced by whom, and how? These are questions that the US Department of Energy undertook to answer, to address a program-wide need
August 10, 2017 Read Full Article
Hitting a New High – Hemp Industry and Innovations Continue to Grow Like Weeds
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Florida, former Dell executive Bruce Dietzen created a car made from hemp that runs on biofueland is touted as carbon neutral. Industrial hemp grows as Vermont registers more than 80 new hemp growers so far this year alone. It’s
July 31, 2017 Read Full Article
In Search of Next-Gen Bioproducts and Fuels, DOE Invests $40M in 4 Bioenergy Research Centers
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry today (July 17, 2017) announced $40 million in Department of Energy awards for the establishment of four DOE Bioenergy Research Centers (BRCs), which will provide the scientific breakthroughs
July 19, 2017 Read Full Article
What’s My Feedstock Worth? A Primer for Measuring Bio-Value
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Whether you are owner or seller, you need to know the underlying value of a feedstock in the advanced bioeconomy — and that is not the same thing as its current market price. In fact, what
June 06, 2017 Read Full Article
Presentations from BETO’s 2017 Project Peer Review Now Online
On March 6–9, 2017, BETO hosted its biennial Project Peer Review in Denver, Colorado. During the event, approximately 192 projects in BETO’s research and development (R&D) portfolio were presented to the public and a panel of external subject matter experts.
May 26, 2017 Read Full Article
Advancing the Bioeconomy: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to the USDA and Feedstock R&D
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Former Agricultural Secretary Tom Vilsack put it best: “The bioeconomy is a catalyst for economic development in rural America, creating new jobs and providing new markets for farmers and ranchers. Investing in the businesses and technologies
May 25, 2017 Read Full Article
Supplying the Bioeconomy: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to DOE Feedstocks R&D Programs
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) More than 1 billion tons of biomass could be domestically converted into biofuels and products, say DOE. Biomass could displace 25% of U.S. petroleum use annually by 2030, keeping $260 billion in the United States, adding 1.1 million direct jobs, and
May 24, 2017 Read Full Article
Horizontal Bioreactors: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to Culture Biosystems
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Challenges that have plagued algae ventures? The availability of feedstock to make products, the loss of investor appetite at early stage and pre-commercial, and inefficient cultivation systems. By contrast, Culture Biosystem’s design is described as having “low
May 19, 2017 Read Full Article
The Digest's Complete March Madness Webinars Available Online
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Digest's Complete March Madness webinars - 700+ slides available for your on-demand review. -- The Digest's March Madness series - 20 webinars covering the hottest topics as selected by Digest readers - featuring dozens
May 05, 2017 Read Full Article
CAAFI Publishes New Newsletter Full of Resource Links
(Commercial Alternative Aviation Fuels Initiative) ... This issue marks the release of our new newsletter format in which we will answer relevant questions related to sustainable alternative jet fuel (SAJF) and periodically feature case studies on successes and challenges in
May 05, 2017 Read Full Article
Advancements in Agriculture, Good for People and the Planet
by Tom Vilsack (The Hill/U.S. Dairy Export Council) This Earth Day, hundreds of thousands of people marched to “defend the vital role science plays in our health, safety, economies, and governments.” The March for Science echoed in communities around the
April 28, 2017 Read Full Article
Corn with a Cover of Grass: Finding Best Combination for Biofuel Corn, Soil Protection
(Phys.Org) ... Taking up this double-edged sword is Cynthia Bartel, a doctoral candidate at Iowa State University. She's finding a way to lessen the harm and increase the benefits of removing maize stover. "While water and wind erosion are substantial problems for
April 28, 2017 Read Full Article
Skybound: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to Sustainable Aviation Fuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This week, we hosted a webinar what is universally agreed to be the single largest new application of advanced industrial biotechnology — this is the Big Kahuna, or sustainable aviation fuel. Sustainability is critical to airlines, and
April 28, 2017 Read Full Article
Grant Application Request for Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Sustainable Bioenergy and Bioproducts Challenge Area DEADLINE: June 28, 2017
(US Department of Agriculture) The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Sustainable Bioenergy and Bioproducts (SBEBP) Challenge Area is designed to achieve the long term goal of advancing bioeconomy by facilitiating development of regional systems for the sustainable production of bioenergy,
April 26, 2017 Read Full Article
Understanding Land Use Change – Are New Tools Needed?
by Jessie Stolark (Energy and Environmental Study Institute) Are we using the right tools to understand land use change, particularly at the local level, and how can understanding of land use change be improved? The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) has been around
April 10, 2017 Read Full Article
Italian Farmers Produce Low Cost Biomethane with Positive Environmental Impacts
(Ecofys) Sequential cropping can be a promising model to produce additional biomass without negative impacts on land use change or food production. In a research study for the Italian Biogas Consortium (CIB), Ecofys found that agricultural crop yields can increase
April 06, 2017 Read Full Article
Textbook: Biofuels and Bioenergy
edited by John Love and John A. Bryant (Wiley-Blackwell) With increased public and scientific attention driven by factors such as oil price spikes, the need for increased energy security, and concerns over greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels, the production
April 03, 2017 Read Full Article
Viable Biomass for Hawaii
by Gretchen Miller (Biofuels Digest) ... Meghan Pawlowksi, a graduate student at the University of Hawaii Manoa’s College of Tropical Agriculture, crawled around her field site on the last sugarcane plantation in Hawaii, Maui’s Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company, or HC&S,
March 13, 2017 Read Full Article
Insights about Feedstock from the Advance Bioeconomy Leadership Conference
by Joanne Ivancic* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Biofuels Digest's Advanced Bioeconomy Leadership Conference started with an afternoon ABLC Feedstock Summit at the US Department of Agriculture. Three points jumped out. The value of the farmers/growers perspective of biofuels; rethinking the value
March 10, 2017 Read Full Article
Heard on the Floor: Disruptive Technology, Feedstocks under the Microscope at ABLC 2017’s Opening Day
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) ... While there were big questions, there were big answers, beginning with a panel on The Sustainable Agriculture Imperative. John Pieper from Dupont Industrial Biosciences shared their latest work with cellulosic ethanol in the corn
March 02, 2017 Read Full Article
Advances in Biofeedstocks and Biofuels, Volume One: Biofeedstocks and Their Processing
(Scrivener Publishing) The most comprehensive and up-to-date treatment of all the possible aspects for biofeedstock processing and the production of energy from biofeedstocks. Audience Chemical engineers, petroleum engineers, process engineers, students in chemical engineering, biotechnology, petroleum engineering, agricultural biotechnology, applied microbiology, environmental
February 18, 2017 Read Full Article
Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III Advanced Drop-In Biofuels Production Project (ADBPP) Biofuels 2 Solicitation Number: FOA-RQKM-2017-0006
(U.S. Air Force) This Title III project is to further increase domestic advanced biofuels production capacity by establishing additional Integrated Biofuel Production Enterprise (IBPE) capabilities that represent a complete value chain including Feedstock production, Chemical conversion and processing, and Fuels
January 24, 2017 Read Full Article
DOE and USDA Issue Notice of Intent for Biomass Research and Development Initiative
(U.S. Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s (EERE’s) Bioenergy Technologies Office, in coordination with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), is announcing its
January 24, 2017 Read Full Article
Alternative Feedstock & Process Technology Overview
by Will Smith (Springhouse Consulting/Biodiesel Magazine) While the majority of U.S. biodiesel is still produced from soybean and canola oil, the role of alternative feedstock has increased steadily over the past decade. The lower production costs they afford have had
January 23, 2017 Read Full Article
2016 Billion-Ton Report Volume 2 Analyzes Environmental Effects
(U.S. Department of Energy/Ethanol Producer Magazine) The 2016 Billion-Ton Report (BT16), Volume 2: Environmental Sustainability Effects of Select Scenarios from Volume 1, jointly released by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, is a pioneering
January 23, 2017 Read Full Article
Neste Launches Neste MY Renewable Diesel Made 100% from Waste and Residues
(CleanTech Finland) Neste has launched a renewable diesel made entirely from waste and residues. The name of the new 100% renewable fuel is Neste MY Renewable Diesel, and the product enables up to 90% lower greenhouse gas emissions throughout the
January 17, 2017 Read Full Article
USDA: Incentives Available for Drop-In Biofuel Delivered to Navy
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The USDA Commodity Credit Corp. has announced funding is available to pay a biofuel production incentive (BPI) under the Farm-to-Fleet program to companies producing drop-in biofuels from certain feedstocks. A notice published in the Federal Register explains
January 03, 2017 Read Full Article
Regional Feedstock Partnership Report Highlights Work to Enable the Billion-Ton Vision
(U.S. Department of Energy) The Regional Feedstock Partnership (the Partnership)—a multi-institutional collaboration of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the U.S. Department of Agriculture, representatives from land-grant universities, and industry—was first established to address issues associated with the development of
December 27, 2016 Read Full Article
World Petroleum Council Guide to Biofuels
(World Petroleum Council) ‘Biofuels’ will be the 6th in the series of the WPC’s educational guides and will focus on the use of biofuels and their role in our current and future global energy supply. It is essential for the petroleum
December 20, 2016 Read Full Article
Farm Based Algae
(Algae Industry Magazine) The University of Queensland operates an Algae Energy Farm to cultivate and harvest microalgae for a range of uses, including as a feed supplement for beef cattle. Lead researcher Professor Peer Schenk said the farm shows that
December 12, 2016 Read Full Article
Pest Be-Gone: The Digest’s 2016 Multi-Slide Guide to Crop Enhancement
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Founded by Dr. David Soane, a renowned serial entrepreneur and inventor in the field of materials science and surface chemistry, Crop Enhancement is developing formulations that employ advanced and environmentally friendly chemistry to eliminate or minimize
December 07, 2016 Read Full Article
There Is a Cornucopia of Feedstock Options for Making Biofuels
by Mark Elless (U.S. Department of Energy) Switchgrass, algae, forest trimmings, corn husks and corn stalks you can't eat these crops, and you would never put them on your table for Thanksgiving; however, together they make up a bountiful harvest
November 28, 2016 Read Full Article
How an Effective Risk Management Strategy Can Contribute to Unlocking the Full Potential of a Billion-Ton Bioeconomy
by Mahmood Ebadian (Biofuels Digest/Biomass Supply Chain Consulting Ltd.) The procurement of low-cost feedstock has been the focus of the pioneering bio-conversion technology developers in commercializing their first industrial-scale projects. Low-cost feedstock is critical in such projects as most of the
November 25, 2016 Read Full Article
What Does it Take? The Experts Report from Ottawa on Scaling up the Bioeconomy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This past week, a remarkable group of people gathered in Ottawa, perhaps described best as the “friends of Jeff” because the ostensible excuse for a get-together was Jeff Passmore’s Scaling Up Conference and because, to
November 21, 2016 Read Full Article
USDA Resumes Incentives to Grow the Bioeconomy and Improve Forest Health
(U.S. Department of Agriculture) U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Val Dolcini today announced that $1.5 million will be available in fiscal year 2017 for farmers and foresters who harvest and deliver biomass for renewable energy. The
November 10, 2016 Read Full Article
Primordial Genetics, Bayer Form New R&D Collab for Crop Performance
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) At ABLC Next in San Francisco, Primordial Genetics and Bayer CropScience LP announced the establishment of a research collaboration to evaluate Primordial Genetics’ proprietary Function Generator technology. Bayer will provide multi-year funding for this project
November 07, 2016 Read Full Article
Strategic Intent: The Digest’s 2016 Multi-Slide Guide to Suntory, Syngenta and ChemChina
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This season, The Digest is hosting the Strategic Intent webinar series, looking at the plans, progress and future milestones of strategic stakeholders in the Advanced Bioeconomy. In this slide deck, we looked at Suntory, Syngenta and ChemChina and
October 13, 2016 Read Full Article
Strategic Intent: The Digest’s 2016 Multi-Slide Guide to Unilever, UPM
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This season, The Digest is hosting the Strategic Intent webinar series, looking at the plans, progress and future milestones of strategic stakeholders in the Advanced Bioeconomy. In this slide deck, we looked at Unilever and UPM and their direct investments, partnerships
September 29, 2016 Read Full Article
Farmers Earn First RSB Smallholder Group Certification in Brazil
(Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials) For the first time, a smallholder group with 20 family farmers and a cooperative earned the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) certification in Brazil. The project in the Montes Claros region, Minas Gerais state of Brazil
September 22, 2016 Read Full Article
Water-Energy Dependence around Pacific Rim Mapped in New Sandia Study
(Sandia National Laboratories) A wide-ranging analysis of water vulnerability across the Pacific — including the U.S., China, Russia and Japan — has identified hundreds of locations where energy production depends upon scarce water supplies. The Sandia National Laboratories study, “Mapping Water
September 20, 2016 Read Full Article
The High-Flown Fantasy of Aviation Biofuels
by Almuth Ernsting (Biofuelwatch/The Biomass Monitor) ... As far as Branson and his airline, Virgin Atlantic, were concerned, the flight was indeed no more than a stunt: The “biofuel test flight” burned 95% ordinary kerosene and just 5% biofuels, made from
September 12, 2016 Read Full Article
Take Off For Aviation Biofuels: Why, How, and Why?
by Jim Lane (The Biomass Monitor/Biofuels Digest) ... By the 21st Century, we’ll have many more technological options for limiting and adapting to climate change, but in there here and now, when it comes to aviation, representing 5 percent of the
September 12, 2016 Read Full Article
Seeking Low Costs, Painless Logistics: The Digest’s 2016 8-Slide Guide to Advances to Know in Biomass Feedstocks
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Amidst the discussion this week of the future of first-gen and advanced biofuels in the EU — we were intrigued by this slide deck on advances in biomass production for the bioeconomy. In the end, it’s
September 12, 2016 Read Full Article
First Things First
by Tim Portz (Biomass Magazine) ... Biomass availability in the U.S. is unlikely to emerge as a bottleneck for industry growth. Our country’s farms and forests, municipal waste and food waste streams are producing vast streams of material, and we
September 11, 2016 Read Full Article
The Companies of the Biobased Economy: The Multi-Slide Guide
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Biotechnology Innovation Organization has released its new report “Advancing the Biobased Economy: Renewable Chemical Biorefinery Commercialization, Progress, and Market Opportunities, 2016 and Beyond,” documenting substantial, ongoing growth in the renewable chemical industry and outlining federal
September 09, 2016 Read Full Article
A Successful Supply Chain Strategy: The Digest’s 2016 Multi-Slide Guide to Equinox
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In developing a bioconversion project, the steps are numerous, interconnected and complex. Conducting a feasibility study, feedstock supply & market analysis, developing a business plan, funding initial development, choosing process technology, selecting a design/builder, selecting a site,
August 22, 2016 Read Full Article
Charting A Path for Sustainable Jet Fuels
by Zia Haq (U.S. Department of Energy) Renewable biofuel alternatives can help replace conventional petroleum-based jet fuel. -- New White House reportoutlines the federal government’s plans to lower the cost of alternative jet fuels. -- Bioenergy Technologies Office supports R&D of
August 22, 2016 Read Full Article
Penn State to Help Develop Guidelines for Growing Industrial Hemp
by Sara LaJeunesse (Penn State News) On July 20, Gov. Tom Wolf signed a law allowing the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and institutions of higher education to grow hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) for research purposes. Penn State's College of Agricultural
August 17, 2016 Read Full Article
Negotiating and De-Risking Biomass Supply Chains: The Digest’s 2016 Multi-Slide Guide to Ecostrat
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Ecostrat advises companies in the bioenergy, biofuel, and biochemical fields on supply chain risk. They have developed and managed supply chains for more than 5,000,000 tons of fiber over 20 years. Noted in the company’s toolkit is
August 17, 2016 Read Full Article
Call for Proposals: BioFuelNet Canada DEADLINE: September 1, 2016
(BioFuelNet Canada) BioFuelNet Canada (BFN) was first funded by the Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) program for the period of April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2017. The present call for proposals is to identify potential research to be
August 15, 2016 Read Full Article
What’s DOE Doing about Feedstock Costs? The Digest’s 2016 Multi-Slide Guide to DOE’s Feedstock Programs
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Is it just cost that bedevils industrial biotechnology in bringing fuels technologies to scale. Not just, says BETO program director Jonathan Male, who adds that a DOE “Tiger Team” indentified many other factors: What about these? Use
August 12, 2016 Read Full Article
UF/IFAS Study: Sweet Potato Crop Shows Promise as Feed and Fuel
(Newswise/University of Florida) As some Florida growers try to find new crops and the demand for biofuel stock increases globally, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researchers have found that sweet potato vines, usually thrown out during
August 09, 2016 Read Full Article
Feedstocks for the Bioeconomy: The Digest’s 2016 Multi-Slide Behind the Scenes look at the Billion Ton Report
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Last month, the DOE released the first volume of its monumental two-volume update of the Billion Ton report, looking not only at the economics of biomass but also the environmental trade-offs associated with various approaches
August 09, 2016 Read Full Article
New Department for Transport Data Shows No Palm Oil Used in the UK
(Renewable Energy Association) Also shows growth in UK feedstocks, as well as increase in greenhouse gas savings; Data shows no need for the Government to introduce excessive curbs on the use of crop-based biofuels -- For the first time
August 08, 2016 Read Full Article
Working the Calculator: The Digest’s 2016 Multi-Slide Guide to Choosing a Feedstock
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) “What color is your parachute?” went the title of a best-selling book from the 80s on job hunting. The concept applies equally to biomass feedstock in the 2010s. There’s one out there for you that
August 08, 2016 Read Full Article
The Princes of Pongamia: The Digest’s 2016 Multi-Slide Guide to TerViva
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) TerViva was founded to “solve the imbalanced equation of a shrinking arable land base and a rising demand for food, fuel and fertilizer. The technology is based on proprietary advancements in agronomy and the genetics of
August 04, 2016 Read Full Article
Sustainable Alternative Aviation Fuels – The Way Forward
(CORE-Jetfuel) The Core-JetFuel Final International Conference titled Sustainable Alternative Aviation Fuels – The Way Forward took place on the occasion of the EU Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) on 16-17 June 2016 in Brussels, and followed up on a series of
August 03, 2016 Read Full Article
#Biodiesel Growth Discussed During #AgMedia Summit
by Joanna Schroeder (Energy.AgWired.com) Did you know that in the past 10 years, the biodiesel industry has grown from a few million gallons of biodiesel production per year to over 2 billion gallons of biodiesel production last year? And did
August 02, 2016 Read Full Article
Decision Support: The Digest’s 2016 Multi-Slide Guide to AgSolver Land Management Systems
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) AgSolver agronomic decision service products help increase profits by improving land management decisions, simplifying mandatory compliance and reporting activities, and maximizing returns for agricultural land investments. AgSolver’s technology uses readily available precision agriculture data including yield
July 25, 2016 Read Full Article
The Front End: The Digest’s 2016 Multi-Slide Guide to BETO’s Feedstock R&D Programs
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) What’s the Department of Energy working on with respect to feedstocks? The Bioenergy Technologies Office’s Alison Goss-Eng answered the question in this update, given at ABLC Feedstocks. In this deck, she looks at milestones ahead, programs, goals
July 20, 2016 Read Full Article
Deliverance: The Digest’s Multi-Slide Guide to the 2016 DOE Billion Ton Report
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This week, the US Department of Energy released its 2016 Billion-Ton Report: Advancing Domestic Resources for a Thriving Bioeconomy, and said that 1.2 billion tons of biomass would be available at $40 or less per ton
July 15, 2016 Read Full Article
Grandson of Billion Ton: DOE Releases Radically Improved 2016 Billion Ton Report
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the US Department of Energy released its 2016 Billion-Ton Report: Advancing Domestic Resources for a Thriving Bioeconomy, and said that 1.2 billion tons of biomass would be available at $60 or less per ton by
July 15, 2016 Read Full Article
Feedstock for the Advanced Bioeconomy: The Digest’s 2016 Multi-Slide Guide to Cellana
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Cellana uses the most productive plants on earth - marine microalgae - to photosynthetically produce its ReNew line of Omega-3 EPA and DHA oils, animal feed/food, and biofuel feedstocks. Cellana's patented ALDUO system enables economic,
July 01, 2016 Read Full Article
Cover Crop Work Continues as Part of Biomass Research for Cellulosic Ethanol
(POET) POET is expanding its cover crop research as part of soil sustainability work in Emmetsburg, Iowa for cellulosic ethanol development. The work is part of an ongoing commitment to helping farmers make sound management decisions around harvesting crop
June 22, 2016 Read Full Article
The Library of Bioenergy Feedstocks: The Digest’s 2016 Multi-Slide Guide to Idaho National Lab’s Feedstock Repository and Tools
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Bioenergy Feedstock Library is a physical sample repository and database for physical, chemical and conversion performance characteristics of biomass feedstock. The library provides tools to store, record, track, retrieve, and analyze data to help researchers and industry overcome challenges
June 20, 2016 Read Full Article
Cloud Biology: The Digest’s 2016 Multi-Slide Guide to Benson Hill Biosystems
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Last month. Benson Hill Biosystems launched CropOS, a cognitive engine using cloud biology to empower a new era of plant genomics innovation. CropOS uses powerful data analytics and biological knowledge to identify the most promising plant genetics
June 17, 2016 Read Full Article
Expanding the Bioeconomy: The Digest’s Multi-Slide Guide to Using the Billion Ton Report
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This analysis was presented by Jonny Rogers at ABLC Feedstocks 2016, and is the result of is a collaborative effort between the U.S. Department of Energy, Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO), National Laboratories, and various Agency
June 15, 2016 Read Full Article
The Advanced Bioeconomy 2016: State of the Industry
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) For the advanced bioeconomy, the question remains and will remain for some time, where are the gallons? Specifically, projects that use biobased feedstocks that can be converted into renewable fuels, chemicals, advanced foods, and biobased materials. Projects
June 08, 2016 Read Full Article
It Depends: Heard on the Floor at ABLC Feedstocks
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... The headline from the event is that projects and feedstock providers are more engaged than we have seen previously — a wave of technology development that once took place with a “we’ll work out
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
RES-T-BIOPLANT: Towards Advanced Biofuels – Options for Integrating 1st and 2nd Generation Biofuel Production
(IEA Implementing Agreement for Renewable Energy Technology Deployment) The integration of advanced (2nd generation / 2G) biofuel plants with conventional (1st generation / 1G) biofuel plants can lead to significant synergies and cost savings, especially for bioethanol plants. For biodiesel,
May 20, 2016 Read Full Article
Business Strategies for Transitioning the Bioeconomy to a Landscape with Long-Term Profitability
by Mahmood Ebadian (Biomass and Bioenergy Research Group/Biomass Supply Chain Consulting Ltd./Biofuels Digest) ...With specialization occurring in feedstock engineering, these new business entities will be well-positioned to produce multiple products including both intermediate and final bio-products. In other words, they
May 11, 2016 Read Full Article
Harmonisation and Pragmatism Required for an Effective Future EU Sustainable Bioenergy Policy!
(European Biomass Association) AEBIOM answer to the European Commission Public Consultation - A sustainable bioenergy policy for the period after 2020 -- The European Biomass Association (AEBIOM) welcomes the initiative of the European Commission to define a sustainable EU bioenergy policy for the
May 11, 2016 Read Full Article
The Future of Bioenergy Is in This Book-less Library
by Cory Hatch (Renewable Energy World) The Bioenergy Feedstock Library contains no books. What it does contain is information about biomass — organic material such as corn stover, switchgrass, wood chips and wheat straw. Nearly 50,000 biomass database entries and
May 10, 2016 Read Full Article
Farmers Do More than Feed the World
by Katie Heger (Farm & Ranch Guide) ... It is just so cliché and doesn’t nearly cover all that agriculture is about. On our family farm, we do so much more than feed the world. Now, let me explain. Yes, my farm
May 04, 2016 Read Full Article
Call for Public Comments – RSB Standard for End-of-Life Products, By-Products and Residues
(Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials) RSB invites the public to contribute to the revision of the RSB Standard for end-of-life products, by-products and residues which defines how operators may use these feedstocks for biofuel or biomaterial production. This RSB Standard covers specific terminology relevant for
May 04, 2016 Read Full Article
What Price Feedstock?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... In all, respondents foresaw an $11.352 billion feedstock bioeconomy, at $57 per ton for advanced feedstocks — based on reaching that 200 million ton scale. Let’s look at the responses, in terms of feedstocks and
May 04, 2016 Read Full Article
Diversification of Feedstocks the Answer to De-Fossilisation: Panel
by Caroline Knight (Platts) Increasing the depth and width of feedstocks in the biofuels blend was needed if Europe was serious about lowering reliance on fossil fuels, members of a panel discussing the matter said Wednesday at Platts annual biofuels
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
Could Renewable Diesel’s Boom Be Cut Short by Feedstock Access and Availability?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Renewable diesel demand is booming, booming, booming. We’ve tipped it repeatedly in The Digest, not least with our March Madness webinar last week on “Renewable Diesel’s Boom”. Any doubts may well have been swept aside
April 11, 2016 Read Full Article
Interagency Effort Provides Links to Biofuel Data on One Web Page
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Biofuel number crunchers in the know are finding their jobs easier because of a website hosted by the USDA Economic Research Service where the Interagency Council on Agricultural & Rural Statistics pulls together links
April 08, 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
NexSteppe Inc. CEO Selected to Receive the 2016 BIO Rosalind Franklin Award
(Biotechnology Innovation Organization/Businesswire) The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) announced today that President and CEO of NexSteppe, Anna Rath, has been selected by a committee of her peers to be the recipient of the 2016 BIO Rosalind Franklin Award. The Rosalind Franklin Award
April 04, 2016 Read Full Article
Son of Billion Ton: The Digest’s 2016 Multi-Slide Guide to the USDA Billion Ton Report
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The 2005 report, Biomass as Feedstock for a Bioenergy and Bioproducts Industry: The Technical Feasibility of a Billion-Ton Annual Supply (generally referred to as the Billion-Ton Study) was an estimate of potential biomass available within the contiguous United
April 04, 2016 Read Full Article
Sustainable, Affordable Biomass: The Digest’s 2016 8-Slide Guide to the Biomass Research and Development Initiative
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Institute of Bioenergy, Climate, and Environment (IBCE) and the Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Golden Field Office, Bioenergy Technologies Office jointly operate the