by Rob Cockerill (GasWorld) Switzerland-based Climeworks has just launched another of its second-generation Direct Air Capture plants (DAC-3) in Troia, Apulia in Italy. Climeworks has been developing the technology since 2009 and commissioned its first industrial-scale CO2 capture unit in late 2014
Financing
Back TO HOMEJet Biofuel Mass Production to Begin in Japan
by Akane Okutsu (Nikkei Asia Review) Biotech company euglena teams with ANA to fuel green commercial flights -- Japan's biotechnology company euglena is to start mass production of bio jet fuel and biodiesel out of algae and waste oil, with the aim of being the
November 05, 2018 Read Full Article
The Grand Challenge of Cellulosic Biofuels
by Lee R. Lynd (Energy Today/Nature Biotechnology/Dartmouth College) Why cellulosic biofuels have fallen short of expectations and what we can do about it. -- A robust second-generation biofuels industry based on inedible cellulosic biomass available as wood, grass, and various wastes was
November 05, 2018 Read Full Article
Take-Off: 350 Million Bucks towards Drop-in Aviation Biofuels for the California Market
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In California, World Energy announced a $350 million investment over the next two years to complete the conversion of its Paramount, California facility into one of the cleanest fuel refineries in the world. The project will
October 31, 2018 Read Full Article
Governor Lays Foundation for Ethanol Bio-Refinery
(New Indian Express) The plant is dedicated to the welfare of tribals and farmers in the State, he said. -- Governor Prof Ganeshi Lal laid the foundation stone for the second generation (2G) ethanol Bio-Refinery of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) in
October 30, 2018 Read Full Article
BioWatch: A One-Stop Shop for Bio-Based Research
(European Commission/Community Research and Development Information Service) A new interactive online platform helps to increase awareness of innovations in the bioeconomy sector. -- Climate change and depleting fossil fuels have stressed the importance of creating an economy based on renewable resources. In
October 29, 2018 Read Full Article
Alternative Aviation Fuels: A Sustainable Future is Taking Off
(Roundtable for Sustainable Biomaterials) The aviation industry has committed to major action in the global fight against climate change, including carbon neutral growth from 2020 and a 50% reduction in emissions by 2050 compared to 2005 levels. The question is how
October 29, 2018 Read Full Article
Biotechnology Cost Drivers
by Mark Warner (Warner Advisors LLC/Biofuels Digest) Accurate cost forecasting for first-of-a-kind biorefineries is both challenging and necessary to achieve commercial success. At its genesis is model development, which enables the brilliant concepts produced in the lab, and pairs them with reality
October 26, 2018 Read Full Article
Pyromaniax Unbound
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Why the attention? Some of it in the most recent data and news regarding commercial status. TCat-8 has operated for over 2,000 hours with continuous catalyst circulation including a fluid bed reactor, catalyst stripper, catalyst regenerator, quench tower,
October 25, 2018 Read Full Article
EU Mounts €100M Investment Push to Promote the Bioeconomy
by Éanna Kelly (Science/Business) EU Commission and European Investment Bank searching for fund manager to drive private investment in a sprawling sector -- The European Commission and the European Investment Bank (EIB) are launching a new €100 million fund to stimulate private
October 24, 2018 Read Full Article
FG Dedicates $30m To Cassava Ethanol Project In Ondo
(Economic Confidential) ... The federal government has dedicated $30 million for the Cassava Ethanol Project at Okeluse in Ose Local Government area of Ondo State. The project, which would be sited on 15, 000 hectares is between the Ondo State Government
October 24, 2018 Read Full Article
EBRD Plans to Invest 80 Million Euros into Ukrainian Bioenergy
by Jack Laurenson (Kiyv Post) Biomass as a replacement for Russian gas in heating is one grassroots initiative that has become an emerging business, earning real profits for investors. For example, the biogas outlet in Velyky Krupil, Kyiv Oblast, provides electricity
October 22, 2018 Read Full Article
BNDES Grants USD 13m to Brazilian Ethanol Producer
(Renewables Now) The Brazilian Development Bank, or BNDES, announced on Thursday it is granting a BRL-50-million (USD 13.43m/EUR 11.72m) loan to local ethanol producing company Companhia Agricola Usina Jacarezinho. The funds come through BNDES Giro, a programme available to companies of all sectors
October 19, 2018 Read Full Article
REA Resource Recovery Systems and UConn Join to Create Biodiesel from Wastewater
by Kevin Zimmerman (Westfair Communications) “It’s a huge problem, both in the United States and internationally,” said REA Operations Manager Eric Metz. “And with population growth increasing, there’s going to be more Brown FOG going into the sewer systems,” which can
October 15, 2018 Read Full Article
A Superior Value: A Workshop in Anerobic Digestion
by Bill Keba* (Advanced Biofuels USA) October 2, 2018, Annapolis, Maryland. Inside the Doubletree Inn, it was as hectic as the traffic on Route 50. Eightyfive paid attendees were gathering, registering, networking, and hurriedly settling in for the 9:15 start
October 11, 2018 Read Full Article
President Trump's Ethanol Expansion Has Immediate Positive Impact on Attis Industries
(Attis Industries/NewMediaWire/FuturesTradingCharts.com) ... Jeff Cosman, the Company's Chief Executive Officer, explains, "The increased inclusion allowance plays a vital role in the expansion of renewable fuel production. The timing couldn't be better for Attis as we plan to build our first of
October 10, 2018 Read Full Article
Getting the Most out of Technoeconomic Analyses
by Daniel A. Lane (Lee Enterprises Consulting, Inc./Biofuels Digest/Saille Consulting) At its most basic level, technoeconomic analysis or assessment (TEA) is a cost-benefit comparison tool used to evaluate the commercial viability of a process. While many companies are quite familiar with this
October 09, 2018 Read Full Article
The World’s First Commercial Flight on Fuel Made from Waste Carbon Gases: Now, Will Policy Get the Framework Right for Global Deployment?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Florida, Virgin Atlantic CEO Craig Kreeger, LanzaTech CEO Jennifer Holmgren, a cadre of Virgin Atlantic and LanzaTech team members, industry stakeholders and a group of pleasantly surprised transatlantic passengers have boarded a Boeing 747 for
October 05, 2018 Read Full Article
Expanded Technology Readiness Level (TRL) Definitions for the Bioeconomy
by Dave Humbird (Lee Enterprises Consulting, Inc./DWH Process Consulting LLC/Biofuels Digest) For new technologies in the bioeconomy (and in the chemical process industry more broadly), the putative path to commercialization is some form of: lab, pilot, demonstration, commercial. The Technology Readiness
October 02, 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
Bioeconomy Project Financing & Due Diligence
by Wayne Lee and Martin Wahl (Lee Enterprises Consulting/Biofuels Digest) ... Due to the success of that series, and number of requests we received from those involved in providing funding for bioeconomy projects and from those seeking funding, I am proud to
September 26, 2018 Read Full Article
Cellulosic Biorefinery to Break Ground in North Dakota
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A biorefinery that will produce 16 MMgy of cellulosic ethanol and 120,000 of lignin pellets is set to break ground in Spiritwood, North Dakota, in the spring of 2019. The facility, under development by New
September 25, 2018 Read Full Article
NV Energy Asks Regulators to Levy Pricey charges on Biofuel Company Eschewing Utility's Service
by Riley Snyder (The Nevada Independent) NV Energy is asking state regulators to levy an expensive combination of charges for an under-construction Northern Nevada biofuels plant that has applied to purchase power from an alternative electric provider. Testimony filed by a utility
September 17, 2018 Read Full Article
Airlines’ Biofuel-Powered Flights Might Soon Take Off
by Justin Bachman (Bloomberg) For years, airlines have experimented with biofuels, aiming to reduce both carbon emissions and their reliance on fossil fuels. It’s been a turbulent journey buffeted by inconsistent investment and the periodic lure of cheap oil. But several major carriers are planning larger-scale
September 14, 2018 Read Full Article
Cyanotech® Corporation Signs Asset Purchase Agreement for Cellana’s Kona Demonstration Facility
(MarketWatch/Cyanotech) Cyanotech [®] Corporation (nasdaq capital market:CYAN), a world leader in microalgae-based, high-value nutrition and health products, is pleased to announce that it has signed an Asset Purchase Agreement with Cellana LLC to acquire a six-acre production and research facility, known
September 10, 2018 Read Full Article
NNPC, Chinese Consortia Sign Pacts on Biofuel Development
(The Guardian Nigeria) The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with Chinese consortia to develop sustainable biofuels in the country. At a ceremony yesterday in Beijing on the sidelines of the Forum for China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit,
September 05, 2018 Read Full Article
Aemetis Reports Progress with Cellulosic Ethanol Project
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Aemetis Inc. released second quarter financial results on Aug. 9, reporting increased revenues and gross margins. The company also reported process being made with its Riverbank cellulosic ethanol plant, including engineering, environmental permitting and EPC
August 15, 2018 Read Full Article
Andeavor to Convert Dickinson Refinery to Renewable Diesel
by Helena Taveres Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) In Texas, Andeavor announced a project to convert the Dickinson Refinery to process 12,000 barrels per day of renewable feedstocks, including soybean oil and distillers corn oil, into renewable diesel fuel. The project is expected to be
August 13, 2018 Read Full Article
Peak Oil: Is History Repeating Itself, Again?
(Energy Today/OilPrice.com) In 2002, oil prices were hovering around $20 per barrel and then rose almost continuously until mid-2008 when the price of a barrel of oil on the New York Mercantile Exchange hit an intraday high of $147.27, its highest
August 13, 2018 Read Full Article
Biofuels to Boost Farm Income, Energy Security, Help Create Jobs: PM Modi
by Utpal Bhaskar (Live Mint) Centre plans to invest Rs 10,000 crore and build 12 biofuel refineries -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said biofuels will help boost farm income, aid India’s energy security and create jobs, in a cleaner environment. Speaking
August 10, 2018 Read Full Article
How Is CAAFI Engaging with Emerging Companies, and What Early-Stage Pathways Should SAJF Stakeholders Be Aware of?
(Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuel Initiative) ... Feedstocks: The companies are pursuing various feedstock categories, including algae, cellulosics, lipids, sugars, oilseeds, tall oil residue, and sugars. Most of the companies were only pursuing one feedstock category, with only a couple continuing
August 06, 2018 Read Full Article
Montauk Energy Strikes Biogas Deal with US Dairy Farm
by Lisa Steyn (Buisness Live) Government incentives spur the JSE-listed firm to transform cow manure into natural gas at dairy farm in California -- JSE-listed Montauk Energy has struck a deal with a dairy farm in California where it will for the
August 03, 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
Fueled for the Future Red Rock Biofuels Facility Breaks Ground in Lakeview
by Kurt Liedtke (Herald and News) On Wednesday, members of Red Rock Biofuels, political dignitaries, corporate representatives and a large community contingent gathered on the outskirts of Lakeview for a groundbreaking ceremony for the $320 million renewable fuels facility. Taking
July 30, 2018 Read Full Article
This Start-Up Turns Pollution from Factories into Fuel That Powers Cars — and One Day Planes
by Catherine Clifford (CNBC) A bacteria found in the gut of a rabbit can now help cars run in a more eco-friendly way. The bacteria, identified by biotech start-up LanzaTech, helps turn factory carbon emissions, a.k.a. pollution, into ethanol .... ... "While there are many sustainable
July 30, 2018 Read Full Article
Thabang Mabapa on Producing Biofuel
by Phathu Luvhengo (Destiny Man) Social entrepreneur and biofuel producer Thabang Mabapa has stepped up to provide a viable solution to South Africa’s energy crisis Public relations and communication graduate Mabapa has stepped up to help solve the energy crisis by providing
July 19, 2018 Read Full Article
Creative Debt and Equity: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Structures for Bioeconomy Project Finance
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Bottom line, if you’re in the business of financing a renewable fuels project with a loan guarantee in the mix, you’re probably talking with some combination of New Energy Risk, Stern Brothers, Faegre Baker Daniels partner John
July 09, 2018 Read Full Article
Land O'Lakes, Inc. and California Bioenergy Partner to Advance "Barn to Biogas" in California
(Land O'Lakes/Cision/PR Newswire) Land O'Lakes, Inc. and California Bioenergy, LLC (CalBio) have launched a first-of-its-kind collaboration to support the financing, installation and management of on-farm methane digesters to generate renewable compressed natural gas ("R-CNG") fuel in California – creating an innovative farmer-led model
July 02, 2018 Read Full Article
Deliver Sustainable Bioenergy: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to the IEA Technology Roadmap
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Bioenergy needs a new impetus based on up to date evidence and experience, according to this presentation deck on the IEA Bioenergy Roadmap. The authors contend that there is growing consensus on what constitutes sustainable best practice,
June 26, 2018 Read Full Article
Closing the Applications Gap: Checkerspot Closes $5M Seed Financing in Pursuit of High-Performance Biomaterials
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... (C)onsider this venture about Making the Right Stuff — that is, how you translate an entire generation of innovation in digital biology, biobased chemical engineering and advanced fabrication into actual stuff. Or, how you
June 26, 2018 Read Full Article
Up to $4.5 Billion in Loan Authority Available for Renewable Energy and Efficient Energy Projects
by Elizabeth Ingram (HydroWorld.com) The Loan Programs Office at the U.S. Department of Energy still has up to $4.5 billion in loan authority available for Renewable Energy and Efficient Energy (REEE) projects. The office was created by Congress in 2005 to help
June 25, 2018 Read Full Article
Gevo and Avfuel Enter into Renewable Jet Fuel Supply Agreement
(GEVO/Globe Newswire) First Long-Term Commercial Contract for Renewable Jet Fuel -- Gevo, Inc. (NASDAQ:GEVO) announced today (June 21, 2018) that it has entered into a long-term agreement to supply its renewable alcohol-to-jet fuel (ATJ) to Avfuel Corporation, effective July 1, 2018 (the
June 22, 2018 Read Full Article
Taking off: Velocys, Shell, British Airways, UK Government, New Energy Risk, Red Rock Biofuels, TCG Global, PQ, and Advanced Plasma Power Figure in Key Renewable Jet Fuel Project Advances
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) New Energy Risk’s new performance insurance for TCG Global’s gasifiers and a significant project advance from Velocys in the UK are on the docket today. These companies and the news this morning are united as key project
June 21, 2018 Read Full Article
A Sound and Rational View of Biofuels in North America
by Lawrence Sullivan (Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining) ... After much efforts to fund the development of biofuels by both governments and the venture capitalists, there were some awakenings and realizations. One, the capital-intensive nature of power and petroleum means adoption of new technologies
June 18, 2018 Read Full Article
Box Elder Tax Increment Program for Biofuels Company Is on Hold
by Mark Shenefelt (Standard-Examiner) In 2014, the Box Elder County Redevelopment Agency created a $2.5 million, seven-year tax increment program to support expansions planned at the Washakie Renewable Energy plant in Plymouth. But the county economic development director said Wednesday, June
June 18, 2018 Read Full Article
Joint Venture Company Formed for Execution of NRL’s Bio Refinery Project
(Numaligarh Refinery Limited) Numaligarh Refinery Limited has taken a giant step forward by establishing a joint venture, Assam Bio-Refinery Pvt. Limited (ABRPL) with equity participation of M/s Chempolis Oy of Finland and M/s Fortum 3 B.V. of Netherland to build and operate the
June 14, 2018 Read Full Article
Strategic Intent: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Archer Daniels Midland
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Archer Daniels Midland Company is one of the world’s largest agricultural processors and food ingredient providers, with approximately 31,000 employees serving customers in more than 170 countries. The company sports a global value chain that includes
June 14, 2018 Read Full Article
BASF Invests in LanzaTech, ArcelorMittal’s Underway on Advanced Fuels, Syngenta Breaks 3B Gallon Mark, Leaf Gets an Accelerator: Partnership Frenzy in the Bioeconomy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... But it shows also what smaller companies can do when they partner effectively – whether that means industrial giants like ArcelorMittal or BASF, technology accelerator schemes like Unreasonable Impact, or with the US ethanol industry. And
June 14, 2018 Read Full Article
Open Cell Launches Shipping Container Labs at Shepherd's Bush Market to Accelerate Biotech Start-Up Businesses
(SCIAD Newswire/Open Cell) Open Cell has joined forces with regeneration specialist, U+I, and the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham and SynbiCITE to launch a biolab to offer affordable spaces at the Old Laundry Yard in Shepherd’s Bush Market. A first for London,
June 12, 2018 Read Full Article
The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Renewable Energy Group
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Renewable Energy Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: REGI) is a leading provider of cleaner, lower carbon intensity products and services. The company is a major international producer of biomass-based diesel, a developer of renewable chemicals and North America’s
May 31, 2018 Read Full Article
Canada ❤ Bioneers: BioIndustrial Innovation Canada & Ontario Bust Another Move in the Bioeconomy with Comet Biorefining Invest
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Canada, Ontario is investing up to $8 million in Comet Biorefining’s $79.8 million bio-based ingredient project through its Jobs and Prosperity Fund – Food and Beverage Growth Fund. The investment will help to establish the world’s first
May 31, 2018 Read Full Article
Integrated, Hedged, Evolving: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Green Plains
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Founded in 2004, Green Plains Inc. is North America’s third largest producer of ethanol. Headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, Green Plains has grown rapidly, primarily through acquisitions, and today has operating segments throughout the ethanol value chain. Operations
May 28, 2018 Read Full Article
Boom — Like that: Biofuel Plant Gets Financing Terms
by Kali Katerberg (Daily Mining Gazette) After months of waiting, Synsel Energy announced on Thursday that financing terms for construction of a biofuel plant at the site of the former Smurfit-Stone paper mill have been finalized. The $300 million refinery will create
May 25, 2018 Read Full Article
You’ve Come a Long Ways, Baby: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Velocys’ Renewable Drop-In Fuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Velocys enables modular gas-to-liquids and biomass-to-liquids plants to convert unconventional, remote and problem gas and waste biomass into valuable, drop-in liquid fuels. And most recently has repositioned from being a technology component supplier into initiating and drive
May 25, 2018 Read Full Article
Back to the Future All Over Again: ExxonMobil Targets Algae Fuels at Scale by 2025, as Oil Prices Rise
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) So, ExxonMobil and Synthetic Genomics have announced a new phase in their joint algae biofuel research program that could lead to the technical ability to produce 10,000 barrels of algae biofuel per day by 2025. With that,
May 25, 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
Advanced Biofuels Can Be Produced Extremely Efficiently
(Chalmers University of Technology/Phys.Org) A chance to switch to renewable sources for heating, electricity and fuel, while also providing new opportunities for several industries to produce large numbers of renewable products. This is the verdict of researchers from Chalmers University of
May 21, 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
From the Dump to the Pump: Fulcrum BioEnergy Breaks Ground on Landmark Trash-to-Jet Fuel Project
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Near Reno, Nevada, Fulcrum BioEnergy broke ground today for its 10 million gallon per year first commercial plant that makes jet fuel from municipal solid waste. For thousands of years we have had a love/hate relationship
May 17, 2018 Read Full Article
A World First in the Port of Amsterdam
(Port of Amsterdam) In the port of Amsterdam the construction has started of a new facility that will convert non-recyclable plastic into fuel for the transport sector, which will cut down CO₂ emission by 57,000 tonnes per year. It is the
May 11, 2018 Read Full Article
Capital Light Scale-Up : Utopia or Perfect Storm?
by Mark Warner (Warner Advisors LLC/Biofuels Digest) Capital light scale-up utilizes existing fermentation facilities, in lieu of purpose-built demonstration facilities, to bring advanced technologies to market faster and with less capital burn. It is a great plan if it can be executed, but
May 09, 2018 Read Full Article
Velocys Picks up Velocity While Rockin’ with Red Rock
by Helena Taveres Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) In the United Kingdom, renewable fuels company, Velocys, received a “notice to proceed” action to commence manufacturing of the Fischer-Tropsch reactors and catalyst for the Red Rock Biofuels biorefinery that will be located in Lakeview, Oregon. RRB has
May 08, 2018 Read Full Article
Chempolis Seals Deal for Indian Biorefinery: A New Technology, Designed in Finland, Will Produce Bioethanol, Biochemicals, and Green Energy from Bamboo
(Chempolis) The biorefining technology company Chempolis, the Finnish energy company Fortum, and Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL), a state-owned Indian oil company, have formed a joint venture to construct a biorefinery in the state of Assam in Northeast India. The joint venture will
May 04, 2018 Read Full Article
The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Prairie Catalytic, LanzaTech, Synvina, Fulcrum BioEnergy, POET-DSM, Cargilla/Calysta, Enerkem, and REG Geismar
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ABLC 2018 wrapped up with the ABLC Wolfpack including James Iademarco from Strategic Avalanche, David Dodds with Dodds & Associates, Ron Cascone from NEXANT, independent consultant Paul Bryan, and Joel Stone from ConVergince. While they didn’t howl at the moon,
April 24, 2018 Read Full Article
The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of April 18th, 2018
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The pace of invention and change is just too strong, we’ve realized, to highlight annual or even quarterly or monthly rankings and summaries of significant product and service advances. For now, we’re going to be tracking
April 19, 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
REX American: A Good To Great Ethanol Company
(Viking Analytics/Seeking Alpha) REX consistently outperforms its peers in making ethanol profitably. REX has zero debt, a large cash position, and has announced plans to buy back more shares. Stuart Rose, the Chairman of REX, displays the characteristics of a Level 5 Leader.
April 17, 2018 Read Full Article
Renewable Biofuels Plant to Be Built in Lakeview, Oregon
(The Telegraph/Associated Press) A company has received final approval to start building a renewable-biofuels plant in south-central Oregon. The Herald and News reports the facility in Lakeview is expected to convert forestry waste into renewable fuels for the aviation industry. The firm
April 17, 2018 Read Full Article
Project to Produce Industrial Products from Olive Mill Wastewater Gets EU Support
by Sevil Erkuş (Hurryiet Daily News) A project initiated by Turkish experts to turn olive mill wastewater from olive production into industrial raw materials and products such as biodiesel and animal feed has received the support of a European Union program. In the
April 11, 2018 Read Full Article
Blockchain’s WaterChain Is Thirsty For Success In Industrial Treatment
by Bruce Haring (Block Tribune) WaterChain is developing a blockchain solution for cleaning up the water industry. The company is working on an initial coin offering (ICO) that will allow investors to stake tokens and facilitate the funding of water recycling projects. ... BLOCK TRIBUNE: Okay,
April 06, 2018 Read Full Article
VIDEO: Sustane Technologies Seeks to Turn Garbage Bags into Biofuel in Chester
by Andrew Rankin (The Chronicle Herald) A 40,000 square-foot building at Chester’s landfill is expected to convert garbage bags into about 3.5 million litres of synthetic diesel every year. The facility intends to take on 90 per cent of the 50,000 tonnes of
April 05, 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
Parliamentary Committee Raises Concern over Ethanol Blending Programme
(IANS /Moneylife) Raising an alarm over slow ethanol procurement for blending with the petrol, a parliamentary committee has flagged loopholes in the government's Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP). The EBP, under Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, aims at blending ethanol with petrol,
March 23, 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
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
California Here I Come: World Energy's Audacious $72M Acquisition of AltAir and the Paramount Oil Refinery
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Paramount Deal: World Energy takes off with audacious $72M acquisition of AltAir and the Paramount oil refinery -- In Massachusetts, World Energy has acquired renewable jet and diesel producer AltAir Paramount, and its Paramount Petroleum refinery
March 20, 2018 Read Full Article
Opinion: How Blockchain and Digital Coins Can Serve the Biofuels Industry
by Fabio Nehme (Nehme Commodities/Biofuels International) ... Biofuel market participants should also follow these technological developments closely. There are three areas particularly promising to the biofuels industry: supply chain integrity and traceability, access to financing, and downstream sales. Increasingly, the management
March 20, 2018 Read Full Article
The Digest’s 2018 Visual Guide to the Economics, Politics of Renewable Fuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Have you ever wondered why corn farmers march for the RFS, but Wall Streeters don't? Or why merchent oil refiners want the US Renewable Fuel Standard repealed but major oilcos generally support RFS reform? Why are biodiesel
March 16, 2018 Read Full Article
USDA Seeks Applicants for Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvement Projects under the Rural Energy for America Program DEADLINE: April 30, 2018
(U.S. Department of Agriculture) – Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today invited applications for loan guarantees and grants for Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvement Projects. These loan guarantees and grants are part of USDA’s Rural Energy
March 15, 2018 Read Full Article
The Pentagon Is Quietly Moving forward on Biofuel Deals. Republicans Want to Stop It
by Travis J. Tritten (Washington Examiner) ... (Former Navy Secretary Ray) Mabus’ vision is, however, quietly moving forward under the Trump administration. The Pentagon has authorized $140 million to help build two biofuel refineries in recent months, a move that
March 13, 2018 Read Full Article
It Doesn’t Stink – North America’s First Closed-Loop Waste Management System Opens
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) In Canada, Surrey’s Biofuel Facility officially opened in the Port Kells industrial area in the British Columbia province. The $68 million facility is the first fully integrated closed-loop organic waste management system in North America. The facility
March 12, 2018 Read Full Article
Rennovia’s Demise, the Triple Rule, and the Pursuit of Sustainable Nylon in a World of Low Oil Prices
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In California, Rennovia has ceased operations, after the company failed to raise sufficient financing from investors and/or strategic partners to advance its pilot-scale technology to first commercial production. The bulk of the IP assets have been
March 09, 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 on the Floor at ABLC 2018
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) There was high drama in Washington, DC as the Advanced Bioeconomy Leadership Conference got underway and President Trump readies to meet at the White House with a number of biofuels leaders about the RFS and bioeconomy policy
March 01, 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
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
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
In Kenya, An Entrepreneur Is Using Biodiesel To Fight Climate Change
by Sanjoy Sanyal (World Resources Institute/Clean Technica/The Beam) ... Taher Zavery’s company, Kitui Industries, started experimenting with biodiesel in 2008, when oil prices were peaking. This alternative fuel produced from vegetable oil is obtained from crushing cotton seed, and can replace
February 21, 2018 Read Full Article
IVECO and BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions Join Forces to Foster Energy Transition in the Commercial Vehicles Industry with Green Finance Schemes.
(IVECO) IVECO and BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions have joined forces to help transport operators to renew their fleets with more environmentally friendly commercial vehicles: the purchasers of IVECO vehicles featuring its Natural Power technology, which runs on Compressed Natural Gas
February 19, 2018 Read Full Article
Energy Programs Should Be Fully Funded and Enhanced in the 2018 Farm Bill
by Jeremy Gilpin, Jordan Blanchard, and Cindy Thyfault (National Rural Lenders Association/Biofuels Digest) There has been a keen focus the last few weeks for President Trump and the USDA with the release of the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity Report, President
February 13, 2018 Read Full Article
Biorefinery Asks Grand Forks County to Help It Sell $80 Million in Bonds
by April Baumgarten (Grand Forks Herald) ... The Grand Forks County Commission approved during a Tuesday meeting a resolution that sets the stage for a public hearing for the Red River BioRefinery bond. The $80 million bond has not been
February 08, 2018 Read Full Article
That Was Then, This Is NOW! or The New Economics of Biogas Projects
by Scott Warfield (CERES Project Services/Lee Enterprises Consulting/Biofuels Digest) ... The big game changer for financing, profitability and financial returns of anaerobic digester (AD) projects regardless of feedstock is carbon offset credits and specifically California’s low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) which provides
February 08, 2018 Read Full Article
Air Traffic Control the Netherlands Joins KLM's Corporate Biofuel Programme
(GreenAir Online) Air Traffic Control the Netherlands has joined KLM’s Corporate Biofuel Programme, enabling it to compensate for the CO2 from staff business flights through the purchase of sustainable biofuels. “Our employees travel regularly outside the Netherlands to meet with our international
February 05, 2018 Read Full Article
A Quiet Year for Biofuels M&A: 2017 Review and Outlook
by Bruce Comer (Ocean Park Advisors/Biofuels Digest) More industry players chose to develop and build new capacity rather than buy plants -- The North American biofuels industry experienced the fewest merger and acquisition transactions in recent history in 2017. There were only
February 01, 2018 Read Full Article
Biodiesel Agents of Change
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) Biodiesel Magazine spotlights four companies—a respected producer, a service-oriented wholesaler, a 200-year old chemical firm, and a fuel conditioning company—that enable biodiesel's role as an effective change agent. PQ Corp. ... John Votta, global business director for PQ’s silica
January 24, 2018 Read Full Article
Leaps and Bounds in Sustainable Plastics and Nylons: U Wisconsin, Genomatica, Aquafil, Anellotech, Suntory, ADM, DuPont in the Mix
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) It’s been a big week in plastics and nylons, all right — not only for those who value sustainability attributes, but for fans of lower costs and higher performance, too. Let’s look at 4 Biggies makin’
January 24, 2018 Read Full Article
Getting a Loan Guarantee: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to the USDA 9003 Loan Guarantee program
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The 2014 Farm Bill provides for support of Advanced Biofuels, Renewable Chemicals, and Biobased Product Manufacturing by providing loan guarantees for up to $250 million. USDA has funding available and is actively looking for new applications. These
January 18, 2018 Read Full Article
The Long, Long, Long Journey to Green: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Bioeconomy Investing
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) What are the true drivers of Innovation and what are the returns for investors — what’s up and what works? There is just not a more authentic authority on the subject than long-time venture capitalist Roger
January 15, 2018 Read Full Article
CAAFI Highlights Sustainable Alternative Jet Fuel Activities of 2017 and Plans for 2018
by Joanne Ivancic* (Advanced Biofuels USA) The Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI) has taken stock of its busy 2017 and has set priorities for 2018. Highlights on the sustainable alternative jet fuel (SAJF) front include development of many resources available
January 12, 2018 Read Full Article
The Story of Red Rock Biofuels and the Bond Market Breakthroughs
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In the world of drop-in military biofuels, two major updates appeared this week. In Oregon, Red Rock Biofuels got good news on Monday when the governor approved $245 million in bonds that will allow the company’s planned
January 12, 2018 Read Full Article
High-Tech Waste-to-Energy Facility Set to Open in May
by Alex Acquisto (Bangor Daily News) The company behind a state-of-the-art solid waste disposal facility in Hampden designed to convert trash into biofuel has secured enough funding to begin operations in May. Craig Stuart-Paul, CEO of Maryland-based Fiberight LLC, announced this week that his company
January 08, 2018 Read Full Article
What Is Shaping AgTech: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Advanced Agriculture and Its technologies
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Last year, industry consultant Vonnie Estes — whose latest Digest column is here — picked up the Rosa Franklin Award for leadership in industrial biotechnology — and her most recent presentation decks offer a pretty good sense of why
January 03, 2018 Read Full Article
In for a Penny, In for a Pound: The Advanced Bioeconomy and All the Pivots
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Algae.Tec has (once again) shifted its business focus, and what was once a developer of algae bioreactors to make cost-competitive fuels is now in the business of “heirloom cannabis varietals”. So, um, High Times at Algae.Tec. ... It’s
December 29, 2017 Read Full Article
Boosting Ethanol’s Value via CO2 Use: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to White Dog Labs
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) US-based White Dog Labs have developed a new process that eliminates the production of CO2, a potent greenhouse gas, during fermentation and instead shifts the carbon to added ethanol production, boosting fermentation yields by around 50
December 27, 2017 Read Full Article
Bioeconomy Curves and Slides, Snakes and Ladders
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Over the years we’ve all seen a lot of curveballs in the advanced bioeconomy. You see companies like Valero, which lobby the United States Congress with unbridled intensity to get rid of the Renewable Fuel Standard,
December 27, 2017 Read Full Article
Top 17 for 2017
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) 2017 was a roller coaster year. There was a paradigm shift in biofuels, technology advancements, innovations abounded, politics chaotic. Some companies shut down and disappeared like the Hobo vanishing in the snow atop the Polar
December 26, 2017 Read Full Article
The Sun Also Ryzes: Ryze Renewable Secures Financing, Heads for Commercial-Scale Advanced Biofuels in Nevada
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Today, we’d like to share news that a new biorefinery for diesel and jet fuel has finalized $112.6 million loan, backed by a USDA loan guarantee. This is Ryze Renewables, which will construct its biorefinery in Storey County,
December 22, 2017 Read Full Article
Creative Financing Mechanisms: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to Structures for Bioeconomy and Power Projects
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Bottom line, if you’re in the business of financing a renewable fuels project with a loan guarantee in the mix, you’re probably talking with some combination of New Energy Risk, Stern Brothers, Faegre Baker Daniels partner John
December 15, 2017 Read Full Article
The Bio-Based Industries Consortium (BIC) Has Released a New Overview of Financial Instruments Available to Support European Bioeconomy Development.
(Bio-Based Industries Consortium) ‘Access to EU financial instruments suitable for the implementation of large bio-based industry investments’ outlines a range of funding opportunities and explores the synergies between different instruments for co-financing bio-based projects. Since BIC’s 2014 report ‘Combining BBI (H2020) and
December 14, 2017 Read Full Article
Case Studies in Renewable Finance: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide to Funding Bioeconomy Projects in the US vs Internationally
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Bottom line, if you’re in the business of financing a renewable fuels project with a loan guarantee in the mix, you’re probably talking with some combination of New Energy Risk, Stern Brothers, Faegre Baker Daniels partner John
December 13, 2017 Read Full Article
I Don’t Like Losses, Sport: The Invention of Bioeconomy Risk Insurance and Fulcrum BioEnergy’s Leap to Scale
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... The problem of Investor risk is ridiculously easy to understand and ridiculously hard to solve. ... Financial investors will tolerate very short-term cases of marginally sub-par returns and they have no tolerance at all of losses. ... And risk induces panic and suffocation long
December 12, 2017 Read Full Article
The Cost of Ethanol: Bad Faith, Broken Promises and a Plan up in Smoke
by Joel Wittnebel (The Oshawa Express) The shroud of secrecy at Oshawa’s waterfront is starting to lift, and it tells a troubling tale of mismanagement, failed investments and poor decisions that not only led to the end of the proposed ethanol plant,
November 29, 2017 Read Full Article
Katter’s Australian Party Offers A$400 Million to North Queensland Bioenergy Corp if It Wins Election
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Australia, Katter’s Australian Party has offered an A$400 million loan towards the A$640 million North Queensland Bioenergy Corp. project proposed nearly a decade ago if it’s able to keep its balance of power in the upcoming state
November 22, 2017 Read Full Article
Australian Researchers Lead Way in Developing Sustainable Biofuel Technology
by Cecilia Connell (ABC News) An Australian-first biofuel demonstration facility in the New South Wales Hunter Valley has been touted as a game-changer in the food versus fuel debate, that has overshadowed the production of ethanol for some time. The Federal Government,
November 21, 2017 Read Full Article
UW Entrepreneurial Pipeline Lands Lactic Solutions in Biofuels Marketplace
by Natasha Kassulke (University of Wisconsin-Madison) When Jim Steele thinks back over the last seven years, from the early research on biofuels, followed by a dream of moving Lactic Solutions LLC technology to the marketplace, and now the acquisition of the
November 21, 2017 Read Full Article
Banks Explore Challenges Decarbonisation Poses to Ship Finance
(American Journal of Transportation) “Many global financial institutions have committed to bringing their portfolios in line with the transition to a low-carbon economy. To fully achieve this, they must address the climate risks to hundreds of billions of dollars in shipping
November 08, 2017 Read Full Article
Winning the Race for New Technology via Public-Private Partnership: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to NREL PPP Programs and Projects
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This year at ABLC Next, NREL’s Rich Bolin, gave us an overview of partnership perspective, opportunities and past performance. Signature companies are engaged, in the space — advanced manufacturing, fuels, power, chemicals, and much more. Public-private partnership
November 07, 2017 Read Full Article
Chicago! Fulcrum BioEnergy Picks the Midwest Hub for Its Next MSW-to-Jet Fuel Project
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) From California we received the news that Chicagoland has been selected as the site of Fulcrum BioEnergy’s second commercial-scale waste-to-fuels biorefinery. We reported last month that the long-awaited financing was completed for Fulcrum Bioenergy’s highly-anticipated first commercial project
November 07, 2017 Read Full Article
BREAKING NEWS: DowDuPont to Exit Cellulosic Biofuels Business
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Delaware, DowDuPont announced that it intends to sell its cellulosic biofuels business and its first commercial project, a 30 million gallon per year cellulosic ethanol plant in Nevada, Iowa. The Nevada project is still going
November 02, 2017 Read Full Article
Clariant to Build Flagship Cellulosic Ethanol Plant in Romania: 8-Figure Sales Potential Envisioned
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Germany, Clariant’s board has approved investment in a new full-scale commercial plant for the production of cellulosic ethanol from agricultural residues using its sunliquid technology. The new plant, with an annual production capacity of 50.000
November 01, 2017 Read Full Article
Presentations from BETO’s Annual Conference Now Online!
(U.S. Department of Energy) On July 11–12, 2017, BETO hosted its 10th annual conference—Bioeconomy 2017: Domestic Resources for a Vibrant Future! More than 300 attendees from industry, government agencies, the national laboratories, and academia gathered to discuss opportunities and challenges facing
October 31, 2017 Read Full Article
Sustainable Chemistry’s Drivers: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to Capricorn Venture Partners Sustainable Chemistry Fund
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Changing expectations, changing demographics in a fragile world. Those are just some of the drivers for sustainable chemistry. Performance or sustainability? Consumers demand both. Those drivers are behind a surge in sustainable chemical venture investing, and
October 24, 2017 Read Full Article
A Spirit of Kuleana: Renewable Fuels Ventures Strive for New Geographies, Feedstock, Products
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Nothing rang clearer as an industry imperative at ABLC Next last week than the theme of diversification in a Year of Living Dangerously, and we saw it in the news this week from Velocys, Pacific Biodiesel
October 24, 2017 Read Full Article
Marketing Sustainability: How Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs) Are Planning to Take Flight
By Michael Eggleston* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Flying in Formation: Since the first test flight almost 10 years ago, there have been over 40,000 commercial flights supported by four international airports supplying SAFs. Michael Gill, Executive Director of the cross-industry Air
October 19, 2017 Read Full Article
Aemetis Signs Long Term Lease for Cellulosic Ethanol Plant Site in California
(Aemetis) 55 year Lease Agreement at Former Army Munitions Facility -- Aemetis, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMTX) announced today that its Aemetis Advanced Products Keyes subsidiary signed a 55 year lease at a former US Army munitions facility located in Riverbank, California which is near
October 19, 2017 Read Full Article
Heard on the Floor at ABLC Next 2017: Fulcrum Prices Bonds, GOP Governors’ Pro-Biofuels March on DC
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... In the biggest news sweeping the floor at ABLC Next 2017 and perhaps the biggest industrial biotechnology update of 2017, the long-awaited financing is approaching completion for Fulcrum Bioenergy’s highly-anticipated waste-to-fuels project in Nevada, that
October 19, 2017 Read Full Article
Advance to Go!: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to the State of the Advanced Bioeconomy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Advanced Bioeconomy Leadership Conference on Next-Gen Technologies and Markets opens in San Francisco with a record audience size, with diversification as its theme and “Go!” as the takeaway message — with investment and technologies arriving
October 17, 2017 Read Full Article
State of the Advanced Bioeconomy 2017
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... “Never fall in love with a feedstock”, LanzaTech CEO Jennifer Holmgren spends a considerable amount of time reminding us here in Digestville, and that pertains to any area of industrial activity. ... It’s not your Dad’s ethanol,
October 17, 2017 Read Full Article
Conventional and Cutting Edge Biofuels: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to Aemetis
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Aemetis owns and operates 110 million gallons per year of ethanol and biodiesel facilities in the US and India, and is upgrading the plants using patented technology to produce lower carbon, higher value advanced biofuels and
October 11, 2017 Read Full Article
Argus Media Interviews about UPM Biofuels, NixAl Commodities and Abengoa Bioenergy
(Argus Media) ... Argus interviews speakers Sari Mannonen, Vice-President, UPM Biofuels and Alberto Carmona Bosch, Chief Executive Officer, NixAl Commodities and former Exec. VP for Trading at Abengoa Bioenergy. In these Q&As, Sari discusses UPM Biofuels’ post-2020 strategy, Finland’s role in
October 10, 2017 Read Full Article
Financing Bioeconomy Ventures Pt. 11: Series Summary
by Martin Wahl and Gerald Kutney (Lee Enterprises Consulting/Biofuels Digest) The preceding articles in this series cover the major steps that investors and entrepreneurs should take to advance bioeconomy project product and process development. In retrospect, the most striking aspect of the articles
October 10, 2017 Read Full Article
Financing Bioeconomy Ventures, Pt. 10 – Regulatory and Community Concerns in Plant Site Selection
by Daniel Lane and Mindy Collier (Lee Enterprises Consulting/Biofuels Digest) However, while business matters are important when determining a location to build and operate a production facility, it’s important to pay close attention to regulatory and community concerns. While it’s certainly possible
October 09, 2017 Read Full Article
Financing Bioeconomy Ventures, Pt. 9: Site Selection – Landscape Risk Analysis for Biomass Acquisition
by Thomas W. Robb, Daniel Lane and John Diecker (Lee Enterprises Consulting/Biofuels Digest) In the cascade of the decision-making process for site selection of a biomass project, the first two things that must be determined are the availability of infrastructure to support
October 09, 2017 Read Full Article
Bioreactors on a Chip Renew Promises for Algal Biofuels
by Alexa M. Schmitz (Cornell University/Biomass Magazine) ... This week, researchers from the Cornell-affiliated Boyce Thompson Institute and Texas A&M University report in Plant Direct exciting new technology that may revolutionize the search for the perfect algal strain: algal droplet bioreactors on a chip. A single
October 04, 2017 Read Full Article
Italy’s ENI Offers Help for Nigeria’s Bio-Fuel Projects
(Naija247news) The Italian government through one of its oil giants ENI has promised to support the Federal Government’s bio-fuel agenda. Senior Technical Adviser to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources on Refineries and Downstream Infrastructure, Engr. Rabiu Suleiman, disclosed this in
October 04, 2017 Read Full Article
Financing Bioeconomy Ventures, Pt. 7 – Engineering Design Assessment: Front-End Engineering Design and Loading Evaluation
by Bernard Cooker, John Diecker, and Daniel Lane (Lee Enterprises Consulting/Biofuels Digest) This article is the seventh in a series on the information needed by a Capital Investor, received from the Project Developer (PD), for the Capital Investor to make an
October 04, 2017 Read Full Article
Financing Bioeconomy Ventures: Pt. 4 – Competitive & Strategic Analysis of Renewable Fuel and Chemical Ventures
by Lorenz Bauer, Gerald Kutney and Bob Kodrzycki (Lee Enterprises Consulting/Biofuels Digest) Investors focused on renewable chemicals and fuels are looking for projects with the greatest commercial potential. However, within the plethora of potential projects in which to invest, there is
October 04, 2017 Read Full Article
Financing Bioeconomy Ventures, Part 3 – The Business Plan
by Gerald Kutney and Bob Kodrzycki (Lee Enterprises Consulting/Biofuels Digest) A business plan contains basically only two major subjects: The business case for the investment: ROI and pro forma Risk management. Keep in mind that investors review hundreds of business plans every year.
October 03, 2017 Read Full Article
Financing Bioeconomy Ventures: Pt. 6 – Pilot Plant Site Assessment and Validation of Experimental Data
by Lorenz Bauer and Charles Loos (Lee Enterprises Consulting/Biofuels Digest) Investing in new bio-economy technologies involves the inherent perils associated with building new plants and introducing new products into existing markets. However, one avoidable peril is basing decisions on poorly planned research
October 03, 2017 Read Full Article
Financing Bioeconomy Ventures: Part 5, Competitive Technology & Market Assessment: IP & Patent Analysis
by Terry Mazanec, Bob Kodrzycki, and Lorenz Bauer (Lee Enterprises Consulting/Biofuels Digest) ... In the “bio” sectors of our economy in particular – whether it be fuels and chemicals, manufacturing and sensors, or health and pharma – the value of intellectual property
October 02, 2017 Read Full Article
Financing Bioeconomy Ventures: Part 2 – The Pro Forma
by Gerald Kutney (Lee Enterprises Consulting/Biofuels Digest) Developing a pro forma projection for an investment opportunity is the first step for an entrepreneur seeking capital, and also the first screening level financing institutions use to evaluate such proposals. There are three fundamental areas of
September 27, 2017 Read Full Article
Crossing the Valley of NLACM with Alcohol-to-Hydrocarbon Technology
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) There’s one crossing worse than the Valley of Death and that is the Valley of NLACM. Although it sounds more like a goose trying to say “You’ll like him” — it’s the Natural Law of Alternative Commodity
September 26, 2017 Read Full Article
U.S. Corn Ethanol Producers Aim to Out-Pump Competitors
by Michael Hirtzer (Reuters) U.S. ethanol makers, taking advantage of low corn prices, are ramping up production and expanding capacity to try to squeeze less-efficient competitors out of an overcrowded market. The ethanol industry, which for years bolstered corn prices and U.S.
September 26, 2017 Read Full Article
Growing Diesel-Side Demand: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to Renewable Energy Group
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Renewable Energy Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGI) is the biggest US-based producer of biomass-based diesel, and leading provider of cleaner, lower carbon intensity products and services. REG utilizes an integrated procurement, distribution, and logistics network to
September 26, 2017 Read Full Article
Financing Bioeconomy Ventures (Part 1 of 11)
by Wayne Lee and Gerald Kutney (Lee Enterprises Consulting/Biofuels Digest) This article is the introduction to a series of articles[1], reviewing the typical steps that investors consider before providing financial support to biofuels or biochemical projects. There is often disconnect between
September 26, 2017 Read Full Article
Lessons Learned Presenting Biotechnology Scale-Up During Fundraising
by Mark Warner (Warner Advisors/Biofuels Digest) ... This paper will build on my previously published white paper on what makes scale-up of advanced biotechnology so difficult, to summarize lessons learned presenting technology scale-up plans to potential investors, and the on-going communication of
September 25, 2017 Read Full Article
British Airways Tries Again on Waste-Based Biofuels
by Victoria Moores (Air Transport World) UK carrier British Airways (BA) has partnered with renewable fuels company Velocys, after an earlier waste-to-fuel initiative—named GreenSky—with Washington-based Solena Fuels fell through. This latest venture uses fuel derived from waste biomass, similar to the GreenSky project that BA signed up
September 19, 2017 Read Full Article
Scaling Up Without Wall Street
by Daniel de Liege (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Alliance Bio-Products’ chairman provides a detailed account of hurdles cleared and decisions made in the development of the company’s cellulose-to-sugar process. -- Securing funding for new technologies can be extremely difficult: There’s no
September 15, 2017 Read Full Article
Unprofitable Ethanol Projects See Light at End of Tunnel
(VietNam Net Bridge) With the state’s policy of using E5 biofuel throughout the country from early 2018, ethanol projects that have been unprofitable will resume their operations, according to PetroVietnam’s CEO Nguyen Vu Truong Son. PetroVietnam on September 6 stated the
September 13, 2017 Read Full Article
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