by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Florida, The Digest reports that the Top 25 capital raises in the advanced bioeconomy raised 1.146 billion in new capital during 2015 for company development — and pilot, demonstration and commercial-scale projects. Notable transactions in the
Investing
Back TO HOMEStrong 2015 Places Joule as a Global Leader in Scalable Ultra-Low Carbon Fuel Technologies
(Joule/BusinessWire) Major milestones include acquisition of Red Rock Biofuels, expanded partner relationships, continued strong technology development backed by strong financing partners -- Joule, the pioneer of drop-in liquid fuels from recycled CO2, announced today that it has gained significant traction in
January 22, 2016 Read Full Article
Takreer Refinery Blends Biofuel
(Khaleej Times) The BIOjet Initiative is aligned with the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, which seeks to develop sustainable energy sources to diversify the UAE economy and increase workforce opportunities for Emiratis. -- For the first time ever in the
January 22, 2016 Read Full Article
Abengoa to Sell off Bioenergy Arm for a Billion Bucks
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Spain, as part of its complete restructuring to avoid bankruptcy, Abengoa has decided to sell off Abengoa Bioenergy—possibly in three parts: Europe, Brazil and the US—for a total of roughly $1.08 billion dollars. The company
January 22, 2016 Read Full Article
Power to the Poop: One Colorado City Is Using Human Waste to Run Its Vehicles
Melanie Sevcenko (The Guardian) Renewable natural gas is a growing industry for fuel, electricity and heat, but advocates says it’s a largely untapped market in the US -- No matter how you spin it, the business of raw sewage isn’t
January 22, 2016 Read Full Article
Tesoro Makes Its Move on Renewable Biocrude
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Texas, Tesoro has unveiled its plan to foster the development of biocrude made from renewable biomass, which can be co-processed in its existing refineries, along with traditional crude oil. And the company has identified three
January 22, 2016 Read Full Article
Bullish on Biocrude: The Digest’s 2016 8-Slide Guide to Tesoro’s Biocrude Strategy and Partners
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Tesoro has unveiled its plan to foster the development of biocrude made from renewable biomass, which can be co-processed in its existing refineries, along with traditional crude oil. And the company has identified three new
January 22, 2016 Read Full Article
Kakira’s Ethanol Plan Takes Shape
by Isaac Khisa (The Independent) ... In the past few years, the firm (Kakira Sugar Ltd, a unit of Madhvani Group) invested heavily in expanding cane crushing and power generation. Now, the ambitious sugar plant is venturing into commercial ethanol production
January 20, 2016 Read Full Article
DuPont Industrial Biosciences, ADM Find “Breakthrough Process” for a “Long-Sought Molecule”
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Delaware, DuPont Industrial Biosciences and Archer Daniels Midland announced a new breakthrough process in producing FDME from fructose, with “the potential to expand the materials landscape in the 21st century with exciting and truly
January 20, 2016 Read Full Article
Cellulosic Biofuels Outlook: Abengoa Doubts May Not Affect Biofuels Industry
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) Although the cellulosic ethanol industry has had some challenges, there is hope for the year ahead. For some Midwest farmers, cellulosic ethanol's launch in the past two years has allowed them to put their corn
January 19, 2016 Read Full Article
ABN AMRO Bank New Partner in KLM’s Corporate BioFuel Program for Biojet Fuel
(KLM) The KLM Corporate BioFuel Programme has welcomed its 12th partner: the ABN AMRO bank today officially joined the group of trendsetting corporations who share KLM’s vision on sustainability and are striving to reduce their environmental footprint. ... The corporations that participate
January 19, 2016 Read Full Article
Joule Unlimited: The Digest’s 2016 8-Slide Guide
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Joule is advancing a production platform for Liquid Fuel from the Sun, expected to eclipse the scale, productivity and cost efficiency of any known alternative to fossil fuel today. Its transformative Helioculture platform directly and
January 19, 2016 Read Full Article
Anellotech’s Partner in Pursuit of 100% Renewable Plastic Bottles Revealed…It’s Suntory
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) As Anellotech’s 80-foot high development unit readies for installation, the giant Japanese beverage maker is revealed as its collaboration partner. Whether Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Orangina, Aquafina water, Gatorade, Schweppes is your beverage of choice, the 100%
January 19, 2016 Read Full Article
Biofuels Company Industrializes Photosynthesis
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) For eight years, Joule has been working under the radar to develop and commercialize its CO2-to-fuel technology. -- When it comes to ethanol production volumes per acre of land, Joule's Helioculture technology leaves all
January 18, 2016 Read Full Article
Greens: Gas Developers Aren’t Telling Investors of Methane Leaks
by Devin Henry (The Hill) Natural gas developers are providing very restricted information about their methane emissions to investors, according to a report released Monday by a green group. According to an Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) analysis, only 18 of 65 major
January 17, 2016 Read Full Article
Sampson County OKs Incentives Package for 2 Hog Waste Power Plants
by Michael Futch (Fayetteville Observer) Michigan-based NOVI Energy is moving forward with plans to build two anaerobic digester power plants in Sampson County after county commissioners approved incentives for the facilities. The proposed plants would bring at least 36 jobs to
January 17, 2016 Read Full Article
New Dooly County Biofuel Plant to Bring 138 Jobs
by Kasandra N Ortiz (13WMAZ) People in Dooly County hope that their economy will be growing along with their trees. A company called Ensyn plans to add 138 jobs to their new biofuel plant. It will be built on a piece of property that has been
January 15, 2016 Read Full Article
Little Falls Ethanol Plant Begins Renovation
by Vicki Ikeogu (SC Times) Construction has started at a Little Falls ethanol plant to convert it to a renewable chemical manufacturing plant. U.K.-based Green Biologics Ltd. owns Central Minnesota Renewables, formerly known as Central Minnesota Ethanol Cooperative. It's in the process
January 15, 2016 Read Full Article
More Pain Seen ahead for U.S. Banks Exposed to Energy Loans
by Dan Freed (Reuters) U.S. banks exposed to energy-related loans will need to set aside even more money than previously expected to cover potential losses as oil prices near 12-year lows. Earlier on Wednesday, BOK Financial Corp became the third
January 14, 2016 Read Full Article
Shell India to Build New Demo Biofuel Plant in Bangalore
(Biofuels International) Shell India Markets, the Indian arm of Royal Dutch Shell, has announced plans to build a five tonne/day biofuel demonstration plant using IH2 technology on the site of its new technology centre in Bangalore, India. IH2 technology is a
January 14, 2016 Read Full Article
Audi Beefs up Collaboration with French Biotech to Extend Biofuels Scope
(Biofuels International) Car giant Audi is entering a renewed collaboration agreement with French renewable energy firm Global Bioenergies to promote the development of biofuels. The two companies recently announced the delivery by Global Bioenergies to Audi of a first batch of
January 14, 2016 Read Full Article
FOS Orders IFA to Pay Redress over Sipp Biofuel Investment
by Charles Walmsley (CityWire) The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) has ordered a Rugby-based advice firm to compensate a client who invested a £13,700 pension pot in unregulated biofuel scheme Sustainable AgroEnergy. Sustainable AgroEnergy invested in jatropha oil, a form of biofuel, in
January 13, 2016 Read Full Article
IH2 Deep-Dive: Breakthrough Biofuel Technology Has Commercial-Scale In Sight
by Jim Lane (Renewable Energy World) ... The IH2 technology is a thermocatalytic conversion route for woody biomass and forest residues feedstock that has been estimated to produce drop-in renewable fuels at around ~$2.25/gallon (in 2014 dollars), based on a
January 13, 2016 Read Full Article
Pushmi-Pullyu: How Do Carbon Prices and Fuel Mandates Work Together in Breaking through a Fossil Fuel Monopoly? Or, Do They?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Sometimes, the set-up of the transition from fossil fuels is as pretty and impractical as Dr. Doolittle’s Pushmi-Pullyu. The Digest investigates. -- ... For example, a renewable fuel does not qualify under the Renewable Fuel Standard
January 12, 2016 Read Full Article
Algae-Derived Biofuels Gain Traction as Commercial Viability Increases
(Eco-Business/Future Market Insights) Algaculture, the farming of algae for fuel, is gaining traction globally as governments and private players look to leverage on the potential of algae as a biofuel. Concerns about depleting oil resources and the environmental impact of
January 11, 2016 Read Full Article
Kolmar Scoops up U.S. Biodiesel Plant as Trader Seeks to Expand
by Chris Prentice (Reuters) Kolmar Group AG's U.S. unit has bought a small Connecticut biodiesel plant, the Swiss commodities trader's first ever acquisition of an asset, in a move that may stir hopes of renewed investment for the struggling biofuel
January 11, 2016 Read Full Article
Engineers Are from Mars, Business Developers Are from Venus
by Mark Warner (Warner Advisors LLC) ... In this case, we are substituting engineers and business developers, then focusing on the differences in how they view biotechnology commercialization and the resulting impact on their ability to successfully scale-up technology as a team.
January 11, 2016 Read Full Article
Dirt Work Begins on Ringneck Energy as Project Details Finalized
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... “Most investors are from South Dakota by far,” he reported, but the project did attract investors from Texas, Kansas, Iowa, Minnesota and Illinois. “Generally, from areas where they understand the ethanol investment,” he
January 04, 2016 Read Full Article
The Untold Upside of Low Oil Prices
by Ron Kotrba (Biomass Magazine) Alternative energy companies typically prosper when oil prices are high, but it’s not all doom and gloom when the cost of crude nosedives. ... So what does all this mean for the wood pellet and other bioenergy
January 04, 2016 Read Full Article
Aemetis Shares Jump 52% in One Day
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In California, investors were pleasantly shocked when shares in Aemetis traded up 52% last Thursday. What exactly is happening? In a release, Aemetis credited five factors for the jump: January 1, 2016: California LCFS re-adopted as of
January 04, 2016 Read Full Article
Top 10 Bioeconomy and Biofuels Predictions for 2016
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) A mere “The Year in Rewind” as we reach the end of 2015? Not the good ship Digest! Instead, we dust off our crystal ball and peer into tomorrowland. As the sunset of 2015 gives way
January 04, 2016 Read Full Article
Big Oil to Cut Investment again in 2016
by Karolin Schaps and Ron Bousso (Reuters) With crude prices at 11-year lows, the world's biggest oil and gas producers are facing their longest period of investment cuts in decades, but are expected to borrow more to preserve the dividends demanded
January 04, 2016 Read Full Article
Restaurant Group Advocates the Use of Biodiesel
(Notimex/La Journada (Google translation)) Mexico City Mexican Restaurant Corporation (CMR) bet on the care of the environment by launching a project to reduce pollution of its truck fleet, which consists of converting used oil and its restaurants into biodiesel for
December 30, 2015 Read Full Article
What $6 Trillion Could Do for Renewable Energy or "The Cost of War"
by Mike Bryan (Ethanol Producer Magazine) What if the nearly $6 trillion spent on wars in Afghanistan and Iraq had been spent to generate economic activity for the ethanol industry, asks Mike Bryan. -- ... Estimates are that by the
December 30, 2015 Read Full Article
Centre Offers Biofuel to Delhi to Check Pollution
(Business Standard) The Centre is willing to offer one million litres of bio-diesel a day to the Delhi government to combat the rising menace of pollution, Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari said on Thursday. Besides, the Centre will
December 28, 2015 Read Full Article
ACE: Restored Tax Credit to Increase Availability of E85
(American Coalition for Ethanol/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Bipartisan congressional approval of recent legislation restoring tax credits for retail fuel station owners who buy equipment to offer alternative fuels could further increase availability of E85 and profitability for retailers, says American Coalition
December 28, 2015 Read Full Article
14 More Answers for your Burning Questions about Biofuels, Renewable Chemicals, the New Agriculture, and Biobased Products
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Q. How have the US elections and the regulatory situation in the US impacted development of biofuels for other countries, particularly Latin America? ... Not much impact from the 2014 US elections, so far —
December 28, 2015 Read Full Article
Bio-on: World First Facility for Producing Bioplastic from Biodiesel Co-Product Glycerol
(Globe Newswire/NASDAQ) An agreement signed today by Bio-on and S.E.C.I. S.p.A. part of Gruppo Industriale Maccaferri holding, will see Italy's and world's first facility for the production of PHAs bioplastic from biodiesel production co-products, namely glycerol. The two companies, operating in
December 23, 2015 Read Full Article
The Next Wave of Industrial Biotechnology (with Bicycles, Unicorns & Rainbows)
by Sam Nejame (Promotum/Biofuels Digest) ... At the same time investors saw the rapid expansion in infrastructure that was the ethanol biofuels rollout. At the pump consumers faced $100+ per barrel oil and nearly $4 gasoline. The DOE was dealing with national
December 23, 2015 Read Full Article
Findin’ the Benjamins: Stern Brothers’ 2015 8-Slide Guide to Renewable Fuels 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 Stern Brothers and managing director John May. They’ve been part of
December 18, 2015 Read Full Article
Consumers Go ‘Green.’ Are We Leveraging This Trend Enough?
by Sebastian Søderberg (Novozymes/Biofuels Digest) ... I believe consumers are becoming increasingly aware and concerned about the damage their consumption can cause to the planet. With this awareness, comes a growing focus on products that reduce GHG emissions and maximize resource efficiency.
December 17, 2015 Read Full Article
C5 Is the New C6
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Goodbye glucose, hello xylose. The X-Factor in the advanced bioeconomy might just be a sugar that starts with an X. ... When we think about C5s — that are liberated by new technologies from the cellulosic
December 16, 2015 Read Full Article
New Heaven’s Chemical Plant in Manly, US to Start Production in January
(Chemcicals-Technology.com) India-based TSS Group's subsidiary New Heaven Chemicals is set to start production at its chemical plant at the Manly Terminal in Manly, Iowa, US, in January next year. The construction of the plant started 17 months ago and around 40
December 15, 2015 Read Full Article
First Community-Owned MA Biodiesel Plant to Open Early 2016
(Public News Service) Sometime next month a new plant in Greenfield should start cranking out clean biodiesel fuel that is manufactured from recycled cooking oil. Co-op Power CEO Lynn Benander says the plant will take cooking oil waste from restaurants, schools
December 14, 2015 Read Full Article
CNE and Sunbird to Develop Bioethanol Facilities in Zimbabwe and Zambia
(Biofuels International) China New Energy has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Sunbird Bioenergy Africa for the development of two biorefineries, one each in Zimbabwe and Zambia. The Memorandum of Undestanding (MOU) was signed at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation
December 10, 2015 Read Full Article
EPA’s Contradictory Rule Is a Gut Punch to Advanced Biofuels
by Brent Erickson (Biofuels Digest/Biotechnology Industry Organization) After a painful and damaging two-year delay, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last week published Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS) for 2014, 2015 and 2016. Unfortunately, the agency finalized a rule riddled with contradictions and
December 10, 2015 Read Full Article
NRL, NBDA Ink MoU for Sourcing Two Lakh Tonnes of Bamboo Annually
(Economic Times/India Times) Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL), a Government of India Public Sector Enterprises under Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Nagaland Bamboo Development Agency (NBDA), a state government undertaking, today inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for sourcing
December 09, 2015 Read Full Article
The European Bioeconomy, visualized: The Digest’s 2015 8-Slide Guide to Champagne Ardenne and the EU’s bioclusters
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The goal of the EU’s set of globally-oriented clusters is to bring together players in research, higher-education, and industry. Here’s the substantial research, development and deployment options on offer in France’s Champagne Ardenne region. READ
December 08, 2015 Read Full Article
It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like BioYule in Canada
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Patiently, assuredly, one cluster at a time, Canada has amassed a potent armory of renewable fuel and biobased technologies, people and clusters of activity. Where’s it going? The Digest looks at a whole slew of
December 08, 2015 Read Full Article
Military Takes Clean Energy Seriously, and It’s Not Alone
by Justin Ford (Las Vegas Sun) ... The U.S. military has long since decided climate change is a “threat multiplier.” Increasing global temperatures mean more dangerous situations around the world — stressing already-fragile states with resource shortages and mass migrations, for
December 08, 2015 Read Full Article
Arnold Schwarzenegger Doesn’t Give a Damn if You Don’t Believe in Climate Change
by ZOË Schlanger (Newsweek) ... (Arnold) Schwarzenegger, a longtime champion of clean energy, hinged his argument on the health detriments of pollution created from burning fossil fuels. “First—do you believe it is acceptable that 7 million people die every year from pollution? That's
December 08, 2015 Read Full Article
Abengoa Contagion Spreads to U.S. Biofuel Plants, Causing Layoffs and Shutdowns
by Rob Nikolewski (Kansas Watchdog.org) ... “I think we have to see how this thing plays out. In the short run, of course, it’s a devastating blow,” said Neal Gillespie, Stevens County Economic Developmentdirector. “In the long run, I think there’s a
December 07, 2015 Read Full Article
More Than $3.4 Trillion in Assets Vow to Divest From Fossil Fuels
by Zahara Hirji (InsideClimate News) The list of institutions committed to ridding their portfolios of at least some fossil fuel interests has surged in recent months, organizers say. --- More than 500 institutions representing about $3.4 trillion in assets have
December 07, 2015 Read Full Article
CEFC Commits $100 Million to New Australian Bioenergy Fund to Unlock the Potential of Bioenergy
(The Clean Energy Finance Corporation) The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) is aiming to accelerate investment in Australia’s bioenergy sector through a $100 million cornerstone commitment to the new Australian Bioenergy Fund. The Australian Bioenergy Fund will support investment in a broad
December 03, 2015 Read Full Article
Boeing, Canadian Aviation Industry Launch Sustainable Aviation Biofuel Project
(PR Newswire) Boeing (NYSE: BA), the University of British Columbia (UBC) and SkyNRG, with support from Canada's aviation industry and other stakeholders, are collaborating to turn leftover branches, sawdust and other forest-industry waste into sustainable aviation biofuel. Canada, which has extensive
December 03, 2015 Read Full Article
The 2016 US Outlook for Ethanol and Biodiesel
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... “In the old days, ethanol was a political commodity,” Informa Economics Senior VP Scott Richman told the crowd assembled at the Canadian Bioeconomy Conference in Vancouver this week, organized by the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association. “Now, it’s
December 03, 2015 Read Full Article
ANA to Use Euglena Jet Fuel Made From Green Algae at Japan Plant
by Chris Cooper (Bloomberg) ANA Holdings Inc., Japan’s largest airline, plans to use a Euglena Co. biofuel made from algae as the supplier builds a demonstration plant in Yokohama. ANA will use a mix of about 10 percent of the algae-based
December 02, 2015 Read Full Article
Biofuel Enzymes Market to Top USD 1bn in 2020 with Cellulosic Ethanol Help
by Plamena Tisheva (SeeNews) The global market for biofuel enzymes is to experience a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.4% over the next five years, driven by the shift to cellulosic ethanol, BCC Research says in a report, released Wednesday. The firm
December 02, 2015 Read Full Article
Why Ethanol Makers Are Actually Relieved With New EPA Cuts
by Robert Hackett (Fortune) ... Farmers and ethanol companies welcomed the change, according to the Wall Street Journal, since the cuts laid out earlier this year were originally more severe. But they were still dissatisfied that the requirement did not meet
December 02, 2015 Read Full Article
Innovation to Tackle Climate Change and Feed a Growing Population: Commercializing Synthetic Biology
by Vonnie Estes (Biofuels Digest) ... But as the land, water, and fossil fuel resources those systems rely on become scarcer, biology is offering new ways to engineer solutions. Synthetic biology redesigns existing organisms for specific purposes to produce safe products
December 02, 2015 Read Full Article
Goldman Sachs: Investors Should Be Focused on 4 Technologies for Maximum Climate Impact
by Stephen Lacey (GreenTechMedia) ... In a report issued this week, Goldman concluded that the most effective mid-term solution for lowering carbon emissions -- and making money -- is backing existing technologies that are ready to scale. In fact, analysts
December 02, 2015 Read Full Article
20-Nation Mission Innovation Coalition Launches to Spur Clean Energy R&D, Investment
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In France, President Obama and French President Hollande, along with a wide range of other top global leaders, are announcing today the launch of “Mission Innovation,” a 20-country initiative to dramatically accelerate public and private
November 30, 2015 Read Full Article
Gates, Zuckerberg, Branson, Bezos, Steyer, Khosla, Doerr, 20 Others Form Breakthrough Energy Coalition
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In France, 28 business leaders and organizations launched the Breakthrough Energy Coalition, with Coalition chairman Bill Gates stating that “The existing system of basic research, clean energy investment, regulatory frameworks, and subsidies fails to sufficiently
November 30, 2015 Read Full Article
The $2 Trillion Stranded Assets Danger Zone: How Fossil Fuel Firms Risk Destroying Investor Returns
(Carbon Tracker) ... Our analysis here focuses on the marginal production between the IEA 450 Scenario and business as usual for the coal, gas and oil sectors to 2035. ... It is clear that oil represents around two-thirds of the financial risk but a fifth of
November 28, 2015 Read Full Article
Abengoa Seeks Insolvency Protection, Takes a Voyage to the Bottom of the Bond Markets
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In New York, NASDAQ shares in Abengoa SA plunged 49% in Wednesday trading after the embattled renewable energy developer said it would seek bankruptcy protection as it seeks to reorganize nearly $9.4 billion in debt.
November 28, 2015 Read Full Article
What Corporate America Is Saying to Investors about Climate Risk
(Influence Map) An analysis of SEC 10-K filings by the 20 leading US industrial companies ... -- The findings in this report complement the existing CERES/CookESG Research SEC sustainability search tool, which covers climate change and water risks for 4,500 public companies (10-Ks only)
November 24, 2015 Read Full Article
Algae: 2015, the Year in Review
by Matt Carr (Algae Biomass Organization/Biofuels Digest) ... Low oil prices, company mergers or evolving business strategies may be easily spun by the skeptics as reasons to fret, but in the case of our industry they are almost all illustrations of
November 23, 2015 Read Full Article
Bio BTX Molecules Coming Your Way: The Digest’s 2015 8-Slide Guide to Anellotech
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Founded in 2008, Anellotech has developed a clean technology platform for inexpensively producing bio-based chemicals from renewable non-food biomass. These drop-in, green versions of widely used petrochemicals; benzene, toluene and xylenes (BTX), are used to make
November 20, 2015 Read Full Article
Pyromaniax Update: Anellotech Raises $7M from Mystery Investor, Takes on Key Scale-Up Data Task
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Will fund 25M high unit, Operational in 2016, to confirm viability of confirm viability Bio-TCat process for scale-up In New York, Anellotech revealed that it had raised $7M of its current $10M investment round from a
November 20, 2015 Read Full Article
Mathieu Flamini's No Fuel
(The Sun) Mathieu Flamini has kept a big secret from family, friends and team-mates for SEVEN years. But today in an exclusive SunSport interview the Arsenal ace reveals that, along with a close pal, he has created a pioneering company
November 19, 2015 Read Full Article
Financing Aviation Biofuels, Creatively: The Digest’s 2015 8-Slide Guide to SkyNRG and the Fly Green Fund
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) SkyNRG is the global market leader for sustainable jet fuel, supplying more than 20 carriers across 5 continents in the world. SkyNRG’s sustainable jet fuel can offer CO2 emission reductions up to 80% compared to
November 19, 2015 Read Full Article
Research and Markets: Analysing the Biofuel Industry in the United States 2015
(Research and Markets/BusinessWire) Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Biofuel Industry in the United States - 2015" report to their offering. The report helps assess the feasibility of production of biofuels and the potential of biofuels in the US.
November 18, 2015 Read Full Article
Research and Markets: Understanding Biofuels 2015 - Basics of Biofuels, the Different Types of Biofuels Available, the Various Uses, Advantages, and Disadvantages of Biofuel
(Research and Markets/BusinessWire) Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Understanding Biofuels" report to their offering. This research brings an in-depth coverage for this industry in its latest research report - Understanding Biofuels. The report looks at the basics of
November 18, 2015 Read Full Article
Low Carbon Corporate Initiative Could Halt 65% of Climate Problem
(Sustainable Business) Corporations obviously has a big role to play in tackling climate change - so big, in fact, that the collective actions of just 140 companies could get the world 65% of the way toward constraining temperature rise to 2°C. In getting there,
November 18, 2015 Read Full Article
Renmatix to Develop Its First Commercial Biorefinery Next Year
by Anna Hirtenstein (Bloomberg Business) Renmatix Inc., a U.S. maker of technology for cellulosic biomaterials, will develop its first commercial biorefinery next year. The refinery will be commissioned by one of the company’s undisclosed partners and will be in the Americas, Europe
November 18, 2015 Read Full Article
Global Markets and Technologies for Biofuel Enzymes
(PR Newswire/BCC Research) This BCC Research report explores present and future strategies within the biofuel enzymes market, which includes amylase, cellulose, xylanase, lipase and other enzymes such as protease, lysomax, FermaSure, etc. Forecasts provided through 2020. Use this report to: Analyze the
November 18, 2015 Read Full Article
Large Glycerin Refinery about to Open
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) Louis Dreyfus Commodities' new glycerin refinery in Claypool, Indiana, will soon be operational. The company says the new 80-million-pound-per-year plant will be the second-largest in the U.S. producing USP-grade Kosher refined glycerin. A new glycerin refinery
November 18, 2015 Read Full Article
Biodiesel Leaders Press Congress on Reformed Tax Credit
(National Biodiesel Board) Critical Incentive Has Remained Expired All Year -- Nearly 100 biodiesel leaders from across the country will press lawmakers on Capitol Hill Tuesday to reinstate the biodiesel tax incentive as a domestic production credit in line with
November 17, 2015 Read Full Article
It's Easy to Buy "Green Power." Making a Difference Is a Little Harder.
by David Roberts (VOX) ... In certain specialized markets, RECs (Renewable Energy Certificates) can be expensive and have substantial direct impact on the decisions of renewable energy investors. But most RECs sold in the voluntary market are nonspecific — they represent
November 17, 2015 Read Full Article
Skyfill: Where the Sky Is a Free Sewer, Are Bioeconomy Thermodynamics Extremely Flawed from the Get Go?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... As the reader notes, much of the original underlying biomass is not utilized when we make a hydrocarbon fuel, or any fuel. Take the case of corn, for example, and conversion into ethanol. We start
November 17, 2015 Read Full Article
Should the U.S. End the Ethanol Mandate?
by Margo Oge & Robert Bryce (The Wall Street Journal/Governors' Biofuel Coalition) ... Robert Bryce, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research, says the ethanol mandate is bad for consumers and the environment. Margo T. Oge, a former
November 16, 2015 Read Full Article
Climate Change Is an Investment Risk, Says BlackRock
(CBC News) With Paris summit looming, there will be 'regulatory risk' ahead of extreme weather risk --- Climate change risk has arrived as an investment issue, according to the world's largest institutional investment manager. BlackRock Inc., with $4.5 trillion US under
November 16, 2015 Read Full Article
Consolidation! Dyadic Sells Industrial Technology Biz to DuPont for $75M
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) As Dyadic cashes out of industrial biotech and retains a C1 license for pharma, DSM and Syngenta also announce a partnership. Companies are girding their loins for the long haul. The Digest takes a look, In
November 12, 2015 Read Full Article
Joule and Red Rock Biofuels Announce Intent to Merge, Creating an Industry-Leading Carbon-Neutral Fuel Production Platform
(Joule/Red Rock Biofuels/BusinessWire) Joule, the pioneer of liquid fuels from recycled CO2, and Red Rock Biofuels, a leading developer of renewable jet and diesel fuel bio-refineries, today announced their intent to merge. Red Rock adds a proven technology pathway to
November 12, 2015 Read Full Article
Will Boaters Make Gevo Rock?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Despite a signature partnership with Praj, Gevo’s short-term future looks strongest at the marina, where blockbuster economics apply. ... So, a pretty good deal for both. Gevo potentially gets some new customers and Praj lands EPC work
November 11, 2015 Read Full Article
The President's Long Game on Fossil Fuels
by James P. Lenfestey (Star Tribune) ... Keystone would not, as Obama noted, have any noticeable economic benefit to the U.S., and probably would have a negative impact, since it could actually increase domestic gasoline prices (by opening the
November 10, 2015 Read Full Article
Gevo Targets Marine Market, Cuts to Isobutanol Production Cost
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Based on the clarity provided by the resolution of the lawsuits, and based on the most recent results of the isobutanol fermentation campaigns conducted at the company’s production plant in Luverne, Minn, Gevo announced its
November 09, 2015 Read Full Article
General Relativity, and the Remaking of Sweetwater Energy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Minnesota Awards $26 Million to Fund Sweetwater’s Biochemical Facility --- In Minnesota, Sweetwater Energy has received commitment for $26 million in long-term loans from the state of Minnesota to construct a biochemical production facility near
November 09, 2015 Read Full Article
New York Is Investigating Exxon Mobil for Allegedly Misleading the Public about Climate Change
by Chris Mooney (The Washington Post) The state of New York is investigating whether Exxon Mobil misled the public and investors about the risks of climate change, a move sought by environmentalists that could signal a broader reckoning with the
November 06, 2015 Read Full Article
Green Plains, Delek US Partner to Build Ethanol Terminal
(Green Plains Partners LP) Green Plains Partners LP and Delek US Holdings, Inc. today announced plans to form a 50:50 joint venture to build an ethanol unit train terminal in Maumelle, Arkansas, on the Union Pacific rail line. The project
November 06, 2015 Read Full Article
Genera Energy, Precision Hawk Launch Drone/Analytics Partnership for Sustainable Biomass
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) At ABLC NEXT, PrecisionHawk and Genera Energy announced a partnership to develop new analysis algorithms specific to improving the efficiency and quality of sustainable biomass crop production and distribution. The algorithms will convert raw aerial
November 04, 2015 Read Full Article
Mission Incomplete
by Katie Fletcher (Biomass Magazine) The U.S. Department of Defense has yet to purchase alternative fuels beyond testing and demonstration purposes, but intentions remain. -- In July, the U.S. Government Accountability Office published a report observing U.S. Department of Defense
November 03, 2015 Read Full Article
Biofuel Groups Debate Fate of Renewable Fuel Standard
by Anna Simet (Biomass Magazine) Agreeing to respectfully disagree was one of very few assenting points reached by association heads representing the biodiesel, ethanol and advanced biofuel groups during a candid debate about the renewable fuel standard (RFS), policy amendments
October 30, 2015 Read Full Article
Punjab to Become Bio-Refinery Leader in Next Two Years
(Punjab News Express) The Progressive Punjab Investor Summit 2015 today culmination of yearlong efforts by Bikram Singh Majithia, Renewable Energy Minister Punjab that brought largest ever bio-refinery in the wheat bowl of the country that would solve the end of
October 30, 2015 Read Full Article
Biotechnology Company Seeks $26 Million in Public Funding
by Bill Hanna (Mesabi Daily News) Mountain Iron intended home for Sweetwater Energy project -- The Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation Board on Friday will consider authorizing $26 million in public money for a startup biotechnology company in Rochester, N.Y.,
October 30, 2015 Read Full Article
Ethanol from Corn Stalks: A Cure for Climate Change?
by Donnelle Eller (Des Moines Register) ... "This is one of the core technologies that we need to cut oil use and reduce emissions from transportation," said Jeremy Martin, a senior scientist at the Union of Concerned Scientists. "It would be great if we
October 30, 2015 Read Full Article
Sen. Charles Grassley: It’s No Trick: Cellulosic Ethanol a Treat for Iowa Economy
by Senator Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) (Ames Tribune) ... Iowa’s new cellulosic facility also will help dry up the crocodile tears spilled by Big Food that tries to assign blame to corn-based ethanol for rising food prices. Don’t forget, the facility in
October 30, 2015 Read Full Article
Nevada DuPont Facility Opening on Friday
by Grayson Schmidt (Ames Tribune) ... According to Plant Operations Manager Terraun Jones, the new facility will not only impact the biofuel industry, but will also boost the local economy by bringing in 90 permanent jobs at the site, and 150
October 30, 2015 Read Full Article
Turn Your Halloween Pumpkins Into Power
(U.S. Department of Energy) ... The Energy Department’s Bioenergy Technologies Office is working together with industry to develop and test integrated biorefineries—facilities capable of efficiently converting plant and waste material into affordable biofuels, biopower and other products. These projects are located around the country
October 29, 2015 Read Full Article
Avril Targets France's Higher Biodiesel Blending Needs with New Plant
(Reuters) Avril aims to meet demand from higher French biodiesel blending levels with output from a 100,000-tonne-per-year plant it opened on France's Mediterranean coast on Wednesday, the chief executive of the European Union's largest maker of the biofuel said. The facility
October 29, 2015 Read Full Article
Soapbox: Fossil Fuel Is a Bad Investment
by Danny Kennedy and Jeremy Leggett (California Clean Energy Fund/Carbon Tracker Initiative/Sacramento Bee) ... Since 2013, the world has been adding more renewable electricity capacity than fossil fuel capacity each year. Meanwhile, the fossil fuel industry is showing its age. For
October 29, 2015 Read Full Article
Kyle Nixon: EPA Biofuels Rule Could Hurt Economy
by Kyle Nixon (Novozymes/Omaha.com) Opinion: Instead of sending money to overseas oil producers, the biofuels sector has provided financial stability for rural farming communities right here at home. At the end of November the Environmental Protection Agency is due to issue
October 28, 2015 Read Full Article
Aora Tulip To ‘Grow’ Over Ethiopia For Solar Power
by Abigail Klein Leichman (Jewish Business News) Israeli solar-biogas technology developer Aora Solar will develop renewable energy installations in Ethiopia. -- ... It’s the Aora Tulip, a solar-hybrid modular technology that runs on solar power during the day and on biogas
October 28, 2015 Read Full Article
Court Appeal of Onida Ethanol Plant Not Slowing Plans as Construction to Start
by Stephen Lee (Capital Journal) An attorney for a handful of Onida residents opposing the siting of a proposed new ethanol plant just outside of Onida argued in court Monday that Sully County leaders improperly gave the plant a special
October 28, 2015 Read Full Article
Merger Mania: The Digest Looks at Rampant Biofuels Consolidation
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Virginia, Green Plains Inc. announced this week that it had acquired an ethanol production facility in Hopewell, Virginia, located approximately 20 miles south of Richmond, from Future Fuels LLP. It’s a sign of continuing
October 28, 2015 Read Full Article
Common Ground: SD Farm Groups Differ on Policy, but Support Ethanol
by Mikkel Pates (Agweek) ... Agweek visited with the presidents of the South Dakota Farm Bureau and the South Dakota Farmers Union, the two general farm organizations that aren’t specific to a commodity or a species of livestock. The organizations differ
October 27, 2015 Read Full Article
Priming the Pump for Higher Blends
by Ray Defenbaugh (Ethanol Producer Magazine/Prime the Pump/Growth Energy) Prime the pump, an effort to grow the ethanol market to accelerate the build-out of higher blend retail infrastructure, has had tremendous success, writes Ray Defenbaugh. -- The ethanol industry is
October 27, 2015 Read Full Article
European Investment Bank May Invest in Biodiesel Plant in Croatia
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Luxembourg, the European Investment Bank is evaluating a EUR38 million investment in a EUR50 million biodiesel plant in Croatia that would produce fuel from animal fats and used cooking oil. The facility is to
October 27, 2015 Read Full Article
Green Plains Buys Ethanol Plant in Hopewell, Virginia
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Virginia, Green Plains Inc. announced that it has acquired an ethanol production facility in Hopewell, Virginia, located approximately 20 miles south of Richmond, from Future Fuels LLP. Operating at full capacity, the facility’s dry
October 27, 2015 Read Full Article
Views from Napa Valley: A Peak at California’s Low Carbon Fuels Program
by Michele Rubino (Biofuels Digest) ... AB 32 is now implemented covering the entire economy in California. Markets for carbon allowances and offsets are established and in full swing. The law is unmistakably driving change and investment in the private sector,
October 26, 2015 Read Full Article
Guest Post: The Petrobras Corruption Scandal and Brazil’s Ethanol Sector
by Luis Ferreira Alvarez (Council on Foreign Relations) As Brazil’s Petrobras corruption investigation continues to roil its economy and politics, the ethanol sector is emerging as a clear beneficiary. New government policies are boosting ethanol sales, chipping away at gasoline’s
October 26, 2015 Read Full Article
Novozymes Q3 2015 Update: The Digest’s 8-Slide Guide
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Novozymes is “the world leader in bioinnovation”. The company’s business is industrial enzymes, microorganisms, and biopharmaceutical ingredients. Novozymes’ biological solutions help companies make more from less, save energy and raw materials, and reduce waste. The result is higher
October 26, 2015 Read Full Article
Algenol CEO Exits; Staff Cut by 25%, Investors Re-Up for Two Years, New Direction Tipped
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Sudden re-focusing and trimming of Algenol by its lead investors leads CEO Paul Woods to resign; new direction focused on carbon capture, fresh water production until oil prices recover. In Florida, the hammer dropped swiftly and without warning
October 26, 2015 Read Full Article
Highlighting the Allure of Synfuels, Exxon Played Down the Climate Risks (Part 5)
by John H. Cushman Jr. (InsideClimate News) In the 1980s, Exxon lobbied to replace scarce oil with synthetic fossil fuels, but it glossed over the high carbon footprint associated with synfuels. Early in the 1980s, ... Exxon believed oil supplies could not
October 23, 2015 Read Full Article
Abengoa to Launch Bio-Alcohols Production in Early 2016
by Yana Palagacheva (ICIS News) ... After successfully establishing its alternative ethanol production route, Abengoa is now seeking to diversify its portfolio with its bio-alcohols project, particularly bio-butanol. “We have quite a wide branch of final products and right now we want to
October 22, 2015 Read Full Article
Uncertainty for Alleged Fraud in the Biodiesel Plant Barajas de Melo
(El Dario (Google translation)) ... "What matters to Barajas de Melo and all its neighbors is that this plant is definitely over. They take four or five years building it and are talking about an investment of 30 million euros.
October 22, 2015 Read Full Article
BIOFUELS: DuPont's Koninckx Says RFS Uncertainty Driving Investments Abroad
by Monica Trauzzi (E&E TV) As the renewable fuel standard faces continued regulatory and legislative uncertainty, DuPont Biofuels is set to open the world's largest cellulosic ethanol biorefinery in Iowa at the end of the month. How will the uncertainty impact
October 22, 2015 Read Full Article
Absolut Plans P500-Million Sugar Mill, Cogeneration Plant
by Lenie Lectura (Business Mirror) Absolut Distillers Inc. revealed on Tuesday plans to construct a sugar mill and cogeneration plant that would entail an investment of at least half-a-billion pesos. The planned sugar mill is estimated to produce 1,800 metric
October 21, 2015 Read Full Article
Davao City Recipient of JICA Biodiesel Project
by Antonio L. Colina IV (Minda News) The City Government of Davao is the country’s sole recipient of a biodiesel project from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) that will convert used cooking oil to fuel, an official said on Monday. Lawyer Tristan
October 20, 2015 Read Full Article
British Firm Partners Government to Set up $150mln Ethanol Plant
(The Source/New Zimbabwe) ... Sunbird Bioenergy has partnered government to set up a $150 million ethanol operation in Zimbabwe next year, an official has said. The deal will see the establishment of an ethanol plant with capacity to produce up to
October 20, 2015 Read Full Article
The Airlines: Who’s Doing What in Aviation Biofuels?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Who’s a Major Player, who’s a Pioneer, who’s committed, who’s monitoring the space as a stakeholder? We look at 45 airlines and their efforts in bringing low-carbon fuels to the marketplace. ... The activity includes participation in
October 20, 2015 Read Full Article
State of the Advanced Bioeconomy: 23 Experts Weigh in, Recorded Links Now Available
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Florida, The Digest released links to recordings of three webinars last week presenting 21 C-Level industry executives commenting on the State of the Advanced Bioeconomy, representing advanced feedstocks, processing technologies, drone tech, downstream molecule
October 19, 2015 Read Full Article
That Was Then, This Is Now: 10 Signature Biofuels Projects for 2015-16, and Where They Are
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) All have soaring ambitions, some will be realized on schedule, some later, some probably not now or possibly ever. Where are 10 key projects that were announced in recent years for deployment in 2015-16. What’s
October 19, 2015 Read Full Article
Seeking Take-Off and Off-Take: Why Do Some Renewable Technologies Soar and Others Stall?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The high-octane idea that inexplicably struggles, the mid-grade idea that rocks. Here, we look at the critical success factors that provide tail-winds for some technologies and head-winds for others. ... To explain a conundrum, we need a
October 16, 2015 Read Full Article
To Be, or Not to Be…Butanol and The Case of a Global Sustainable Society
by KSL (Biofuels Digest/Emerging Technologies Division of Lee Enterprises Consulting, Inc.) ... Globally it has been recognized that there is an urgent need to create paradigm shifting disruptive technology that would help sustain individual economies – with the goal to
October 15, 2015 Read Full Article
GranBio, Solvay JV Acquires Cobalt Technologies’ Assets
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) We can now affirmatively report that SGBio, a joint venture between the Solvay Group and GranBio, has acquired assets from Cobalt including the bank of microorganisms and intellectual property related to patents, trademarks, processes, operating
October 15, 2015 Read Full Article
8 Ways around the Big, Bad Oxygen Problem in the Advanced Bioeconomy Parts 1 and 2
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In the terrestrial world, oxygen is colorless, odorless, and try to get through an hour without some. In the Bioeconomy Cinematic Universe, oxygen is harder than steel, heavier than a black hole, and higher than
October 14, 2015 Read Full Article
Clariant Sees Biofuels Boost from VW Diesel Affair: Paper
by Michael Shields (Reuters) Swiss specialty chemicals group Clariant expects biofuels to get a boost from the scandal surrounding Volkswagen's (VOWG_p.DE) manipulation of diesel motor emissions tests, Chief Executive Hariolf Kottmann told a German newspaper. Clariant is spending 30 million euros
October 13, 2015 Read Full Article
Firefighters Train with Duonix Biodiesel
by Jory Schweers (Beatrice Daily Sun) Beatrice Fire Department has been working with the Duonix Biodiesel plant west of town to ensure that all safety measures are being met before the plant goes into production later this year. On Wednesday morning
October 07, 2015 Read Full Article
How to Profit from Government Mandates in Biofuels
(The Energy Report/Market Oracle) New proposed EPA requirements for the renewable fuel standard program, combined with challenging sugarcane harvests in South America, could increase demand for biodiesel, creating opportunity in a struggling energy sector. In this interview with The Energy
October 07, 2015 Read Full Article
Cathay Pacific 2014 Sustainable Development Report Highlights Efforts on Carbon Efficiency, Biofuels, Waste and Biodiversity
(Cathay Pacific) Cathay Pacific Airways has launched its 2014 Sustainable Development Report, which outlines the various sustainable development measures undertaken by the airline and the Cathay Pacific Group’s subsidiaries based in Hong Kong. The theme of the report is “Sustaining
October 05, 2015 Read Full Article
Sorghum Is Making a Big Splash
by Nicholas Bergin (Lincoln Journal Star) Sorghum, a grass with a colorful seed about the size of a BB, was selling at more than a dollar a bushel above corn thanks to China’s voracious appetite for grain free of genetically
October 05, 2015 Read Full Article
Displacing Petroleum and Fossil Fuels with Sustainable Bio-Based Feedstock: Time to Get Smarter
by Michele Rubino (Biofuels Digest) Displacing the use of petroleum and other fossil fuels embedded in everyday products with bio-based, renewable resources is – and has been for a long time – a necessity for human societies. It is also the
October 05, 2015 Read Full Article
A Secret Password for Advanced Biofuels at Scale? Forget “Open Sesame”, Try “Velocys Inside”
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Four new technologies approach scaled operations, all with one element in common – Velocys technology on the back-end. Why Velocys, why now? The Digest investigates. In Oklahoma, Southeast Oregon, Eastern Ohio, and a site near London
October 05, 2015 Read Full Article
Biofuels Try to Snap Out of Dormant Phase
by Amy Harder (Wall Street Journal) The promise of energy from sources like wood chips and switchgrass is still a long way off. -- Nearly 10 years ago, then-President George W. Bush promised to fund research in “cutting-edge methods of producing
October 03, 2015 Read Full Article
Clariant Opens Biotech Center in Planegg, Germany
(Clariant) Clariant, a world leader in specialty chemicals, officially opened its new Group Biotechnology Research Center in Planegg near Munich today. In a ceremony attended by Ilse Aigner, the Bavarian Minister for Economic Affairs, Media, Energy and Technology, the key
October 02, 2015 Read Full Article
The Business of Algae and the Dream of Algae
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Sapphire’s Jamie Levine, Matrix Genetics’ Margaret McCormick, Algal Scientific’s Geoff Horst, Heliae’s Len Smith and USCD’s Steve Mayfield reflect on the commercial progress of algae. There is the dream of algae. All that photosynthetic productivity,
October 02, 2015 Read Full Article
They Opened the Country's Largest Ethanol Dehydration Plant
(primerafuente.com.ar/Google Translation) The plant, which is used as raw material hydrated alcohol, has a high energy efficiency and a limited steam consumption, based on a proven work in Europe, which was optimized by Brazilian engineer, Florenal Zarpelon. "This is really a
October 02, 2015 Read Full Article
Orlando Museum, Tea Party and Biofuels: Letters -- Biofuels Good for Florida
by Mark Emalfarb (Dyadic International) ... Mike Murtha's My Word column, "Feds must follow Fla. on ethanol repeal," on Monday is a misguided call to move the state backward in all three areas. Florida's universities and biotechnology companies — including the
October 02, 2015 Read Full Article
Reallocating Energy Investments? Consider the Clean Energy Sector
(America Council on Renewable Energy) Today, Clean Energy is an established sector, continues to grow, and offers an increasingly diverse set of investment options that can address a broad spectrum of investor objectives and portfolio allocation targets. Over the past several
October 02, 2015 Read Full Article
The Birth of SuperDuper Gasoline via Earth-Friendly Renewable Hydrocarbons
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Move over Super, here comes SuperDuper. All the high octane and performance, and the renewability too, at a price you can afford. Biofuels are adding options for drop-in, low-carbon, super-perfornance gasoline via isooctane and isooctene,
September 30, 2015 Read Full Article
New Report Showcases Climate Action in the Aviation Sector
(Air Transport Action Group) From solar power installations at a hundred airports around the world, to tablet computers for pilots, brand new aircraft designs and flights on fuel made with waste gas from steel plants, a new report released at
September 29, 2015 Read Full Article
Makers of Fuel From Plants Feel Forsaken in Obama’s Climate Push
by Mario Parker (Bloomberg/Renewable Energy World) Producers of motor fuels from plant waste say they have been left behind in President Barack Obama’s push to fight climate change. Executives from about two dozen companies that produce advanced biofuels say a proposal to
September 29, 2015 Read Full Article
Biofuels, Oil Palm and Agribusiness in Southeast Asia – Planning for Sustainability?
(Stockholm Environment Institute) This brief draws together SEI research done between 2011 and 2014 on agribusiness developments – especially of oil palm – in Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The brief presents overarching insights from that work, along with recommendations
September 29, 2015 Read Full Article
BASF, Genomatica Target Asia for Commercial Production of Renewable Butanediol
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) License agreement adds countries in Southeast Asia; Optional capacity for up to 75,000 metric tons per year; Targeting large-scale commercial production of renewable butanediol using Genomatica technology In California, BASF and Genomatica have expanded the scope
September 28, 2015 Read Full Article
China! Boeing, Algenol, Inventure Deals Propel Industrial Biotech Momentum
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... As President Xi visits North America, China signs 3 major deals in industrial biotechnology. The East is Red, it’s been said, and the future looks that way too. The US is no place to deploy
September 28, 2015 Read Full Article
Total Plans $500 Million Annual Investment in Renewable Energy
by Javier Blas (Bloomberg Business) French oil company targets `fast growing' solar and biofuels; Total already owns majority stake in U.S. solar firm SunPower -- Total SA plans to invest $500 million a year in renewable energy, a step by Europe’s
September 24, 2015 Read Full Article
Fossil Fuel Divestment Pledges Surpass $2.6 Trillion
(PR Newswire/Divest/Invest) Global Divest-Invest Coalition Announces Major Commitments as World Leaders Gather at UN; Thousands of new commitments represent a 50-fold increase in one year The movement to divest from fossil fuels and invest in renewable energy and climate solutions has
September 23, 2015 Read Full Article
China Looks to Algenol’s Carbon Mitigation Technology to Reduce Rising Global CO2 Levels and Help Combat Climate Change
(Algenol) U.S.-based Algenol will partner with South China’s Fujian Zhongyuan New Energy Company, Ltd. (ZYNE) to develop projects throughout Southern China, utilizing carbon emissions to create renewable fuels. The goal is to provide solutions for China’s three biggest challenges: access
September 23, 2015 Read Full Article
Biomaterials May Be Next Growth Engine for Paper Industry
by Anna Hirtenstein (Bloomberg Business) As the digital age curtails use of newsprint and stationary, European paper makers are retooling their factories to produce more profitable materials that go into everything from fuels to sweeteners and even hair dye. That’s because