by Fernando Olmedo (Biodisol/Agence France Presse (Google Translation)) Twenty Latin American countries pledged Friday to continue "promoting emphasizing" the development of biofuels with support from multilateral financial institutions, during a forum on clean energy in San Salvador. "There is a belief by
Investing
Back TO HOMEGovernments of Canada and Quebec Support Innovative Renewable Fuel Oil Project
(Ensyn) Support for clean technology innovation is vital to growing Canada’s economy and addressing climate change. With its abundance of renewable biomass, Canada has the potential to develop a strong and globally competitive bioenergy sector. The Governments of Canada and Quebec will provide
August 08, 2016 Read Full Article
Working the Calculator: The Digest’s 2016 Multi-Slide Guide to Choosing a Feedstock
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) “What color is your parachute?” went the title of a best-selling book from the 80s on job hunting. The concept applies equally to biomass feedstock in the 2010s. There’s one out there for you that
August 08, 2016 Read Full Article
Thai Firm Announces Plans to Expand Biodiesel Production Capacity
(Biofuels International) Global Green Chemicals, a Thai oleochemicals company, has announced plans to increase its biodiesel production capacity by setting up a second methyl-ester plant in Chon Buri province, located in the southeast of Bangkok. GCC plans to increase biodiesel output,
August 05, 2016 Read Full Article
Globalization of Ethanol Impacts US Industry
by Ryan Strickland (Ethanol Producer Magazine/Eco-Energy) It’s a big world out there and ethanol is primed to explore it—finding new markets through competitive pricing, high octane and low-carbon advantages that no other fuel on the planet today can match. The
August 05, 2016 Read Full Article
US, Brazil Demonstrate What’s Possible
by Leticia Phillips (UNICA/Ethanol Producer Magazine) UNICA wants to focus the discussion on the importance of advanced biofuels, like sugarcane ethanol. The RFS is one of the world’s most ambitious programs promoting biofuels and a key policy for the future of
August 05, 2016 Read Full Article
KiOR: The Inside True Story of a Company Gone Wrong. Part 3, “You’ve Cooked the Books”
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... The company was beginning to hurtle towards an IPO. But the fuel yields were low; the fuel was not usable by their initial chosen downstream partner; the catalyst they were using to get even down
August 04, 2016 Read Full Article
Biodiesel Producers Set to Benefit from Green Partnership
by Liz Gyekye (Biofuels International) Biodiesel producers will benefit from a green partnership between Ireland-based industrial enzyme firm Monaghan Biosciences and Australia-based biochemicals specialist Leaf Resources, as Leaf Resources continues to seek glycerol for its proprietary Glycell process, its CEO
August 04, 2016 Read Full Article
Italy to Invest $450m in Biofuel Project in Iran
(Tehran Times) The Italian private sector will invest $450 million in the establishment of a bioethanol fuel production plant in the Amirabad Special Economic Zone (ASEZ), north of Iran. ... As per the agreement, biofuel will be produced from inedible wheat, he
August 03, 2016 Read Full Article
We Band of Brothers: Crisp, CRISPR, Crispin’s Day and the Democratization of Crop R&D
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... The nature of collaboration across the advanced bioeconomy is shifting dramatically – and we are seeing the democratization of R&D. ... The CRISPR revolution As Dan Watkins of DFJ’s Mercury Fund put it, “There’s a
August 03, 2016 Read Full Article
Sustainable and Low-Cost: The Digest’s 2016 Multi-Slide Guide to Competing with Sub-$50 oil
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) As Irshad Ahmed observed recently in The Digest, “until such time that we internalize the true life-cycle costs of extracting and using fossil fuels, and distinguishing fossil-BTUs from bio-BUTs, we will continue to struggle to find
August 02, 2016 Read Full Article
Developers Plan Crop Waste Ethanol Plant in North Dakota
(Associated Press/The Washington Times) A group of developers is planning to make ethanol from the stalks and leaves of North Dakota wheat straw and corn plants. New Energy Investors is looking to develop a 13-million gallon, cellulosic ethanol plant at the
August 01, 2016 Read Full Article
How To Make Biofuel Policy Work
by Morteza Soleymannezhad (Forbes) ... In my opinion, RFS needs an overhaul. It should start phasing out first-generation biofuels and refocus solely on sustainable biofuels such as the ones obtained from cellulosic materials and algae. As Jeff Turrentine, culture & politics columnist at NRDC’s
August 01, 2016 Read Full Article
Ensyn Breaks Ground on New 10 Million Gallon Advanced Biofuels Project in Quebec
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Ensyn announced ground-breaking on a new 10.5 million gallon biocrude project in Port-Cartier Quebec. The facility, which will be 50% owned by Ensyn and will receive financing support from Sustainable Development Technology Canada. The project was announced live on-stage
July 30, 2016 Read Full Article
Bio Ethanol Dung Quat Closed for Unpaid Debts
(BizHub) The Bio Ethanol Dung Quat Plant was closed for defaulting on the VND1.3 trillion debt it owed the banks, the State Bank of Viet Nam's Quang Ngai Province branch said. The branch confirmed the information in its Report No. 06/BC-QNg1,
July 27, 2016 Read Full Article
Oil Majors Lost One Engine; Now the Second One Is Sputtering
by Javier Blas (Bloomberg) BP says second-quarter refining margins drop to 6-year low; Downstream business was key last year in cushioning cheap oil -- If Big Oil was a two-engine airplane, you could say it’s been flying on a single engine since
July 27, 2016 Read Full Article
Doing More (and Better) with Less: 2016 Global Agribusiness Forum Shows the Ways to Provide Food and Bioenergy, with Sustainability, for an Increasing Population
by Lais Thomaz* and Dan Quadros** (Advanced Biofuels USA) With diverse and dynamic programming involving agribusiness, food safety, nutrition, sustainability and bioenergy, the 2016 GAF achieved its mission to gather producers, companies and academia to discuss the importance of agribusiness supply
July 26, 2016 Read Full Article
Cellulosic Sugars Heading for Scale: The Digest’s 2016 Multi-Slide Guide to Leaf Resources
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Leaf Resources Limited (ASX:LER) is focused on making sustainable products from plant biomass, offering an advanced technology package for breaking down plant derived biomass to useful, sustainable, renewable and biodegradable products. Leaf Resources’ Glycell technology is
July 26, 2016 Read Full Article
Leaf Resources (ASX: LER) Joint Venture to Develop Five Projects with World-Class Project Ceveloper Claeris, LLC
(Leaf Resources) Leaf Resources Ltd (ASX: LER, “Leaf” or “Leaf Resources”) is pleased to announce the signing of binding legal agreements with US-based project developer Claeris, LLC (“Claeris”), to establish a joint venture (JV) entity, Leaf Development, LLC (“Leaf Development”), for the purpose
July 21, 2016 Read Full Article
BIO Submits Comments on Proposed 2017 Renewable Fuel Standards
(Biotechnology Innovation Organization) The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), on behalf of its member companies, ... submitted comments on the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed Renewable Fuel Standards for 2017, and the biomass-based diesel volume for 2018. The comments demonstrate that EPA’s
July 20, 2016 Read Full Article
American Refining Group Invests in Novvi to Accelerate Renewable Base Oils, Lubricants
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Two options, generally. One is a mandate-led transition, like light bulbs, power and road fuels. The other is a brand-led transition, as happens with plastics, jet fuels and clothing. Amyris’ No Compromise branding encourage
July 20, 2016 Read Full Article
The Energy and Job Creation Program that Works for People and the Environment
by Brent Erickson (Biotechnology Innovation Organization/Morning Consult) ... Not every lawmaker is sold on the idea of renewables, but it’s hard not to appreciate the billions of dollars of economic activity across the U.S. that has been driven by the RFS.
July 19, 2016 Read Full Article
Biodiesel Firm Eyes Expansion
by Tennessa Wild (The Western Producer) Processor developing second generation biofuel with opportunity for wider use -- Growing demand worldwide for renewable diesel fuel has Saskatchewan’s only biodiesel producer looking to expand. Milligan Biofuels Inc. produces biodiesel as well as half
July 19, 2016 Read Full Article
Abengoa’s Hugoton Cellulosic Ethanol Project Goes on the Block
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Missouri, Ocean Park Advisors has been retained by Abengoa Bioenergy to find a strategic partner or to complete a sale of Abengoa cellulosic ethanol plant, electricity cogeneration plant and related assets in Hugoton, Kansas. Additionally,
July 19, 2016 Read Full Article
Why and When You Need a Project Consultant
by Wayne Lee (Lee Enterprises Consulting/Biofuels Digest) ... Within our group, now numbering over 75 experts, I find that each member has his or her own approach which developed from their personal experience and training. As an example, the professors,
July 19, 2016 Read Full Article
UDSA GAIN Reports Address Polish, Lithuanian Ethanol Production
by Ann Bailey (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Total production of bioethanol in Poland is estimated at 200,000 metric tons, according to a report filed with the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service’s Global Agricultural Information Network. The domestic production capacity of both bioethanol
July 18, 2016 Read Full Article
Biofuels Executive Briefing Available from ADI Analytics
(ADI Analytics) There is an increasing level of interest in conventional and advanced biofuels around the globe. Many countries are increasing biofuel mandates for several reasons ranging from stimulating agriculture, energy security, and most notably to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The
July 18, 2016 Read Full Article
“Tough Couple of Years, but Survivors Scaling”: DOE’s Bioenergy 2016 Looks Optimistically at Biofuels Future
by Ed Dodge (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, a commercialization panel said that “the biofuels industry has been through a tough couple of years, but the survivors are scaling up and bringing product to market. The panel featured some leading players
July 18, 2016 Read Full Article
Moving beyond Automotive towards Earth & Resources: The Digest’s 2016 Multi-Slide Guide to Toyota Tsusho
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This week, we report that Toyota Tsusho has been identified as a major strategic investor in Anellotech, which is developing a pyrolysis-based technology for making bio-based BTX molecules as an alternative to petroleum-based supplies. Here’s the
July 18, 2016 Read Full Article
Toyota: Let’s Go Places with Anellotech, Bio-Places That Is
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In New York, Toyota Tsusho was identified this week as a multinational strategic equity investor in Anellotech and corporate partner in the renewable aromatic chemicals supply chain. Toyota Tsusho is a member of the Toyota
July 18, 2016 Read Full Article
What’s New and Important About C5 and C6 Sugars?
by Lorenz Bauer (Lee Enterprises Consulting, Inc./Biofuels Digest) What’s up with C5 and C6 sugars? Given that a significant portion of the several billion dollars spent on renewable fuels spending involves these molecules, it is not surprising that progress is
July 15, 2016 Read Full Article
Will the Gas Bubble Burst? More Projects Struggle for GTL Finance
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Remember how natural gas was the no-brainer of all time. Gas-to-Liquids was the rage, and a gold rush of companies popped up such as Siluria Technologies, Calysta, and Mango Materials. Fuels, chems, materials and more.
July 08, 2016 Read Full Article
Six Airlines Singled out in Latest NRDC Survey as Leaders in Development of Sustainably-Sourced Aviation Biofuels
(GreenAir Online) US environmental NGO Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) has released its third annual Aviation Biofuel Sustainability Scorecard, which surveyed and ranked 29 airlines on sourcing sustainably produced biofuels. Just 19 of those airlines responded to NRDC’s questionnaire, although
July 08, 2016 Read Full Article
Guyana’s Multi-Biofeedstocks Project: The Digest’s 2016 Multi-Slide Guide to Global Leaf Energy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) READ MORE
July 08, 2016 Read Full Article
New Lignin Operation in US in Final Phase of Approval
(Biofuels International) Borregaard, a Norway-based biorefinery specialist, and Rayonier Advanced Materials (Ryam) have concluded a market, technical and engineering analysis regarding a new lignin operation at Ryam’s Fernandina Beach site in Florida to serve the growing demand for natural lignin-based
July 07, 2016 Read Full Article
Asia Pulp & Paper Backs Community-Led Indonesian Biofuels Project
(edie.net) One of the world's biggest pulp, paper and packaging firms has announced its support for a new community-led pilot scheme aimed at reducing the use of fossil fuels and increasing the availability of bio-fuels in Indonesia. The jurisdictionally-based partnership between
July 06, 2016 Read Full Article
Horizontal Bioreactor: The Digest’s 2016 Multi-Sldie Guide to Culture Systems
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Challenges that have plagued algae ventures? The availability of feedstock to make products, the loss of investor appetite at early stage and pre-commercial, and inefficient cultivation systems. By contrast, Culture System’s design is described as having “low
July 06, 2016 Read Full Article
Advance Australia Air: Byogy Steps up in Australia in Drive for Low-Carbon Jet Fuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) From Australia comes the news that the country’s former Federal Resources and Energy Minister, Martin Ferguson, is now the chairman of the advisory board for Byogy Renewables, the California-based alcohol-to-jet fuel pioneer that has been
July 05, 2016 Read Full Article
Canfor Eyes Prince George for Major Biofuel Facility
by Jon Hernandez (CBC News) New facility could produce up to 400,000 barrels of biocrude annually, says Canfor Pulp president -- One of the world's largest logging companies is looking to get into the oil business. Canfor is in the early phases of
July 03, 2016 Read Full Article
KPMG Sees Potential for Biomass-Based Ethanol in Southeast Asia
by Toh Wei Zheng (Platts) Southeast Asia could see a significant boost to its ethanol supply by using biomass as an alternative feedstock, an industry veteran said during the annual Wiz Ethanol and Biofuels Conference held in Singapore Wednesday. Chris de
June 30, 2016 Read Full Article
Intrexon: Will Its GTL Business Arrive in 2018?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The indictment was handed down this week in The Motley Fool, which averred: While investors have been told to expect the natural gas-to-fuels platform to be commercialized by 2018, real-world indicators essentially guarantee that won’t be
June 30, 2016 Read Full Article
Amyris Busts a Move: Major Deals with Givaudan, Ginkgo
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... First, Amyris announced a collaboration with Givaudan (SIX:GIVN), a leading global flavors and fragrances company. The two companies have been engaged in the research and development of proprietary fragrance ingredients for several years, and the
June 29, 2016 Read Full Article
Verbal Deal on Sawmill, Biofuel Plant 'Kick in the Arse' for Botwood Economy
by Ryan Cooke (CBC News) A verbal agreement has been reached between the Town of Botwood and an unnamed partner, or partners, to bring major industry back to the shipping town. Botwood Mayor Scott Sceviour confirmed the agreement to CBC earlier this
June 28, 2016 Read Full Article
Dozens of Senators Push EPA for Higher Ethanol Mandate
by Devin Henry (The Hill) A bipartisan group of senators on Friday chided federal regulators for pulling back on the federal ethanol mandate. In a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy, the 39 senators said the agency should
June 27, 2016 Read Full Article
Knock on Wood: Why Trade and Brand Will Trump Tech in the Advanced Bioeconomy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... So if the advanced bioeconomy is so prevalent and so pervasive, why do we hear so much about the struggles of projects to be built? Why is it so much easier to build wind and
June 23, 2016 Read Full Article
Getting It Right: The Digest’s Multi-Slide Guide to Iogen
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Iogen says it has has “one of the world’s largest and most experienced teams in developing, designing, de-bugging, scaling-up and deploying cellulosic biofuel technology. We’re using innovative thinking and disciplined engineering to transform cellulosic biofuels
June 22, 2016 Read Full Article
Big Data, Robotics and Synth Bio: Driving “The New Agriculture”
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... If you haven’t been to an LP meeting before, they are generally intimate gatherings of venture capitalists, their underlying investors (the Limited Partners), portfolio company CEOs, and some thought leaders invited to share their perspective
June 22, 2016 Read Full Article
RFS Policy Instability Continues to Chill Investment in Advanced Biofuels, BIO Says
(Biotechnology Innovation Organization) EPA’s new methodology for setting annual Renewable Fuel Standards continues to chill investment in advanced biofuels, the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) finds in a new analysis released today. Investment patterns clearly demonstrate that EPA is sending a
June 22, 2016 Read Full Article
Memphis Firm Aims to Replace Oil in Plastic
by Wayne Risher (The Commercial Appeal) A 75-year-old Memphis chemical plant may advance the environmentally friendly cause of non-food plant waste replacing a petroleum-based key ingredient in plastics, antifreeze and de-icer. Pennakem LLC, which originated as a Quaker Oats-run chemical plant
June 22, 2016 Read Full Article
Psst! Heard on the Floor at the International Bioenergy Conference
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... The eyes of the world might well be on tiny Prince George, British Columbia these days — because that is the proposed site of Canfor’s commercial-scale biofuels and chemicals project. The success of such a
June 22, 2016 Read Full Article
Can We Finally Make Gasoline out of Corncobs?
by Nathanael Johnson (Grist) ... Running cars and planes on corncobs would, at its best, produce 90 percent less greenhouse gas than gasoline. Until now, though, it’s only been an idea. We’ve been able to make cellulosic ethanol for more than a century,
June 21, 2016 Read Full Article
BIC and Vanguard Initiative Sign Bioeconomy MoU
(Bio-based Industries Consortium) Two leading European bioeconomy players, the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC) and the Vanguard Initiative have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for better interregional cooperation on the bioeconomy. The collaboration will support improved access to funding and awareness-raising
June 21, 2016 Read Full Article
House Bill Could Help Small and Mid-Size Dairies Deal with Excess Nutrients
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) On June 16, Representative Tom Reed (R-NY) and Ron Kind (D-WI) along with 12 Republican and Democratic co-sponsors introduced the Agriculture Environmental Stewardship Act (H.R. 5489), which would expand the eligibility of biogas systems under the
June 20, 2016 Read Full Article
ICM Has Short List for Its Gen 1.5 Cellulosic Ethanol
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Kansas, ICM said it is is currently in discussion with a short list of those interested in being selected as an early adopter of its Gen 1.5 technology, and they anticipate construction of the
June 20, 2016 Read Full Article
Crossing the Chasm to Scale: S2G Goes Commercial with Bioglycols
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) They call it the Valley of Death, but it’s a complete misnomer. It’s the “nearly impassible Khumbu Icefalls” of Death — filled with chasms, crevasses and painful progress towards the summit in the far distance. But
June 20, 2016 Read Full Article
Gevo Turns to Marine, Off-Road Markets With Latest Biofuel Deal
by Carleton English (The Street) The Colorado biofuels company announced a partnership with Musket Corp. a week after a similar collaboration with Alaska Air. -- ... The Colorado-based biofuels company announced that it partnered with Musket Corp., which is owned by
June 17, 2016 Read Full Article
Hot Prospects for Chemicals from Biomass
by Terry Mazanec and KSL (Lee Enterprises Consulting/Biofuels Digest) A major theme of 21st Century industrial development will be replacement of fossil resources by renewable resources in the production of fuels and chemicals. Due to their massive scale and cost,
June 17, 2016 Read Full Article
Re-Think, Re-Use, Retro-Fit: 15 4G Techs Transforming Gen-1 Biobased Plants
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Here, we profile 15 techs that offer incremental to profound shifts in the economics of the Gen-1 ethanol fleet, and have implications for everything from passenger cars to jets. #15 Vertimass and Byogy #14 Croda #13 Hummingbird #12 Alliance BioEnergy #11 GeoSynFuels #10
June 17, 2016 Read Full Article
Reconciling Food Security and Bioenergy: Priorities for Action
by Keith L. Kline, Siwa Msangi, Virginia H. Dale, Jeremy Woods, Glaucia M. Souza, Patricia Osseweijer, Joy S. Clancy, Jorge A. Hilbert, Francis X. Johnson, Patrick C. McDonnell, Harriet K. Mugera (Global Change Biology: Bioenergy) ... Understanding the nexus of food security, bioenergy sustainability, and resource management facilitates achievement of the 2030
June 15, 2016 Read Full Article
Green Plains Plans Ethanol Export Terminal as Expansion Continues
by Chris Prentice (Reuters) Green Plains Inc said on Tuesday it plans to build and operate its first export-import fuels terminal in Beaumont, Texas, the latest in a string of expansion moves by the country's fourth-largest ethanol producer. The Omaha, Nebraska-based
June 15, 2016 Read Full Article
Why is ATJ Renewable Jet Fuel Rockin’ It?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... There are many pathways from biomass to jet — right now, the hottest is ATJ, or alcohol to jet. In the case of Gevo, they want to convert first-gen ethanol projects to making isobutanol,
June 15, 2016 Read Full Article
A Biomass to Sugar Value Chain: The Digest’s 8-Slide Guide to Canada’s Sarnia Biocluster
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) "How much value is in the entire value chain, going from stover in the field to all the products?" asked Sandy Marshall, chairman, Bioindustrial Innovation Canada. His question opened his description of the birth of
June 14, 2016 Read Full Article
How Do You Generate $2B in Cellulosic Ethanol, with No Upfront Investment?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Siouxland Energy Cooperative has licensed the Edeniq’s Cellunator and Pathway technologies for its 60 million gallon per year ethanol plant located in Sioux Center. Production will start by Q4 2016. Meaning that Edeniq is shifting
June 14, 2016 Read Full Article
World’s Biggest Banks Are Driving Climate Change, Pumping Billions Into Extreme Fossil Fuels
(EcoWatch/Rainforest Action Network) A report released Tuesday by Rainforest Action Network, BankTrack, Sierra Club and Oil Change International provides the first look at bank financing for fossil fuels since the Paris climate agreement, showing that the world’s biggest banks are driving
June 14, 2016 Read Full Article
D.C. Public Sector Pension Fund Divests From Fossil Fuels
by Rachel Kurzius (dcist) Following a three-year campaign, DC Divest is claiming victory—the D.C. government has sold off its pension fund's direct investments in coal, oil, and gas companies. This morning, the group announced that the D.C. Retirement Board has officially sold
June 13, 2016 Read Full Article
Bloomberg Task Force Should Recommend Companies Be Required to Stress Test Their Business Plans against Risks of Climate Change Actions and Impacts
( London School of Economics and Political Science) Companies that fail to plan for business scenarios in a low-carbon economy risk decline or even bankruptcy, according to a submission to the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures published today (PDF) (6
June 13, 2016 Read Full Article
Investors Turn Bullish on U.S. Ethanol Shares
by Caroline Valetkevitch (Reuters) After a weak start in 2016, investors are rediscovering shares of biofuels companies that make ethanol, a grain alcohol that can be used as fuel. Demand and profit margins are up, regulators are helping the industry, and
June 13, 2016 Read Full Article
Has Shifting to Renewable Energy Become 'Irreversible'?
by Jonathan H Harsch (Agri-Pulse) ... At the heart of the battle is whether it makes sense to transition from fossil fuels to renewables like biofuels, wind, and solar energy. At issue is the choice between steering new investment into renewables as
June 10, 2016 Read Full Article
Ahem, It’s the Chems: The Digest’s Multi-Slide Guide to Sofinnova and Biobased Chemicals Private Equity
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Sofinnova. If you’ve been raising capital in the renewable chemical space you’ve probably knocked on their door. And, like a box of British candy, found a bunch of Smarties within. How do they look at
June 10, 2016 Read Full Article
How Big Data is Disrupting Agriculture from Biological Discovery to Farming Practices
by Vonnie Estes (AgFunderNews) With the need to produce more food using fewer inputs, agriculture is seeking new products, practices and technologies. As a planet we must use fewer chemicals and less water. Subsistence farmers need to close the yield
June 10, 2016 Read Full Article
Multimillion-Dollar Funding for Commercial Waste-to-Biofuel Plants
(University of Sydney) International paper waste and plastic recycling contracts signed for ground-breaking Australian technology. -- It’s been a busy few days for Australian start-up Licella, whose innovative technology, developed in partnership with the University of Sydney, is the subject
June 09, 2016 Read Full Article
What Lies Ahead for European Biofuels in a Post-2020 World?
by Tim Worledge and Caroline Knight (Platts) European legislation lays out requirements for renewable energy in road transport up until 2020 but following this, the future is less clear. Tim Worledge, global editorial director for agriculture and Caroline Knight, European biofuels
June 09, 2016 Read Full Article
In a First, Karnataka's Transport Authority May Produce Biofuel. Here's How
By Arka Bhattacharya (The Economic Times) ... Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation is in talks with Hyderabad-based Advait Bio Fuel to jointly establish a bio-diesel production facility in the state, potentially becoming the first transport utility in the country to
June 09, 2016 Read Full Article
Govt Backs in Qld as Asia-Pacific Biofutures Hub
(MySunshineCoast) The Palaszczuk Government will invest almost $20 million to position Queensland as an Asia-Pacific hub for biofutures industries, creating next generation jobs in the state, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced today. The Premier launched her Government’s Queensland Biofutures 10-Year Roadmap and
June 08, 2016 Read Full Article
The Advanced Bioeconomy 2016: State of the Industry
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) For the advanced bioeconomy, the question remains and will remain for some time, where are the gallons? Specifically, projects that use biobased feedstocks that can be converted into renewable fuels, chemicals, advanced foods, and biobased materials. Projects
June 08, 2016 Read Full Article
Shell Confirms Plans to Boost Low-Carbon Biofuels Portfolio as It Unveils New Energies Plan
(Biofuels International) Anglo-Dutch oil giant Royal Dutch Shell has announced that it intends to build a new energies portfolio that would include biofuels, hydrogen, solar and wind assets. The company recently unveiled a new medium-term strategy that envisages asset sales and
June 08, 2016 Read Full Article
Ethanol Project Grant Denied: New Energy Investors Developers Updating Grant Request
by Keith Norman (The Jamestown Sun) Officials with New Energy Investors are planning on submitting an updated grant request to the North Dakota Agricultural Products Utilization Committee after its previous request was denied in May, according to Robert Johnson, CEO
June 08, 2016 Read Full Article
The New Cellulosic Value Chain: The Digest’s 8-Slide Guide to Bioindustrial Innovation Canada
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In April, we reported that Comet Biorefining has signed an off-take agreement with bio-succinic acid producer BioAmber for cellulosic dextrose from Comet’s upcoming first commercial plant in Sarnia, Ontario. The dextrose will be produced from agricultural
June 08, 2016 Read Full Article
It Depends: Heard on the Floor at ABLC Feedstocks
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... The headline from the event is that projects and feedstock providers are more engaged than we have seen previously — a wave of technology development that once took place with a “we’ll work out
June 08, 2016 Read Full Article
Miniature but Mighty: The Digest’s 2016 Multi-Slide Guide to Nanocellulose
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Last year, we reported that Research & Markets projected the “Nanocellulose Market by Type (Cellulose nanocrystals, Cellulose nanofibrils, cellulose nanocomposites, and others) to reach $250 Million by 2019, signifying annualized CAGR of 19% between 2014 and 2019. Heft growth
June 03, 2016 Read Full Article
Big Buckaroos in Tiny Town: The Gold Rush Ahead in Nanocellulose
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... It’s that way for nanocellulose, too — a material made from the largest organisms imaginable — our friends, the trees — which display astonishing Marvel-like properties when processed into nanofibrils and nanocrystals, with gigantic implications
June 03, 2016 Read Full Article
Fossil Fuels’ Unpopularity Leaves a Mark
by Amy Harder and Erin Ailworth (The Wall Street Journal) Many major fossil-fuel projects across the U.S., from pipelines to export terminals, have been shelved or significantly delayed because of a confluence of new regulations, grass-roots opposition and a drop
June 02, 2016 Read Full Article
Cathay Sets Biofuels-Based Flight Record, as New A350 Ushers in Renewable Jet Era at Hong Kong
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) These days, Cathay Pacific trades under the slogan “Life Well Travelled” and the delivery of the first of 48 super-modern, super-quiet, super-chic Airbus 350-900s is another milestone for that branding — but it might as
June 01, 2016 Read Full Article
Licella, Canfor Form JV for Low-Cost, Drop-In Biofuels from Wood Residues and Biomass
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Licella and Canfor will form a joint-venture under the name “Licella Pulp Joint Venture” to integrate Licella’s unique Catalytic Hydrothermal Reactor upgrading platform into Canfor Pulp’s kraft and mechanical pulp mills to economically convert biomass,
May 31, 2016 Read Full Article
Evolva, Wageningen and Algae.Tec Advance on High-Margin Bio-Opportunities
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Sweeteners, acrylic, and nutraceuticals led the news at the end of this week, with key announcements out of Evolva, Wageningen and Algae.Tec. ... All the announces are developmental in nature — patents, R&D, product supply for future
May 27, 2016 Read Full Article
Whatever Happened to Advanced Biofuels?
by David Biello (Scientific American) ... Burning cellulosic ethanol as a fuel could result in just 10 percent of the CO2 emissions produced by burning gasoline. One big secret to making it all work is the advanced biofuel refinery's location right next
May 26, 2016 Read Full Article
UMass Becomes First Major Public University to Divest from Direct Fossil Fuel Holdings
(University of Massachusetts Amherst) The University of Massachusetts today became the first major public university to divest its endowment from direct holdings in fossil fuels. The decision was made by a unanimous vote of the Board of Directors of the
May 26, 2016 Read Full Article
RES-T-BIOPLANT: Towards Advanced Biofuels – Options for Integrating 1st and 2nd Generation Biofuel Production
(IEA Implementing Agreement for Renewable Energy Technology Deployment) The integration of advanced (2nd generation / 2G) biofuel plants with conventional (1st generation / 1G) biofuel plants can lead to significant synergies and cost savings, especially for bioethanol plants. For biodiesel,
May 20, 2016 Read Full Article
Sweden Takes the Lead in Biofuel-Use in Europe
by Tomas Ekbom (Task 39 May 2016 Newsletter) The production and use of biofuels in Sweden have increased substantially since the mid-2000s. According to preliminary statistics from SPBI, the share of renewable energy in the road sector was 14.7% in 2015
May 20, 2016 Read Full Article
Scania Trucks Use Ethanol Made with Clariant's Sunliquid Process
(Clariant/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Clariant, a world leader in specialty chemicals, and Scania, one of the world's top heavy-duty vehicle manufacturers, are celebrating the results and the opportunities generated by the partnership established last year, which involved an investment in sustainable
May 20, 2016 Read Full Article
Renewable Jet Fuel, Competitive Cost, at Scale: The Digest’s Multi-Slide Guide to AltAir
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In March, United Airlines made history by becoming the first U.S. airline to begin use of commercial-scale volumes of sustainable aviation biofuel for regularly scheduled flights with the departure of United Flight 708 from Los Angeles International
May 20, 2016 Read Full Article
Good News, Kemosabe: Reverdia and Wageningen UR Launch Development of New Bio-PBS Compounds
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In the Netherlands, Reverdia and Wageningen UR Food & Biobased Research have launched a joint development programme on bio-based PBS (polybutylene succinate) compounds for injection moulding. The new bio-PBS compounds will be durable and based
May 20, 2016 Read Full Article
In North Dakota's Oil Patch, a Humbling Comedown
by Ernest Scheyder (Reuters) The fracking party is over, and a quiet desperation has descended on the state's once-booming communities and the thousands of people who were drawn to them. -- ... But the price drop quickened, due in part
May 19, 2016 Read Full Article
Renewable Specialty Chemicals: The Digest’s 2016 Multi-Slide Guide to Green Biologics
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Green Biologics is focused on the production of renewable n-butanol and other C4 chemicals from various renewable feedstocks, including sugar (cane, molasses, beets), starch (corn) and cellulosic biomass (corn residues, sugar cane bagasse, forest materials
May 19, 2016 Read Full Article
Looking at the Sudden Growth of Cellulosic Ethanol
by Ben Nuelle (Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network) In April, the Environmental Protection Agency announced a little over 1 million gallons of cellulosic ethanol was produced in the first quarter of 2016. Production is well ahead of 2015 where only 2.2
May 18, 2016 Read Full Article
KiOR: The Inside True Story of a Company Gone Wrong-- Parts 1 and 2
by Jim Lane (Biofuels DIgest) ... Old KiOR was exciting, dramatic, and fast, and the headlines it produced between 2008 and 2011 were candy for a renewables-hungry world. A Breakthrough in Catalytic Pyrolysis to make cost-competitive, drop-in renewable fuels. A “Magic Catalyst”.
May 18, 2016 Read Full Article
From Up North to Down Under With DDGS
by Kassidi Andres (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Mike Bryan is introducing Australia to a DDGS-based feed product made by a company headquartered in North Dakota, where his ethanol career began. -- ... Today, living on the east coast of Australia in
May 17, 2016 Read Full Article
The Big Year Continues: The Digest’s 2016 8-Slide Guide to Amyris
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Amyris reported Q1 2016 net loss of $15,3M on revenues of 8.8 million, compared with $7.9 million for the first quarter of 2015. The increase from Q1 2015 included product sales growth of 50% over
May 17, 2016 Read Full Article
Baseball, the Trade Deadline, and the Industrial Bioeconomy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Some teams are sellers. They reduce costs, go lean, and hunker down in a case of “wait’ll next year”. In industrial biotechnology, the calendar tells us it’s May but it might as well be July, because
May 17, 2016 Read Full Article
Many Paths to Money from One Mighty Microbe: The Digest’s Multi-Slide Guide to Deinove
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This week we reported that Deinove and Toulouse White Biotechnology are collaborating with the MetaToul* platform (INSA-LISBP Toulouse and MetaboHUB national infrastructure) headed by Prof. Jean-Charles Portais, aims to map the metabolic fluxes of the Deinococcus
May 16, 2016 Read Full Article
Can the U.S. Military Afford to Run on Biofuels?
by Rich Smith (The Motley Fool) ... The beef tallow being used today, however, costs just $2.05 per gallon, making it cheaper than the $2.76 per gallon that the Defense Logistics Agency pays for F-76. A 90-10 diesel-tallow blend, therefore, should
May 16, 2016 Read Full Article
Limpopo Receives R940m Investment for Renewable Energy from US, Chinese Companies
(African News Agency/Engineering News) American and Chinese companies are set to invest R940-million in Limpopo to pursue renewable energy and ethanol profits, government and investors have announced. The United States’ Bio-Processing Innovation and the Beijing Singling Technology Centre said on
May 12, 2016 Read Full Article
Stora Enso, Rennovia Ink Biobased Chemicals Development Deal
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In California, Renewable materials company Stora Enso and specialty chemicals company Rennovia Inc. have announced a joint development and license agreement to cooperate on bio-based chemicals development. Under the terms of the agreement, the two companies
May 12, 2016 Read Full Article
Create the Future Design Contest Accepting 2016 Entries DEADLINE: July 1, 2016
(Create the Future Design Contest) The Create the Future Design Contest was launched in 2002 by the publishers of NASA Tech Briefs magazine to help stimulate and reward engineering innovation. The annual event has attracted more than 12,000 product design
May 11, 2016 Read Full Article
Oil Firms Have 10 Years to Change Strategy or Face 'Short, Brutish End'
by Terry Macalister (The Guardian) Business models employed by multinationals such as Shell and BP are no longer fit for purpose, warns energy expert -- ... Paul Stephens, a fellow at Chatham House thinktank, said in a research paper the oil “majors”
May 11, 2016 Read Full Article
Business Strategies for Transitioning the Bioeconomy to a Landscape with Long-Term Profitability
by Mahmood Ebadian (Biomass and Bioenergy Research Group/Biomass Supply Chain Consulting Ltd./Biofuels Digest) ...With specialization occurring in feedstock engineering, these new business entities will be well-positioned to produce multiple products including both intermediate and final bio-products. In other words, they
May 11, 2016 Read Full Article
The 10 Biggest Bioeconomy Cap Raises for 2016
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Florida, The Digest reports that the Top 10 capital raises for 2016 to date for company development — and pilot, demonstration and commercial-scale projects. Average deal size among the Top 10 was $18.9M and the median size
May 11, 2016 Read Full Article
The Green Friendship Bridge Series
by Mark Edwards (Algae Industry Magazine) The Green Friendship Bridge series examines a simple question: “What makes better sense, extending the border wall with Mexico 1,300 miles or taking 13 miles of fence investment to build 8,600 algae microfarms and sprinkle
May 09, 2016 Read Full Article
Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials Offers Advisory Services
(Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials) RSB is now offering a range of advisory services to support businesses, investors, development agencies, NGOs, and governments in applying the RSB standard to their operations, projects and policy development. Through technical and strategic advice, hands-on
May 09, 2016 Read Full Article
Takin’ Cellulosic to the Mud Spa
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Out of the unlikely bioeconomy hub of West Palm Beach, Florida, Alliance BioEnergy Plus has revealed what it describes as the “successful completion of its yearlong efforts to optimize its patented CTS technology to extract
May 06, 2016 Read Full Article
12th F.O. Lichts Sugar & Ethanol Brazil 2016: New Horizons for the Ethanol Industry in Brazil
by Lais F. Thomaz* (Advanced Biofuels USA) From 25 to 27 April 2016, renowned experts, entrepreneurs and government officials were reunited at the "12 th Sugar & Ethanol Brazil," conference organized by F.O. Lichts. In this event, workshops were held
May 06, 2016 Read Full Article
The Unloved Business That's Saved Big Oil From Low Energy Prices
by Javier Blas (Bloomberg) Petrochemical earnings accounted for 75% of Exxon's net income; Oil executives see future for chemicals beyond crude rout -- Big Oil is suddenly Big Chemical. For years, the business of turning gas and crude into the chemicals used to
May 06, 2016 Read Full Article
Oil Majors Worth More Adopting 2˚C Pathway, Independent Stress Test Finds
(Carbon Tracker) The upstream assets of the world’s seven largest privately owned listed oil and gas companies could collectively be worth $100 billion more if they aligned their investment plans with the 2˚C target, a new study released today by
May 06, 2016 Read Full Article
Aemetis Acquires Edeniq for $23.7M
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In California, Aemetis will acquire all of Edeniq’s outstanding shares in a stock plus cash merger transaction. In 2015, Edeniq generated approximately $20 million in revenue and $6 million in positive EBITDA. Headquartered in Visalia, California, Edeniq
May 06, 2016 Read Full Article
THE REGULARS: Clean Energy Incentives Produce Spectrum of Benefits for Iowa
by Katie Colling (Sioux City Journal) ... So my question is, why should non-farming Iowans care about RFS or any of the tax incentives for production of alternative energy forms? ... Iowa now has 41 corn ethanol plants and two cellulosic plants and
May 04, 2016 Read Full Article
Australian Renewable Energy Agency Supports Development of $800m Bio-Energy Project
(Refining and Petrochemicals Energy Business Review) Renewable Developments Australia (RDA) has secured $3m from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (Arena) to support the development of a renewable biofuel production facility. The funding will be used by RDA to develop the business
May 04, 2016 Read Full Article
Earnings Season: REG, Green Plains, BioAmber, ADM Report Improving Outlooks, Growth Prospects
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Q1 earnings season for the advanced bioeconomy kicked off this week, with reporting from Green Plains, ADM, REG and BioAmber. That’s an ag giant, an ethanol monster, a biomass-based diesel dominator and a fast-upcoming renewable
May 04, 2016 Read Full Article
Iowa Legislature Approves Funding for State Blender Pump Program
(Iowa Renewable Fuels Association) Iowa Legislature Votes Overwhelmingly to Extend Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program Another Year -- The Iowa Legislature voted 94 – 0 in the House of Representatives and 49 – 0 in the Iowa Senate to secure
May 03, 2016 Read Full Article
How to Make $250M in Cellulosic Biofuels with an Investment under $6M
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Cellulosic fiber makes up approximately 10% of the corn kernel and cannot be converted into ethanol during the typical production process. By utilizing Edeniq’s Pathway technologies, including specialized enzymes and the Cellunator equipment, Aemetis
May 03, 2016 Read Full Article
Green Energy & Biofuels Gets Acumen $800,000 Investment for Clean Cooking Solutions
(Development Diaries) Acumen, the nonprofit social venture fund, announces its new investment in Green Energy & BioFuels (GEB), a Nigerian company creating cleaner, more cost-effective cooking solutions for West Africa’s low-income households. In Nigeria, more than 40 percent of urban
April 29, 2016 Read Full Article
Biofuels Driving Emissions Cuts thru 2030, Says Lux: But Which Feedstocks?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Lux Research projects that the emergence of low-carbon fuels and vehicle efficiency will cut emissions by 29% in 2030 compared to a business as usual scenario, with biofuels and natural gas vehicles together accounting for
April 27, 2016 Read Full Article
Market Study: Global Biofuels Market to Grow to $246bn by 2024
(Biofuels International) The global biofuels market was valued at $168.18 billion (€149.05bn) in 2016 and is projected to reach $246.52 billion by 2024 at a CAGR of 4.92%, a new market study finds. According to Transparency Market Research’s new study biofuels and bioenergy are a
April 25, 2016 Read Full Article
The RITE Bioprocess: The Digest’s 2016 8-Slide Guide to Green Earth Institute
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Green Earth Institute Co., Ltd. is focused on producing carbon-neutral biofuels and green chemicals derived from non-food biomass, such as leaves and stems of plants, instead of using food and feed crops. Using technology originally invented
April 25, 2016 Read Full Article
Algae & CCS: Incremental Heroes
(Algae Biomass Organization) As we noted in a recent post, Carbon Balance and Management journal published a study in late 2015 touting the emissions reduction potential of algae when used as animal feed. The authors highlight the tension between food
April 25, 2016 Read Full Article
Indian Cellulosic Ethanol Technology Set for Debut at Demonstration Scale in Uttarakhand
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In India, the first demonstration-scale cellulosic ethanol plant will open this week at Indian Glycol Limited, Kashipur in Uttarakhand, with the Indian Minister of Science and Technology & Earth Sciences on hand for the ceremonies. The
April 22, 2016 Read Full Article
The New Sugars: The Digest’s 2016 Multi-Slide Guide to 5C and 6C sugars
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) As part of March Madness, we held a well-attended webinar on the markets and makers of 5C and 6C sugars, from pilot to player. Here below is a slide deck presented on the day. The recorded
April 19, 2016 Read Full Article
Comet, BioAmber in Big Cellulosic Sugar Partnership: Biobased’s Hot Babes Hook Up
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Ontario, Comet Biorefining has signed an off-take agreement with bio-succinic acid producer BioAmber for cellulosic dextrose from Comet’s upcoming first commercial plant in Sarnia, Ontario. The dextrose will be produced from agricultural residues using
April 19, 2016 Read Full Article
Diamond Green Diesel Expanding Production to 275 Million Gallons Annually
(Next-Gen Transportation News) Darling Ingredients Inc. is expanding the Diamond Green Diesel (DGD) facility in Norco, La., to increase annual production capacity from 160 million gallons of renewable diesel to 275 million gallons. ... Production is expected to ramp up in the
April 19, 2016 Read Full Article
Fossil Fuel Companies Need to Become Renewable Energy Companies
by Steven Cohen (Huffington Post/Columbia University's Earth Institute) ... It remains unfortunate that many fossil fuel companies have not redefined themselves as energy companies that lead the effort to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy. If I had money to
April 18, 2016 Read Full Article
Fast & Flexible: The Digest’s 2016 Multi-Slide Guide to Renmatix
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Renmatix is a technology licensor that enables the production of petrochemicals from plants. The company’s water-based Plantrose process is the lowest cost method for converting a wide range of non-food biomass into cellulosic sugars, used
April 18, 2016 Read Full Article
What Do We Do about Palm Oil?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... In the world of fuels, Neste Oil has backed away from palm oil in order to expand in the US market on more favorable terms, with palm’s lowly status after indirect land use change modeling
April 18, 2016 Read Full Article
Biofuels, Plastics and Drugs: Is This the Future of Our Farms?
by John Vidal (The Guardian) Climate change and poor returns on wheat and dairy drive rural revolution in ‘future-proof’ agriculture -- ... In Essex, David Eagle is growing acres of sea buckthorn, a salt-tolerant plant that grows wild in Siberiacorrect and
April 18, 2016 Read Full Article
Biodiesel Catalyst Ranks to Expand
By Michael McCoy (Chemical and Engineering News) Seeing more growth ahead, two small companies invest in new plants -- Growth in the biodiesel market is spurring two small companies to invest in U.S. production of sodium methylate, a catalyst used
April 18, 2016 Read Full Article
Investors with $6 trillion in Assets Back ExxonMobil Climate Change Resolution: UK Church Fund
by Simon Jessop (Reuters) Institutions managing $6 trillion in assets plan to back a call for U.S. oil major ExxonMobil to disclose the impact of climate change policy on its business, one of the organizers of the vote said On
April 18, 2016 Read Full Article
New Coproduct Technology Produces Food-Grade Yeast
by Don McLellan (AFC Yeast/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Typically, in ethanol production the nonfermentable leftovers from the feedstocks and yeast are combined and sold either as wetcake or dried distillers grains for feed. But the yeast included in that sale of animal
April 15, 2016 Read Full Article
Biomass-Based Diesel Poised for Growth
by Dave Elsenbast (Renewable Energy Group/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Biodiesel proves to be a major, and growing, market for distillers corn oil. -- ... The industry nearly reached record production levels last year and, according to U.S. EPA data, U.S. consumers used a
April 15, 2016 Read Full Article
Duel Fuel--Colocating Ethanol, Biodiesel
by Keith Loria (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Biodiesel tanks are popping up in the tank farms at some ethanol plants these days. -- During the past decade, there has been a great deal of innovation and thought put into the synergies between
April 15, 2016 Read Full Article
Data Firm Backs Wood as Best Choice for Biofuels
(Biofuels International) ... In a statement, North Carolina-based Forset2Market said wood works as a logical choice for biofuels because “the number of trees growing in the US has increased by more than 50% in the past 60 years” and “the
April 15, 2016 Read Full Article
Despite Concerns, Many See Bullish Future for Canada's Biofuels Industry
by Michael Schneider (Oil Price Information Service) While some observers express concern over the future of Canada's biofuels industry, participants there describe a situation that they say is headed in the right direction. ... Andrea Kent, president of the Canadian Renewable
April 15, 2016 Read Full Article
Student Startup Turning Heads by Utilizing Biofuel Waste for Good
(Tennessee Today) ... Enter Tony Bova and Jeff Beegle, a pair of doctoral candidates in the Bredesen Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Graduate Education, which is run jointly by UT and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The pair has developed a process to
April 15, 2016 Read Full Article
Senate Hearing on Ethanol Tax Breaks Stirs Small-Engine Debate
by Tim Landis (State Journal-Register) .... At issue is a proposal to eliminate a 20 percent per-gallon sales tax break on sales of E10 fuels and create a 10 percent break for E15, which currently gets no tax incentives. Agricultural
April 15, 2016 Read Full Article
Tesla And Other Tech Giants Scramble For Lithium As Prices Double
by James Stafford (OilPrice.com) Demand for lithium—the hottest commodity on the planet and the only commodity to show positive price movement in 2015—is poised to continue on its upward trajectory, becoming the world’s new gasoline and earning the moniker of
April 14, 2016 Read Full Article
U.S. Shale Oil Firms Feel Credit Squeeze as Banks Grow Cautious
by Swetha Gopinath and David Henry (Reuters) Nearly two years into an epic oil rout, U.S. shale drillers that have upended global energy markets are finally feeling a credit squeeze as banks make their biggest cuts yet to their loans. Every
April 12, 2016 Read Full Article
Cellulosic Ethanol Plant Planned for Spiritwood
by Keith Norman (Jamestown Sun) Plans for a $150 million cellulosic ethanol plant at the Spiritwood Energy Park Association industrial park are underway, according to Thomas Corle, founding partner of New Energy Investors, a Pennsylvania company. If built, the ethanol plant
April 12, 2016 Read Full Article
Scale-Up of Emerging Biofuel Technologies
by Lorenz Bauer and William Quapp (Biofuels Digest) ... However, attempts to translate these small scale successes into commercial technologies have been less successful. It is easy to blame lower oil and natural gas prices and opposition from special interest
April 12, 2016 Read Full Article
Pivot to Play: The Digest’s 2016 Multi-Slide Guide to Cellulosic Sugars
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This week, we held a well-attended webinar on the markets and makers of cellulosic sugars, from pilot to player. Here below is a slide deck presented on the day, from industry consultant Vonnie Estes — whose latest
April 12, 2016 Read Full Article
Ethanol: For the Rubber or the Road? New Russian Tech Advances for One-Step Alcohol-to-Butadiene
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Russia, ETB Catalytic Technologies has received $0.6 million from ZAVKOM and Skolkovo Fund as a series A investment to build a pilot plant for the production of 1,3-butadiene from ethanol, The investors received 22%
April 12, 2016 Read Full Article
Production Test Factory for Fossil Free Fuel Is Built in Bäckhammar
(Nordic Paper) RenFuel and Nordic Paper have signed an agreement to build a production test facility in Bäckhammar in the region of Värmland, in order to test manufacture an advanced biofuel based on lignin. The project has been granted 71
April 12, 2016 Read Full Article
Coal Companies’ Secret Funding of Climate Science Denial Exposed
by Elliott Negin (Union of Concerned Scientists/Huffington Post) According to recent press reports, Peabody Energy — the nation’s largest investor-owned coal company — is now on the verge of bankruptcy. Among the many consequences: The company’s court-ordered disclosures are likely
April 12, 2016 Read Full Article
EU Must Increase Ethanol Use to Meet Targets
by Robert Wright (Ethanol Producer Magazine/ePURE) Renewable energy use in transport in all 28 EU members has been much less than projected in their National Renewable Energy Action Plans, with the gap widening. Actual ethanol consumption has remained relatively flat,
April 11, 2016 Read Full Article
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