(University of York) he discovery of a novel enzyme that releases a valuable chemical from agricultural waste could provide an important breakthrough in the upscaling of renewable fuels and chemicals, a new study shows. ... Researchers – led by the University of York
lignin
Back TO HOMEThe 10 Big WOWs from ABLC Day 1
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Florida, day 1 of ABLC is now complete, with 18 presentations covering more than 60 companies and technologies as well as comprehensive updates from major supply chain companies and four presentations on priorities, programs, economics
May 05, 2021 Read Full Article
Tech, Markets, Apps, Key Players: The Digest’s 2021 Multi-Slide Guide to Lignin 2021
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Lignin. Yes, you can make almost anything out of it, and money. What’s the newest tech and applications? Where are the markets where key players are changing outcomes for some of the world’s most abundant
May 03, 2021 Read Full Article
Enzymatic Lignin Fractioning & Refining: The Digest’s 2021 Multi-Slide Guide to MetGen
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) MetGen COO Matti Heikkilä takes us inside the technology in this illuminating slide guide. Find out what’s behind their inspiration, the bioprocessing tech behind next gen biorefineries, how to de-bottleneck a biorefinery, the possibilities with
May 03, 2021 Read Full Article
Sekab's Technology Is Making Progress in the EU
(Sekab) Sekab's technology for utilizing residual products from the forest has been an eye-catcher for the EU Innovation Fund in their search for the most innovative low-carbon technology projects. Sekab's plans to build a production facility has been selected as
April 22, 2021 Read Full Article
UH Hilo Researches Whether Sugarcane Can Make Jet Fuel
(University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo) A groundbreaking study investigating the growth of selected varieties of sugarcane to convert into high-performance jet fuel is underway at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Resource Management (CAFNRM). Utilizing advanced technologies
April 21, 2021 Read Full Article
Biomass to Sugar Conversion Mechanisms: The Digest’s 2021 Multi-Slide Guide to Pretreatment and Enzymes for Biofuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Get the latest on thermochemical pretreatment and enzymatic reactions for biofuels and biochemicals production from Rajesh Gupta from Lee Enterprises Consulting in this illuminating slide guide. From lignocellulosic and algal biomass, comparison of popular pretreatment
April 21, 2021 Read Full Article
Algae Oil, Lignin, Plastics, Waste: The Digest’s 2021 Multi-Slide Guide to Conventional Fuels from Unconventional Sources
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Southwest Research Institute’sEloy Flores, Assistant Director R&D in Chemical Engineering, shared this illuminating slide guide on SwRI’s work with alternative fuels technology and all steps from idea/concept, engine testing to pilot plant, scale up and
April 06, 2021 Read Full Article
‘Keep off the Grass’: The Biofuel that Could Help Us Achieve Net Zero
(Earlham Institute) Some grasses are a sustainable energy source that could be a driving force towards achieving net zero carbon emissions, according to new research that demonstrates their resilience to harsh growing environments. -- The Miscanthus genus of grasses, commonly used
April 05, 2021 Read Full Article
Latest Lignin Tech, Markets, Applications, Players: The Digest’s 2021 Multi-Slide Guide to Lignin
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Want the inside scoop on a new market study on lignin, Lignin 2021: A Pivotal Year, about to be published by Jack Miller? If you missed last week’s DigestConnect, here’s your chance to get an
March 24, 2021 Read Full Article
From Sawdust to Ethanol and Green Chemicals
by Eva-Marie Byberg and Ylva Strömstedt (Sekab BioFuels & Chemicals/EurActiv) In the High Coast area of Sweden lies a company committed to tackling climate change by making use of the residues from the forestry industry. With a unique technology ready
March 19, 2021 Read Full Article
5 Key Tech Takeaways: Highlights from Tech Presented at ABLC 2020
by Iacovos Vasalos (Center for Research and Technology-Hellas/Biofuels Digest) This report summarizes highlights from the ABLC 2020 Biofuels Digest Virtual Conference, which took place in July 7-10, 2020. (And if you haven’t already registered for this year’s ABLC Digital on May 3-7,
March 10, 2021 Read Full Article
News Release: Groundbreaking Research into White-Rot Fungi Proves Its Value in Carbon Sequestration from Lignin
(National Renewable Energy Laboratory) A foundational study conducted by scientists at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) shows for the first time that white-rot fungi are able to use carbon captured from lignin as a carbon source. The research confirms a hypothesis
March 01, 2021 Read Full Article
Nova Pangaea Technologies Reaches Operational Milestone and Looks to Expand
(Nova Pangaea Technologies) Nova Pangaea Technologies, the Redcar based cleantech company, has reached a significant milestone in the technological validation of its first of a kind process to sustainably convert forestry and agricultural residues into sustainable biochemicals and biopolymers and drop-in
February 26, 2021 Read Full Article
Termite Gut Microbes Could Aid Biofuel Production
(American Chemical Society/EurekAlert!) Wheat straw, the dried stalks left over from grain production, is a potential source of biofuels and commodity chemicals. But before straw can be converted to useful products by biorefineries, the polymers that make it up must be
February 18, 2021 Read Full Article
Continued Success for SoBT Researchers with Climate-Friendly Industrial Methodologies
(Dublin City University) A consortium led by researchers based in the School of Biotechnology at DCU continues to redefine the methodology employed in the distilling industry, towards improving sustainability in the workflows which are commonplace in distilleries the world over. Asst.
February 17, 2021 Read Full Article
Bioenergy Technologies Office 2021 Project Peer Review --- March 8-16, 2021 and March 22-26, 2021 --- ONLINE
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) is hosting the 2021 Project Peer Review on March 8-16, 2021 and March 22-26, 2021 that will be held virtually on Zoom. Approximately 300 projects in BETO’s research, development, and demonstration portfolio
February 03, 2021 Read Full Article
Enzymes, Lignin Transformed into Biobased Products: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to MetGen
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Sugar-based bioplastics and lignin-based composites, resins, adhesives, and foams are already here, MetGen’s COO Matti Heikkilä. Find out what else he had to say at the recent DigestConnect about enabling novel biobased materials and renewable
February 01, 2021 Read Full Article
C02 as Feedstock!: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Carbon to Value Initiative
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Carbontech—technologies that capture and convert CO2 into valuable end products or services is hot right now in attempts to make the planet not so hot with climate change. If you missed last week’s DigestConnect, check
January 27, 2021 Read Full Article
Biofuels Need Cost-Effective Separations Tech: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Bioprocessing Separations Consortium
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Four critical challenges in biochemical and thermochemical processing were addressed in the just released “Bioprocessing Separations Consortium Three-Year Overview” U.S. BETO report, including targeting the fractionation of lignin to enable valorization; Developing technologies to enable
January 05, 2021 Read Full Article
Enzymatic Lignin Valorization: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to MetGen
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Sugar-based bioplastics and lignin-based foams and composites are making it possible to transform the huge amount of oil based materials and products in our lives to biobased products. MetGen is making it happen with zero
December 22, 2020 Read Full Article
Application of LCA on Innovative Biorefinery Concepts – REWOFUEL Webinar
by Lena Nordgren (SEKAB) The second webinar by the EU project REWOFUEL – REsidual soft WOod conversion to high characteristics drop-in bioFUELs, was held in the beginning of December. The specific topic of the webinar was to address the sustainability aspects in the value chain
December 18, 2020 Read Full Article
From Co-Product Lignin to Biodegradable Polyurethanes: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Lignin Valorization
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) There is such a thing as green polyols for polyurethanes! And as you probably know, cellulosic ethanol produces tons of co-product lignin, so check out this slide guide that dives into the basic polyurethane chemistry,
December 15, 2020 Read Full Article
Modern Alchemy: University of North Dakota Aims to Turn Corn Stalks, Stems and Leaves into Jet Fuel
(University of North Dakota/News Wise) One of the significant challenges for renewable alternative fuels could be solved if a consortium of research laboratories led by the University of North Dakota can turn corn waste into jet fuel. Wayne Seames, Chester Fritz Distinguished
November 25, 2020 Read Full Article
“The Time Is Right Now”, Sekab Announce Green Tech Investment Plans, Including a Production Plant for Chemicals and Biofuels.
by Luke Upton (BioMarket Insights) Bold news this week from Sekab, the Swedish chemical and cleantech company, who are responding to increasing demand for green chemicals and a growing focus on the impact on climate change by a major green tech
November 12, 2020 Read Full Article
New Lignin-Splitting Method Inspired by Nature
by Mark E. Griffin (Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center) ... “Bacteria and fungi break down plants through a number of different ways. When you see mushrooms growing on dead logs in a forest, they are breaking down the plant cell
October 29, 2020 Read Full Article
Cellulosic Ethanol: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Clariant Chemtex Approach
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Two world leaders in cellulosic deployment – Jeff Taylor from Chemtex and Paolo Corvo from Clariant – talked about how cellulosic fuels are on the march on last week’s DigestConnect. Check out this exclusive slide
October 26, 2020 Read Full Article
Waste Not, Want Not: INL Studies Potential of Municipal Solid Waste for Biofuels
by J. Richard Hess (Idaho National Laboratory) ...Even though MSW (municipal solid waste) has great potential, not much was known about the cost and quality of feedstocks that could be derived from MSW or MSW blends for fuel production. In
October 19, 2020 Read Full Article
National Laboratories Point to Sugars as a Key Factor in Ideal Feedstock for Biofuels
(National Renewable Energy Laboratory) NREL, Oak Ridge Scientists Reveal Economics Must Include More Than Size of Poplar Trees -- Popular wisdom holds that tall, fast-growing trees are best for biomass, but new research by two U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratories
October 19, 2020 Read Full Article
Biorefining of Sugarcane Bagasse to Fermentable Sugars and Surface Oxygen Group-Rich Hierarchical Porous Carbon for Supercapacitors
by Xiaoxiang Wang, Li Cao, Rosmala Lewis, Tubuxin Hreid, Zhanying Zhang, Hongxia Wang (Renewable Energy) Oxygen-rich porous carbon from sugarcane bagasse via facile biorefining process. Symmetric cell exhibits high energy density of 5.86 Wh kg−1 with 97% retention. Solid residue yield reached
October 05, 2020 Read Full Article
Engineered Pseudomonas putida Simultaneously Catabolizes Five Major Components of Corn Stover Lignocellulose: Glucose, Xylose, Arabinose, p-coumaric Acid, and Acetic Acid
by Joshua R.Elmore, Gara N.Dexter, DaviniaSalvachúa, MarykateO'Brien, Dawn M.Klingeman,KentGorday, Joshua K.Michener, Darren J.Peterson, Gregg T.Beckham, Adam M.Guss (Metabolic Engineering) Engineered P. putida to catabolize xylose and arabinose. Identified bottlenecks in xylose catabolism in P. putida and improved growth rate. Max sugar consumption rate in
September 17, 2020 Read Full Article
New Process Boosts Lignin Bio-oil as a Next-Generation Fuel
(Georgia Tech News Center) A new low-temperature, multi-phase process for upgrading lignin bio-oil to hydrocarbons could help expand use of the lignin, which is now largely a waste product left over from the production of cellulose and bioethanol from trees and
September 14, 2020 Read Full Article
2019 Project Peer Review Report Published
(U.S. Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) hosted the 2019 Project Peer Review on March 4–7, 2019, in Denver, Colorado. During the event, 447 projects in BETO’s research portfolio were presented in 14 simultaneous review
September 12, 2020 Read Full Article
Researchers Investigating a Renewable Solvent for Biofuel Production
(SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry) A research team at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) has a plan to turn waste into a green solvent for biofuel production. Doctors Chang Geun Yoo and Gyu Leem and their
September 10, 2020 Read Full Article
Alliance BioEnergy Establishes Giant King Grass Test Plot
(Alliance BioEnergy Plus Inc.) Alliance BioEnergy Plus Inc., (“Alliance”) announces it has leased 18 acres of land in Southwest Florida to establish a test plot to optimize the production of Giant King Grass as a renewable cellulosic feedstock. Giant King Grass
September 08, 2020 Read Full Article
Lignocellulosic Platform Goes Beyond Biofuels: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Clariant’s Sunliquid
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Chemicals, catalysis, additives – At ABLC Digital this July, Clariant shared how they are working on advancing biofuels globally and details on their sunliquid technology to decarbonize transportation. A fully integrated and carbon negative process, sunliquid
September 06, 2020 Read Full Article
Bloom Biorenewables Receives Investment for Alternative Fuel Pilot
(Biofuels International) Swiss firm Bloom Biorenewables has received a major investment to complete its biomass fractionation pilot project, which will produce alternative fuel. Yokogawa Electric Corporation’s investment brings Bloom’s seed funding round to a total of €2.9 million. Bloom and Yokogawa,
September 05, 2020 Read Full Article
Follow the Rainbow! The Digest Interview: Dr. Chaudhari at Praj Industries on 2020 and What the Future Holds
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) ... The recent launch of Praj’s Bio-Prism platform comprises of renewable chemicals and materials (RCM) solutions and promises sustainability while reimagining nature. We are witnessing strong interest from various stakeholders and some of the
August 31, 2020 Read Full Article
Bloom Biorenewables Secure Funding to Prove Biomass Valorization at Pilot Scale.
by Luke Upton (BioMarket Insights) ... Bloom’s ( @BloomBiorenewa1 ) patented mild lignin extraction method uses stabilizing molecules that prevent lignin (a major fraction in plants) from condensing during extraction. The company will use its latest investment to prove its technology on
August 29, 2020 Read Full Article
CAAFI Webinar Series: The State of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
(Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative) The State of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) by Steve Csonka (CAAFI) Slide deck available here. Webinar recording available here. Click here for more CAAFI webinars, meeting presentations and presentation recordings.
August 12, 2020 Read Full Article
Frontiers in the Bioeconomy: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Praj’s Bio-Mobility, 2G Ethanol & Renewable Chem
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) At ABLC Digital in July, Pramod Kumbhar, President and CTO at Praj Matrix’s R&D Center shared this illuminating slide guide on their Bio-Mobility platform, enfinity – Praj’s 2G ethanol technology, their latest work in marine
August 11, 2020 Read Full Article
Department of Energy Announces $97 Million for Bioenergy Research and Development
(U.S. Department of Energy) Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced more than $97 million in funding for 33 projects that will support high-impact technology research and development to accelerate the bioeconomy. These projects will improve the performance and lower
July 31, 2020 Read Full Article
Axens’ Futurol Cellulosic Ethanol Tech: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Overcoming Cellulosic Ethanol Challenges
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Axens has a range of renewable biofuels and biochemicals from renewable diesel and biojet fuel to cellulosic ethanol, ethylene, butadiene, and aromatics. But there have been challenges in the past with cellulosic ethanol that Axens has
July 28, 2020 Read Full Article
EIB to Provide Advisory Support to Three ‘First-of-a-Kind’ Climate Action Projects
by Liz Gyekye (BioMarket Insights) The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed three agreements with leading European innovators to collaborate on the development and potential financing of new projects that address climate change. Under a partnership with the European Commission delivered through
July 23, 2020 Read Full Article
Driving on Lignin from the Forest – It May Be Possible!
(Sekab) The companies Peab Asfalt and Sekab have reached a milestone by replacing a fraction of the oil-based bitumen with softwood lignin on a highly busy road area in Sweden. The progress has been made under the EU project Rewofuel. The Rewofuel
July 17, 2020 Read Full Article
5 Ways to Reduce Costs in Integrated Biorefineries: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Enabling Lower-Cost Biofuels
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) just released a new report that outlines five specific, yet broadly applicable, areas of focus to reduce costs in an integrated biorefinery. This analysis builds upon ongoing R&D strategies to lower
July 13, 2020 Read Full Article
Researchers Find Way to Improve the Production of Renewable Biofuels and Bioproducts
by Liz Gyekye (BioMarket Insights) Researchers at the US-based Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have used neutron scattering and supercomputing to better understand how an organic solvent and water work together to break down plant biomass, creating a
July 09, 2020 Read Full Article
New Biojet Fuel Could Be a Viable Alternative to Fossil Fuel
by Maegan Murray (Washington State University Tri‑Cities) A Washington State University Tri-Cities researcher is producing and testing a group of hydrocarbon molecules made from lignin, a waste material from biofuel production, as a new biojet fuel that could replace petroleum-based fuels
July 09, 2020 Read Full Article
Alliance BioEnergy Begins Testing 4th Gen Prototype of its Revolutionary Green Renewable Energy Technology
(Alliance BioEnergy/WallStreetOnline) Alliance BioEnergy Plus, Inc. (PINK: ALLM).Alliance BioEnergy Plus Inc., is pleased to announce that its 4th generation Cellulose-to-Sugar (“CTS”) prototype is now completed and installed in our lab. Testing is in preparation and will begin this week. This 4th
July 08, 2020 Read Full Article
Save the Rainforests, Use Degraded Land AND Produce Fuel and Food? Soleá Looks at How Macaúba Could Solve Many Problems
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) ... Macaúba is known for its high productivity and adaptability to the most adverse climate conditions and even better, the fruit’s shell, pulp, endocarp, and almond can be converted into a range of food
June 29, 2020 Read Full Article
15 Hot Tech Case Studies: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to The Digest’s #BetterWithBiology Top 15
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Everything’s better with biology, so here’s The Digest’s newly released Top 15 case studies of today’s hottest technology and new markets for traditional oil and gas refiners. What are our top picks? Spoiler Alert: The top 15
June 10, 2020 Read Full Article
Q&A on Cellulosic Ethanol with Clariant
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) DigestConnect hosted a wildly popular webinar in late April with Clariant’s Head of Business Line, Biofuels & Derivatives at Clariant but there were so many fantastic audience questions we didn’t to, that we decided to follow
May 28, 2020 Read Full Article
Positive Results Achieved from NREL's Use of Industry-Relevant Ozone Treatment to Deconstruct Biomass
by Zia Abdullah (U.S. Department of Energy/National Renewable Energy Laboratory) Achieves high sugar yields with low enzyme loadings; Deconstructing Biomass with a Common Pulp and Paper Industry Method -- Ozone treatment (aka "ozonolysis") of lignocellulose pulp is a widely practiced method for
May 26, 2020 Read Full Article
Amid Oil Price Crash, a New Hope for Biofuels
by Tina Casey (Triple Pundit) ... (T)there are reasons to be optimistic about the future of biofuels, as the field continues to evolve remarkably from where it was a decade ago. ... Rather than letting the rest of the plant go to waste, the
May 19, 2020 Read Full Article
Sekab and Praj Industries in Collaboration to Accelerate a Green Transition
(Praj/Sekab E-Technology AB) Sekab E-technology AB and Praj Industries, India have signed a collaboration agreement in order to upgrade and commercialize technology solutions geared towards the production of sustainable biofuels and chemical products. Praj industries will through this collaboration help to
May 18, 2020 Read Full Article
TU/e-led Consortium IDEALFUEL for the Development of Renewable Maritime Fuels Kicks off
(Eindhoven University of Technology) EU-funded project aims to develop new production methods for sustainable maritime fuels. -- Many ships use heavy fuel oils that contain large amounts of sulphur and nitrogen leading to the emission of greenhouse gases and other damaging
May 12, 2020 Read Full Article
Competitive Edge: MetGen
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... (W)e are driven to find renewable alternatives to oil-based products and chemicals. We believe that everything that is made from oil today, can be made of wood tomorrow. To fulfill our purpose, we had to
May 01, 2020 Read Full Article
Vale Male: Big Changes at the BioEnergy Technologies Office
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... If you’ve noticed that DOE is taking on a much more fundamental bit of science than we’ve seen in the past decade — a move away from catalyzing demonstrations and scale-up and towards more fundamental
April 30, 2020 Read Full Article
Alliance BioEnergy Building Next Generation Prototype towards Commercialization of Its Revolutionary Green Renewable Energy Technology
(Alliance BioEnergy/Globe Newswire) Alliance BioEnergy Plus, Inc. (PINK: ALLM). Alliance BioEnergy Plus Inc., is pleased to announce that it has finalized the design and is building its new 4th generation “Cellulose-to-Sugar” (“CTS 2.0”) prototype. The Company has received funding from a couple of
April 10, 2020 Read Full Article
Lignin Research Yields Additional Answers into Bacteria's Role
(National Renewable Energy Laboratory/Phys.Org) A collaboration between the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and three other national laboratories has yielded new insight into the ability of bacteria to break down the hardy part of a plant known as lignin. The additional
April 09, 2020 Read Full Article
Bio-Based Chemicals: A 2020 Update
Ed de Jong, Heinz Stichnothe, Geoff Bell and Henning Jørgensen (EIA Bioenergy) Since the first issue of the IEA Bioenergy Task 42 report on bio-based chemicals in 2011, the importance of a circular economy has become evident. In the transition to
April 01, 2020 Read Full Article
ANDRITZ Successfully Starts up the World’s First Fossil-Free Biomethanol Plant at Södra, Sweden
(ANDRITZ) International technology group ANDRITZ has recently started up the world’s first biomethanol plant using ANDRITZ’s self-developed A-Recovery+ concept at the Södra Cell Mönsterås pulp mill in southeastern Sweden. The plant has an annual production capacity of 6.3 million liters of biomethanol
March 25, 2020 Read Full Article
Taking on All of the Biomass for Conversion
by Tao Zhang (Science Magazine) The old saying that “you can make everything from biomass except money” sums up the huge challenges of converting lignocellulose into fuels and chemicals in a cost-competitive manner. Most efforts separate its more readily processed
March 19, 2020 Read Full Article
Researchers Building Stronger, Greener Concrete with Biofuel Byproducts
(Kansas State University) Kansas State University civil engineers are developing the right mix to reduce concrete's carbon footprint and make it stronger. Their innovative ingredient: biofuel byproducts. -- "The idea is to use bioethanol production byproducts to produce a material to use
March 17, 2020 Read Full Article
From Tree to Money Faster and More Efficiently than Ever: Futurity to License MetGen’s Award-Winning METNIN™ Technology for Lignin Valorization
(MetGen) Futurity, whose mission is to outperform oil with trees through the production of advanced chemicals and materials from plantation forestry in New Zealand has finalized a licensing agreement with the Finnish company MetGen Oy. Cooperation will allow the development of
March 11, 2020 Read Full Article
Sekab and Vertoro to Build Large-Scale Demonstration Plant to Produce a New Platform for Sustainable Fuels, Chemicals, and Materials
(Sekab) A new demo plant in Örnsköldsvik will be the first in the world to produce a 2G platform for sustainable fuels, chemicals and materials, coined GOLDILOCKS®, from pulp and paper industry residues. The plant will be built by the Swedish
March 09, 2020 Read Full Article
Research Team Maps out Transition from Petroleum to Wood in Chemical Production
(Biofuels International) A team of bioengineers and economics from KU Leuven in Belgium has mapped out how wood could replace petroleum in the chemical industry. According to the researchers, who considered both technological requirements and financial viability, the transition from
March 04, 2020 Read Full Article
A Novel Biofuel System for Hydrogen Production from Biomass
(Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology/Phys.Org) A novel technology has been developed for hydrogen production from the process, which involves electron that is produced during the decomposition of biomass such as waste wood. The result produced after biomass decomposition is
March 02, 2020 Read Full Article
KIST Develops Biofuel Production Process in Cooperation with North American Researchers
(Korea Institute of Science and Technology/EurekAlert!) Clean biofuel produced using genetic engineering and environmentally friendly solvents. International joint research by Korean, US, and Canadian research teams raises anticipation of the development of sustainable biofuel production technology -- Biofuel is often touted
March 02, 2020 Read Full Article
Optimizing Co-Product Production: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Alkaline-Oxidative Pretreatment of Woody Biomass
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Two birds with one stone – if you can get BOTH a clean sugar stream for the production of hydrocarbon fuels AND lignins that can feed multiple product streams, then you are talking economic viability. Eric L.
February 21, 2020 Read Full Article
1st Commercial-Scale Production of 5-HMF, 1st Hydrogen-Based Residential Area, Largest Fuel Cell System Ever on Major Ship, and More: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of February 20th
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) It’s fun to be 1st and this week is full of them…from the first hydrogen-based residential area in the Netherlands to the world’s first commercial-scale production plant of 5-HMF via AVA Biochem and Michelin Group’s new
February 20, 2020 Read Full Article
Innovation and Strategic Orientations for the Development of Advanced Biorefineries
by Giuliano Dragone, Abraham A.J.Kerssemakers, Jasper L.S.P.Driessen, Celina K.Yamakawa, Larissa P.Brumano, Solange I.Mussatto (Bioresource Technology) Advanced biorefineries are seen as key to implement a sustainable biobased economy. • Total valorization of biomass can boost the industrial implementation of biorefineries. •
February 18, 2020 Read Full Article
A Sustainable Wood Biorefinery for Low–Carbon Footprint Chemicals Production
by Yuhe Liao, Steven-Friso Koelewijn, Gil Van den Bossche, Joost Van Aelst, Sander Van den Bosch, Tom Renders, Kranti Navare, Thomas Nicolaï, Korneel Van Aelst, Maarten Maesen, Hironori Matsushima, Johan Thevelein, Karel Van Acker, Bert Lagrain, Danny Verboekend, Bert F.
February 18, 2020 Read Full Article
Versalis: Biomass Power Plant Restarted at Crescentino and Bioethanol Production Onstream within the First Half of the Year
(Eni) Versalis, Eni’s chemical company, has announced that all the plants at Crescentino (Vercelli, Piedmont) will be up and running by the first half of 2020. The plant, acquired in November 2018, is designed for industrial-scale production of bioethanol and has
February 18, 2020 Read Full Article
A Novel Biofuel System for Hydrogen Production from Biomasss
by JooHyeon Heo (Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST)) A novel technology has been developed for hydrogen production from the process, which involves electron that is produced during the decomposition of biomass such as waste wood. The result
February 04, 2020 Read Full Article
WinGD Advances Clean Fuel Research with Flexible Injector Concept
(WinGD) WinGD (Winterthur Gas & Diesel) has bolstered its investment in fuel research with the development of a flexible injection system. In a whitepaper released today, ‘Flexible Injector to Advance Alternative Fuels Research’, the engine designers describe how the concept
January 31, 2020 Read Full Article
How to Make It Easier to Turn Plant Waste into Biofuels
by Todd Bates (Rutgers University/Phys.Org) Researchers have developed a new process that could make it much cheaper to produce biofuels such as ethanol from plant waste and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Their approach, featuring an ammonia-salt based solvent that rapidly turns
January 14, 2020 Read Full Article
USDA Issues Final Rule for Advanced Biofuel Payment Program
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service published a final rule for the Advanced Biofuel Payment Program on Dec. 27. The program provides quarterly payments to producers of eligible advanced biofuels. To be eligible for payments, the advanced
January 02, 2020 Read Full Article
Forest Service Grants License for Biomass Conversion Technology
by Matt Thompson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. Forest Service announced in November its intent to grant a license for technology that can efficiently fractionate lignocellulosic biomass to a Canadian company, Whispering Green Energy. And that license has now been granted,
January 02, 2020 Read Full Article
Cellulosic Biofuel Technology: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Mercurius Biorefining
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Reaching high is something Mercurius is familiar with, esp. with their REACH technology. Standing for renewable, acid-hydrolysis, condensation, hydrotreating, their REACH technology works at low temperature, low pressure and enzyme free. According to Knud Balslev at
January 02, 2020 Read Full Article
Autothermal Pyrolysis: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Rethinking Thermochemical Processing
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Iowa State University is working on fast pyrolysis, and Robert Brown, Director of the university’s Bioeconomy Institute looks at how their work is making us rethink thermochemical processing. By looking at autothermal pyrolysis, and more, Brown
December 27, 2019 Read Full Article
Biorefining Start-Up Wins Significant EU Funding to Scale-Up Business
(Bioenergy Insight) Biorefining start-up Chrysalix Technologies has won significant funding from the EU to scale-up its business. The company uses waste wood and agricultural by-products as well as sustainably-grown biomass to produce biofuels, biomaterials, greener chemicals and bioplastics. Its BioFlex process
December 19, 2019 Read Full Article
Conversion Technologies: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to BETO’s Carbon-Based Fuels and Co-Products
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Why is working with biomass so challenging? Jonathan Male, Director at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) set out to answer that question at ABLC NEXT in San Francisco. Check out his illuminating
December 17, 2019 Read Full Article
Enzymes Bring Biomass Value: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to MetGen’s Enzymes
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Tailored hydrolysis enzymes have many benefits for biomass, especially since it’s a soup of the day and each unique substrate is a combination of feedstock. MetGen has this covered with their production strains and processes that streamline
December 09, 2019 Read Full Article
Five Major Trends in Biobased Renewables
(Biorenewable Deployment Consortium) The Biorenewable Deployment Consortium tracks global developments in the biobased Industries. Several key trends have emerged over the last decade: 1. The development of biobased products will vary widely by region on a worldwide basis, and national policy
December 09, 2019 Read Full Article
Biofuels Production and Consumption in Denmark: Status, Advances and Challenges
by Sune Tjalfe Thomsen and Henning Jørgensen (IEA Bioenergy Task 39 Newsletter) 1. Status of transportation biofuel industry in Denmark -- In Denmark, a considerable part of the total energy demand is derived from renewable sources. In 2017, 26% of
December 06, 2019 Read Full Article
Commercializing Conventional and Advanced Transport Biofuels from Biomass and Other Renewable Feedstocks; Focus on Sweden
by Mahmood Ebadian, Jim McMillan and Jack Saddler (IEA Bioenergy Task 39 Newsletter) ... Task 39’s main focus remains on drop-in biofuels for heavy duty transport, i.e., transport sectors where substantial electrification isn’t foreseen in the near-to-mid-term. It is recognized
December 06, 2019 Read Full Article
NORDEN Enters New Biofuel Collaboration with Kvasir Technologies
(PortNews) NORDEN has entered into a partnership with Danish based Kvasir Technologies, a spinout from the Technical University of Denmark with a patented technology to produce fuel from plant material, the company said in its release. “At NORDEN, we want to drive
December 06, 2019 Read Full Article
St1 and beyond: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Hydrogen for Renewable Diesel and Other Bio-Based Applications
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This week, we reported that St1 has awarded ÅF Pöyry with engineering assignment for a new renewable fuel production unit investment project. The new plant will be built in Gothenburg, Sweden, and is the largest single investment
November 06, 2019 Read Full Article
Maersk Join Forces with Industry Peers and Customers to Develop LEO
(Maersk) A.P. Moller - Maersk alongside with Wallenius Wilhelmsen, BMW Group, H&M Group, Levi Strauss & Co. and, Marks & Spencer to explore LEO - a blend of lignin and ethanol - that could be part of the future solution
October 31, 2019 Read Full Article
Lignin and Carbon Dioxide Turned into Ethanol
by Becky Webb (Chemistry World) Process generates bulk chemical from two renewable carbon sources -- Scientists in China have developed a method to produce ethanol using the renewable resources lignin and carbon dioxide for the first time. The process uses a
October 31, 2019 Read Full Article
Scientists Develop Efficient Methods to Turn Woody Biomass into Fuels
by Brian Wallheimer (Purdue University) ... Lignin, a complex compound in cell walls, blocks access to plant carbohydrates that could be cleaved into sugars and then fermented into biofuels. The compounds that hold plant cells together, as well as their
October 25, 2019 Read Full Article
MetGen Wins Frost & Sullivan 2019 European Technology Innovation Award
(MetGen) Based on its recent analysis of the European industrial enzymes market, Frost & Sullivan recognizes Finland-based MetGen with the 2019 European Technology Innovation Award for its enzyme technologies, METNIN™ and ENZINE®. METNIN™ enables complete valorization of lignin for use in
October 18, 2019 Read Full Article
The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Breakthroughs at the Bioenergy Research Centers
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Over 10 years (2007–2017), three Bioenergy Research Centers produced multiple breakthroughs in the form of deepened understanding of sustainable biomass production practices, targeted re-engineering of biomass feedstocks, development of new methods for deconstructing feedstocks, and
October 18, 2019 Read Full Article
IIT-M, ExxonMobil Research Join Hands for Biofuel Research
(CanIndia) The Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IITM) on Monday said it has entered into an agreement with ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company (EMRE) for research on energy and biofuels. In a statement issued here, IIT-M said it will be a five year
October 14, 2019 Read Full Article
Scientists Mimic Natural Decay to Break Down Plant Material for Biofuel Production
(Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center) Inspired by bacteria’s role in natural plant decay, researchers at the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center and Michigan State University have mimicked a bacterial pathway to break down the toughest parts of a plant in preparation
October 11, 2019 Read Full Article
World's First Combined 2G Ethanol and Crude Lignin Oil Biorefinery Inches Closer to Reality
(PressAT/Vertoro) Sainc Energy Limited (Sainc), a London-based developer of biomass refineries, has entered into a definitive supply contract for 180,000 tons per annum of local olive tree prunings for its planned advanced bio-refinery at Villaralto, in Cordoba Province, Andalusia, Spain. The bio-refinery will
October 02, 2019 Read Full Article
$73 Million, 35 Projects, Who Won, for What and Why: The DOE Bioenergy Technologies Office 2019 Project Selections
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the U.S. Department of Energy has selected 35 projects totaling $73 million for bioenergy research and development support. Funded through the DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, these projects will help reduce
October 02, 2019 Read Full Article
Replacing the Barrel: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Conversion Technologies
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Developing efficient and economical biological and chemical technologies to convert biomass feedstocks into energy-dense liquid transportation fuels, such as renewable gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel, as well as bioproducts, chemical intermediates, and biopower is the primary goal
September 18, 2019 Read Full Article
Betting on Waste
(EurekAlert!/University of California - Santa Barbara) Most of the materials that maintain our modern lives -- fuels, pharmaceuticals and other commodity chemicals -- come from non-renewable sources. Over time the acquisition of these materials becomes more costly as their supplies diminish.
September 12, 2019 Read Full Article
Domtar Honored with Biorenewable Deployment Consortium’s Forest Products Innovation Award
(Biorenewable Deployment Consortium) The Biorenewable Deployment Consortium (BDC) honored Domtar with the organization’s inaugural 2019 Forest Products Innovation Award for their culture of innovation in the deployment of new biorenewable processes directed toward achieving the highest value from the tree. “BDC
September 11, 2019 Read Full Article
Biotech to Biochem: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Versalis’ Chemistry from Renewables
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Versalis, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eni, and while their history lies with traditional chemicals, they now have strategic guidelines for chemistry from renewables. Their biotech business unit is one of the ways they are integrating
September 06, 2019 Read Full Article
Biobased Battery, Starch-Based Gift Cards, Future Fashion, Plant-Based Flame Retardants, and More: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of September 5th
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This week is a merry mix of biobased innovations around the world. From the creation of artificial reefs made from PLA in Israel and Spain’s starch-based gift cards to the U.S. where biobased battery materials are
September 05, 2019 Read Full Article
India’s Rising Prowess in Bioeconomy: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Praj’s Perpective from India
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Product, processes and partnerships are what it’s all about in India right now with the country’s latest bioenergy policies and growing activity in the bioeconomy. Pramod Chaudhari, Executive Chairman at Praj Industries gave this illuminating presentation at
September 04, 2019 Read Full Article
Finland Makes Batteries from Trees. Can Maine?
(Biobased Maine) ... Stora Enso just announced an investment of $11.2 million to build a pilot facility to produce lignin-based battery materials at their Sunila Mill in Finland. The facility, anticipated for completion in early 2021, will process lignin (one of the
August 31, 2019 Read Full Article
US-India Consortium for Development of Sustainable Advanced Lignocellulosic Biofuel Systems
by Vermerris, Wilfred; Ingram, Lonnie O.; O'Connor, George; Pullammanappallil, P.; Shanmugam, K. T.; Tong, Zhaohui; Wilkie, Anne; Jose, Shibu; Bardhan, Sougata; Kitchen, Newell; Fritschi, Felix; Alavalapati, Janaki; Quesada-Pineda, Henry J.; Smith, Robert; Lal, Pankaj ; Gan, Jianbang (University of Florida/U.S.
August 30, 2019 Read Full Article
From Lignin to Value: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to MetGen’s Enzymes
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) MetGen are pioneers in industrial enzymes for lignocellulosic biomass and are trying to empower industries to get the most out of biomass with their enzymatic technologies. Alex Michine, CEO of MetGen gave this enlightening overview of MetGen’s
August 22, 2019 Read Full Article
New Energy Blue Buys Inbicon’s Low-Carbon Fuel Technology
(Oil and Gas 360/New Energy Blue) NewEnergyBlue acquired exclusive rights to Inbicon bio-conversion technology throughout the Americas and will first employ it to turn North Dakota wheat straw into a high-value, carbon-neutral automotive fuel. The technology license was purchased from Ørsted, a Danish
August 13, 2019 Read Full Article
Zero Emission Heavy Fuel Oil: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to GoodFuels’ Marine Biofuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) GoodFuels is seeing a fast rise of low carbon marine fuels as a very logical one. The demand. The supply. The environmental impact. Even the economics. It’s all making sense now. In November, GoodFuels completed trials
August 07, 2019 Read Full Article
Supercomputing Improves Biomass Fuel Conversion
by Holly Ober (Univesity of California Riverside News) Researchers combine supercomputing with nano-imaging to reveal how to efficiently break down plant biomass and transform it into transportation fuels -- ... In order to access the energy-rich sugars found in the plant
August 05, 2019 Read Full Article
From Biomass to BioPlus: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to GranBio’s Nanocellulose
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) GranBio is focused on commercial deployment of technologies for the production of biofuels, biochemicals, and nanocellulose. Kim Nelson, PhD, CTO Nanocellulose of GranBio gave this illuminating overview of GranBio’s two distinct nanocellulose processes, the BETO project for
August 05, 2019 Read Full Article
Batteries from Trees, 3D Printing Developments, Canola Straw Cling Wrap, Biochar, and More: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of August 2nd
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Can you really produce anode materials from trees? Stora Enso says absolutely yes! And they are investing a nice chunk of change to build a pilot plant for lignin-based battery materials. Ok, sounds great, but come
August 02, 2019 Read Full Article
The Future of Hydrogen, and the Debut of Hydrogen Digest
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In a new report from the International Energy Agency, the IEA’s executive director Dr. Fatih Birol writes, “This is a critical year for hydrogen. It is enjoying unprecedented momentum around the world and could finally be set
July 31, 2019 Read Full Article
Here Comes the Sun – Sunliquid Tech: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Clariant
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Clariant, a Switzerland based specialty chemicals company, has four business areas: Care Chemicals, Natural Resources, Catalysis and Plastics & Coatings. While the first half of the year has been challenging, Clariant was able to increase sales
July 29, 2019 Read Full Article
Genera Repositions Itself, Gets $118M Investment – Movin’ on up to Get a Piece of the Pie
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) ... A $118 million pie in new investment money for this Tennessee-based biomass company. The financing was anchored by an equity investment from WindSail Capital Group, which partnered with investors Coppermine Capital and Stairway Capital
July 26, 2019 Read Full Article
Relieving Two Headaches with One Process: Acetaminophen from Lignin
by Jill Sakai (Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center) With a new method to synthesize a popular pain-relieving medication from plants rather than fossil fuels, researchers at the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center have found a way to relieve two headaches at once. A
July 12, 2019 Read Full Article
Paper Pen, Bioasphalt, Water Activated Bio Shampoo, Lignin Self-Healing Elastomer, Bio Crop Coating, and More: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of July 10th
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) While many are on vacation this time of year, the bioeconomy is not even close to taking a break. In fact, bioeconomy innovations, are like a beach goer in Florida this time of year – hot!
July 10, 2019 Read Full Article
Vertimass Completes First Technology License To Alliance BioEnergy Plus Inc.
(Vertimass/Oil&Gas 360) Vertimass' ethanol to renewable chemicals and jet fuel offers ethanol producers new product capabilities -- Vertimass completed its first technology license agreement with Alliance BioEnergy Plus, Inc. in West Palm Beach, Florida, to produce renewable jet fuel along with Benzene, Toluene,
July 05, 2019 Read Full Article
Making Every Carbon Count: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Praj
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Praj had a humble beginning as a supplier of ethanol plants, and today is a global company with a bouquet of sustainable solutions for bioenergy, high purity water, critical process equipment, breweries and industrial wastewater treatment. Dr.
July 02, 2019 Read Full Article
Study Identifies Most Promising Feedstocks for Pyrolysis-Based Biorefinery
(CORDIS/Phy.Org) A study into the composition and processability of different biomass feedstocks has found sunflower seed husks and poplar wood slabs to be the most suitable for producing bio-based products via fast pyrolysis conversion. The study was conducted by Capax Biobased
June 13, 2019 Read Full Article
Promising Start to 2019: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Stora Enso
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Digest’s “Stocks Worth Tracking” Multi-Slide Guide Series highlights hot companies that are making strides in the bioeconomy. Today’s “Stock Worth Tracking” is Stora Enso. Stora Enso celebrated some positive Q1 2019 financials including sales that
June 11, 2019 Read Full Article
Thermochemical Pulp Biorefinery Opens in Ontario
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) FPInnovations and Resolute Forest Products Inc. announced May 27 the commissioning of a new pilot biorefinery that converts wood biomass into lignin and sugars. On the same day, the Canadian government awarded C$2 million to the
May 29, 2019 Read Full Article
Project LIBERTY: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to POET
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) POET has been turning one big idea after another into biofuel and renewable alternative product solutions for thirty years. They have grown from a single, humble refinery in Scotland, South Dakota, to one of the world’s
May 24, 2019 Read Full Article
Indian Perspective on Bioenergy: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to IndianOil Corp.
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) IndianOil has a 33,000-plus work-force, extensive refining, distribution & marketing infrastructure and advanced R&D facilities. In the country’s pursuit of alternative sources of energy, IndianOil is focusing on CNG (compressed natural gas), Autogas (LPG), ethanol blended
May 15, 2019 Read Full Article
Feedstock Flexibility
by Matt Thompson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Beyond Enerkem, a few companies around the world are looking to feedstocks outside of corn to produce cellulosic ethanol. -- A few well-known ethanol producers are developing cellulosic pathways that use feedstocks other than elements of
May 14, 2019 Read Full Article
Government, National Labs, Academia, and Industry Convene at the 2019 BETO Peer Review! Presentations Now Available
(U.S. Department of Energy) From March 4–8, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO), within the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, hosted the 2019 Project Peer Review in Denver, Colorado. This was the largest Peer Review
May 03, 2019 Read Full Article
All About the Enzymes: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to METGEN
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) METGEN designs and markets novel enzymatic solutions for challenging and large industry sectors to meet specific customer needs. MetGen’s enzymes – MetZyme – are industrial, highly-active, natural catalysts that accelerate chemical reactions. They can survive in
April 25, 2019 Read Full Article
Finnish Bioethanol Project Worth Millions – Swedish SEKAB Provides Technology
(SEKAB) In 2021, the biorefinery Nordfuel is planned to open in Northern Finland. The facility will produce bioethanol and biofuel from soft wood residues, an investment worth EURO 150 million. Swedish clean-tech company SEKAB E-Technology will provide the technology. “To successfully
April 24, 2019 Read Full Article
The Advanced Bioeconomy: New Fortunes 2019
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Let’s turn to New Fortunes 2019 – our overview of what we believe will be the 24 hottest market segments in the near term – places to focus your innovations and to unlock value. From cannabis and
April 24, 2019 Read Full Article
REACHing for the Stars: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Mercurius Biorefining
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Mercurius Biorefining is developing its novel REACH process, which converts cellulosic biomass to hydrocarbons in the renewable diesel, aviation, and marine fuel ranges. Valuable by-products include bio-char and a bio-plastic monomer, FDCA. REACH (Renewable Acid-hydrolysis Condensation Hydrotreating)
April 23, 2019 Read Full Article
Spero Renewables Announces Cooperative Agreement with the Department of Energy
(Spero Renewables/Online PR News) Spero Renewables Awarded $1.6 Million to Develop & Scale-up SPERLU™ Biomass-based Polymers Production -- Spero Renewables, LLC, a Green chemistry company today announced a $1.6 million cooperative agreement with the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable energy division of the Department of
April 16, 2019 Read Full Article
From Bioenergy to Bioproducts: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to JBEI
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Joint BioEnergy Institute is a U.S. Department of Energy Bioenergy Research Center dedicated to developing advanced biofuels—liquid fuels derived from the solar energy stored in plant biomass that can replace gasoline, diesel and jet fuels. Inside
April 12, 2019 Read Full Article
The Digest’s Top 10 Celluosic Project Flashpoints, 10 Quick Takes
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) It’s all very rosy on the cellulosic potential frontier. As Gevo and Renmatix recently observed, “cellulosic sugars are one of the most abundant feedstocks in the world, and in many geographies with dense vegetation, using woody
March 26, 2019 Read Full Article
Cricket Bacteria Break Down Lignin, Highlighting Ecology's Utility in Applied R&D
(North Carolina State University/Phys.org) Researchers have discovered that a bacterium found in camel crickets is capable of breaking down lignin—the stuff that makes wood tough—opening new research pathways for the development of biofuels and chemical manufacturing. The study also highlights
March 22, 2019 Read Full Article
Plant and Algae-Based Tuna, Lignin Plastic Alternative, Rice Husks in Architecture, Seaweed T-shirt and Lube, Jute and Kenaf Composites and more: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the week of March 21st
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The pace of bioeconomy invention and change continues at a frenetic pace. Here are the top innovations for the week of March 21st. In today’s Digest, plant and algae-based tuna, lignin plastic alternative, rice husks in architecture,
March 21, 2019 Read Full Article
Bright Skies for Plant-Based Jet Fuels
by Aliyah Kovner (Berkeley Lab) Joint BioEnergy Institute researchers demonstrate that jet fuels made from plants could be cost competitive with conventional fossil fuels -- ... However, a new analysis by scientists at the Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
March 20, 2019 Read Full Article
Transcription Factor Network Gets to Heart of Wood Formation
by D'Lyn Ford and Jack Wang (North Carolina State University News) North Carolina State University researchers have uncovered how a complex network of transcription factors switch wood formation genes on and off. Understanding this transcriptional regulatory network has applications for modifying wood
March 18, 2019 Read Full Article
Biomass Breakdown: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Sweetwater Energy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Sweetwater Energy has developed a unique and patented technology for producing low-cost sugars and clean lignin fiber from multiple non-food plant materials to help meet the modern world’s increasing demand for biochemicals, bioplastics and biofuels. Jack Baron,
March 18, 2019 Read Full Article
Brazil’s GranBio Acquires USA’s American Process
by Helena Taveres Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) ... The acquisition of American Process Inc’s technologies, intellectual property portfolio and physical assets strengthens GranBio’s market position in the deployment of highly competitive industrial processes for conversion of biomass to renewable fuels, chemicals, and
March 18, 2019 Read Full Article
Borregaard LignoTech Honored with Biorenewable Deployment Consortium’s Achievement Award
(Biorenewable Deployment Consortium) The Biorenewable Deployment Consortium (BDC) honored Borregaard LignoTech with the organization’s Spring 2019 Achievement Award for their outstanding achievements and continuous contributions as the world leader in the development of lignin based renewable products. “The Biorenewable Deployment Consortium
March 13, 2019 Read Full Article
This Beetle’s Gut May Hide Clues to Making Better Biofuels
(Berkeley News) The passalid beetle’s unique gut architecture helps it transform decaying wood into energy-rich materials. -- Decaying wood doesn’t make the most nutritious food, but the long-horned passalid beetle has evolved to make the best of it. The guts of
March 13, 2019 Read Full Article
Engineered Microbe May Be Key to Producing Plastic from Plants
by Chris Barncard (University of Wisconsin-Madison) With a few genetic tweaks, a type of soil bacteria with an appetite for hydrocarbons shows promise as a biological factory for converting a renewable — but frustratingly untapped — bounty into a replacement for
March 11, 2019 Read Full Article
Commercializing Marine Biofuels: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to GoodFuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) GoodFuels is the the market-leader in developing and delivering advanced sustainable fuels for the transport sector, offering a cost-effective pathway towards a low-carbon society. Their focus is on the aviation, shipping and heavy road and rail sectors. Bart
March 11, 2019 Read Full Article
Biosolvents Solving Challenges– from Dry Cleaning and Cleaning Shorelines to Biomass and Biofuel Production
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) Biobased solvents are on the rise with more demand for them now than ever before. What used to be an alternative to petroleum-based solvents, biosolvents are now looked at as an environmental win-win as well as a win
March 11, 2019 Read Full Article
Attis Industries Looks to Expand Production and Add Approximately $160M in Revenues with Recent Acquisition: Management Aims to Setup a World-Class Green Tech Campus in New York
(Attis Industries/Globe Newswire) The Company aims to harness their proprietary technology through multiple biomass processing facilities to cater to the rising demand of ethanol, carbon fibre, and other products. Attis Industries (ATIS) took its first big step in the field of renewable
March 05, 2019 Read Full Article
Research Uncovers Potential Sustainable Refining Method for Lignin
(Phys.Org/Texas A&M University) Lignin, used as a renewable resource to produce high-value products, has presented both production and economical challenges for biorefinery operations. However, a Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientist suggests the use of an extraction method, plus other refining processes
February 27, 2019 Read Full Article
Biomass Separation Technology: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Attis Industries
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Attis Industriesis a diversified company focused on innovation and technology including renewable fuels, bio-based plastics, healthcare and communications infrastructure. At a recent investor meeting, Attis offered this illuminating overview of their proprietary biomass processing technology, Attis’ renewable fuels, investment
February 25, 2019 Read Full Article
WEBINAR: The New Wave in Bio-Based Materials: Maximum Value from Lignin with Industry-Specific Fractions. --- February 26, 2019
The era of affordable sugars, renewable biochemical and bio-based materials from lignocellulosic feedstock are here. Enabling a paradigm shift from petroleum and change over to renewable biomass, the new fractionation technologies of lignin allow the entire biomass to be utilized.
February 11, 2019 Read Full Article
The Stora Enso Story – A Magical Tale of Trees and Forests
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) ... In today’s Digest, we talk about Stora Enso’s story – the renewable materials company that develops and produces wood and biomass based solutions for a range of industries and applications globally – what they
January 28, 2019 Read Full Article
Attis, Iowa State Partner on Lignin-Based Carbon Fiber
(Attis Industries Inc./Ethanol Producer Magazine) Attis Industries Inc., a diversified innovation and technology holding company, today announced a partnership with Iowa State University for a funded research program to develop carbon fibers for use in a wide variety of applications derived entirely or