by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) From remarks by Antonio De Palmas — president, Boeing Italy, at the World Bioenergy Leadership Forum ... Aviation is 2% of all 2010 CO2e emissions, expected to grow to 3.5% by 2030. We cannot accept
market forces
Back TO HOMEFollow the Money
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) After a period of incredible profitability, leaders in the ethanol industry are better positioned for thinner margins. In an industry ruled by volatility, it’s important for producers to position themselves to take advantage of favorable
May 19, 2015 Read Full Article
How Much Longer Can The Oil Age Last?
By Gaurav Agnihotri (OilPrice.com) History has been so fascinated with oil and its price movements that it is indeed hard to imagine our future without oil. Over the last few months, we have witnessed how oil prices have fluctuated from
May 13, 2015 Read Full Article
Cellulosic Refiners Hamstrung by Chaos in RFS-Credit Market
Amanda Peterka (E&E Publishing) ... Refiners aren't buying cellulosic fuel credits through the renewable fuel standard program for what the company produces. And so Quad County has received as much as $600,000 less than expected for its wares -- a shortfall
May 12, 2015 Read Full Article
"Repeal the RFS – All of It," Koch Companies Writes to Senators
by Philip Ellender (Koch Companies Public Sector) On behalf of Koch companies, I am writing to urge you to oppose S. 577, a bill introduced by Senators Feinstein and Toomey that seeks to reform, not repeal, the federal Renewable Fuel Standard(RFS)
April 17, 2015 Read Full Article
Ethanol Industry Continues to Evolve as Usage Levels off
by Loretta Sorensen (Midwest Producer) ... Kansas Corn CEO Greg Krissek said there is some slowing of ethanol production on the eastern and western edges of the cornbelt. But ethanol industry leaders are responding to market conditions by implementing new technology
April 07, 2015 Read Full Article
The Unrecognized Value of Bio-Energy
by Chad Smith (Midwest Producer) "We threw a whole bunch of stuff up on the wall to see if anything sticks." Dave VanderGriend quoted a Kansas state legislator describing House Bill (HB) 2401, a proposal to add a 4.5-cent per gallon
April 03, 2015 Read Full Article
Moonshine, Hogs and Drought Fuel Sorghum Boom Across U.S. Plains
by Megan Durisin, Jeff Wilson, Lydia Mulvany (Bloomberg) ... A kernel-yielding stalk that’s native to Africa, sorghum has three things going for it right now: it’s cheap to plant; it holds up better in drought-like conditions than other crops; and most importantly,
March 31, 2015 Read Full Article
Advanced Biofuels Community Leaders Meet: Persistent and Dogged in the Throes of a Tough Slog
by Joanne Ivancic* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Every year, the annual Washington, DC gathering of leaders in the advanced biofuels world at the Advanced Bioeconomy Leadership Conference sports a different "vibe." In the early days of the late 2000's, the atmosphere
March 16, 2015 Read Full Article
Louis Dreyfus Ships Big U.S. Ethanol Cargo to Middle East -Traders
by Chris Prentice (Reuters) Louis Dreyfus Commodities has shipped a large cargo of U.S. ethanol worth over $17 million to the Middle East, traders said, stoking hopes among U.S. producers of renewed appetite from some buyers overseas. Dreyfus, one of
March 09, 2015 Read Full Article
Study: Easing Ethanol Mandate Could Have Cut Corn Prices during Drought
(University of Nebraska-Lincoln) By relaxing a federal ethanol mandate, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency could have counteracted the impact of the 2012 drought on corn prices, a new study by UNL agricultural economists concludes. The study provides a guidepost for action
March 09, 2015 Read Full Article
Here’s What Will Send Oil Prices Back Up Again
by Martin Tillier (OilPrice.com) ... The low price brigade cites another factor in making their predictions, the rise of alternative energy sources. There is no doubt that there have been significant advances in that area, particularly in wind and solar power, but,
March 04, 2015 Read Full Article
ADM Cuts Biodiesel Output as Industry Hit by Weak Margins
by Rod Nickel and Chris Prentice (Reuters) Archer Daniels Midland , one of the world's top biofuels producers, has slowed North American biodiesel output, the latest sign the industry is battling uncertainty over U.S. renewable fuel policy while the oil
February 26, 2015 Read Full Article
Uncertainty in RFS Sends the US Ethanol Industry to Overseas Markets: A Report from the National Ethanol Conference, "Going Global"
[caption id="attachment_59831" align="alignleft" width="300"] Renewable Fuels Association President, Bob Dinneen introduces NEC scholarship winner, Lais Thomaz at the National Ethanol Conference.[/caption] by Lais F. Thomaz* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Last week, from February 17 to 21, the 20th National Ethanol Conference "Going
February 26, 2015 Read Full Article
Dear EPA, Please Fix Biofuels in 2015
by Maxx Chatsko (Motley Fool) Say what you want about renewable fuels, but the policies jointly enacted by Congress and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2005 and 2008 were wildly successful in creating globally competitive ethanol and biodiesel industries. Since
February 17, 2015 Read Full Article
Global Second Generation Biofuels (Advanced Biofuels) Market Analysis, Size, Share, Trends, Research, Demand And Forecast to 2020: Big Market Research
(Big Market Research) Second generation biofuels yield more energy efficient output than conventional fossil fuels and are environment-friendly as well. Other enabling factors such as favourable environmental regulations & policies, investments/funds provided by the North American and European governments for
February 11, 2015 Read Full Article
The Big Move: The Leap from First-Gen to Next-Gen Biofuels Companies, How Does It Happen?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) How does the biofuels industry move from its roots in first-gen corn starch or cane sugar fermentation towards diversified products, more capacity and distribution, and new inputs like cellulosics? How are the economics now — and
February 09, 2015 Read Full Article
Fuel Summit Reflects on Lack of RFS, Options for Expansion
by Gene Lucht (Iowa Farmer Today) Government uncertainty and low oil prices pose the biggest challenges to the ethanol and biodiesel markets in 2015, according to speakers at last week’s Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit. ... The 10 percent ethanol blend known as
February 08, 2015 Read Full Article
Will Low Oil Prices Be the Downfall of Cellulosic Biofuels?
by Wally Tyner (The Conversation/Purdue University) ... One challenge to commercializing biofuel made from non-food sources — called cellulosic biofuels — has been cost. Unlike ethanol made from corn, cellulosic biofuels are made from the inedible parts of plants or organic materials,
February 08, 2015 Read Full Article
EPA Ruling Regarding Biodiesel Imports Batters Oil Values
by Mark Conlon (Farm & Ranch Guide) The Environmental Protection Agency’s recent ruling to allow U.S. imports of Argentine biodiesel under the Renewable Fuel Standards had a bearish effect on oil values. “Oil values took a beating after the ruling by
February 08, 2015 Read Full Article
Once-Golden Biofuels Market Flattened by Cheap Diesel
by Chris Fleisher (Trib Total Media) Last fall, Ed Vescovi planned to restart a dormant biodiesel plant in Beaver County. The market for biofuel was shaky. But a new owner, Weavertown Environmental, pledged to get the plant going after purchasing
February 08, 2015 Read Full Article
Beyond Boats To China
by Tom Bryan (Ethanol Producer Magazine) After halting distillers grains imports late last year, the world's top DDGS buyer is poised to resume business, but on what terms? The prospect of China reissuing distillers grains import permits bodes well for the
January 19, 2015 Read Full Article
Opening Channels For Export
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. Grains Council is teaming up with Growth Energy, the Renewable Fuels Association and the USDA Foreign Agriculture Service on a new four-way partnership in ethanol export market development. There’s a big difference
January 19, 2015 Read Full Article
Biodiesel Industry Says RFS Uncertainty a Reason for Lower 2014 Production
by Janell Thomas (Farm Futures) 2014 biodiesel production drops from record levels noted in 2013; National Biodiesel Board says Renewable Fuel Standard has impact Sluggish Renewable Fuel Volume announcements from Washington, D.C. are to blame in part for the lower biodiesel
January 16, 2015 Read Full Article
Shale vs OPEC: What’s Going on with Oil Prices? Will the Bleeding Stop, and When?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Here’s what’s going on, as illustrated in this EIA chart, which shows the imbalance between increases in demand and the increases in non-OPEC production. In short, non-OPEC oil is being dumped on the market faster
January 14, 2015 Read Full Article
Spotlight on Iowa
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Ethanol Producer Magazine digs into the details of ethanol production in Iowa and how the industry got started. When Jerry Mohr, president of the Iowa Corn Growers Association board of directors, talks to politicians, he
January 07, 2015 Read Full Article
Biofuels and the Oil Price, Gloomy Gus, Energy Bear, Express Train to Mood Hell
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Oil prices are down, energy stocks are plunging, and the investor mood is giving Lord of the Flies a run for its money for mix of peril, fantasy and pessimism. So why is the hard
January 07, 2015 Read Full Article
FEATURE: Taiwan Regressing in Biofuel, Waste Oil Policy
by Elizabeth Hsu (Taipai Times) ... At a time when most industrialized countries have found bright solutions for dealing with waste cooking oil, Taiwan seems to be stuck in the dark ages, with unethical businesses showing that they are willing
December 30, 2014 Read Full Article
Lawsuit Puts Biodiesel Use under Spotlight
(China Daily/Ecns.cn) Yingding Biofuel Technology Co Ltd, the privately owned Chinese biodiesel producer, has won its monopoly case against the country's biggest oil refiner, China Petrochemical Corp Ltd. The company had accused the industry giant of blocked sales of its fuel
December 23, 2014 Read Full Article
U.S. Ethanol Makers at Record Rate Despite Rare Gasoline Premium
by Michael Hirtzer (Reuters) U.S. ethanol production is likely to continue at a record rate despite its rare premium to gasoline as cheap corn, high biofuel prices and even cool weather provide ideal conditions and strong profit margins. "There's no sign
December 15, 2014 Read Full Article
Where’s the Upside in $60 Oil?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Boom times for two-product strategies? Can feed markets offer relief for the challenges on the fuel side? ... A two-product strategy is no guarantee of good times during period of rapidly falling energy prices. But
December 12, 2014 Read Full Article
USDA Report Highlights Impact of CTPA on Exports to Columbia
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A report recently filed with the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service’s Global Agricultural Information Network highlights the impact of the Columbia Trade Promotion Agreement on U.S. ethanol exports. The agreement went into force in May
December 08, 2014 Read Full Article
Who’s Ready for Prime-Time, Who’s on the Way? The Cellulosic Biofuels Survey
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In this Digest survey, we asked you to rate a representative selection of cellulosic biofuels technology providers — primarily, which technologies you feel have are the most commercial viability, either now or some time in
November 30, 2014 Read Full Article
Biofuels Initiative Shifts Gears
by Don Jenkins (Capital Press) Advanced Hardwood Biofuels Northwest is three years into a five-year, $40 million project to produce a green alternative to petroleum fuel. ... Three years into a five-year, $40 million program, a University of Washington-led project to
November 21, 2014 Read Full Article
E15 Now Approved for Use in Two-Thirds of New Cars – Chicago Looks at E15 Again
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) According to an analysis of vehicle owners manuals for model year 2014 and 2015 cars, conducted by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), two-thirds of new car owners’ manuals approve the use of E15 (15 percent ethanol, 85 percent
November 19, 2014 Read Full Article
IEA Says Oil Supplies May Not Keep Up With Demand
by Nick Cunningham (OilPrice.com) Despite what appears to be a saturated oil market in 2014, oil producers around the world will struggle to meet rising demand over the next few decades. In its latest annual World Energy Outlook, the International Energy
November 19, 2014 Read Full Article
Do Falling Gasoline Prices Threaten the Competitiveness of Ethanol?
by Scott Irwin and Darrel Good (FarmDocDaily) Wholesale (CBOB) gasoline prices in the U.S. have declined by about a dollar per gallon, or one-third, since June (see Figure 1). The CBOB price last week was $2.11 per gallon, the lowest level
November 14, 2014 Read Full Article
E85 Sales Have Room for Growth… If Certain Conditions Exist
(MarketWatch/Fuels Institute) There are opportunities to grow the E85 market — but only if prices remain significantly below those of regular grade gasoline and the automobile industry continues to produce flex-fuel vehicles at historic rates, according to a new report
November 12, 2014 Read Full Article
Biofuels Market Insights Survey
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This week at ABLC Next, PwC’s Brian Carey, at the outset of the first commercial session of the conference, presented results from an incisive industry survey which looked at confidence, growth, and diversification. “The concerns?” Carey
November 12, 2014 Read Full Article
Biodiesel Companies Want Stricter Regulation on Waste Oil
by Elaine Yau (South China Morning Post) The recent gutter oil scandal leads to calls to set up a licensing system Last month's scandal over sales of tainted lard from Taiwan has been a source of bitter satisfaction for Hong Kong's
October 21, 2014 Read Full Article
Earth to Cellulosic Ethanol: Glad You’re Here, Buddy, What Took so Long? Parts 1 and 2
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Cellulosic ethanol arrives at scale — “The five years away forever” put to rest — but are there troubling waters still ahead? For whom, and why? Part I of II There’s a gigantic disconnect between two sections
October 10, 2014 Read Full Article
Commodities: DDGS Value Comes Down to Logistics
by Sean Broderick (CHS/Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... Chinese MIR 162 (Syngenta trait corn) issues are still not resolved, leaving significant amounts of contracted tonnage that needs to move a different direction. River logistics are still an issue with barge rates that
October 02, 2014 Read Full Article
Sustainability Assessments Likely to Increase
by Sara Hessenflow Harper (Vela Environmental, Kennedy and Coe LLC/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Supply-chain sustainability is something that should be a high priority for ethanol producers, writes Sara Hessenflow Harper. Data collection is a critical component of that. ... Sustainability, at its simplest, is
October 01, 2014 Read Full Article
Frost & Sullivan: Backward Integration Crucial for Profitability in the Growing Automotive Biofuels Market
(PR NewsWire) Manufacturer-distributor partnerships will determine success as efficient logistics becomes a key competitive factor The increasing sales of commercial and passenger vehicles, especially flex-fuel vehicles that allow end users to choose customised biofuel-fossil fuel blends, are expected to drive the
September 17, 2014 Read Full Article
Africa, ME, Asia to Drive Global Biofuels Demand to 115 mn Tonnes by 2018
(Business Standard) Growth in 2013-18 period likely to be moderate compared to 2008-13 period as demand from the US stagnates, says the Freedonia Group report. Asia-Pacific region, Central and South America, and the Africa/Mideast region are expected to drive the global biofuels demand
September 09, 2014 Read Full Article
Consumers: Economics Drives Buying Decisions on Alternative Fuels and Vehicles
(NACSOnline.com) Consumers look at alternative fuels and vehicles the same way that they look at traditional fuels: economics drives the purchasing decision. Consumers say that they consider fuel economy and the cost of the vehicle far more important than any other
September 09, 2014 Read Full Article
Answers for Your Questions about the Bioeconomy, Biofuels, Renewable Chemicals and Bioproducts
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... With great sessions at conferences, delegates are usually keen to get a hold of the powerpoint decks. But how do you get a hold of the great Q&A that follows the presentations — or the
August 14, 2014 Read Full Article
U.S. Trade Rep Tours Biodiesel Leader’s Family Farm, Discusses RFS Threats
(Iowa Biodiesel Board) Argentine biodiesel imports could reverse domestic energy progress Hosting a U.S. Trade Representative on his family farm outside Des Moines, Grant Kimberley, executive director of the Iowa Biodiesel Board, took the opportunity to discuss trade issues relevant to
August 13, 2014 Read Full Article
Biofuels for Road Transportation Will Reach Nearly $338 Billion in Annual Revenue by 2022, Forecasts Navigant Research
by (mfrtech.com/BUSINESS WIRE) Over the next 8 years, biofuels are expected to become an important part of the fuel mix for road transportation, accounting for 7.5 percent of liquid fuels consumed in the sector by 2022. Many governments, corporations, and
August 06, 2014 Read Full Article
The Economic Competitiveness of U.S. Ethanol
by John M. Urbanchuk (ABF Economics/Renewable Fuels Association) ... Reflecting this enhanced competitiveness and maturation, ethanol prices (both FOB plant and delivered at key U.S. markets) have declined, while crude oil and conventional gasoline prices remained stable or increased. Consequently: 1. U.S.-produced ethanol continues to improve
July 23, 2014 Read Full Article
Jet Fuel or Liquid Natural Gas: Now Available from a Trash Bin near You, Parts I and II
by Tim Sklar (Biofuels Digest) Anyone that has followed the evolution of processes that are used to make fuels out of waste recognizes that the permutations and combinations of processes that can be used has become mind-boggling, as the pathways
July 22, 2014 Read Full Article
DF Cast: Finding Ways to Increase Ethanol Blends
by John Davis (DomesticFuel.com) ... In this edition of the Domestic Fuel Cast, we hear from Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis, Dean Drake with the consulting company the Defour Group, Scott Zaremba, president of Zarco Incorporated, and Ken Parrent, the ethanol director for
July 03, 2014 Read Full Article
The Myth and Reality of Biodiesel Feedstock Availability
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) Since its commercial inception in the 1990s, the biodiesel industry has faced obstacles from all sides. The technical merits of the fuel have been challenged time and time again. Manufacturing costs and fuel pricing have been
June 17, 2014 Read Full Article
Ethanol, Oil, Corn Duke It Out in “The Battle of the Benjamins”
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Corn producers, ethanol producers and crude oil refiners: locked in a rollercoaster of commodity prices, and a battle for market share and profits. As the EPA readies to unleash its view of the future volumes
June 13, 2014 Read Full Article
Biofuel-Obsessed U.S. Seen Blowing 'Historic Opportunity' in Nascent Green Chemical Market
by Amanda Peterka (E&E reporter/Greenwire) The United States may be losing a major opportunity to be a global leader in the growing market for green chemicals because of its overwhelming policy tilt toward biofuels, industry experts say. There are big profit
June 03, 2014 Read Full Article
Recent Ethanol Blending Margins
by Scott Irwin (University of Illinois/FarmDocDaily) Ethanol prices went on a tear in March and April 2014 and reached new record levels exceeding $3 per gallon (see earlier farmdoc daily articles here and here). A single factor did not appear explain the price rise, but
June 02, 2014 Read Full Article
Proposals for a Reform of the Renewable Energy Directive to a Renewable Energy and Materials Directive (REMD)
by Michael Carus, Lara Dammer, Andreas Hermann and Roland Essel (nova-Institute) nova-paper #4 “Proposals for a Reform of the Renewable Energy Directive to a Renewable Energy and Materials Directive (REMD)” presents a reform proposal that aims at creating a level
June 02, 2014 Read Full Article
Veteran Farmer Says EPA RFS Proposal Will Likely Undermine Conservation Efforts
by Kevin Jeffries (25 x '25) ... Lower demand for renewable fuels means lower prices for corn, soybeans and other crops. Generally, producers account for lower prices by shifting to more profitable crops and by cutting back on investments like conservation
April 04, 2014 Read Full Article
Gevolution 2014: Gevo’s Forward Progress, and Some Side-by-Side
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) As Gevo reports its 4Q results and adds back some ethanol production, we look at the short-term gains and the long-term implications. Why ethanol, why now — what’s the latest news mean from this signature
March 28, 2014 Read Full Article
JB Ethanol In Maintenance Mode
by Avia Collinder (The Gleaner) JB Ethanol Limited, which processes and sells fuel-grade ethanol, has seen production fall to lower levels year over year as overseas contractors say no to price increases attached to Brazilian-sourced raw materials. Citing depressed conditions in
March 27, 2014 Read Full Article
Will the EPA Reverse Itself on the Write Down of the Renewable Mandate for 2014? The Message from the RINs Market
by Scott Irwin (FarmDocDaily/University of Illinois) ... The purpose of today's post is to show that the recent behavior of prices in the RINs market suggests the odds of the EPA reversing the proposed write down of the renewable mandate for
March 04, 2014 Read Full Article
Vessel Loads Rotterdam Ethanol for Export to UAE: Sources
(Platts) Chemical tanker Bochem Oslo is preparing to load a substantial volume of ethanol from Rotterdam before heading to Fujairah, in the United Arab Emirates, as multi-year low European prices beat competition from the US and Brazil, market sources said
February 28, 2014 Read Full Article
Iberdrola-Backed AlgaEnergy May Build Mexico Biomass Plant
by Stefan Nicola (Bloomberg) AlgaEnergy SA, part-owned by Spain’s Iberdrola SA (IBE) and Repsol SA (REP), is in talks with potential partners to set up a plant in Mexico to supply the American markets with biomass made from algae. Chief Executive
February 28, 2014 Read Full Article
RPT-EU Policy Gap Choking off Next Generation Green Fuel-Industry
by Barbara Lewis (Reuters) * New research underlines benefits of new generation biofuel * Commission 2030 policy outline omits transport goals * Research has questioned credentials of first-generation fuels Projects to deliver a next generation of green transport fuel, which
February 28, 2014 Read Full Article
'There Needs to Be a Market'
by Donnelle Eller and Christopher Doering (Des Moines Register) The future of the cellulosic ethanol industry depends on convincing investors that the market for its product will grow. The EPA has proposed cutting separate requirements for how much renewable fuel, mostly
February 24, 2014 Read Full Article
Ethanol Industry Booming Again
by Nicholas Bergin (Lincoln Journal Star) ... Biofuel producers reported strong earnings for last year’s final quarter, thanks to lower corn prices, healthy ethanol exports and robust demand for byproducts like corn oil and livestock feed meal. It’s a drastic turnaround from
February 24, 2014 Read Full Article
Lowe's, Walmart and True Value Retailers Bring OPEI's 'Look Before You Pump' Ethanol Message Direct to Consumers
(Outdoor Power Equipment Institute/PRNewswire) -- As consumers head to retail stores this spring to purchase mowers, chain saws, generators, blowers, trimmers, power washers, and a host of other small engine equipment, they will see an important ethanol fuel message from the Outdoor
February 24, 2014 Read Full Article
Long-Term Growth in Today’s 53.2 BGY Biofuel Market Will Be Led by Novel Fuels and Novel Feedstocks
by Andrew Soare (Lux Research, Inc.) The 53.2 billion gallon biofuel industry has enjoyed capacity growth of 19.6% annually since 2005, but growth will slow to just 3.2% annually through 2017. Ethanol represents 65.9% of global biofuel capacity in 2013
February 20, 2014 Read Full Article
Big Oil to Ethanol: Build Your Own Dang Distribution, If You Think E85 Has Blend-Wall Busting Potential
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Reform, repeal or compete: the options laid out for ethanol by Big Oil by Marathon’s Product Supply & Optimization Director in a frank keynote at the National Ethanol Conference. The RFA’s Geoff Cooper and ISU’s
February 20, 2014 Read Full Article
Refuel: Tesla’s Lesson in Building a Market for New Automotive Technologies
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) E85 ethanol? Been stuck with low sales for years – with producers pointing to “no market access”. Yet, Tesla was faced with “no market access” — and built its own market. What lessons can be
February 11, 2014 Read Full Article
Americans' View of Clean Energy Rebounds
by Mark Harden (Denver Business Journal) Americans' views toward clean and renewable energy improved in 2013 from a year earlier, following a few years in which support slipped, according to a new report from Boulder-based Navigant Research. The company surveyed 1,084 U.S.
January 03, 2014 Read Full Article
Are Natural Gas Suppliers Purposely Overproducing?
by Ron Adams (The Energy Collective) On December 27, 2013, Matt Wald published a piece in the New York Times titled New Energy Struggles on Its Way to Markets that points to the predictable consequences of having too many energy options chasing
January 03, 2014 Read Full Article
Improved Margins Could Support Ethanol Production Despite the EPA
by Xun Yao Chen (MarketRealist.com) The EIA’s proposal to cut use of ethanol in oil has also negatively impacted corn prices this year. A significant portion of corn is used to produce ethanol, so a cut could negatively affect current
January 02, 2014 Read Full Article
Brazil’s Ethanol Sector, Once Thriving, Is Being Buffeted by Forces Both Man-Made, Natural
by Juan Forero (The Washington Post) ... The allure for these giants is Brazil itself, where most cars are built to run on the biofuel. An even bigger, largely untapped market awaits in the United States, where environmental standards favor cane-based ethanol
January 02, 2014 Read Full Article
CoBank Report Considers Implications of 2014 RFS Proposal
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) CoBank, a national cooperative bank serving rural American industries, has published a report predicting that the U.S. EPA’s proposed 2014 renewable fuel standard (RFS) volume requirements will have little impact on U.S. ethanol production
December 23, 2013 Read Full Article
Corn Plummeting Spurs Talk of ’80s U.S. Farmland Bust: Mortgages
by Kathleen M. Howley (Bloomberg) ... Now, as corn prices start to decline, bankers and agricultural economists are predicting a slowdown in farmland prices that could turn into a bust. “I can see the fear in farmers’ eyes when they think of
December 18, 2013 Read Full Article
Algae.Tec Growth System Validated, Enters Nutraceutical Market
(Algae.Tec/Biodiesel Magazine) Algae.Tec Ltd. announced receipt of a validation report from Sydney Environmental and Soil Laboratory Pty Ltd., a National Association of Testing Authorities approved company. Algae.Tec Chairman Roger Stroud is extremely pleased with the results of the validation that confirms
December 18, 2013 Read Full Article
CARD Report: Altering RFS Would Have Modest Effect on Corn Prices
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A new paper from the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development at Iowa State University indicates that if the U.S. EPA does significantly reduce the renewable fuel standard (RFS) renewable volume obligations, it would mean only
November 21, 2013 Read Full Article
U.S. Ethanol Output Could Reach 14 Billion Gallons in 2014: ADM Chief
(Reuters/The Western Producer) U.S. ethanol output could reach 14 billion gallons in 2014: ADM chief U.S. production of corn-based ethanol could reach 14 billion gallons in 2014 because of positive margins for processors and demand from buyers, Archer Daniels Midland Co.’s
November 15, 2013 Read Full Article
Corn Prices Pressured by Both Supply and Demand Factors
by Darrel Good and Scott Irwin (University of Illinois/FarmDocDaily) Corn prices continue the long retreat from the peak of September 2012, declining to the lowest level since late August 2010. The most recent price weakness reflects both supply and demand
October 15, 2013 Read Full Article
Tides of Prosperity, Past and Present
by Chris Hanson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... Similar to the 1970s period of prosperity, Zulauf (Carl Zulauf, economics professor at Ohio State University) says that in 2012 crop prices increased by roughly 200 percent, which he attributes to China’s growing demand for
September 25, 2013 Read Full Article
Marine Biofuel Plant Planned for Development in Denmark
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The Denmark-based Port of Frederikshavn, Canadian biofuel company Steeper Energy, and Denmark-based Aalborg University have announced a partnership to develop a biofuel plant in Denmark that will produce sulphur-free, drop-in marine fuel from wood feedstock. ... Roughly
September 13, 2013 Read Full Article
10% Ethanol Blending Can Save Rs 9000cr of FX: Shree Renuka
(MoneyControl.com) According to Narendra Murkumbi, blending 10 percent ethanol in petrol will reduce sugar surplus by almost one million to one-an-half-million tonne and that will be beneficial for the sugar industry. Overall, manadatory ethanol blending by the government will have
September 04, 2013 Read Full Article
Republic of Indonesia to Cut Oil Import, Promote Use of Biofuels
(Antara News) "Right now, we need an immediate solution to the current account deficit. The government will overcome the deficit by reducing imports, particularly fuel oils," Chief Economic Minister Hatta Rajasa said. Indonesia is taking steps to reduce its fuels imports
August 29, 2013 Read Full Article
Ethanol Production Part of Australian Political Push
(Biofuels International) A political party in Australia considers ethanol production as the key to reinvigorating a region in Queensland. Ray Sawyer, federal election candidate of the Katter Australia Party, reveals he has feedback from locals in Nambour that directly links problems
August 13, 2013 Read Full Article
EPA Tier 3 Proposed Regulations A Common-Sense Change that Could Triple the Market Size for Biomass Ethanol and Other Advanced Biofuels
by Robert Kozak (Advanced Biofuels USA) As part of the recently proposed Tier 3 motor vehicle fuel and emission regulations, www.epa.gov/otaq/tier3.htm, EPA included a very forward looking idea that could bring higher octane, higher ethanol gasoline to the marketplace. Advanced Biofuels
July 26, 2013 Read Full Article
Gas Price Spikes Have Consumers Wondering, When Will We Be Energy Independent?
by Brent Erickson (Biotechnology Industry Organization/Biofuels Digest) The United States is beginning a domestic energy boom and could become a net energy exporter within the next two decades. But U.S. consumers don’t expect to see a benefit – they still
July 16, 2013 Read Full Article
Ethanol Backers Propose E15 Tax Breaks
by Tim Landis (State Journal-Register) Ethanol supporters in Illinois want to trade a 20 percent sales tax break on E10 fuel sales in Illinois for a 10 percent break on E15, arguing it would mean jobs, cleaner air and more
May 28, 2013 Read Full Article
RFA to House Energy & Commerce Committee: Let RFS Work and Solutions to Blend Wall Will Be Found!
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) today (April 5, 2013) responded to the questions posed by the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Energy and Commerce in a white paper entitled, “Examining ‘Blend Wall’ Challenges”. The Committee is
April 08, 2013 Read Full Article
Nobel Prize-Winning US Economists Urge Obama to Support Carbon Pricing in Global Negotiations on Aviation Emissions
(GreenAirOnline) A group of 32 leading US economists, including eight Nobel Prize winners, have written an open letter to President Obama urging him to advance proposals at ICAO for a global market-based measure that would effectively and efficiently reduce greenhouse
March 27, 2013 Read Full Article
Ethanol the Enemy?
(CNBC) ...there's fierce debate that ethanol requirements may be driving up gas prices. from the investor perspective, is there real opportunity inethanol, or is ethanol maybe the enemy? here to debate, retired four star general wesley clark with a big bet on ethanol and dan dicker from thestreet.com
March 25, 2013 Read Full Article
Answers to Your Questions about Parity-Priced, Algae-Based Fuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Wondering when affordable algae-based transportation fuels might arrive at your local retail outlet? Might be sooner than you think. Here’s the lowdown. ...Further, we have to take into account that, unless Solazyme is interested in
March 08, 2013 Read Full Article
SE Asian Palm Oil Producers Target U.S. Biofuel Market
(The Star/Reuters) A blending tax credit for alternative fuels has helped re-open the way for shipments of palm biodiesel to the United States, giving top producers Indonesia and Malaysia an outlet for palm oil stocks at near-record levels. ...That overhang has
March 06, 2013 Read Full Article
NACS: Liquid Fuels Will Continue to Dominate in 2040
(Convenience Store News) Liquid fuels will continue to be the top fueling option for drivers for the next two-plus decades. However, the composition of these fuels will undergo significant change. According to the "Future of Fuels 2013" report released today by NACS,
February 27, 2013 Read Full Article
Soybeans Could Be Next Chapter of Biofuels Boom
by Tom Doran (AgNews) ...Under the current Renewable Fuels Standards, continued growth in corn-based ethanol use is uncertain do to several factors, including the 10 percent blend wall, slow implementation of higher blend, declining total gasoline demand and ethanol imports
February 12, 2013 Read Full Article
Never a Waste; No Longer a Residue—Soy Oil for Biodiesel until Something Better Comes Along
by Joanne Ivancic (Advanced Biofuels USA) “Why,” I asked an expert audience at the National Biodiesel Conference in Las Vegas this week, “if you have to take the oil out of soybeans to make your main product, soy meal for
February 07, 2013 Read Full Article
DNV: Biofuels Are Key to Meeting Marine Emissions Targets
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Volatile costs for fossil fuels and rising concerns over emissions. “A doubling of present CO2 emissions by 2050 if we do nothing.” A share of “for at least 10% of global emissions in 2050, as
January 28, 2013 Read Full Article
Optimistic Bearing: Staying Bullish on Ethanol Even in the Trough of Negative Margins.
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Ethanol might experience strong headwinds in 2013 but four marketers still see good things ahead. ...(Josh) Bailey (vice president of marketing and trading for Eco-Energy Inc.) is also bullish on the future for the global ethanol
January 18, 2013 Read Full Article
Biofuel Criticism Draws Rebuttal
by Gene Lucht (Iowa Farmer Today) ...That’s what Craig Floss did when several speakers spoke derisively about biofuels during this past week’s World Food Prize symposium. Floss, executive director of the Iowa Corn Growers Association, says 99 percent of the food
October 26, 2012 Read Full Article
RFS Waiver Would Have Minor Effect on Corn Price in Short Term
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) An October report from the Food and Agriculture Policy Research Institute concludes that a reduction in the renewable fuel standard wouldn’t greatly reduce corn prices in the 2012/’13 crop year. However, the effects of
October 16, 2012 Read Full Article
Bioenergy - The Broken Promise
(Linköping University) Biofuels are going to save us from climate threats and the oil crisis, while at the same time providing an opportunity to the smallholder farmers of the world. Hopes are high, but completely unrealistic. It is like trying
October 15, 2012 Read Full Article
Why Are First-Gen Biofuels Companies Having So Much Trouble Making Money?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...In biodiesel, the change in REGI guidance is directly related to movements in commodity prices, a steep depreciation in the price of RINs and tighter margins than expected. On the ethanol side, it’s been commodity margins
October 15, 2012 Read Full Article
Fighting the Good Fight
by Tom Buis (Growth Energy/Ethanol Producer Magazine) ...Though it sometimes can be easy to lose sight, the increasing challenges we face are directly correlated to our achievements. In particular, with higher blends of ethanol in gasoline gaining greater acceptance, we
August 09, 2012 Read Full Article
Industrial Biotechnology in China Amidst Changing Market Conditions
by Elizabeth Nesbitt (Journal of International Commerce and Economics) The increasing use of industrial biotechnology by the Chinese liquid biofuels and chemical industries is expected to help offset energy security and environmental concerns generated by China’s robust economic growth. The expanding use of bioprocesses