by Chelsea Harvey (The Washington Post) A genetically engineered, freeze-tolerant eucalyptus tree is moving closer to receiving approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, amid concerns about the tree’s possible negative effects on the environment. The USDA has proposed lifting restrictions
South Africa
Back TO HOMELanzaTech Collaborates With Swayana (South Africa) to Use Carbon Capture Technology
(Biofuels International/Lanza Tech/Swayana) South African company, Swayana is collaborating with carbon recycling company, LanzaTech, with headquarters in Chicago USA, to introduce their proprietary carbon capture technology to South Africa. LanzaTech’s first commercial facility will be online at the end of 2017 in China,
July 31, 2017 Read Full Article
Is It the End or Just the Beginning for Jatropha?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... In Botswana, jatropha’s adventures are just beginning according to the Ministry of Minerals Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security’s advisor, Freddie Motlhatlhedi. He was referring to a joint research project done by Botswana and Japan that shows
July 25, 2017 Read Full Article
African Oil Trader Taleveras Takes First Step into Biofuels
by Anna Hirtenstein (Bloomberg) Taleveras signs joint venture with Global Green Development; First phase of biofuels project seen costing $400-$600 million -- Taleveras Group, the African oil trading company, is making its first moves into renewable energy by setting up a
June 14, 2017 Read Full Article
Entrepreneur Scoops Old Mutual Funding to Develop Biofuel Enterprise
(BizCommunity) At an event held on 27 May 2017, Old Mutual Foundation, in partnership with Red Bull, announced Thabang Mabapa as the winner of their “business pitch challenge” A combined judging panel from Old Mutual and Red Bull met on 11
June 02, 2017 Read Full Article
Clariant Cellulosic Ethanol Donation Lets 1,000 Malagasy Families Cook Safer and Cleaner
(Project Gaia) Clariant, a world leader in specialty chemicals and one of the leading providers globally of cellulosic ethanol production technology, and Project Gaia, a non-profit promoting the use of alcohol fuels (ethanol and methanol) for household energy, announced the
May 31, 2017 Read Full Article
Potential Biofuel Feedstocks and Production in Zambia
by Paul C. Samboko, Mitelo Subakanya, Cliff Dlamini (United Nations University-WIDER) The need for energy security and climate change mitigation have increased blending mandates worldwide; in Southern Africa, demand for biofuels could increase following South Africa’s planned blending mandates. However, land constraints
April 19, 2017 Read Full Article
Bio-Diesel Pumping out Safe Energy
(Sunday World) From the remotest part of South Africa, in the town of Kuruman, Northern Cape, Kealeboga Hoti and her business team are producing environment friendly carbon-free biofuel. -- Hoti, a biochemist, is the co-founder and owner of Lamo Fuel,
April 07, 2017 Read Full Article
South African Bio-energy Atlas Launched to Support Bio-Energy Development
by Keith Campbell (Cramer Media/Engineering News) The South Africa Bio-energy Atlas, launched in Pretoria on Friday, will allow the country to identify opportunities for sustainable bio-energy and be able to achieve much more in terms of developing a 'green' economy.
April 05, 2017 Read Full Article
EU Sees ‘Strategic Advantage’ of Biofuels in Aviation
by Hannah Black and Sarantis Michalopoulos (EurActiv) In sectors like aviation where decarbonisation options are limited, there is a strategic advantage in encouraging the use of biofuels, a European Commission official has said. The aviation sector is dependent on liquid fuels and has
March 23, 2017 Read Full Article
EU Sees ‘Strategic Advantage’ of Biofuels in Aviation
by Hannah Black and Sarantis Michalopoulos (EurActiv) In sectors like aviation where decarbonisation options are limited, there is a strategic advantage in encouraging the use of biofuels, a European Commission official has said. The aviation sector is dependent on liquid fuels
March 13, 2017 Read Full Article
Zimbabwe: Govt Liberalises Ethanol Production
by Tinashe Makichi (The Herald/AllAfrica) Government has liberalised local ethanol production as the country's sole producer, Green Fuel has constantly failed to provide adequate supplies especially during the rainy season rains. The current inadequate supplies of ethanol from Green Fuel last
March 13, 2017 Read Full Article
NexSteppe Malibu Sweet Sorghum and Palo Alto Biomass Sorghum Approved for Commercial Sale in South Africa
(NexSteppe) NexSteppe, a company dedicated to pioneering the next generation of sustainable feedstock solutions for biobased industries, announced today that the South African Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has approved four NexSteppe sorghum hybrids for commercial sale in country.
December 15, 2016 Read Full Article
You’re the Top: Biogreen Diesel Gets Picked as South Africa’s Top Biodiesel Prodicer
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In South Africa, Frost & Sullivan recognised Biogreen Diesel with the 2016 South Africa Company of the Year Award. Biogreen has risen to eminence in the biodiesel industry for pioneering a closed-loop system wherein cooking
December 12, 2016 Read Full Article
The Wine Tram: The Best Wine Route in South Africa?
by John Malathronas (CNN) ... Using a narrow gauge rail track built more than 100 years ago, the Wine Tram was the brainchild of avid railway fan David Blyth who modeled his green bio-diesel-fueled tram on the open-sided trams of the
November 30, 2016 Read Full Article
Frost & Sullivan Recognises Biogreen Diesel as Top Producer of Biodiesel in the South African Market
(Frost & Sullivan/PR Newswire) Biogreen has demonstrated a strong commitment to the environment and society by actively removing harmful waste oils from the food chain -- Based on its recent analysis of the biofuels market, Frost & Sullivan recognises
November 29, 2016 Read Full Article
The Aviation Biofuels Partnership Kings: The Digest’s 2016 Multi-Slide Guide to Boeing
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Whether it is partnering with COMAC to research aviation biofuels, launching a biojet program with Aeromexico and Mexico’s Airports and Auxiliary Services, or with the Port of Seattle and Alaska Airlines — or launching a
November 23, 2016 Read Full Article
First Local Seed Selection to Take Place at Project Solaris
by Anine Kilian (Engineering News) South African seed selection for research and development company Sunchem’s solaris crop – a nicotine-free tobacco variety that yields significant amounts of sustainable oil for biojet fuel feedstock – has started taking place locally for
October 19, 2016 Read Full Article
Come to Bioenergy Country: or, the Bioenergy Countries’ Report
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In the EU, the International Energy Agency has released its Bioenergy Countries’ Report, outlining the national renewable energy targets, total primary energy supply and contribution of bioenergy. We’ve presented the information relating to EU counties, below.
October 06, 2016 Read Full Article
Can the Aviation Industry Finally Clean up Its Emissions?
by John Vidal (The Guardian) With biofuel potential limited and emissions rising, the need for industry to act is urgent. Hopes rest on a global UN carbon offset scheme to be negotiated at the ICAO summit this week - but
September 30, 2016 Read Full Article
South African Airways Operates Flight with Nicotine-Free Tobacco-Based Biofuel
(Biofuels International) Boeing, South African Airways (SAA) and low-cost carrier Mango have operated Africa’s first sustainable-fuelled flights powered with tobacco-based biofuels. The SAA and Mango flights from Johannesburg to Cape Town, operated by a Boeing 737-800, used sustainable biojet fuel produced
July 17, 2016 Read Full Article
VIASPACE CTO Presents Giant King® Grass At Bioenergy Feedstocks Conference In Miami
(Viaspace/PR Newswire) VIASPACE CTO, Dr. Carl Kukkonen, made an invited presentation on Giant King Grass at the Advanced Bioeconomy Leadership Conference – Feedstocks held in Miami, Florida June 6-8, 2016. The Conference, organized by Biofuels Digest (http://www.biofuelsdigest.com/), focused on the most
June 13, 2016 Read Full Article
Where Did Biofuels Technologies Come from?
by Gerald Kutney (Lee Consulting/Biofuels Digest) ... From the time of the caveman until the early Industrial Revolution, biofuels – namely wood and the advanced biofuel of the day, charcoal – reigned supreme. Both fossil fuels and biofuels originate from biomass. The
June 02, 2016 Read Full Article
Mine Dump Biofuel Pilot Project Achieves Early Success, Holds Much Potential
by Ilan Solomons (Mining Weekly) Local green technology company G-Tech has recorded early success in its attempt to grow biofuel and other bioenergy feedstock to produce bioethanol and biodiesel as part of a mine dump rehabilitation pilot project in Randfontein,
May 13, 2016 Read Full Article
Limpopo Receives R940m Investment for Renewable Energy from US, Chinese Companies
(African News Agency/Engineering News) American and Chinese companies are set to invest R940-million in Limpopo to pursue renewable energy and ethanol profits, government and investors have announced. The United States’ Bio-Processing Innovation and the Beijing Singling Technology Centre said on
May 12, 2016 Read Full Article
Latest Diesel Quality Trends Revealed in Biennial Survey
(Infineum International Ltd./Biodiesel Magazine) Infineum has revealed the initial results from its latest biennial global Winter Diesel Fuel Quality Survey, offering a unique update on the current trends in the industry across the global marketplace. The Infineum survey collected samples from
April 28, 2016 Read Full Article
EEP Southern and East Africa Issues Call for Project Proposals DEADLINE: April 25, 2016
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In South Africa, the Energy and Environment Partnership Programme with Southern and East Africa (EEP S&EA) is seeking high-quality applications for projects in the two regions that can contribute to the reduction of poverty by promoting
April 04, 2016 Read Full Article
IEA and GBEP Launch Bioenergy and Water Paper
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Italy, IEA Bioenergy and the Global Bioenergy Partnership have published the “Examples of Positive Bioenergy and Water Relationships,” which includes examples that illustrate an encouraging variety both in terms of bioenergy systems and geographical
February 24, 2016 Read Full Article
Boeing Collaborates with Canadian Aviation Industry for Biofuel Project
by Vikas Vij (Just Means) Canada has extensive sustainably certified forests, which it can leverage to make environmental progress in various industrial sectors. The country has long used mill and forest residues to make wood pellets that are used to generate
February 02, 2016 Read Full Article
Biofuels Mandates Around the World: 2016
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Who mandates what in biofuels? 64 countries have targets or mandates — but how much where, and when, and what? In Florida, the Digest today releases its annual review of biofuels mandates and targets around the world,
January 04, 2016 Read Full Article
Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform: From Rhetoric to Reality
by Shelagh Whitley and Laurie van der Burg (New Climate Economy) The research underpinning this New Climate Economy Working Paper was a major input into the 2015 New Climate Economy report and articulates the practical steps that policymakers can take to
December 22, 2015 Read Full Article
Port of Seattle Partners with Alaska Airlines and Boeing on Plan to Supply Sustainable Aviation Biofuel at Sea-Tac Airport
(PR NewsWire) The Port of Seattle, Alaska Airlines [NYSE: ALK] and Boeing [NYSE: BA] are partnering to move toward a significant environmental goal: powering all flights by all airlines at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport with sustainable aviation biofuel. Sea-Tac is the
December 16, 2015 Read Full Article
Coal Dust and Algae Can Help Meet Future Energy Needs
by Heather Dugmore (Business Day Live) A new fuel, Coalgae, produced from a combination of waste coal dust and algae, could save SA up to 40% of its crude oil imports. Ben Zeelie and his team at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
December 16, 2015 Read Full Article
CNE and Sunbird to Develop Bioethanol Facilities in Zimbabwe and Zambia
(Biofuels International) China New Energy has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Sunbird Bioenergy Africa for the development of two biorefineries, one each in Zimbabwe and Zambia. The Memorandum of Undestanding (MOU) was signed at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation
December 10, 2015 Read Full Article
Hippo Valley Gets Ethanol Producer Licence
by Bernard Mpofu (Zimbabwe Independent) Government has extended Hippo Valley Estates’ ethanol production licence as the company targets an annual output of 41 million litres, sources close to the developments have said. Hippo, a unit of South Africa’s Tongaat Hullett, has resumed
December 08, 2015 Read Full Article
11 Top Low-Carbon Fuel Players, WCSBD Publish COP 21 Guide to Slashing Transport-Based Greenhouse Gas Emissions
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Switzerland, 11 leading low carbon fuel companies present a comprehensive guide that identifies a variety of available and accessible low carbon fuel solutions. ... Today, only 3% of transportation fuels are low carbon. According to the International
November 24, 2015 Read Full Article
Call for Statement of Interest for South Africa Biofuels Technology Demonstration Programme Grant
(South Africa Department of Science and Technology)The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) was established in terms of the TIA Act, 2008 (Act No. 26 of 2008), with the objective to stimulate and intensify technological innovation in order to improve economic growth
November 19, 2015 Read Full Article
Biofuel and Electric Buses for Cape Town
by Bekezela Phakathi (Business Day Live) BUSES powered by biofuel and electricity are on the cards for Cape Town. The City of Cape Town’s transport authority is due to issue a tender for the procurement of electric buses in the
October 26, 2015 Read Full Article
Tyton BioEnergy Systems and Sunchem Announce Research and Commercial Partnership
(Tyton BioEnergy Systems) Tyton BioEnergy Systems and Sunchem announced today a research and commercial partnership combining Tyton’s research, development and commercial capabilities with Sunchem’s Solaris tobacco variety to establish a globally significant alliance to advance tobacco-based green chemicals and biofuels.
October 22, 2015 Read Full Article
Biofuels Production Plan already in Action
by Boyd Webb (IOL News) Once home to millions of displaced black South Africans, former homelands are expected to become the heart of the country's biofuels production. Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs Lulama Xingwana said on Tuesday the presidential commercial
October 19, 2015 Read Full Article
First Flight Imminent as South African Tobacco Crop to Jet Biofuel Project Earns RSB Sustainability Approval
(Green Air Online) The South African ‘Project Solaris’ initiative that is developing an energy-rich tobacco crop for use as a feedstock for producing aviation biofuel has been awarded certification by the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB). The project, formally launched
September 30, 2015 Read Full Article
The 800 Ways Taxpayer Money Supports Fossil Fuel Industries
by Reed Landberg (Bloomberg/Renewable Energy World) If the world seeks to lower carbon emissions, why is support for fossil fuels so strong? --- As world leaders converge on New York for a United Nations gathering that’s expected to have a
September 29, 2015 Read Full Article
Modular Biodiesel Processing Plants for Emerging Markets
(70CentsAGallon.com) Biodiesel production is growing around the world and emerging markets have the most to gain from this industry. Norway, Turkey, South Africa and Greece are a few areas of the world that have begun supplementing their petroleum based diesel
September 26, 2015 Read Full Article
The New Tobacco Road: A Path beyond Smoking for America’s Traditional Cash Crop
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Tobacco’s been re-thought, re-engineered and re-invented as a platform for sustainable, low-carbon fuels, and green chemicals – who’s doing what, where and how? ... If tobacco’s reputation has fallen into disrepute on soil sustainability and smoking
September 10, 2015 Read Full Article
RSSC Invests E480m in Ethanol Plant, Power Generation Project
by Nomthandazo Nkambule (Swazi Observer) The Royal Swaziland Sugar Corporation (RSSC) invested about E480 million (US$40 million) in 2013 on setting up a biomass power generation and ethanol plant. The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) annual report 2014
September 09, 2015 Read Full Article
Project Solaris in South Africa Earns RSB Certification
(Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials) – Project Solaris in South Africa, has earned the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) certification for the production of the energy rich tobacco crop “Solaris” in the Limpopo region of South Africa. Solaris is a nicotine-free
September 02, 2015 Read Full Article
Cheaper Oil Forces South Africa to Rework Biofuels Subsidy
by Wendell Roelf (Reuters Africa) South Africa's biofuels funding incentive is being revamped over concerns that it is unaffordable after a halving of global crude oil prices over the past year, officials said on Tuesday. A net importer of crude, Africa’s
August 11, 2015 Read Full Article
Numbitrax Buys Blume’s First African Bioethanol Refinery
(Biofuels International) Blume Distillation, a biorefinery systems provider for bioethanol production, has announced the sale of its first Africa-based biorefinery. The Blume biorefinery system has been purchased by Numbitrax, based in Touwsriver, Western Cape, South Africa, which has completed a purchase
August 05, 2015 Read Full Article
Research and Markets: Next Generation Biofuels Market 2015 - In-Depth Analysis of 90 Major Players Including Abengoa, Verenium, BP Plc., BASF, Shell & Iogen
(Research and Markets/Businesswire) Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/d87gbg/next_generation) has announced the addition of the "Next Generation Biofuels" report to their offering. With the demand for fuel increasing globally, researchers around the world are working on making fuel from waste products like plastic bags,
July 07, 2015 Read Full Article
Illovo Says Policy Certainty Key to Unlocking Sugar’s Cogeneration Potential
by Terence Creamer (Engineering News) ... For Illovo, meanwhile, electricity generation forms part of a larger downstream diversification strategy, designed to lower the group’s reliance on sugar prices. Besides power, the JSE-listed group is also moving to expand its ethanol production
May 30, 2015 Read Full Article
The Aviation Renewable Fuels Imperative
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
May 26, 2015 Read Full Article
Sugar Cane to Branch out to Bio-Ethanol, Electricity
by Linda Ensor (Business Day Live) ... The diversification plans included using sugar cane to produce bio-ethanol and to generate renewable electricity. This would also improve the long term viability of the industry, chairman of the South African Sugar Association Rolf Lütge
May 14, 2015 Read Full Article
R5 Bln Plant to Convert Canola into Diesel Halted by Laws
by Lutho Mtongana (BizNews.com) PhytoEnergy International Holding AG said it will only proceed with a plan to build a 5 billion rand ($418 million) plant to convert canola into diesel in South Africa if the government passes laws needed by the
April 16, 2015 Read Full Article
Province Mulls Turning Cheap Wine into Biofuel
by Bekezela Phakathi (Business Day Live) The Western Cape government is investigating alternative uses for cheap, low-quality wine, such as converting it into biofuel for tractors and generators as part of efforts to curb alcohol abuse. But such a move
March 05, 2015 Read Full Article
What’s New, Different and Hot in Military and Aviation Biofuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... In the world of aviation biofuels, the bands and the bunting are rolling out less frequently. But mostly, because the sector has moved out of a noise-filled early R&D phase and is heading towards deployment.
February 20, 2015 Read Full Article
4 Minutes with… Hugo Jacobs, Founder, Methyl Ester
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Promoting bio fuels over mineral fuels must take precedence and this can be achieved by lobbying local government as well as national government If you could snap your fingers and change one thing about the Advanced
February 06, 2015 Read Full Article
The Worldwide Push for Aviation Biofuels
by Keith Campbell (Engineering News) On October 19, 2004, the world’s first exclusively biofuel powered production aircraft received its certification, allowing it to be flown operationally. That aircraft was (and is) the Neiva (now Embraer) EMB-202A Ipanema crop duster. This
January 16, 2015 Read Full Article
Biofuels Mandates Around the World: 2015
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Who mandates what in biofuels? 64 countries have targets or mandates — but how much where, and when, and what? In Florida, the Digest today releases its annual review of biofuels mandates and targets around
January 05, 2015 Read Full Article
10 Biggest Bioeconomy Blockbuster Stories of 2014 (EU, Middle East and Africa)
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Aviation biofuels on the rise, in the skies” tops the trend list; drop-in and cellulosic ethanol projects; M&A and cap raises, and action from strategic investors and customers dominate the headlines this year. You might know
December 29, 2014 Read Full Article
Boeing, South African Airways Look to First Harvest of Energy-Rich Tobacco to Make Sustainable Aviation Biofuel
(Boeing) Pioneering project supports South Africa’s rural economy, environment, public health Boeing [NYSE:BA] and South African Airways (SAA) announced today that South African farmers will soon harvest their first crop of energy-rich tobacco plants, an important step towards using the plants
December 11, 2014 Read Full Article
South Africa's Ethanol Industry Is 'Far Behind and So Small'
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) An ethanol association is working hard to grow the ethanol industry in South Africa and nearby countries. Right now, an association staff member said, the industry feels very small and far behind the U.S.
October 28, 2014 Read Full Article
Is the Next “Green Revolution” Right Around the Corner?
by Caitlin Kennedy (Biotech NOW) National Geographic’s October issue contains an in-depth article, “The Next Green Revolution” on how plant biotechnology will be one part of a multifaceted solution to feeding a rapidly growing population in the face of climate change. Climate change and population
October 17, 2014 Read Full Article
Ahead of His Time
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The idea of wet biomass storage has yet to catch on in the cellulosic industry, despite long-term use in the pulp and paper industry. Jim Hettenhaus is a passionate advocate of wet biomass storage. ...
October 01, 2014 Read Full Article
New Energy-Rich Sorghum Offers Ethanol without the Corn
by Marc Gunther (The Guardian) California startup NexSteppe presents a new brand of sorghum, bred for optimal energy production, designed as a greener alternative to corn for ethanol fuels and biomass boilers As scientists around the world research biomass feedstocks —
August 13, 2014 Read Full Article
China, Brazil Consider Publicity Blitz to Steer Climate Debate
by Natalie Obiko Pearson (Bloomberg/Renewable Energy World) China and Brazil are looking for ways to redirect a global climate debate, which they say unfairly accuses developing nations of delaying limits on fossil-fuel pollution. China wants to blitz attendees at United Nations-led
August 13, 2014 Read Full Article
8 Trends Driving Aviation Biofuels Today
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... SkyNRG is undertaking its first major feedstock project in South Africa, featuring a nicotine-free energy tobacco crop that’s developed by Sunchem under the name of Solaris. Which is an excellent reminder of how much activity
August 07, 2014 Read Full Article
Boeing and South African Airways to Fly Planes on Tobacco Fuel
by Eduard Gismatullin (Bloomberg) Boeing Co. (BA) and state-owned South African Airways SOC Ltd. agreed to cooperate to produce jet fuel from a new type of tobacco plant to reduce environmental pollution. The partners will use SkyNRG’s hybrid plant Solaris, which
August 07, 2014 Read Full Article
Southern African, EU Negotiators Sign New Trade Pact
(Reuters) Negotiators for Southern African states have agreed a new trade pact with the European Union which will give the countries a bigger market for food exports, South Africa's trade and industry department said. ... If ratified by the governments involved, the
July 22, 2014 Read Full Article
Japanese Cars Soda Drinks Show Future for Abengoa Biofuel
by Rodrigo Orihuela (Bloomberg) Abengoa SA (ABG/P), the Spanish renewable energy company investing in biofuels, is in talks with Japanese car manufacturers and soft-drink makers to help them develop products ranging from bottles to chemicals. “All types of companies -- automotive,
June 12, 2014 Read Full Article
New Joint Ventures Aim to Establish Hemp-Ethanol Pilot Plant
by Holly Jessen (Biomass Magazine) Edmonton, Alberta-based Syngar Technologies Inc. has announced two separate joint venture projects that will, together, help make hemp-to-cellulosic ethanol a step closer to reality. Syngar Technologies, which was featured in a March 2012, article in Ethanol Producer Magazine has licensed
May 22, 2014 Read Full Article
New Joint Ventures Aim to Establish Hemp-Ethanol Pilot Plant
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Edmonton, Alberta-based Syngar Technologies Inc. has announced two separate joint venture projects that will, together, help make hemp-to-cellulosic ethanol a step closer to reality. ... In late April the company formed Cellunol Inc. with ANW Inc.,
May 12, 2014 Read Full Article
Sugar Looks to Ethanol to Help Pick up Speed
by Loni Prinsloo (Business Day Live) ... South Africa has been producing sugar on a large scale since the first Indian labourers docked in Durban in 1860. The sweet cane has been processed mostly to be used in food and drink. However,
April 29, 2014 Read Full Article
Ethanol from Energy Beets: A Viable Option?
by Bruce Dorminey (Renewable Fuel World) US farmers are exploring the use of energy beets to produce ethanol. Requiring less water and containing more sugar than corn, they could be just what the market needs. Corn remains the undisputed ethanol king.
April 24, 2014 Read Full Article
Biofuel from Cane ‘Reliant on Subsidy’
by Nompumelelo Magwaza (Independent Online/Business Report) he Local sugar industry would need to be highly subsidised to kick-start the production of fuel grade ethanol, the SA Sugar Association (Sasa) said last week. Production had been in the pipeline since 2007,
April 01, 2014 Read Full Article
BRICS and Mortar: The Fast-Growing BRIC Economies Take Aim at Aviation Biofuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Brazil, Russia, India and China — and throw in South Africa for a complete BRICSA set. The vaunted new economic engines for the 21st century — and, lately, home to a beehive of activity around drop-in,
March 11, 2014 Read Full Article
Biofuel Plant in South Africa to Begin Construction
(Biofuels International) A major renewable energy plant in Jozini, KwaZulu-Natal, which has been in planning for seven years, is set to start preliminary work in September. Silvapen Group, the South African – Brazilian company, plans to build the proposed R1.2 billion
March 07, 2014 Read Full Article
Boeing, South African Airways Explore Ways for Farmers to Grow More Sustainable Biofuel Crops
(Boeing) Collaboration with Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials supports greater market access for “smallhold” farms Boeing [NYSE:BA] is launching an initiative with South African Airways (SAA) and the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) to expand opportunities for “smallhold” farmers in Southern Africa to
March 06, 2014 Read Full Article
Biofuels Mandates Around the World: 2014
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Florida, the Digest today releases its annual review of biofuels mandates and targets around the world, looking at the state of biofuels mandates in 62 countries. The bulk of mandates continue to come from the
January 02, 2014 Read Full Article
South Africa Biofuels Seen Raising Sorghum Output Fivefold
by Tshepiso Mokhema (Bloomberg) South Africa’s plan to source all grain needed for biofuels production locally means sorghum output will have to climb at least fivefold, the nation’s biggest representative of commercial farmers said. Biofuel must comprise at least 5 percent
November 22, 2013 Read Full Article
Dust Unto Dust
by Mary C. Scholes, Robert J. Scholes (Science Magazine) In the past, great civilizations have fallen because they failed to prevent the degradation of the soils on which they were founded (1). The modern world could suffer the same fate at a
November 07, 2013 Read Full Article
Algasol Renewables Launches First Commercial Project, in Egypt
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Egypt, Algasol Renewables announced the launch of its first commercial algae project. Led by Biodiesel Misr, based at the First Industrial Zone in Giza, the project will convert algal biomass to biodiesel to meet
November 05, 2013 Read Full Article
Boeing, South African Airways Launch Sustainable Aviation Biofuel Effort in Southern Africa
(MarketWatch/PR NewsWire) Collaboration on biofuel supply chain is part of broader efforts to support environmental sustainability Boeing [NYSE: BA] and South African Airways (SAA) announced today that they will work together to develop and implement a sustainable aviation biofuel supply chain
October 10, 2013 Read Full Article
Eccotopia to Sign Joint Venture Agreement
(SB Wire/Eccotopia) Julian Moses, president of Symphony Trade and Investment 57 (Pty) Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eccotopia Ltd.,http://www.eccotopia.com/, has announced that Eccotopia and Pacific Tree West are in the process of signing a joint venture agreement for the
May 10, 2013 Read Full Article
Biofuels Given a New Lease on Life
by Andre Janse van Vuuren (City Press/Fin24) Dormant plans to establish a local biofuel sector – earmarked to create up to 50 000 jobs and save the country at least R8.9bn in foreign exchange payments – could be given a
April 09, 2013 Read Full Article
International Regulation of Microorganisms for Biofuel or Chemical Production: North and South America and Africa
by David Glass (DGlassAssociates.com) ... The use of genetically modified microorganisms (GMOs) in manufacturing will likely face a fairly straightforward regulatory process in most countries, because such “contained” uses will generally pose far fewer hypothetical concerns about environmental or public
March 19, 2013 Read Full Article
Bali Biofuel Plant Will Save Lives
(This Is Gloucestershire) Green Fuels of Stonehouse has installed the first ever biodiesel plant on Bali. The move is helping the Indonesian island to avert a growing environmental and health crisis. The FuelMatic GSX 3 plant can convert up to 3,000
March 06, 2013 Read Full Article
Carbon Tax from 2015, as New Biofuels Incentive Is Unveiled
by Terence Creamer (Polity.org.za) The South African government has confirmed that a carbon tax will be phased in from January 1, 2015, as part of South Africa’s efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change and encourage energy efficiency
March 06, 2013 Read Full Article
Sugarcane Fibre Could Boost Biofuel Development – Study
by Natasha Odendaal (Creamer Media's Engineering News) A doctorate study undertaken by Stellenbosch University Department of Process Engineering student Yuda Benjamin has found that the fibres of some varieties of sugarcane had the potential to boost the production of ethanol at a reduced
February 21, 2013 Read Full Article
South Africa - Sugar Companies Waiting for Biofuel Policy Move
(Agra-Net.com) South Africa's sugar companies and the planners of two sorghum-based ethanol plants are anxiously awaiting the government's next move to allow a biofuels industry through the publication of the regulated price of ethanol, said Ethanol Producers Association secretary Alf
December 21, 2012 Read Full Article
The GM Tree Plantations Bred to Satisfy the World's Energy Needs
by John Vidal (The Guardian) Israeli biotech firm says its modified eucalyptus trees can displace the fossil fuel industry It's a timber company's dream but a horrific industrial vision for others: massive plantations of densely planted GM eucalyptus trees stretching across Brazil, South Africa,
November 16, 2012 Read Full Article
Biofuels Mandates Around the World – Who Is Moving the Targets?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... United States Concerns over the price impacts of a devastating US drought have led to call for a waiver in the US Renewable Fuel Standard volumetric targets. Proposed waivers have ranged from small, symbolic down-shifting
October 25, 2012 Read Full Article
Food Crises and Technological Phobia
by Drew Kershen (BioFortified) ...I do not write to enter the debate focused on fuel standards, markets and commodity speculators. I acknowledge that other factors also contribute to food crises, particularly in developing nations – e.g., underfunded agricultural research and
September 07, 2012 Read Full Article
Southern Africa Development Community Countries Meet on Algae Development
(Algae Industry Magazine) Leaders of the 14-member Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) came together at the St. George Hotel in Pretoria, South Africa, July 24-27, for a workshop on emerging technologies for sustainable biofuels and added value bio-products. Their discussions
August 10, 2012 Read Full Article
South African Airways Aims for 50 per cent Biofuel by 2020
by Kamalpreet Badasha (SupplyManagement.com) State-owned South African Airways (SAA) aims to decrease its carbon footprint by using biofuel for 50 per cent of its fuel supply by 2020. The announcement was made by public enterprises minister Malusi Gigaba at the launch of the
August 02, 2012 Read Full Article
South Africa Looks to Develop Aviation Biofuels Supply Chain in Response to Vulnerability over Carbon Taxes and Penalties
(GreenAirOnline) As part of policy objectives to reduce carbon emissions by state-owned companies (SOCs) and stimulate a green economy, the South African government is planning a strategy to help develop a home-grown aviation biofuels industry to support South African Airways
July 27, 2012 Read Full Article
Request for Proposals: Viridis Africa October 16-17, 2012 Johannesburg, South Africa DEADLINE: August 30, 2012
Viridis Africa, the only clean energy investor event in Africa that will take place on the 16th and 17th of October 2012 at the Killarney Country Club, Lower Houghton, Johannesburg, South Africa. The event is dedicated to entrepreneurs and corporates who are seeking funding to
July 03, 2012 Read Full Article
Biofuels: Better for Airplanes, Too?
by Margaret Ryan (AOLEnergy) Biofuels could be a "game changer" for both military and commercial aviation, says Assistant Secretary of the Air Force Terry Yonkers, because they're proving to have advantages over petroleum-based jet fuels that go beyond the environment. ...Burning biofuels is considered
June 14, 2012 Read Full Article
Aviation Biofuels: Which Airlines Are Doing What, with Whom?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...(M)ore than 30 airlines now trialing, deploying biofuels – but who’s doing what, exactly? In Brazil, Azul Airlines announced that Amyris’s innovative renewable jet fuel sourced from Brazilian sugarcane has passed all required testing and will be used during
June 05, 2012 Read Full Article
Government Drags Feet on Biofuel Project
(Business Day) State wants industry to source feedstock from small-scale farmers, writes Hopewell Radebe The government has not moved an inch on the proposal by the farming community to include maize as an alternative crop for biofuel production since the Department
March 28, 2012 Read Full Article
S.Africa Sees $258 mln Ethanol Plant by 2014
by Wendell Roelf (Reuters Africa) South Africa plans to invest 2 billion rand ($258.5 million) to build an ethanol plant and help a nascent biofuels sector that could reduce the country's reliance on imported fuel, an industry player said on
February 22, 2012 Read Full Article
South Africa Company to Invest E3bn in Local Ethanol Project
by Nomthandazo Nkambule (The Swazi Observer) A South African based company will invest about E3 billion in an ethanol project to be established along the Siphofaneni/Lavumisa corridor Minister of Agriculture Clement Dlamini said the company, FuelEthanol and Agricultural Plantation, completed a preliminary study on the
January 26, 2012 Read Full Article
S. African Biofuel Plan May Boost Sorghum Sixfold, Grain Says
by Carli Lourens (Bloomberg) South Africa’s proposed mandatory blending of biofuels with gasoline and diesel may signal the start of a biofuels industry and boost sorghum output sixfold, an economist at the farmers’ body Grain SA said. ...South Africa could introduce mandatory
December 14, 2011 Read Full Article
Mario Garnero Addresses Council on Foreign Relations and Columbia on 'Powerhouse Nations'
(MarketWatch) Mario Garnero, Chairman of Brasilinvest, Brazil's pioneer merchant bank, stated that BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China) can no longer be simply described as 'Emerging Markets'. Their economic, political and energy status make them 'Powerhouse Nations'. The Chairman of
December 12, 2011 Read Full Article
South African Airways Mulls Big Biofuels Shift in Bid to Avoid Possible Carbon Penalties
by Terence Creamer (Engineering News) Biofuels may need to comprise as much as half of South African Airways’ (SAA’s) fuel supply by 2020 if the national carrier is to avoid future carbon penalties, Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba... But he
November 28, 2011 Read Full Article
South Africa: Govt Sign Accord to Inject Billions Into Green Economy
(All Africa) On the eve of a major International Climate Change Conference to be hosted by South Africa, social partners and government signed a Green Economy Accord at parliament in Cape Town today (November 17, 2011), which commits signatories to
November 18, 2011 Read Full Article
Tongaat Sees Big Potential for Jobs in Ethanol and Power Projects
by Brindaveni Naidoo (Engineering News) Electricity generation and ethanol production from sugarcane could save and create thousands of local jobs, mainly in rural areas, agriculture and property group Tongaat Hulett CEO Peter Staude said on Monday. ... Turning to ethanol production, the
November 15, 2011 Read Full Article
South African Project Reaching for Ethanol, Biodiesel Co-Location
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) One World Clean Energy Inc. has secured its first memorandum of understanding to construct and commission a $115 million Integrated Biorefinery in South Africa, where it would produce10 megawatts of electricity, 10 MMgy of
October 28, 2011 Read Full Article
South Africa’s Bio-Economy ‘Stymied by Government Policy’
by Sarah Wild (Business Day) Biofuels Association president Andrew Makenete says SA has the technology and resources to develop its bio-economy but was stymied by a lack of regulations and government policy SA HAD the technology and resources to develop its
September 16, 2011 Read Full Article
Assessing Opportunities and Constraints for Biofuel Development in Sub-Saharan Africa
by Graham von Maltitz, William Stafford (Center for International Forestry Research) Sustainable biofuel production should provide opportunities for sub-Saharan African countries and their inhabitants, especially in impoverished rural areas. Biofuel feedstock production has the potential to bring job opportunities
August 29, 2011 Read Full Article
South Africa Should Step up Its Biofuels Efforts – Toyota
by Loni Prinsloo (Engineering News) South Africa should step up its efforts to introduce biofuels into its fuel supply mix, Toyota South Africa CEO Dr Johan van Zyl said on Thursday. Speaking at the 2011 South Africa Automotive Week conference, in
August 26, 2011 Read Full Article
Plans for ‘Tree of Life’ Plantation
by Laea Medley (Independent Online) ...The iLembe District Municipality and Dr Samson Tesfay, a post-doctoral student at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s discipline of horticultural science, are planning a plantation project for the plant. The project will harvest Moringa pods for
August 22, 2011 Read Full Article
Ethanol, Sugar Mill-Power Rules Could Create Jobs, Tongaat-Hulett CEO Says
by Niki Moore (Bloomberg) Southern African countries could create 1.8 million jobs if they adopted similar regulations to Brazil governing the production of ethanol and electricity from sugar, the Chief Executive Officer of Tongaat-Hulett Group Ltd. said. South African sugar companies such
August 02, 2011 Read Full Article
Illovo Sugar Plans to Produce Ethanol From Molasses in Tanzania by 2013
by Niki Moore (Bloomberg) Illovo Sugar Ltd. (ILV), Africa’s largest producer of the sweetener, plans to start making potable ethanol from molasses in Tanzania by 2013, Managing Director Graham Clark said. “We have created an opportunity in Tanzania to produce ethanol from
July 20, 2011 Read Full Article
Food Security Not Necessarily Threatened By Biofuels
(Rainharvest) To achieve “win-win outcomes” for bio-energy, food security and poverty reduction, we must recognise that these outcomes are possible. This is what Prof Lee Lynd, of Dartmouth College and the Mascoma Corporation, told delegates during a seminar at Stellenbosch University,
July 18, 2011 Read Full Article
Addax Bioenergy Signs Loan Agreement for €258 Million Renewable Energy Project in Sierra Leone
(Business Wire) Addax Bioenergy S.A. (“Addax Bioenergy”), a subsidiary of the Swiss-based energy group, The Addax and Oryx Group Limited (AOG), announced today the signing of a loan agreement with seven European and African development institutions for an integrated renewable
June 27, 2011 Read Full Article
Eucalyptus Tree Genome Deciphered
(EurekAlert!) Key to new possibilities for renewable bioproducts The key to the survival of forestry in South Africa as well as many new possibilities for renewable bioproducts like biofuels and biopolymers may now be available with the click of a mouse. This
May 20, 2011 Read Full Article
AGZAM to Invest $251M in Sugar, Ethanol in South Africa
by Nicholas Bariyo (Dow Jones Newswires) South Africa-based AGZAM Project Developers Ltd. is planning to invest at least $251 million to develop a sugar plant and at least 15,000 hectares of sugar plantations in Zambia's southern province, the state-run Zambia Development
April 07, 2011 Read Full Article
S.Africa's Illovo Says May Opt to Produce Biofuels
by Ruona Agbroko (Reuters Africa) South Africa's Illovo Sugar may opt to produce biofuel from sugarcane if it makes commercial sense, its managing director said late on Wednesday. South Africa's Department of Energy said earlier this month it would make
March 29, 2011 Read Full Article
Maize Farmers Lobby to Supply Biofuel Industry
by Stephanie Nieuwoudt (Interpress Service News Agency) South African maize farmers are pushing hard to change a government decision to exclude their crops as feedstock for bioethanol, in view of food security concerns. Shortly after the government unveiled its biofuel strategy last
March 14, 2011 Read Full Article
Brazil Eyes out South Africa for Biofuels Growth
by Nickolaus Bauer (Business Day) According to visiting deputy minister for foreign trade, Brazil also wants to strengthen overall trade relations with South Africa Brazil says its interested in buying agricultural land in Southern Africa to use as a source of
December 08, 2010 Read Full Article
Inclusion of Maize in Biofuels Strategy Condemned
(The Bioenergy Site) The African Center for Biosafety (ACB) has issued a statement to express concerns over the possibility of the inclusion of maize in a revision of South Africa’s biofuels policy. ACB was prompted into action by an announcement made by
November 01, 2010 Read Full Article
South Africa Could Face Blackouts again Next Year: MaNoa
(Times Live) ... She (MaNoa director Esmé Bluff) says although it's not feasible for everyone, first prize is to get off the grid as much as possible - which is not as expensive or tricky as it may sound. "When the power
October 19, 2010 Read Full Article
First General Aviation Engine Powers Light Aircraft with Biofuel
by Natasha Odendaal (Engineering News) Local general aviation company Adept Airmotive has developed the first general aviation engine that is able to power a light aircraft with a range of environment-friendly alternative fuels, such as biofuels and liquid petroleum gas. The Adept
September 17, 2010 Read Full Article
China May Absorb South Africa’s Grain Surplus - Agriculture Ministry
by Hopewell Radebe (Business Day/Reuters) The government yesterday brought hope to grain farmers who are struggling to find alternative markets to dispose of surplus maize following a bumper crop that drove prices down. ... Last month, Grain SA chairman Neels Ferreira called for the
September 09, 2010 Read Full Article
Durban Company Flies High on Biofuel
(Times Live) A Durban company has unveiled a light aircraft engine which can operate on biofuel or liquid petroleum gas. “Our technology benchmarks South Africa against the finest aviation engineering in the world,” said Andre Schoeman, chairman of ADEPT Airmotive, the company
May 18, 2010 Read Full Article
Used Cooking Oil to Reduce South Africa’s Carbon Emissions
Biogreen Diesel, a renewable energy company that is pioneering the conversion of waste oil to a less expensive, pollution-free biodiesel, ... uses the first patented Jet Reactor, invented by Org Nieuwoudt, to convert waste oil from restaurants and retailers, to
November 04, 2009 Read Full Article
Opening Second Tender Global Sustainable Biomass Fund
The Global Sustainable Biomass Fund supports developing countries in making their biomass production for energy uses sustainable. It thus enables them to access the local or international market of sustainable biomass for energy uses. The overall goal of the subsidy