(Pöyry) Biozin Holding AS has awarded Pöyry with the Owner's Engineering Services assignment for the pre-engineering phase for the planned biozin® production plant in Norway. The new plant will convert biomass to liquid biocrude that will be sold and further
woody biomass
Back TO HOMEDepartment of Energy Announces 36 Projects for Bioenergy Research and Development
(U.S. Department of Energy) Today, the U.S. Department of Energy announced the selection of 36 projects totaling $80 million to support early-stage bioenergy research and development (R&D). This R&D will enable cost-competitive, drop-in renewable hydrocarbon fuels, bio-based products, and power from
September 04, 2018 Read Full Article
The Wonder from Down Under, Canada-Style: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Licella, Canfor
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Licella produces drop-in biofuels from a wide range of biomass and uses a supercritical water-based technology and catalysts to break up biomass and reform it into a drop-in fuel hydrocarbon. The compelling features of supercritical are several: 1.
September 04, 2018 Read Full Article
Aalto University, VTT Sign Bioeconomy Agreement
(VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland/Biomass Magazine) On Aug. 23, Aalto University and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland signed a collaboration agreement on the CERES flagship program and took a concrete step towards a joint innovation ecosystem in the field
August 31, 2018 Read Full Article
Letter Urges Trump to Direct EPA to Complete RFS Electric Pathway
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) On Aug. 17, the owners of nearly 60 anaerobic digestion (AD) projects sent a letter to President Trump asking him to tell the U.S. EPA to prioritize the development of an electric pathway under the
August 28, 2018 Read Full Article
Enzyme Discovery Could Boost Biofuel Production
(European Commission) EU-funded researchers have discovered a new family of enzymes able to break down wood into its chemical components. The findings may lead to more efficient production of biofuels and other valuable chemicals derived from biomass. -- Wood is regarded as
August 28, 2018 Read Full Article
Pennsylvania’s Next Biorefinery: Discussion Held at the Penn State Energy Days Annual Conference, 2018
by Anahita Bharadwaj (Pennsylvania State University for Advanced Biofuels USA) Energy Days, 2018 at The Pennsylvania State University- University Park, brought together leading researchers, government agencies, industries, non-profit organizations and academics in the field of energy to understand the current challenges
August 22, 2018 Read Full Article
Norwegian Government Closes Consultation on a 1% Mandate Proposal for Aviation Biofuels
(GreenAir Online) A consultation by Norway’s Ministry of Climate and Environment on a proposal to introduce a mandate requiring all commercial jet fuel sold in the country to contain 1% of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from 1 January 2019 closed yesterday. The intention
August 17, 2018 Read Full Article
Significant Environmental Milestone for Mississippi Project
(Velocys) The USDA has issued a Finding of No Significant Impact on the environmental assessment report for Velocys’ planned Mississippi biorefinery. Velocys plc (VLS.L), the renewable fuels company, announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a Finding of
August 07, 2018 Read Full Article
Fueled for the Future Red Rock Biofuels Facility Breaks Ground in Lakeview
by Kurt Liedtke (Herald and News) On Wednesday, members of Red Rock Biofuels, political dignitaries, corporate representatives and a large community contingent gathered on the outskirts of Lakeview for a groundbreaking ceremony for the $320 million renewable fuels facility. Taking
July 30, 2018 Read Full Article
Attis Industries Taps Timber Industry Leader for Procurement of Raw Materials
(Attis Industries) Agreement Creates Feedstock Advantage for First Commercial Facility -- Attis Industries Inc. (NASDAQ: ATIS) (the “Company” or “Attis”), a diversified innovation and technology holding company, today announced the execution of a letter of intent with Jordan Forest Products, LLC (“Jordan”)
July 20, 2018 Read Full Article
SET-Plan Steering Group Approved Implementation Plan of SET-Plan Action 8: Bioenergy and Renewable Fuels for Sustainable Transport
(European Technology and Innovation Platform-Bioenergy) On 13 June 2018 the SET-Plan Steering Group approved the Implementation Plan of SET-Plan Action 8: Bioenergy and Renewable Fuels for Sustainable Transport. The plan was prepared by a working group, co chaired by industrial experts from
July 18, 2018 Read Full Article
Heard on the Floor at the BIO World Congress: Iowa, Plastics, Benzene, Queensland, Skin Care, Jet Fuel in the Mix
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...The rounds of applause at BIO have been loud and steady but the biggest ones were heard not for a presentation or a speaker — rather, BIO’s decision to stage the World Congress next year in
July 18, 2018 Read Full Article
One Day at the World’s Leading Biomass Technology Conference, EUBCE 2018
by Steve Bi* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Renaissance-era facades capped with green copper patina and orange clay shingles harmonize seamlessly with imaginative, hallmark-of-Scandinavia, hyper-modern structures in downtown Copenhagen. [caption id="attachment_99349" align="alignleft" width="212"] Setting of the EUBCE 2018 Copenhagen[/caption] The city provided the perfect backdrop
July 17, 2018 Read Full Article
Latest Research Says Biofuel Production Won’t Seriously Affect Forestry Industry
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) In Sweden, researchers from Luleå University of Technology (LTU), IIASA, and RISE Research Institutes of Sweden found that increased biofuel production will not affect the production of wood products and that increased biofuel targets will introduce
July 16, 2018 Read Full Article
Biofutures: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to the Queensland Bioeconomy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Queensland’s vision is for a $1 billion sustainable and export-oriented industrial biotechnology and bioproducts sector, attracting significant international investment and creating regional, high-value and knowledge-intensive jobs. The Biofutures Roadmap provides the leadership required to help Queensland leverage
July 12, 2018 Read Full Article
Biorefineries Will Have Only Minimal Effects on Wood Products and Feedstocks Markets
(International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis/Phys.Org) A new report from researchers from IIASA, Luleå University of Technology (LTU), and RISE Research Institutes of Sweden has shown that more biorefineries, which produce biobased fuels and chemicals, will have only a small effect
July 10, 2018 Read Full Article
Seeking a Friend for the End of Unreliability: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to the Feedstock Conversion Interface Consortium
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) What is the Feedstock Conversion Interface Consortium and why does it exist? The Why is simple. #1 issue plaguing High and Low Temperature IBR projects is consistent operability of preprocessing and primary deconstruction. In response, researchers have joined
July 06, 2018 Read Full Article
Valmet and Turun Seudun Energiatuotanto: Joint Development of an Industrial Internet-Based Fuel Chain Management Solution for Biopower Plants
(Valmet) Valmet, together with its customer Turun Seudun Energiatuotanto Oy (TSE), is developing a comprehensive Industrial Internet-based set of production information systems and district heating network optimization solutions. This is being implemented for the first time as an integral part of
July 05, 2018 Read Full Article
Lawmakers Ask EPA to Approve RFS Pathway for Biomass Power
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A bipartisan delegation of California lawmakers are urging the U.S. EPA to resolve any issues that prevent biomass and waste-to-energy pathways from receiving the same level of support as other forms of energy under the
June 29, 2018 Read Full Article
EU Biofuels Effort Kicks off in Örnsköldsvik
(SEKAB/MyNewsDesk) Representatives from eleven European companies and universities gathered yesterday in the Swedish town of Örnsköldsvik, to kick-start the EU-funded project Rewofuel. The long-term aim is to lay the groundwork for many new biorefineries across Europe, using wood residues from the
June 28, 2018 Read Full Article
Strategic Intent: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to UPM, the Biofore Company
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) UPM is going through a transformation to ensure sustainable value creation in the long term. The aim is to improve profitability, generate growth and increase the value of the company’s business portfolio. UPM has been transforming
June 22, 2018 Read Full Article
Taking off: Velocys, Shell, British Airways, UK Government, New Energy Risk, Red Rock Biofuels, TCG Global, PQ, and Advanced Plasma Power Figure in Key Renewable Jet Fuel Project Advances
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) New Energy Risk’s new performance insurance for TCG Global’s gasifiers and a significant project advance from Velocys in the UK are on the docket today. These companies and the news this morning are united as key project
June 21, 2018 Read Full Article
Auburn Researcher: Biofuels Are Still an Important Component of Our Energy Mix
by Steven Taylor (Yellow Hammer) ... But for a moment, let’s reexamine biofuels, as they can still play an important role in our state’s energy production and economic development. According to the Energy Institute of Alabama, our state ranks fifth in the nation
June 18, 2018 Read Full Article
Maine Developments – Bio News Mounts from the Pine Tree State
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) ... First, let’s start with the latest from the Maine Technology Institute, which just announced a request for information regarding emerging forest industry technologies, with the goal of accelerating matchmaking to connect the most viable,
June 18, 2018 Read Full Article
Critical Plant Gene Takes Unexpected Detour That Could Boost Biofuel Yields
by Sara Shoemaker (Oak Ridge National Laboratory/Phys.org) For decades, biologists have believed a key enzyme in plants had one function—produce amino acids, which are vital to plant survival and also essential to human diets. But for Wellington Muchero, Meng Xie and their
June 15, 2018 Read Full Article
Request for Information: Forest Industry Technologies DEADLINE: July 20, 2018
(Biobased Maine/Maine Technology Institute) The Maine Technology Institute is collecting publicly available information on technologies that could be deployed within Maine’s forest industry. The purpose of this RFI is to encourage technology companies to submit preliminary information on their technology and
June 14, 2018 Read Full Article
SLU and Stora Enso in Strategic Partnership
(Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences) The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Stora Enso. Through the agreement SLU and Stora Enso intend to establish a long-term collaboration in research and development, education, competence building,
June 06, 2018 Read Full Article
Preem and RenFuel to Create the World’s First Lignin Plant for Biofuels
(Cision/Rottneros) Preem and RenFuel are assessing, in collaboration with Rottneros, the construction of the world’s first lignin plant for biofuels, at the pulp mill in Vallvik, Söderhamn. The plant is expected to produce an annual volume of 25,000-30,000 tonnes of lignin,
May 31, 2018 Read Full Article
Canada ❤ Bioneers: BioIndustrial Innovation Canada & Ontario Bust Another Move in the Bioeconomy with Comet Biorefining Invest
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Canada, Ontario is investing up to $8 million in Comet Biorefining’s $79.8 million bio-based ingredient project through its Jobs and Prosperity Fund – Food and Beverage Growth Fund. The investment will help to establish the world’s first
May 31, 2018 Read Full Article
Russian Direct Investment Fund : RDIF and JBIC Agree to Collaborate in the Russian Bioenergy Industry
(Russian Direct Investment Fund/4-Traders) The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and JBICIG Partners (JBICIG, a subsidiary of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC)) as part of the Russia-Japan Investment Fund (RJIF, launched by RDIF and JBIC), together with RFP Group
May 29, 2018 Read Full Article
Boom — Like that: Biofuel Plant Gets Financing Terms
by Kali Katerberg (Daily Mining Gazette) After months of waiting, Synsel Energy announced on Thursday that financing terms for construction of a biofuel plant at the site of the former Smurfit-Stone paper mill have been finalized. The $300 million refinery will create
May 25, 2018 Read Full Article
You’ve Come a Long Ways, Baby: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Velocys’ Renewable Drop-In Fuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Velocys enables modular gas-to-liquids and biomass-to-liquids plants to convert unconventional, remote and problem gas and waste biomass into valuable, drop-in liquid fuels. And most recently has repositioned from being a technology component supplier into initiating and drive
May 25, 2018 Read Full Article
SEKAB Receives Major EU Funding to Demonstrate the Production of Isobutene-Derived Gasoline and Jetfuel from Wood
(SEKAB) European financing package amounting to €13.9 million, of which €4.2 million for SEKAB E-Technology AB. Industry consortium led by Global Bioenergies and bringing together SEKAB E-Technology, Graanul Invest, Neste Engineering Solutions, Repsol, PEAB, SkyNRG, Ajinomoto Eurolysine, IPSB, TechnipFMC and Linz
May 22, 2018 Read Full Article
Austrocel to Increase Dissolving Pulp Capacity and Enter Biofuels Production
(EUWID-Paper) Total investment at the former Schweighofer Fiber mill in Hallein amounts to €60m. -- Dissolving pulp manufacturer Austrocel plans to invest approximately €60m to expand and diversify production at its Hallein plant in Austria. The investment project aims at increasing disolving
May 21, 2018 Read Full Article
Drop-in Fuels and Biomaterials: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Global Bioenergies
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Global Bioenergies is a pioneer in the development of one-step fermentation processes for the direct and cost-efficient transformation of renewable resources into light olefin hydrocarbons, the key building blocks of the petrochemical industry. Since inception, the
May 15, 2018 Read Full Article
Arizona Public Service Issues Call for Bioenergy Project Proposals
(Bioenergy Insight) Arizona Public Service (APS) in the United States has issued a Forest Bioenergy Resources Request for Proposals (RFP). APS is seeking proposals for projects that utilise biomass feedstocks from high-risk forest lands in Northern Arizona to generate capacity and
May 15, 2018 Read Full Article
Global Bioenergies and an Industrial Consortium Including Sekab, Neste Engineering Solutions, Repsol and SkyNRG Receive Major EU Funding to Demonstrate the Production of Isobutene-Derived Gasoline and Jetfuel from Wood
(Global Bioenergies) European grant amounting to €13.9 million, of which €5.7 million for Global Bioenergies Industry consortium led by Global Bioenergies and bringing together Sekab, Graanul Invest, Neste Engineering Solutions, Repsol, Peab Asfalt, SkyNRG, Ajinomoto Eurolysine, IPSB, TechnipFMC and Linz University Aim at
May 14, 2018 Read Full Article
KLM, Växjö Småland Airport, Södra, SkyNRG and Partners Sign LOI to Investigate the Feasibility of Producing Sustainable Aviation Fuels in the Växjö Region
(SkyNRG) Starting today, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is flying to Växjö, Sweden every day and to make flights to Växjö as sustainable as possible, KLM is investing in 120,000 litres of sustainable aviation fuel per year for the new Swedish
May 14, 2018 Read Full Article
Port of Seattle Announces Partnership for Sustainable Aviation Fuels at Sea-Tac Airport
(Port of Seattle) Innovative partnership with 13 airlines aims to replace 10 percent of traditional jet fuel with local, sustainable supply in 10 years -- The Port of Seattle announced today that 13 airlines, including Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Horizon Airlines,
May 09, 2018 Read Full Article
Velocys Picks up Velocity While Rockin’ with Red Rock
by Helena Taveres Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) In the United Kingdom, renewable fuels company, Velocys, received a “notice to proceed” action to commence manufacturing of the Fischer-Tropsch reactors and catalyst for the Red Rock Biofuels biorefinery that will be located in Lakeview, Oregon. RRB has
May 08, 2018 Read Full Article
To Meet Emission Reductions Objectives in Transport, Sustainable Renewable Fuels Are an Important Part of the Solution
(Methanol Institute/EIN Presswire) The Methanol Institute (MI), the trade association representing the global methanol industry this week released a paper providing input for the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) trilogue procedure currently underway between the European Council, Parliament and Commission. The Methanol
May 02, 2018 Read Full Article
Air Canada, Red Rock and SkyNRG Move forward on Biofuel Initiatives While Air New Zealand Takes Longer View
(GreenAir Online) ... Canada’s Biojet Supply Chain Initiative (CBSCI) is a three-year project between 14 stakeholder organisations, including Air Canada, which are working to enable a biojet supply chain in the country, with testing the feasibility of co-mingling biojet with an airport’s
April 27, 2018 Read Full Article
Next Generation Forest Company: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Conifex
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Conifex’s business is the harvesting of timber and the manufacture and sale of lumber, primarily for North American and Asian markets. Its sawmills process high-quality SPF logs into higher-grade and commodity-grade lumber, wood chips that are sold externally
April 24, 2018 Read Full Article
Wood Formation Model to Fuel Progress in Bioenergy, Paper, New Applications
by D'lyn Ford (North Carolina State University/Phys.Org) A new systems biology model that mimics the process of wood formation allows scientists to predict the effects of switching on and off 21 pathway genes involved in producing lignin, a primary component of
April 23, 2018 Read Full Article
Driving Profit in Biofuels Production through Innovation: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to ICM
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ICM’s equipment and processes are already used in the majority of U.S. ethanol plants, and continues to develop processes to make ethanol production more efficient for customers. Among the latest tech advances? ICM and The Andersons are partnering to
April 23, 2018 Read Full Article
House Committee Passes 2018 Farm Bill
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... In a statement, House Ranking Member Collin Peterson, D-Minn., criticized the legislation, calling it “a flawed bill that is the result of a bad nontransparent process.” Cuts to Energy Title programs are among
April 20, 2018 Read Full Article
Clean Electricity Generation: Partnership Makes Biofuel Accessible to Everyone -- Biocoal Alternative Fuel for Power Production and Heating
(Clean Electricity Generation/PR Newswire) At several locations around the world, a partnership of international companies will start construction of facilities, where biocoal will be produced on a commercial scale. This biocoal can be used as sustainable fuel in power plants and
April 20, 2018 Read Full Article
Veolia Launch New Online Marketplace for Organic Resources in the UK
(Veolia) As part of the drive to increase the circular economy global resource management company, Veolia, is launching an online trading platform that makes it easier to sell and buy organic resources. Designed to save users time and money, BioTrading will
April 17, 2018 Read Full Article
Equipment Needs to Study Mixing of Fibrous Materials
by Gregory T. Benz (Lee Enterprise Consulting/Biofuels Digest) There are many sources of organic fibers that can be used as feedstock for biofuels and renewable chemicals. The author has tested many lignocellulosic materials for fluid flow and mixing characteristics. Examples include
April 17, 2018 Read Full Article
Study Shows 95% of Wooden Pallets are Recycled, Indicating Significant Gains in Landfill Avoidance
(National Wooden Pallet & Container Association/PR Newswire) Preliminary results of a research project conducted by Virginia Tech on the disposal of wood pallets at landfill sites reveal that 95% of wooden pallets are being recycled. The landfill avoidance study was independently conducted at Virginia
April 16, 2018 Read Full Article
Draft 2018 Farm Bill Reauthorizes Energy Title Programs
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) On April 12, House Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway, R-Texas, released a draft of the 2018 Farm Bill, officially titled the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018. The legislation reauthorizes many bioenergy-related programs, but
April 13, 2018 Read Full Article
Advanced to Go: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Ensyn
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Ensyn uses its patented and proprietary RTP fast thermal technology to convert wood residues and other non-food, cellulosic biomass to liquid biofuels. Ensyn has had continuous commercial operations for more than 25 years. Its technology has
April 13, 2018 Read Full Article
FedEx Finds Unexpected Benefits from New Fuel Technologies: Q&A with Mitch Jackson
by Alyssa Danigelis (Environmental Leader) Each business day, FedEx serves over 220 countries and territories with more than 600 aircraft as well as more than 190,000 on-road and off-road vehicles, which includes around 132,000 company-owned vehicles. The shipping company, which has
April 11, 2018 Read Full Article
No Crop Left Behind: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to USDA/NIFA’s Coordinated Agricultural Projects
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Er, what are AHB, SUBI, BANR, SBAR, NARA, CENUSA, SPARC, IBSS and NEWBIO? You’d be forgiven if you mistook Ahb Subi Banr-Sbar for a well-placed official in the Iranian government — but, in fact, it’s a 9-project network to facilitate the development
April 10, 2018 Read Full Article
Lumber’s Lure: Thanks to Physics, Viable Biofuel May Grow in the Woods
by Chris Lee (Ars Technica) Future biofuel production requires new catalysts—or better training for stubborn enzymes. ... I thought New Zealand would offer some chemistry-minded contrast. The country makes a lot of money on timber exports, but this profit is generally not from primary forest.
April 06, 2018 Read Full Article
First Car Driving with Global Bioenergies’ Renewable Gasoline
(Global Bioenergies) First Audi car to drive at the Montlhéry circuit using over 34% renewable gasoline; One-cylinder engine testing results confirm renewable gasoline has very high performances; Start of the on-road testing phase -- Today, for the first time, Global Bioenergies will use
April 05, 2018 Read Full Article
Duluth Steam Plant to Burn Biofuel
by Peter Passi (Duluth News Tribune) Duluth's steam plant will be swapping out coal and natural gas for biofuel in the near future. Earlier this week, the Duluth City Council authorized Duluth Energy Systems to enter into a five-year agreement with
April 01, 2018 Read Full Article
Alchemy for Modern Times: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to CRI/GTI’s IH2 Process
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The IH2 process was developed by Gas Technology Institute (GTI) of Des Plaines, Illinois—a research, development, and training organization serving energy markets. GTI experts invented, tested, and patented IH2 technology and are providing ongoing commercialization support. Twelve US
March 30, 2018 Read Full Article
Low-Cost Sugars and Lignin: The Digest’s 2018 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. Sweetwater CEO
March 23, 2018 Read Full Article
Oklahoma Cellulosic Diesel Facility Achieves D7 Q-RIN Status
by Ron Kotrba (Biomass Magazine) D7 renewable identification numbers (RINs) generated at a biorefinery in Oklahoma City producing cellulosic diesel fuel have been verified by Weaver and granted Q-RIN status. Weaver is an independent third-party auditor and U.S. EPA-approved RIN Quality
March 16, 2018 Read Full Article
The Pentagon Is Quietly Moving forward on Biofuel Deals. Republicans Want to Stop It
by Travis J. Tritten (Washington Examiner) ... (Former Navy Secretary Ray) Mabus’ vision is, however, quietly moving forward under the Trump administration. The Pentagon has authorized $140 million to help build two biofuel refineries in recent months, a move that
March 13, 2018 Read Full Article
What Happened? Pyrolysis Breakthrough Could Cut Drop-In Biofuels Cost to $2.58 per Gallon
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) We have a breakthrough in pyrolysis to report today that could reduce the estimated cost of producing fuel from $3.27 per gallon to $2.58 per gallon. And no one quite understands how the new process works —
March 13, 2018 Read Full Article
California Here I Come: Ethanol Industry Looking to California’s Lucrative Low Carbon Market
by Jessie Stolark (Enviromental and Energy Study Institute) Two recently announced major joint ventures from ethanol producers – one in the cellulosic and another in the first-generation space – are aimed at selling biofuels in California, specifically. Driven by the state’s
March 09, 2018 Read Full Article
Aemetis Completes Operation of Cellulosic Ethanol Integrated Demonstration Unit, Produced Record Yields
by Kelly Shaver (Aemetis) Aemetis, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMTX) announced today that the company successfully built and operated an integrated demonstration unit for more than 120 days of continuous operations with 94% uptime, meeting the requirements for a federal USDA 9003 Biorefinery Assistance
March 06, 2018 Read Full Article
Advanced Bioeconomy Leadership Conference—Thoughts and Tidbits from Day 1
by Joanne Ivancic* (Advanced Biofuels USA) The ABLC 2018 conference began at the US Department of Agriculture headquarters with a focus on feedstock. Jordan Solomon, Managing Director & CEO Ecostrat Inc.. kicked off the event with news of new US
March 01, 2018 Read Full Article
Is Energy from Woody Biomass Positive for the Climate?
(International Energy Agency) IEA Bioenergy has produced a brief on the question ‘Is energy from woody biomass positive for the climate?’ The brief provides background and a number of concise arguments on this question. Overall, energy from woody biomass can be very
February 27, 2018 Read Full Article
The H2020-Funded Project greenGain Was Successfully Completed
(International Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe e. V) The project greenGain was funded by the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme of the European Union for research, technological development and demonstration under Grant Agreement No 646443. Eight institutions from Germany, Italy, Spain and the
February 27, 2018 Read Full Article
Pruitt Commits to Creating Regulatory Certainty for Biomass
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) On Feb. 13, U.S. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt met with members of the forest products industry and New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu to discuss a range of environmental issues. Pruitt also provided Sununu with a letter
February 14, 2018 Read Full Article
Biofuels Feedstock Study Supports Billion-Ton Estimate
(South Dakota State University/Biomass Magazine) Can farmers produce at least 1 billion tons of biomass per year that can be used as biofuels feedstock? That’s the question that researchers are trying to answer, according to North Central Regional Sun Grant Center Director
February 11, 2018 Read Full Article
IBBR to Investigate How to Protect Poplar from Disease
(University of Maryland IBBR/Ethanol Producer Magazine) The Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research has been awarded a $1.1 million U.S. Department of Energy grant to elucidate the mechanism of rust pathogenesis in poplar in an effort to engineer durable resistance for this important,
February 06, 2018 Read Full Article
UPM Looking into New, 500,000 Tonne Biodiesel Facility
(Biofuels International) Finnish forest industry company and biofuel producer UPM has started an environmental impact assessment (EIA) for a possible biorefinery in Mussalo, Kotka, in the southeast of Finland. The proposed site is in the area of a dismantled power plant
February 05, 2018 Read Full Article
Norway Sets Ambition for All-Electric Short-Haul Flights by 2040 as Aerospace Majors Announce Hybrid-Electric Venture
(GreenAir Online) By 2040, all short-haul flights within Norway and neighbouring countries lasting up to one-and-a-half hours should be operated by electric aircraft, forecasts Norwegian airport operator Avinor. In the transition to all-electric aircraft operations, the country, which aims to be
February 05, 2018 Read Full Article
Enviva: Track & Trace Data Conforms Sustained Forest Growth
(Enviva/Biomass Magazine) Enviva, the world’s largest producer of industrial wood pellets, has released its latest Track & Trace sourcing data, marking one year of public reporting and two years of tracking the company’s sustainable sourcing practices. These data are a key
January 31, 2018 Read Full Article
Biomass Biggest Contributor to EU Renewables in 2016, but Ominous Signs for the Industry’s Future
by Daryl Worthington (Bioenergy Insight) Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, has figures on Renewable Energy use in 2016. The newly published data reveal that the share of renewables reached 17% in 2016, with the biggest contributor to that
January 30, 2018 Read Full Article
MIT Professor Says Biomass-Based Power Worse than Coal for the Environment
Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Massachusetts, a new report from MIT Sloan professor John Sterman supports the growing argument that burning wood pellets for power is worse for the climate than burning coal, because of the short-term effects and the “potentially irreversible impacts
January 30, 2018 Read Full Article
Liquefy Thy Forest: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Liquefaction of Forest Biomass for Hydrocarbon Fuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) A team of researchers from Iowa State led by Robert Brown and supported by the DOE’s Biomass Technologies Office is aiming to demonstrate the liquefaction of forest biomass for hydrocarbon fuels, as a viable path to stable
January 30, 2018 Read Full Article
Valley of the Diols: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Producing PDO and HDO from Biomass
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Can you build a catalytic process to produce alpha, omega diols from lignocellulosic biomass? Such a process, using inorganic catalysts for conversion of biomass into 1.5 pentanediol (PDO) and 1,6 hexanediols could reduce the cost of
January 26, 2018 Read Full Article
Company Official Shares Biofuel Plant Details
by Tina Alvey (The Register-Herald) PPD of WV is putting together the final financial pieces of the puzzle, in hopes of breaking ground on its new biofuel plant near Sam Black Church this spring, according to company official Jason Perry. Perry spoke
January 25, 2018 Read Full Article
Despite EU Palm Oil Ban, Biofuel Problems Will Continue
(Deutsche Welle) Members of the European Parliament have rejected an attempt to phase out support for crop-based biofuels. So what's next in the food versus fuel debate? -- ... The legislative shift, set to take effect in 2020, won't actually change much
January 24, 2018 Read Full Article
UPM Biofuels and ZERO Environmental Organisation Cooperate to Promote Green Shift in Transportation and Petrochemical Industry
(Globe Newswire) UPM Biofuels and the Zero Emission Resource Organisation have started cooperation in promoting green shift in the transport and petrochemicals sectors. The work focuses on creating a predictable long term operating environment for sustainable, advanced biofuels to enable climate
January 24, 2018 Read Full Article
Biomass Industry Responds to ‘Morbid Mathematics’ of FERN Study
by Daryl Worthington(Bioenergy Insight) Two major associations for the biomass industry have responded to a study claiming the burning of biomass prematurely kills tens of thousands of people each year. The study was commissioned by FERN, an NGO created in 1995 “to keep track
January 22, 2018 Read Full Article
Refinery Project in Construction Financing Stage
by Kali Katerberg (The Daily Mining Gazette) ... At its Wednesday meeting, the Economic Development Commission (EDC) heard an update on the SynSel Biofuel plant planned for the area. “The last time we were here, we were in the process of putting
January 22, 2018 Read Full Article
Top 20 Advanced Bioeconomy Projects underway in North America
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) To date, North America is the most active of all regions in terms of deploying advanced technology — whether it is cellulosic ethanol, isobutanol for fuels and chemicals, or renewable chemical plants, you see the first
January 19, 2018 Read Full Article
Biofuels Plant Development Expected to Begin at Ontonagon Paper Mill
by Jan Tucker (Your Daily Globe) A public announcement of the construction and development of a $300 million advanced biofuels plant at the site of the closed paper mill in Ontonagon is "expected shortly," Pat Tucker told the Ontonagon County Economic Development Corporation Wednesday. He indicated
January 15, 2018 Read Full Article
Is Energy from Woody Biomass Positive for the Climate?
(International Energy Agency Bioenergy) IEA Bioenergy has produced a brief on the question ‘Is energy from woody biomass positive for the climate?’ The brief provides background and a number of concise arguments on this question. Overall, energy from woody biomass can be
January 15, 2018 Read Full Article
Estimation of a 69 % Reduction in Greenhouse Gases Emissions for Fully Renewable ETBE Compared to Fossil Gasoline
(Global Bioenergies) Global Bioenergies (Euronext Growth: ALGBE) has entrusted EVEA, a company specialized in calculation of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), with a study focused on the products to be manufactured in the future IBN-One plant. Fully renewable ETBE is estimated to
January 15, 2018 Read Full Article
Bond Authorization Opens Door to Lake County Biofuel Project
by Kurt Leidtke (Herald and News) Jeff Manternach, CEO of Red Rock Biofuels, says the company was created in response to widespread and devastating wildfires in the Western U.S. caused by forest debris and the rising demand for drop-in, cost competitive
January 10, 2018 Read Full Article
Finland Looks to “Finnish” First in Biofuels
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) ... Finland cities are taking action on their carbon neutral goals and taking them oh so seriously. The Public Works Department at the City of Espoo, the second largest city in Finland, announced their decision
January 08, 2018 Read Full Article
N.C. Bioenergy Research Initiative Announces Grant Recipients
(North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services/Ethanol Producer Magazine) The N.C. Bioenergy Research Initiative recently awarded $1 million in grants for 11 research projects to boost bioenergy opportunities and production in the state. ... Below is a list of grant amounts, recipients
January 05, 2018 Read Full Article
Make Haste Slowly: The Story of Anellotech’s Journey towards a Bio-BTX Breakthrough
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... In it, we are reminded that innovation is a never-ending war between two brothers named Urgency and Diligence — and the conflict comes roaring back to life when we consider the news that occasionally seeps out of that mysterious
January 05, 2018 Read Full Article
Government Approves Use of Bio-Ethanol as Vehicle Fuel
by Aminur Rahman Rasel (Dhaka Tribune) ...The government has decided to allow the use of bio-ethanol as vehicle fuel by mixing it with petrol and octane at a 5% ratio. The initiative, first ever in Bangladesh, was taken to reduce the use
January 04, 2018 Read Full Article
Affordable, Low-Capex GTL Is Here: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Velocys
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Velocys enables modular gas-to-liquids and biomass-to-liquids plants to convert unconventional, remote and problem gas and waste biomass into valuable, drop-in liquid fuels. After 15 years and some $300 million in investment, Velocys technology is at commercial-scale. The
January 04, 2018 Read Full Article
Top 10 Bioeconomy Predictions for 2018
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) A mere “The Year in Rewind” as we sail into 2018? Not the good ship Digest! Instead, we dust off our crystal ball and offer our predictions for the year ahead. As the sunset of 2017 gives
January 03, 2018 Read Full Article
$76.8 Million Advanced Biofuel Demonstration Plant Coming to Norway
(Biofuels International) A (CDN) $76.8 million (€50.7 million) industrial scale advanced biofuel demonstration plant will be constructed at a former pulp mill in Tofte, Norway. The new facility is apparently a step towards the creation of a commercial scale project. Danish-Canadian clean-fuel
December 18, 2017 Read Full Article
Biofuel R&D for Ethanol, Green Chemical from Crop Waste
by Mike Foley (The Land) A new fuel technology to convert harvested crops and other plant waste into biofuel and green chemical products is being developed with $11.9 million in funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). The new technology uses
December 14, 2017 Read Full Article
Government of Alberta Establishes New Advanced Biofuel Leadership
(Advanced Biofuels Canada/EIN Presswire) Advanced Biofuels Canada applauds government for new funding to support biofuels in Alberta and expand the province’s lower carbon economy. -- The government of Alberta announced today new initiatives to strengthen the biofuels sector in Alberta. The province has
December 06, 2017 Read Full Article
Rot Is Hot to Trot: Brown Rot Fungi Cries “Tora! Tora! Tora!” to Biomass
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... When it comes to fungi, their ability to break even the most recalcitrant of hardwoods down is well-documented and anyone who has spent a day in a rainforest knows it. But there’s rot and there’s
December 05, 2017 Read Full Article
Map of 224 European Biorefineries Published by BIC and nova-Institute
(Bio-based News) Biorefineries are the heart of the bioeconomy. Here, different types of biomass are fully utilised and transformed into a large variety of chemicals and materials The map distinguishes between “Sugar-/starch based biorefineries”, producing bioethanol and other chemicals (63), “Oil-/fat-based biorefineries
November 29, 2017 Read Full Article
From Conventional to Advantaged: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to Aemetis
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Aemetis owns and operates 110 million gallons per year of ethanol and biodiesel facilities in the US and India, and is upgrading the plants using patented technology to produce lower carbon, higher value advanced biofuels and
November 29, 2017 Read Full Article
The Digest’s 2017 Guide to the 20 Top European Biorefinery Projects
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) You won’t hear it from the NGOs orbiting Brussels who have long figured out that bashing biotechnology is good for the fund-raising cash register, but Europe has become the hottest geography on the planet for
November 23, 2017 Read Full Article
Are Petite Poplars the Future of Biofuels? Studies Say Yes
by Michelle Ma (Phys.Org/University of Washington) In the quest to produce affordable biofuels, poplar trees are one of the Pacific Northwest's best bets—the trees are abundant, fast-growing, adaptable to many terrains and their wood can be transformed into substances used in
November 22, 2017 Read Full Article
$2.25 Per Gallon Biohydrocarbon Fuels, Unsubsidized? Biozin Licenses IH2 Technology — Heads for Commercial-Scale in Norway
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Texas, CRI/Criterion Catalyst Company has awarded an FEL-2 license agreement for the IH2 technology which converts biomass to liquid transportation fuels, to Biozin Holding. The Front End Loading (FEL-2) package will be completed for the core IH2 technology
November 16, 2017 Read Full Article
Research Is Making Plant Waste a Viable Option in Ethanol Production
by J.D. Warren (UCR Today) Relatively cheap "biomass" has been a poor option due to its production cost -- UC Riverside researchers have developed a streamlined process that could finally make the ethanol production cost from abundant “second generation” plant wastes competitive
November 15, 2017 Read Full Article
Biofuel Tests in Milwaukee Zoo Locomotives a Success
(Coalition for Sustainable Rail/Biomass Magazine) Two steam locomotives at the Milwaukee County Zoo were fueled with a renewable wood-based solid fuel last week to reduce fossil coal emissions, and the test runs were a success. The Coalition for Sustainable Rail and the
November 15, 2017 Read Full Article
30 Hot Cellulosic Technologies, 30 Quick Takes
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Last week, DowDuPont said it was exiting the cellulosic biofuels business and you’d think that the company just burned down the warehouse with the original text of the Renewable Fuels Standard — the coverage of the
November 14, 2017 Read Full Article
Aviation Fuels and Much More: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to Gevo
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) We Really Do Mean “Drop-in”. Gevo has two proprietary technologies that combine to make it possible to retrofit existing ethanol plants to produce isobutanol, a four carbon alcohol which serves as a hydrocarbon platform molecule. They have
November 13, 2017 Read Full Article
No Crop Left Behind: Inside the USDA’s Bioeconomy Feedstock Strategy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... You’d be forgiven if you mistook Ahb Subi Banr-Sbar for a well-placed official in the Iranian government — but, in fact, it’s a 9-project network to facilitate the development of regionally-based industries producing advanced biofuels, industrial
November 13, 2017 Read Full Article
Renewable Drop-In Fuels at Scale: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to Ensyn
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Ensyn uses its patented and proprietary RTP fast thermal technology to convert wood residues and other non-food, cellulosic biomass to liquid biofuels. Ensyn has had continuous commercial operations for more than 25 years. Its technology has
November 09, 2017 Read Full Article
Making Bio-Based Aviation Fuel from Lignocellulosic Biomass
(Biofuels International) US scientists have developed a new technique to accelerate the production of renewable jet fuel from corn cobs and wood chips. ... Alternative jet fuels are increasingly seen as a means to reduce the environmental impact of jet fuel, and scientists from
November 02, 2017 Read Full Article
One Man’s Trash Is Another Man’s Treasure: Enabling Europe’s Bioeconomy
by Michael Eggleston* (Advanced Biofuels USA) From October 10th -11th the European Forum for Industrial Biotechnology and the Bioeconomy (EFIB) celebrated 10 years in Brussels, Belgium, as it plays a crucial role in providing a central meeting place for policy
November 01, 2017 Read Full Article
Affordable, Drop-In Hydrocarbons from Wood: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to CRI/GTI’s IH2 Process
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The IH2 process was developed by Gas Technology Institute (GTI) of Des Plaines, Illinois—a research, development, and training organization serving energy markets. GTI experts invented, tested, and patented IH2 technology and are providing ongoing commercialization support. Twelve US
November 01, 2017 Read Full Article
EPA Won’t Back Down From Ethanol Requirements. What Do Automakers Say?
by Ken Silverstein (Environmental Leader) ... Some automakers like Toyota and Lexus have warned drivers that if they fill up with E85 that their warranties may not cover engine damage, a Fox story had said. To be clear, there are two generations of ethanol: the
October 28, 2017 Read Full Article
Positive Results from Flagship Biorefinery Feasibility Study
by Processum (Canadian Biomass Magazine) The project Flagship Biorefinery has been carried out in order to investigate the prerequisites to realize a new, full scale biorefinery based on sustainable wood raw material from Swedish forests. The biorefinery would produce approximately 1 million
October 27, 2017 Read Full Article
The South Pole Energy Challenge: The First-Ever Expedition to the Geographic South Pole Powered Only by Renewable Technologies, Including Advanced Biofuels
(South Pole Energy Challenge/PR Newswire) his is a father-and-son story about an epic journey - putting human endurance to its ultimate test relying solely on renewable energy -- On 15 November 2017, Robert Swan, OBE, 61 - the first person in history to walk
October 26, 2017 Read Full Article
Slash and Build: Study Aids Forestry Biofuel Industry
by Siddharth Vodnala (Washington State University News) Researchers from Washington State University, along with those from Oregon State University and the University of Montana, have recently devised refined methods to estimate the amount of forest residue — the leftovers from trees
October 26, 2017 Read Full Article
Opinion: Biofuels Sustainable, Essential To Aviation’s Future
by Adam Klauber, Isaac Toussie, Steve Csonka and Barbara Bramble (Aviation Week & Space Technology) To some, biofuels conjure negative images of industrial-scale agriculture with cornstalks as far as the eye can see, or worse, displaced orangutans squatting dejectedly beside burning
October 25, 2017 Read Full Article
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
Gerard Ostheimer and Doug Faulkner co-authored a Biofuels Digest article with some ideas that show the benefits bioenergy could bring to Africa: "Africans should strive for sustainable fuels from native feedstocks in a modern infrastructure and thriving economy ... Renewable diesel
October 23, 2017 Read Full Article
Growing the African Biofuel Sector: What’s Not to Like?
by Gerard Ostheimer and Doug Faulkner (Biofuels Digest) ... (I)n Sub-Saharan Africa a thriving indigenous bioenergy industry can play a positive and productive role in modernizing economies and improving the quality of human life. One challenge for African bioenergy development though
October 23, 2017 Read Full Article
Aemetis Signs Long Term Lease for Cellulosic Ethanol Plant Site in California
(Aemetis) 55 year Lease Agreement at Former Army Munitions Facility -- Aemetis, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMTX) announced today that its Aemetis Advanced Products Keyes subsidiary signed a 55 year lease at a former US Army munitions facility located in Riverbank, California which is near
October 19, 2017 Read Full Article
St1 Progresses with Renewable Diesel Production Plans at Its Refinery in Gothenburg
(St1) Energy company St1 continues its series of investments targeting to begin the production of renewable diesel in 2020 at its refinery in Gothenburg, Sweden. The company has now signed an Engineering design package and license agreement with Haldor Topsoe for
October 12, 2017 Read Full Article
Federal Government Seeking Partner to Look at Way to Create Domestic Jet Biofuel Industry
by Maura Forrest (National Post) The federal government is looking at the potential of producing jet biofuels, in light of an international agreement to cut greenhouse gas emissions from the aviation industry. Natural Resources Canada is looking for a company to design
October 11, 2017 Read Full Article
AVAPCO, BYOGY Renewables, and Petron Scientech Announce Partnership to Demonstrate Technologies in the ABBA Integrated Biorefinery Projec
(PR Web) The ABBA Integrated Biorefinery project, to be built at the AVAPCO Thomaston Georgia site, will co-produce bio jet fuel and Bioplus® nanocellulose. It has received a Phase 1, $3.7 million award from the Department of Energy. Negotiations with the Department
October 10, 2017 Read Full Article
NRRI Unveils Refined Solid, Renewable Biofuel
by Beth Bly (Business North) Executives from several partnership organizations were on hand Wednesday morning at UMD’s Natural Resources Research Institute Coleraine Lab as the Renewable Energy Lab was unveiled. More than 10 years in the making, the lab currently has the
October 05, 2017 Read Full Article
UPM Biofuels Named One of Six Finalists in 2017 Platts Global Energy Awards
(AZO Cleantech) UPM Biofuels is one of six finalists for the Industry Leadership category in Bioenergy at the 2017 Platts Global Energy Awards - often described as the Oscars of the energy industry. UPM Biofuels is nominated for its wood-based low
October 04, 2017 Read Full Article
A Blustery Day in the Bioeconomy’s Billion Acre Wood: The Latest from EPA, POET, Fuels America, Calyxt, Eligo Bioscience, Queensland, Gevo, Virgin, and Unilever
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Headwinds -- US road transport biofuels producers are up in arms this week. There are reports of oil industry led-efforts within the EPA to create an export-subsidy RIN, cut biofuel targets with new “data,” and bypass EPA staff recommendations for higher cellulosic targets. ... Now,
October 04, 2017 Read Full Article
Top 10 Wood Waste Projects – Not Letting Waste Go to Waste
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) ... Regardless of which side of the fence you are on, the chopping continues and there are literally tons of wood waste left behind that doesn’t get used up, but we can all agree we
October 02, 2017 Read Full Article
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Announces $21.1 Million to Grow the Bioeconomy
(U.S. Department of Agriculture) The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today announced six grants totaling nearly $21.1 million to support the development of new jet fuel, biobased products and biomaterials from renewable sources.
September 25, 2017 Read Full Article
ANDRITZ Successfully Starts up Fibria’s New Pulp Mill in Três Lagoas, Brazil
(ANDRITZ) International technology Group ANDRITZ has completed start-up of key production technologies and equipment for Fibria’s new pulp mill in Três Lagoas, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. ... In addition, ANDRITZ has delivered a chloride and potassium removal system to enhance the
September 25, 2017 Read Full Article
Singing a Song in Singapore: GoodFuels Marine, BHP, and MPA Collaborate on Biofuels during Closed-Door Roundtable
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) In Singapore, a closed-door biofuel roundtable organized by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, BHP and GoodFuels Marine, brought some excitement to the maritime biofuels world – almost as much excitement as when we
September 25, 2017 Read Full Article
Secretary of Energy Rick Perry Announces Integrated Biorefinery Optimization Projects
(U.S. Department of Energy) Today (September 20, 2017), U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry announced that the Department of Energy (DOE) has selected eight projects to negotiate for up to $15 million in total DOE funding to optimize integrated biorefineries. These projects
September 21, 2017 Read Full Article
Timber Bio-Fuel Stymied by Lack of Government Incentives, Says Industry
(ABC News Rural) With a number of coal-fired power stations tipped to close over the next decade, the Queensland timber industry says it could help alleviate any energy shortages by producing green fuel from its waste but is being held
September 20, 2017 Read Full Article
Bounding Maine: Top 10 Companies Targeting Maine’s Forest Resource for Higher-Value Apps
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... But pulp and paper markets have taken big hits. Headlines have centered around damaged balance sheets that make it difficult to modernize or expand, mothballed plants, bankruptcies, job losses that have struck hard at northern
September 12, 2017 Read Full Article
A Sweeter Way to Make Green Products: University of Delaware Researchers Invent Novel Process for Extracting Sugars from Wood
by Tracey Bryant (University of Delaware) ... A UD research team has invented a more efficient process for extracting the sugars from wood chips, corn cobs and other organic waste from forests and farms. ... Basudeb Saha, associate director for research at UD’s
September 11, 2017 Read Full Article
Hot Spots: Top 5 Places to Watch in Florida
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Florida is a hot state, in more ways than one, and we cover the Top 5 hottest Florida spots that hopefully remain intact or recover quickly after Irma’s impact, especially those in the mid and
September 11, 2017 Read Full Article
Södra Commences Biofuel Production
(Södra) Södra will invest more than SEK 100 million in the production of biomethanol, a sustainable fuel from forest raw material. The project will commence in autumn 2017 and is scheduled to be ready for operation by spring 2019. The aim
September 07, 2017 Read Full Article
A New Model for Creating and Commercialising Biochemicals from Biomass?
(Biofuels International) With the price for crude oil at less than $50 a barrel, Iowa State University’s National Science Foundation Engineering Research Centre for Biorenewable Chemicals (CBiRC) is proposing a new model for creating, applying and commercialising chemicals made from
September 07, 2017 Read Full Article
Growing the Future: WVU Biologists Team up to Research New Bioproducts
by Kathy Swisher (West Virginia University) West Virginia University biologists are part of a $40 million Department of Energy effort to create sustainable, cost-effective bioproducts through four new bioenergy research centers. As part of the Center for Bioenergy Innovation led by
September 07, 2017 Read Full Article
Hi-Temp Deconstruction: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to Solvent Liquefaction, and Biomass-to-Hydrocarbon Fuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The US Department of Energy is supporting a project to demonstrate solvent liquefaction as viable path to stable intermediates for subsequent upgrading to fuel blendstocks. This is based on a technology originally developed in large
August 30, 2017 Read Full Article
The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to LanzaTech/PNNL Syngas-to-ATJ Fuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The US Department of Energy initiated a project to advance a hybrid conversion technology for catalytic upgrading of biomass-derived syngas to produce Alcohol-to-Jet fuel and chemicals while meeting the cost, quality and environmental requirements of the
August 29, 2017 Read Full Article
Hot Spots: The Top 10 Bioeconomy Places to Watch in Canada
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... 1. Ottawa, Ontario The biggest Canadian story of the year stems from the November 2016 announce by Minister of Environment and Climate Change Catherine McKenna announced that Canada will adopt a national clean fuels standard,
August 29, 2017 Read Full Article
The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Biomass and Catalytic Conversion into Hydrocarbons
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The DOE established and funded a project to develop a novel Multistage Hydrothermal Liquefaction (HTL) of biomass and integrate with Virent’s Catalytic BioForming Process to efficiently produce cost effective “drop‐in” fuels from woody biomass and
August 28, 2017 Read Full Article
Biofuel from Forests Lightens Jetliner Carbon Footprint
(Washington Forest Protection Association/Seattle Times) Aviation biofuel is made from forest residuals, the limbs and branches that are left after the harvesting of managed forests. -- Alaska Airlines made history recently, flying the first commercial flight using the world’s first
August 24, 2017 Read Full Article
DOE, DOD Aim for Take-Off: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to Biofuels in Defense and Aviation
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In June 2011, the Secretaries of Agriculture, Energy, and Navy signed MOU to commit $510M (up to $170M from each agency) to produce hydrocarbon jet and diesel biofuels in the near-term. This initiative sought to
August 22, 2017 Read Full Article
Report: 30% of Norway’s Aviation Fuel Could Be Sustainable by 2030
by Victoria Moores (Air Transport World) Research commissioned by Norwegian airports operator Avinor has concluded that 30% of Norway’s aviation fuel could be sustainable by 2030, but this depends on available funding. The report, which performed by Danish consultancy firm Rambøll in partnership with
August 22, 2017 Read Full Article
MetGen, Sweetwater Unlocking Lignin – The Roughest, Toughest, Ornieri’st Material that Ever Bushwhack’d a Pioneer in the Valley of Death
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) MetGen, Sweetwater Energy say “there’s gold in them thar side-streams” -- For all of your questions about the advanced bioeconomy there’s just the one answer and that is “lignin”. Why don’t we see more biobased
August 17, 2017 Read Full Article
South Shore Biofuel Startup on Hold
(The Chronicle Herald) A South Shore biofuel startup that has been backed by millions in provincial and federal government money looks like it’s on hold. This week, calls to Cellufuel, a small five-year-old business based in the former Bowater Mersey paper
August 16, 2017 Read Full Article
Environmentalists Are Urging the USDA to Reject This Genetically Engineered Eucalyptus Tree
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
August 10, 2017 Read Full Article
Biofuel Plant Construction Set to Begin
by Vanessa Dietz (The Daily Mining Gazette) ... SynSel Energy Inc., of Elmhurst, Illinois, chose Ontonagon as one of two U.S. sites to build advanced biofuels plants that will produce synthetic gasoline, diesel and aviation fuels the company sells in commodities
August 10, 2017 Read Full Article
Massachusetts May Overlook Climate Impacts of Biofuels
by Bobby Magill (Climate Central) Massachusetts is considering a plan that would classify wood pellets and other tree products as sources of renewable energy, allowing the logging industry to contribute to the state’s climate goals to cut greenhouse gas emissions. However, research