Jul 7, 2014

Preview: the July/August issue of Biofuels International

A quick peek at what you can expect to find in this issue's Biofuels International

The July/August issue of Biofuels International is hot off the press and we would like to fill you in on some of the content you can expect to find.

This issue's theme is first generation production and we have a number of articles covering this prevalent issue.

In this issue's featured article on first generation biofuels, entitled 'A fighting chance', we talked to a number of biofuels producers both here in the EU and the US to discuss the current dilemmas and considerations affecting first generation plants and producers. Javier Garoz, CEO of Abengoa, is a strong supporter of 'first generation ethanol, [as it] is an excellent alternative energy source, and first generation producers are the most likely parties to invest in new technologies.' Unsurprisingly, the current policy certainty felt across both sides of the pond has implications on the industry's ability to invest in a move to second generation biofuels production. Jeff Haas, CEO of General Biodiesel, points out the pitfalls that currently exist within the industry: 'Elegant new processes and non-food feedstocks are failing to gain traction, simply because innovation moves at the speed of investment, and investment moves at the speed of trust.'

We have also profiled Biochemtex, an Italian–based cellulosic ethanol provider, who co-ordinated the FP7 BioLYFE project, which was behind the creation of the world's first cellulosic ethanol plant in Crescentino, Italy. The plant has extensive production capabilities and there are plans for three more plants of a similar nature.

This issue features a technical article by Hermann Stockinger, VP of global sales, and Christine Riedl, technical sales director, at BDI BioEnergy, called 'A one stop shop'. The duo discuss an eight-phrase retrofit programme which aims to increase a plant's feedstock flexibility to ensure profitability. After carrying out over 30 retrofit projects around the world, the company believes it has the ideal formula to ensure a one-stop shop experience.

The Port of Ghent is a key sponsor at this year's Biofuels Conference in Ghent, Belgium, taking place between 23rd – 25th September. As discussed in this issue, research is currently being conducted at the city's Bio Base Europe pilot-scale production plant into the development of a bio-based economy.

This is just a snippet of what we have in this issue and we would like to thank all of our contributing writers who helped create this issue's editorial content.

Last but not least, we would like to give a big thank you to our advertisers for their ongoing support:

Air Liquide

BDI – BioEnergy

Clariant

De Smet Engineers

Ernst & Young

GEA Westfalia

Harburg – Freudenberger

Leaf Technologies

Novozymes

Port of Amsterdam

Port of Ghent