Biodiesel News

Scientists have gained new insight into the functioning of hydrolytic enzymes, in a study that could pave the way to more competitive biofuels. The current technical complexity and costs of obtaining biofuels from biomass restrict their cheap, efficient and sustainable production. At a time when oil prices are at record lows, this is hindering their ability to compete on the fuels market. One of…
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A general ban on palm oil in biofuels in Europe punishes the wrong producers while having little impact on reducing deforestation, according to Jaboury Ghazoul, a professor of ecosystem management at ETH Zurich. He claims in an article published by the university that banning palm oil actually blocks good practice. In April 2017, the European Parliament voted to ban the use of palm oil in…
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Four Republican governors have sent a letter to US President Trump expressing concern over the changes recently proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency to the US’s Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). “The renewable fuels industry in our states, and others, is poised to grow if the EPA sends positive and consistent market signals through increases in the required volumes. That will…
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New York City’s Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS NYC) is ‘pushing back’ against proposed changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), which it labels in a statement ‘threats to reduce environmental standards’. On 19 October DCAS NYC submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) protesting any roll-back of the RFS, the…
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The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) and other leading biofuels advocates in the US have sent a letter to President Donald Trump urging the White House to “act quickly to prevent actions” at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that ‘threaten jobs in rural America, freeze innovation in advanced biofuels and undermine the energy security goals of America’s Renewable…
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Nordic energy company St1 has signed an engineering design package and licence agreement with Haldor Topsoe for a renewable diesel production unit, which will be integrated with its refinery based in Gothenburg, Sweden. The construction of the plant will be subject to final investment decision after completion of the design in spring 2018 and after obtaining required environmental permit. The…
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Renewable diesel Neste and US-headquartered Jacobs Engineering Group have agreed that Neste acquires the 40% shareholding of Jacobs in Neste Jacobs Oy. After this transaction, Neste holds all shares in Neste Jacobs. "Neste Jacobs is the leading company specialising in process industry technology, engineering and project management services in the Nordic countries,” said Jyrki…
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The US National Biodiesel Board (NBB) has reacted positively to the confirmation of Stephen Censky to be the US’ Deputy of Agriculture. Censky has substantial experience in both the soybean and biodiesel industries, something which the NBB’s CEO, Donnell Rehagen, believes makes him well suited to the new role. “Congratulations to Steve on his confirmation to be Deputy Secretary…
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New research into the thermal decomposition of a potential fuel additive has shown it could deliver cleaner and more efficient combustion. The authors of the study claim their findings have the potential to shed new light on the applicability of biofuels. Scientists have long been researching additives comprised of oxygenated organic compounds that could help reduce the release of pollutants into…
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US-based biofuels producer Cargill has announced plans to produce a $90 million (€75 million), “state-of-the-art” biodiesel plant in Wichita, Kansas. Set to open in January 2019, the new biodiesel facility will produce 60 million gallons of biodiesel annually. “This new facility will enable Wichita to be a competitive supplier in the biofuels market, bringing value to the…
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Britain’s biggest congealed mass of fat, oil and wet wipes, is to be transformed into biofuels. The fatberg, which was found beneath the streets of Whitechapel, east London, weighs around 130 tonnes and is 250 metres long. It will be turned into around 10,000 litres of biodiesel. The fatberg, which is more than twice the length of two football pitches, took an eight-strong crew using…
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Fourth graders in Seoul, South Korea, have been learning how to make biodiesel at a bio-energy farm run by the Gangdong-gu office in Eastern Seoul, according to the Korea Times. The workshop on renewable energy saw students from Seoul Hansan Elementary School taking turns to stir canola oil mixed with a catalyst and methyl alcohol in a beaker to make biodiesel. Another part of the trip saw…
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