Bioethanol News

A new computational method to rapidly screen the effects of point mutations in bacteria has the potential to make biofuel production more efficient. The conversion of fibrous plant waste such as corn stalks and wood shavings into fermentable simple sugars is a basic requirement of biofuel production, but the process is far from simple. Bacteria must break down tough leaves, stems and other…
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The UK government has made proposals to introduce a cap on crop-based biofuels in order to meet its renewable fuel obligations. The maximum level for the use of fuels made from agricultural crops will begin at 4% in 2018 and reduce linearly year on year from 2021 to reach 3% in 2026 and 2% in 2032. In a statement, the Department for Transport said: “The level is intended to provide a market…
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UK bioethanol producer Vivergo Fuels has cautiously welcomed the government’s Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RFTO) proposal. The UK government has made proposals to introduce a cap on crop-based biofuels in order to meet its renewable fuel obligations. The maximum level for the use of fuels made from agricultural crops will begin at 4% in 2018 and reduce linearly year on year from…
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Clariant, a developer of specialty chemicals, and Enviral, Slovakia’s largest bioethanol producer, have announced a license agreement on sunliquid cellulosic ethanol technology. The move will see one of Europe’s first advanced biofuel plants built at the Enviral site in Leopoldov. Enviral will use Clariant’s sunliquid technology to help construct a full-scale commercial plant…
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Enerkem has announced that commercial production of cellulosic ethanol has started at its facility in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. According to a statement from the company, it is the first commerical scale plant in the world to produce cellulosic ethanol from non-recyclable, non-compostable mixed municipal waste. “The commercial production of cellulosic ethanol at our facility in Edmonton…
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Three years ago, scientists at the US’ National Renewable Energy Laboratory discovered an enzyme that proves adept at breaking down cellulose fibres regardless of whether their crystalline structure is simple or highly complex. According to the research, no other enzyme has shown this ability. Now, in a follow-up paper, the researchers have looked at the significant worth the enzyme, CeIA,…
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A quirk in US federal gasoline volatility regulations means E15 sales to non-flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) are usually halted from 1 June to 15 September. However, Hurricane Harvey means E15 sales have returned earlier than usual. The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) reports that in response to gasoline supply shortfalls and price hikes resulting from the devastation caused by Hurricane…
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California based Vertimass has announced completion of the intermediate technology validation from the US Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technology Office (BETO). The BETO validation verified performance against negotiated milestones, provided progress on scale-up, and reviewed Vertimass’ estimated cost for their transformative catalytic technology. Developing a catalyst technology…
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A new report from the European Commission highlights several benefits of higher ethanol blends in petrol, including reduced emissions of dangerous pollutants and improvements in car engine performance. Carried out by the ICF for the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Climate, the study looked at the impact of higher levels of bio-components in transport fuels. It was discovered…
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The first half of 2017 saw China Agri-Industries, a subsidiary of China grains trader COFCO, return to profit. According to Reuters, this change in fortunes was aided by a big jump in the profitability in the company’s ethanol and oil seeds segments. China Agri-Industries processes grains including soybeans, corn, rice and wheat. Reuters reports that the company’s revenues rose 9% to…
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Following successful pilot testing of its corn fibre-to-ethanol process, D3MAX is ready to move to the next stage of commercial development: the design of a full-scale plant at Ace Ethanol in Stanley, Wisconsin. Ace Ethanol set specific performance goals for the D3MAX pilot testing. “The D3MAX pilot process was able to meet or exceed our performance goals,” says Neal Kemmet, president…
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The president and CEO of Edeniq, Brian Thome, has submitted written comments to the US Environmental Protection Agency on its proposed rule to set the 2018 cellulosic renewable volume obligations (RVOs) under the federal Renewable Fuel Standard. Thome urges the EPA to ensure that final 2018 cellulosic RVOs are set based on forward-looking methodology that considers increasing cellulosic ethanol…
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A 20% tax on imported ethanol has taken effect in Brazil, according to Reuters. The rules, which see the 20% penalty applied to volumes above a tax-free quota, came into force on 1 September. Reuters reports that Brazil’s foreign trade chamber Camex has issued an official written resolution which states that the new rules will be valid for two years. Brazil’s government has never…
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French and Norwegian scientists have discovered a ground-breaking enzymatic mechanism that could revolutionise biorefining and biofuel production. The research focuses on enzymes known as Lytic Polysaccharide Monooxygenases (LPMOs), which in recent years have drastically improved the conversion of cellulose into fermentable sugar (glucose), a pivotal step in the creation of second generation…
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