The COVID-19 pandemic has left a lasting impact across the energy industry, leaving in its wake a bevy of uncertainty. One sector of the energy industry that’s been hit hardest is the transportation fuels sector. With millions of people still staying at home to help stem the spread of the virus and roads being less congested, despite states gradually reopening economies,... [Read More]

Canadian refiners Suncor and Shell have partnered with Enerkem to build a biofuel plant in Varennes in Quebec. The new plant will use non-recyclable waste as feedstock to make advanced biofuels and renewable chemicals. The proposed plant will support Quebec's objective to reduce economic dependence on fossil fuels by 40% by 2030 while increasing supply of biofuels in... [Read More]

Ingredion Inc has revealed that it has stopped ethanol production at its manufacturing facility in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. This makes it the latest US biofuel company to cut ethanol output after the coronavirus pandemic has limited demand for fuel. Last year Biofuels International reported how a biofuels plant in Georgia would not resume production while other facilities... [Read More]

A consortium led by SkyNRG has begun work on a new European alcohol-to-jet facility (AtJ). The FLITE consortium, with LanzaTech as the technology provider, is building the facility that will convert waste-based ethanol to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at a scale of over 30,000 tonnes/yr. The project received €20 million in grant funding from the EU H2020 programme... [Read More]

Argentina's Energy Secretariat said it has authorised a gradual 91% increase in biodiesel prices and 56% in the price for ethanol for oil refiners to mix into diesel and petroleum over the next few months. This is the first hike since October. The hikes are already raising pump prices, a key source of revenue for investment in the oil sector. The price of biodiesel,... [Read More]

The global area planted to rapeseed is likely to reach 35.6 million hectares in the 2021/22 crop year, according to recent information published by the International Grain Council (IGC). This equated to a 1.4% increase on the current crop year with Canada is expected to see the biggest rise in area. According to the latest data, the country can produce rapeseed on... [Read More]

US production of biodiesel was 160 million gallons in October 2020, according to new figures from the US Energy Information Service. Biodiesel production during October last year was 1 million gallons higher than production in September – the month before. Biodiesel production from the Midwest region, the Petroleum Administration for Defence District 2, accounted... [Read More]

Neste has announced that it has acquired a minority stake in Alterra Energy, an innovative chemical recycling technology company. Neste’s equity investment supports Alterra Energy’s expansion. Neste is the world’s leading provider of renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel and an expert in delivering drop-in renewable and circular chemical solutions. The... [Read More]

Volkswagen Group Logistics is to use certified fuel from vegetable residues for certain new car shipments via marine routes. Supplied by Netherlands-based GoodFuels, the fuel is produced from materials such as used oil from restaurants and the food industry. The first of two chartered in car carriers, the Patara, owned by Depth RoRo, was refuelled for the first time... [Read More]

The European Commission has published an online consultation on its roadmap towards a strong and sustainable EU algae sector. Algae is a resource of highly nutritious food and feed, but also serve as a feedstock for pharmaceuticals, bioplastics, fertilisers and biofuels – all at a low environmental and climate impact. A commission spokesman said algae was a “perfect... [Read More]

A plan to make E20 a leading fuel for motorists in Thailand should eventually come into effect in July. According to the Department of Energy Business officials want E20, a mix of 20% ethanol and 80% unleaded petroleum 95, to gradually replace gasohol 91, making gasohol 95 an alternative fuel for drivers. Department chief Nantika Thangsuphanich said her department was... [Read More]

The Renewable Fuels Association’s industry safety programme has celebrated its 10 anniversary. Over the past decade, RFA’s safety training has reached thousands of ethanol plant workers and others in protecting the industry’s employees. “While our award-winning safety training programme often flies below the public radar, it is crucially important to ethanol... [Read More]

US President-elect Joe Biden’s transition team has held calls with biofuel groups on topics including compliance with biofuel blending laws and Biden’s low-carbon climate vision. The discussions with biofuel trade groups as well as POET, a top company in the cellulosic bioethanol industry, come as the industry positions itself as part of Biden’s fight against climate... [Read More]

In view of the debate on the use of biofuels from cultivated biomass, the Union zur Förderung von Oel-und Proteinpflanzen (UFOP) has urged politicians to differentiate between the various types of feedstocks and their origins. The negative image of palm oil should not lead to a situation where the sustained biomass potential available in Germany and the European Union... [Read More]

Downey Ridge Environmental Company, developer of Greasezilla, confirmed new installations will be completed in the next three months with at least 10 additional systems anticipated before the end of 2021. Chicago, New Orleans, Austin and Jacksonville will have the first Greasezilla systems to come online building upon the momentum of the company’s 2020 growth. Initially... [Read More]

Wishing all our friends, colleagues and work acquaintances from around the world a happy and joyous Christmas. It has been great working with everybody in the past 12 months in what has been a difficult period for all. We hope everyone has a restful time with family and friends. Warmest regards from everyone at Biofuels International.... [Read More]