News
A major breakthrough has been made in the direct conversion of methane and carbon dioxide into liquid fuels and chemicals. Researchers claim that the new process could help industry reduce greenhouse gas emissions while producing vital chemical feedstocks.
The researchers from the University of Liverpool have developed a plasma synthesis process for a direct, one-step activation of carbon dioxide…
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The future of bioethanol, advanced biofuel developments and an uncertain policy landscape were some of the hot topics discussed at this year’s Biofuels International and Bioenergy Insight conference.
The conference took place in Edinburgh, Scotland, from 4-5th October.
Rob Wakely, head of low carbon fuels division, energy technology and international directorate, at the UK’s…
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The impending trade deal between the EU and Mercosur (South America’s trading block) for an annual quota of ethanol imports from Brazil would be a serious blow to Europe’s farmers and ethanol industry unless measures are taken to ensure a level playing field.
“By agreeing to open its markets to Brazilian ethanol, the EU would contradict its own efforts to increase domestic…
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US advanced biofuels company Gevo announced that it expects to supply its renewable alcohol-to-jet fuel (ATJ) to the Virgin Australia Group, a well-known Australian airline group.
The Virgin Australia Group will be responsible for coordinating the purchase, supply and blending of the ATJ into the fuel supply system at Brisbane Airport in Queensland, Australia.
Gevo’s ATJ is expected…
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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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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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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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Scientists at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Colorado are leading a project to improve how algae-based biofuels and bioproducts are made.
The US Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office has announced its support for the project, titled: “Rewiring Algal Carbon Energetics for Renewables,” in the form of a $3.5 million (€2.98 million) grant. The…
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Jet biofuel produced by the oil extracted from ground seeds of camelina and carinata could be a step closer, thanks to new research from South Dakota State University (SDSU), reports Phys.org.
Glucosinolate is one of the bioactive compounds that remains after oil has been extracted from the ground seeds of camelina and carinata. According to Zhengrong Gu, an associate professor at South Dakota…
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Scientists have successfully converted the wastewater from olive oil production into a green biofuel.
To create oil, olives are crushed and mixed with water in mills. The oil is then separated out of this mixture, and dirty water and solid residue discarded. The wastewater created can pollute waterways, reduce soil fertility and trigger extensive damage to ecosystems. In Mediterranean countries,…
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Developing better algae is a vital requirement in the quest to achieve sustainable algal biofuel. Now, researchers claim to have developed a new technology that could ‘revolutionise’ the search for the perfect algal strain – algal droplet bioreactors on a chip.
In the new technology, developed by researchers from the Boyce Thompson Institute and Texas A&M University, a…
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The US Grains Council (USGC) has announced that it is looking to identify new market opportunities for US ethanol to be exported to Africa, which it says represents a significant potential source of demand.
According to the export-orientated trade body, efforts include promoting the development of ethanol supportive policies across the region. Brian Healy, USGC manager of…
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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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China’s plant to increase the use of bioethanol will not have a significant impact on the grain market, and it would be unrealistic for the country to import large amounts of corn for the industry’s development, a government official told Xinhua Net.
"The government plan to increase ethanol fuel production was for consuming corn stocks," said Han Jun, director of the central…
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Researchers at Michigan State University (MSU) will use a $1.1 million (€930,000) U.S. Department of Energy grant to produce disease-resistant switchgrass in order to produce biofuels from it.
It will use the grant to fight disease in switchgrass by identifying regions of the genome that cause disease resistance. According to the MSU, locating these disease-fighting regions will help improve…
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The price of oil has fallen back to around $58.59 a barrel after hitting a two-year high on 26 September, 2017, according to the BBC.
Rising demand and geopolitical worries had fuelled the increase, along with indications that production cuts by Opec (Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) members are starting to bite.
Brent rose about 4% to just short of $60 (€51), its…
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French renewable fuels company Global Bioenergies has announced that its demo plant, located at the Leuna refinery site, has successfully operated its entire technical process: fermentation, purification, and filling station.
The first bottle containing renewable isobutene has been filled.
The construction of the Leuna demo plant was completed at the end of 2016, and the first months of 2017 were…
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