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,... [Read More]

The governor of New York has signed a bill to increase the use of biodiesel in domestic heating oil. In a statement, trade body National Biodiesel Board said this “Bioheat” fuel will help New Yorkers to benefit from cleaner air. The legislation was signed by New York governor Andrew Cuomo and requires Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties to follow New... [Read More]

A Boeing 747 could fly for ten hours on biojet fuel produced on 54 acres of specially engineered sugarcane, according to research from the University of Illinois. The same aircraft would burn one gallon of conventional jet fuel each second. Plants Engineered to Replace Oil in Sugarcane and Sweet Sorghum (PETROSS), funded by the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA-E),... [Read More]

China is planning to extend its use of bioethanol as it seeks to intensify its anti-pollution efforts. China plans to use an ethanol gasoline blend across the country by 2020, the National Development and Reform Commission and National Energy Administration (NEA) said on 13 September, 2017. “The plan was unveiled as the country is pushing the use of biofuel, which... [Read More]

Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, has called for Europe to lead the world when it comes to tackling climate change. In his annual State of the Union address, he said: “Last year, we set the global rules of the game with the Paris Agreement ratified here, in this very House. Set against the collapse of ambition in the United States,... [Read More]

Biodiesel is helping improve air quality in the US’ most visited national park Visited by more than 11 million people each year (according to National Geographic), Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee is a sight of spectacular natural beauty, one which actively works to reduce its environmental footprint. “At Great Smoky Mountains National Park... [Read More]

Scientists have developed a more efficient process for extracting sugars from wood chips, corn cobs and other organic waste from forests and farms, creating a renewable feedstock which could serve as a cheaper, sustainable substitute for petroleum in the production of chemicals and fuels. "To make greener chemicals and fuel, we're working with plant material, but we don't... [Read More]

A newly published study is the first to link changes in rainfall and other conditions during crop growth to potential detrimental effects on biofuel production. According to an article on Phys.org, the US Department of Energy led research underlines the need to develop production systems that can tolerate sugars produced under stress, and turn those sugars into the desired... [Read More]

Researchers have developed a new method to directly convert methane to methanol using molecular oxygen. Liquid methanol is believed to have considerable potential as an alternative fuel, and is used as a feedstock in a variety of other chemicals. However, converting methane, the primary component of natural gas, to methanol is currently a complicated, indirect process... [Read More]

Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology have developed a new catalyst to improve the synthesis of primary amines (derivatives of ammonia). It is claimed that in the future the newly developed ruthenium based catalyst could also impact the development of biofuels and bio-oils. Primary amines are industrially important compounds which are used in the preparation of... [Read More]

At a time of increased political, environmental and market uncertainty, this focused two-day event returns for its 10th anniversary to debate the very latest issues impacting the global biofuels industry. The conference will provide a meaningful debate over the policies and strategies impacting the biofuels industry. It will provide a comprehensive overview of the European... [Read More]

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... [Read More]

Scania is set to deliver 140 buses to Norway, all of which can run on biodiesel and 70 of which have hybrid technology. The buses will be used in the public transport system of Kristiansand, a town south-west of the Norwegian capital Oslo. “This is an example of Scania’s wide range of sustainable transport solutions,” says Karin Rådström, Senior... [Read More]

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... [Read More]

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... [Read More]

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... [Read More]