Leaf Resources, an Australia-based biochemicals company, has announced a collaboration with Novozymes, a Denmark-based industrial enzymes producer, to further increase the yields and efficiency associated with Leaf Resources’ biomass conversion technology. Leaf Resources’ Glycell process converts plant biomass into industrial sugars — a key component... [Read More]

UK engineering specialist Salunda has developed an advanced sensor technology for the accurate determination of the biofuel content of diesel blends used in a wide range of automotive and industrial power applications. According to the firm, its new technology, called DieselProve can also identify impurities such as vegetable oil, white spirit and water in fuels. In a... [Read More]

Two ex-biofuel bosses in Indiana, US, have been sentenced to prison for their roles in what federal authorities say was a multi-million dollar fraud scheme involving biodiesel. Jeffrey Wilson, Imperial Petroleum’s ex-CEO, and Craig Ducey, a co-owner of E-biofuels, were sentenced to serve prison terms of 120 months and 74 months, respectively, for their roles in fraud... [Read More]

More than one-fifth of the US population lives in a state with a goal of at least 50% renewable energy, according to the Fourth Annual Energy Report released by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). According to this new report, entitled Accelerating into a Clean Energy Future, America’s transition to a clean energy economy is irrevocably underway and delivering... [Read More]

Global Bioenergies, a French renewable fuels company, has received an official permit to commence operations at its Leuna demo plant from TÜV, the main state certification agency in Germany. The company converts renewable resources into high-purity isobutene for use in a number of industries, including the fuel sector. The clearance from the TÜV was obtained... [Read More]

China is aiming to produce 4 million tonnes of ethanol by 2020, doubling output from the current level, even as it keeps tight control over the use of food grains to make the biofuel, according to a plan published by China’s National Energy Administration. According to Reuters, the world's largest energy consumer plans to raise the non-fossil fuel portion of primary... [Read More]

Researchers at Washington State University Tri-Cities in the US have been awarded a National Science Foundation I-Corps grant to explore the market potential of their jet biofuel research. The team has successfully demonstrated a new, water-based process for deconstructing and recovering lignin from biomass and converting it into jet fuel-range hydrocarbons, which could... [Read More]

The use of advanced biofuels in Brazil will play an important role in its energy mix, as it pushes towards a low-carbon economy and promotes its energy security, according to Brazilian officials. Speaking at the Conference on Advanced Biofuels and Bioeconomy at Canning House in London, on 2 December, 2016, Ambassador of Brazil to the UK Eduardo dos Santos said: “Today,... [Read More]

Monsanto and Novozymes are introducing a new corn inoculant Acceleron B-300 SAT to solve issues with spore stability through the BioAg Alliance. Derived from a fungus found in soil, Acceleron B-300 SAT inoculant is the first “upstream” corn inoculant ever developed.   Tests have shown a two-year average yield advantage of more than three bushels per acre,... [Read More]

Four major global metropoles are planning to ban diesel-powered transport by 2025 in favour of walking and cycling to improve air quality in the cities. The mayors of Paris, Mexico City, Madrid, and Athens made the commitments in Mexico at a biennial C40 meeting of city leaders. Concerns about the use of diesel fuel have grown in recent years and the World Health... [Read More]

The Finnish Government has expressed its satisfaction with the sustainability criteria for the use of forest biomass in energy production in the European Commission's proposal for a new Renewable Energy Directive. The revised directive will create a solid foundation for increasing the use of renewable energy sources in Finland, said Olli Rehn, Minister of Economic Affairs. “What... [Read More]

Synata Bio, a newly formed Illinois energy company, has won the auction to purchase Abengoa Bioenergy’s Kansas cellulosic ethanol plant for $48.5 million (€45.5m). With its final offer, Synata outbid Shell Oil Company’s $40.8 million offer by nearly $8 million, according to court documents. Synata now owns cellulosic ethanol technology formerly owned by... [Read More]

Thousands of fish have been killed by 3,000 gallons of biodiesel that leaked into a river from a truck stop in Kentucky, US. The diesel leaked into Little Eagle Creek near Sadieville in early to mid-November from a branch of the national Love’s Travel Stop chain of truck stops. Jack Donovan, director of the Georgetown/Scott County Emergency Management Agency, told... [Read More]

The European biofuels industry has sharply criticised the European Commission’s revised Renewable Energy Directive (RED). The EC has made plans to minimise Indirect Land-Use Change (ILC) impacts. In relation to this, the revised RED will introduce a cap on the contribution of food-based biofuels towards the EU renewable energy target, starting at 7% in 2021 and going... [Read More]

Biofuels and oil trade bodies have written a letter to the US’ Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)  urging the organisation not to redefine the point of obligation under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The issue centres on whether to change the point in the fuel supply chain in which a party becomes obligated to comply with the RFS requirements. This can... [Read More]

In the US, nearly three dozen biodiesel leaders from Kansas to Rhode Island took to the halls of Congress this week to promote US advanced biofuel. “We have a great message to share with our elected officials. Biodiesel is working today to support jobs, diversify our fuel options and support American energy security,” said National Biodiesel Board (NBB) CEO,... [Read More]