News

Researchers in Iran have developed a process to produce biodiesel out of chicken fat. The research intends to reduce the cost of biodiesel production as it is typically quite high. According to the Iran Front Page, Iranian researchers have carried out nanocatalysis-based synthesis that makes it possible to turn chicken fat into biodiesel. A researcher for the project states “In recent…
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German car manufacturer Volkswagen announced that its R33 BlueDiesel (R33) biofuel has successfully completed its testing phase. According to Volkswagen, the ‘innovative’ biodiesel can save upwards of 20% in carbon emissions compared to conventional fuels. R33 was developed by Volkswagen and the Coburg University among other project partners. The current supplier of the fuel is oil…
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The EU Commission has initiated an anti-subsidy investigation into whether Argentinian biodiesel exporters are benefitting from unfair subsidies. The move has been launched following a complaint in December from the European Biodiesel Board (EBB). In 2013, the EU set anti-dumping duties on Argentinian and Indonesian biodiesel of between 22 and 25.7%, claiming both countries were benefitting from…
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The grass is native to the US, non-edible and grows across North America. Fuel produced from the plant emits far less CO2 than gasoline. Researchers from Colorado State University (CSU) in the US have studied switchgrass as an alternative biofuel feedstock to corn (corn often comes under fire for being resource intensive and competing with demands for food). The new fuel has a climate footprint…
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The UK’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has published its Energy Trends data for 2017. The report includes in depth statistics on the country’s biofuels industry. According to the report, overall biofuel consumption in transport was down 0.5% on the previous year, falling from 1,467 million litres to 1,460 million litres. However, year on year, biofuel…
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Valero Energy has acquired Pure Biofuels del Peru (PBF) through a subsidiary. According to Reuters, it is the refiner’s first infrastructure investment in South America. As the third largest fuels importer in Peru, PBF maintains a supply platform with customers including retailers, miners, and airlines.  The transaction was completed with cash and includes product terminals in Callao,…
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New research suggests the greenhouse gas emissions impact of rainforest deforestation for palm oil plantations could be worse than thought. For a study recently published in the journal Nature Communications, scientists from Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL) and the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape research (WSL) set out to determine the impact palm oil farming…
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The US Department of Agriculture has issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) on the environmental assessment report for Velocys’ planned Bayou Fuels biorefinery in Natchez, Mississippi. Velocys is describing the FONSI as a significant step towards the permitting of the Bayou Fuels facility. It was issued as part of the company’s ongoing development of the 100-acre…
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Around 20 gallons of biodiesel was spilt in the Canadian city of Vernon on Monday afternoon. According to Castanet the spillage occurred after a steamroller drove over a parking meter on 31 Street, which dislodged something underneath the vehicle causing the spill.     The spill was largely contained as the Vernon Fire Rescue was called and a hazmat team worked quickly before it…
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Global biofuel producer Verbio announced in a press release that it has signed a contract to acquire a cellulose ethanol plant from chemical conglomerate DuPont in Nevada, Iowa, US. The purchase includes 100,000 tons of baled corn stalks, located at several sites within a 50km radius around the plant. The plant’s capacity involves the processing of 300,000 tons of corn stalks to…
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Finnish renewable diesel producer Neste announced that it has finalised on a decision to invest an estimated €1.4 billion into its Singapore biofuel production capacity. The investment will extend Neste’s renewable production capacity by up to 1.3 million tons per annum, raising the total yearly capacity to 4.5 million tons in 2022. “Neste is in the business of helping transport…
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A new study suggests that by suppressing a gene that stiffens cell walls, biorefineries would have access to 60% more sugar than they would otherwise from the same amount of feedstock. The researchers from the UK, Brazil and the US announced the discovery in New Phytologist. Cell wall stiffening evolved in grass as a method to impede digestion by grazers. By reducing the effect of the gene both…
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The US National Biodiesel Board (NBB) has been boosted by two new members: renewable energy consultants EcoEngineers, and logistics company Eagle Transport. “I’m very excited to have both EcoEngineers and Eagle Transport Corp. join our membership,” said Brad Shimmens, director of operations and membership at NBB, in a statement. “These two unique companies help showcase…
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UPM has joined forces with Norwegian packaging company Elopak and chemical producer Dow to convert its renewable naphtha into cartons. Alongside renewable diesel, the Finnish company’s UPM Lappeenranta Biorefinery produces naphtha, an excellent raw material for bioplastics. The naphtha can be converted into renewable resins which can be used in the packaging industry. According to a…
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