News

A joint project between the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and NASA is aiming to determine whether aircraft pollutant emissions are reduced by using biofuels. In addition, the pioneering new study aims to determine the effects alternative aviation fuels have on the formation of contrails. With additional participation from the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry and the Institute for Atmospheric…
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Toyota has debuted a prototype of what it calls the world’s first hybrid flexible-fuel vehicle, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The flexible fuelled vehicle can be powered by both gasoline and ‘alternative fuels such as ethanol’. Key to the new vehicle, according to Toyota, is a new hybrid system that combines a combustion engine and an electrical powertrain. The new Hybrid FFV (flexible…
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Eighteen senators have signed a letter calling for Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt to allow 15% ethanol blends to be sold all year. The politicians asked for a timeline of the rulemaking process to clarify how the agency will permit E15 wholesale. They also asked to allow E15 to be sold while that process happens. Currently, the agency regulates the Reid vapour…
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A group of representatives from the US ethanol industry is suing the EPA for its use of waivers from the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The plaintiffs are Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) and National Farmers Union (NFU), with support of Farmers Union Enterprises. The coalition filed their motion in the US Court…
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Finnish renewable diesel producer Neste is exploring ways to introduce liquefied waste plastics as a raw material for fuels and plastics, according to a statement. The company has ambitious goals for the project, aiming to proceed to industrial scale trial during 2019. Longer term, Neste’s target is to process annually more than one million tonnes of waste plastic by 2030. "Neste has been…
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A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed in China between the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC). The MoU signing hopes to develop Nigeria’s oilfield services and enhance research development in the oil & gas industry. After the deal had been signed at the CNOOC Headquarters yesterday in Beijing, group…
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Growth Energy and Prime the Pump have announced that regional convenience store chain Cumberland Farms is to become the newest E15 retail partner to join the Prime the Pump program. Located in Massachusetts, Cumberland Farms will start to offer E15 at just over 120 of its Northeast US stores. The 15% ethanol blended fuel will be available to buy all year-round.     A fuel made with…
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The EPA announced that it has finalised the required renewable fuel volumes under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for 2019, as well as biomass-based diesel for 2020. “Issuing the annual renewable volume obligations rule on time is extremely important to all stakeholders impacted by the Renewable Fuel Standard program,” said EPA acting administrator Andrew Wheeler. “Unlike the…
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Newly published research explains for the first time how plants switch from photoprojection to photosynthesis when transitioning from darkness to daylight. The authors of the study, from the University of Sheffield, claim that the new insight could have a host of benefits, including for the biofuels industry. During photosynthesis, plant chloroplasts convert light into chemical energy that they…
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University of York researchers have discovered another source for an enzyme that might be able to improve cellulose digestion and produce biofuels more efficiently. The paper shows that the enzymes that insects called firebrats (which are closely related to silverfish) use to digest cellulose could be applied to industrial processes, including ‘the production of sustainable low carbon fuels…
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Researchers at the National University of Singapore have identified a species of bacteria that converts cellulose into biobutanol, a replacement for petrol. The scientists first discovered and cultivated the bacterium in 2015 by isolating it from mushroom crop residue. The team claims that producing biofuels with the microorganism could replace traditional processes for producing biofuels due to…
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Reuters is reporting that President Trump’s biofuel policy changes will include a reduction in the amount of controversial ‘hardship waivers’ issued. According to the wire service the administration is in the ‘last stages’ of officially proposing the changes to the law. Among the revisions is the introduction of E15 sales all year and the counting of ethanol exports…
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Finland’s government has sold 5% of its stake in Neste, Reuters reports. The Government, described by Reuters as ‘centre-right’, sold the 5% stake in the oil refiner and biofuel company for €861 million. The Finnish state’s stake in Neste has now fallen to 44.7%. Opposition parties have apparently criticised the decision, saying that it gives up too much control in…
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Findings from a ground breaking study could prove crucial in boosting the ‘economic viability’ of algae biofuel, showing for the first time that raw plants can be used as a carbon energy source for cultivation of a strain of microalgae. In a study recently published in the journal Algal Research, it’s revealed that a freshwater production strain of microalgae, Auxenochlorella…
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