News

This week, the European Parliament voted and passed the revised Renewable Energy Directive (REDII) with goals set for post-2020. Included in the policy is an EU-wide increased renewable energy target of 32% by 2030, up from the 20% target in 2009. The directive also contains a binding target of a minimum of 14% for renewables in transport by 2030. However, the revision also introduces a cap on…
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After deciding to review its tariffs on Argentine biodiesel, the US may be changing the ‘poor’ fortune of exporters whose shipments from South American countries have been extremely low. According to Reuters the US Department of Commerce announced that there was “just cause” to review the taxes that it applied towards the end of 2017 to Argentine biodiesel. At the time,…
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The European Union’s ‘largest’ biodiesel producer Avril has launched France’s first biodiesel-only fuel, according to Reuters. Biodiesel is usually a blend mixed with fossil fuels but Avril claims that the ‘pure’ product, named Oleo 100, is less polluting and is built from French renewable crops. According to Avril’s chief executive Jean-Philippe Puig,…
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In a press release, UK-based technology company Renovare announced that it has been awarded support by Innovate UK for aviation fuel testing through the Sustainable Aviation for Clean Growth programme. With an office based in London, the firm has developed a technology it describes as converting waste into biofuel that could ‘replace’ traditional fossil fuels. The technology itself…
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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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On Tuesday a Brazilian association of biodiesel producers called Ubrabio, presented a proposal for the government to retain 10% of soybean export earnings. According to Reuters, Ubrabio states that the programme is to help the local soybean crushing industry. In order to help boost the sales of soymeal all money collected would be proportionately distributed among crushers. This would help them…
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A major renewable diesel plant in Norco, Louisiana is to expand capacity to 675 million gallons per year. This will include a facility to produce 50 to 60 million gallons of renewable naphtha. The Diamond Green Diesel Plant is a joint venture between a Valero subsidiary and Darling Ingredients. The boards of directors of both companies have agreed to the expansion of the renewable diesel…
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Large-scale production of algae derived starch could be possible, thanks to new research by the Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) and Tohoku University, Japan. This algae derived starch is a valuable resource for the production of biofuels and other biomaterials. According to a statement, the team, led by Sousuke Imamura from Tokyo Tech, have found a ‘switch’ affecting…
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In a bid to boost engagement with EU citizens on the subject of renewable ethanol, ePURE has launched a new website named Ethanol Facts. The site is designed to serve as an online resource for information about renewable ethanol. Specifically, it aims to help inform the public about the production, use, sustainability and importance of ethanol as a renewable fuel. ePURE, the European…
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A red pigment naturally produced by strains of wild yeast could play a pivotal role in developing isobutanol into a large-scale biofuel, according to new research from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison). The University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) revealed a study detailing a new red pigment, pulcherrimin, and its role in developing isobutanol as a large-scale biofuel. In the…
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Environmental and conservation groups have filed a petition with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) alleging it has ‘illegally’ allowed millions of acres of wildlife habitat to be converted into corn and soybean crops since the implementation of biofuel mandates in the US in 2007. The petition follows a report EPA itself submitted to Congress, revealing vast habitat loss…
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One of the world’s largest biofuel producers Poet has announced that it has begun construction on a new biofuel plant in Shelbyville, Indiana. Poet is going ahead with its plans to add another biofuel plant to its already established network of 28. The construction has started after President Donald Trump lifted ‘outdated’ regulations that were limiting the selling of E15…
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Reuters has reported that French oil & gas firm Total has chosen to delay its planned biodiesel refinery, named La Mede, until the first quarter of 2019. The news agency cites the company’s chief financial officer. The refinery is estimated to have a capacity of 500,000 tonnes of biodiesel. In June of this year, Biofuels International reported that the planned refinery had been met…
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