Following the launch of its new business unit Leaf Technologies, Lesaffre has announced the acquisition of start-up company Butalco. Research company Butalco focuses on yeast technology and the development of yeast strains for second generation biofuels.  The move follows the establishment of Leaf Technologies, which concentrates on the development and sale of fermentation... [Read More]

Cellana, a biofuels company based in Kailua-Kona, will receive a $3.5 million (€2.6 million) grant from the US Department of Energy (DOE) to pursue an integrated, high-yield algae biofuel feedstock production system at their Kailua-Kona, Hawaii demonstration facility. Cellana's research efforts have led it to use algae to produce various products including a new form... [Read More]

Genscape's LandViewer website offers an insight into current corn crop condition and price correlation. The data, which covers over 1,400 counties, provides information of pricing at a national, state and county level. Genscape's new LandViewer platform offers dual-level, real-time images of developing variables, which allows growers, traders, and grain buyers to correlate... [Read More]

The US Department of Energy (DOE) and US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has selected ten projects to receive funding aimed at furthering genetic breeding programmes. The programmes will improve plant feedstocks for the production of biofuels and bio-based products. 'Biofuels and bio-based products offer the potential of home-grown US resources that can reduce our dependence... [Read More]

A multi-billion naira ethanol plant has opened at Igbesa, Ogun State, Africa. Allied Atlantic Distilleries is the first ever cassava-based ethanol plant to produce extra neutral alcohol in Africa (ENA). The ethanol facility was built as a result of a government-backed initiative to supply raw material to a number of distillers and industries. Along with ethanol, the plant... [Read More]

A senior official at the Ministry of Petroleum reports that Egypt is currently evaluating the proposal of three petrochemical projects to the UAE, two of which focus on bioethanol production totalling $490 million (€362 million). One project involves the construction of a factory to produce bioethanol from molasses, with a capacity of 100,000 tonnes per year and an... [Read More]

The aviation industry urges a reduction in its reliance on fossil fuels. The Sustainable Aviation Council wants a combination of government regulatory action and private investment to help create alternatives to petrol, arguing that biofuels could contribute to the EU's climate objectives and the industry's aim to cut its carbon emissions in half by 2050. 'The most critical... [Read More]

Brazilian state-development bank Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Economico e Social (BNDES) will provide 1.9 billion reais (€624 million) in funding to companies looking to grow operations at ethanol and sugar plants. BNDES and Brazil's research-financing agency Finep have so far chosen 35 projects from 29 companies for loans under the PAISS programme. The budget... [Read More]

Honduras has opened its first ethanol production plant in the city of Catacamas in the department of Colancho. Located at the headquarters of the National Agricultural University, the country's plant is part of a wider initiative led by the Organisation of American States (OAS) to expand biofuels activity within the area. Its development is supported by the Brazilian and... [Read More]

The US Navy expects to get bids for biofuels for ships and aircraft that are the same price as conventional fuels. 'We've got a very, very good set of analysis that shows us that it's going to be coming in under $3.50 (€2.59) a gallon,' says Dennis McGinn, assistant secretary for energy, installations and environment. The Navy intends to buy at least 37 million gallons... [Read More]

Two US senators have urged federal regulators to investigate allegations made by a biofuel trade group that the oil industry uses 'strong-arm tactics' to block the extensive use of higher blends of ethanol in petrol. A report produced by the Renewable Fuels Association argues that major oil companies discourage the sale of ethanol by implementing levels of 15% per gallon... [Read More]

The US Energy Information Administration has published the July issue of its Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO), which increases its 2014 and 2015 ethanol production forecasts for the second month running. The EIA expects ethanol production to average 932,000 barrels per day this year, up from the June forecast of 920,000 barrels per day. In the week beginning the 9 June,... [Read More]

Petrobras has announced a joint venture with agricultural research firm Embrapa to expand ethanol production in southern Brazil. The partnership aims to develop varieties of sugarcane that can be adapted to temperate climates, Brazil's federal energy Petrobras said in a statement. The new crop is thought to be resistant to plagues and designed thrive in cool, dry climates. Research... [Read More]

Next generation biofuel developers Cobalt Technologies has signed a global cooperation and supply agreement with Andritz to produce cellulosic n-butanol. The agreement will integrate Cobalt's lignocellulosic pre-treatment process for the production of n-butanol with Andritz's customised pre-treatment systems. Cobalt's technology naturally converts C5 and C6 sugars into... [Read More]

Global biofuel output is expected to grow during the period up until 2023, fuelled by a surge in demand, increased crude oil prices and government policies. The rise however, is expected to be lower than in the past decade. In a joint report, the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) expect ethanol... [Read More]

Roman Abramovich, owner of Chelsea FC owner is participating in plans to bring a waste-to-jet fuel centre to Thurrock, Essex, UK. The Russian billionaire bought shares in gas-to-liquid firm Velocys in January. His share, which stood at 7.71% in June, has led to an increase in the company's shares. Velocys is providing the technology at the plant, which will turn gases,... [Read More]