News

Louisiana State University (LSU) has published a research project that revealed a different internal structure of corn than originally thought, which can assist in optimising how the plant is converted to ethanol. “Our economy relies on ethanol, so it’s fascinating that we haven’t had a full and more precise understanding of the molecular structure of corn until now,” said…
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Canada-based Cielo Waste Solutions (Cielo) has released an operations update on its Aldersyde renewable diesel refinery. The company describes the two-step process with the first step being the conversion of the biomass – waste and sawdust – into a distillate and the second step being the further conversion of the distillate into renewable naphtha, kerosene and high-grade…
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Norway is planning to become the ‘first’ country to stop its biofuels industry from importing palm oil, due to its links with ‘catastrophic’ deforestation, according to The Independent. The vote obtained majority government support, covering Norway’s entire fuel market. According to the report, the vote took place “to formulate a comprehensive proposal for…
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The ongoing legal dispute between renewable fuels and chemicals company Aemetis and cellulosic and biorefining technology company Edeniq has “many years of litigation ahead”, according to Aemetis Chairman and CEO Eric McAfee. In a statement issued last week, Edeniq announced that Aemetis’ claims had been dismissed on summary judgement by Santa Clara Superior Court. Judge Peter…
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A new multi-landmark report has been released by government-led, multi-stakeholder initiative Biofuture Platform detailing how biofuels and bioproducts ‘must play an integral role’ in the future of the global energy transition. Entitled Creating the Biofuture: A Report on the State of the Low Carbon Bioeconomy, the report uses models and scenarios outlined by the International Energy…
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After announcing the project in the summer of 2017, network airline Finnair has begun the first phase of its CO2 and biofuel offset service, selecting the partners that will collaborate on the initiative. The service will allow customers to offset the carbon emissions of their flight by funding emissions reduction projects or by supporting the use of biofuels. For sustainable biofuels, Finnair…
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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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Texas-based fuel producer Benefuel announced that they have begun a site search in Canada after British Columbia’s recently publicised climate change plan included an expanded ‘Low Carbon Fuel Standard’ incentivising biofuel producers. According to a press release, the initiative has ‘assisted’ Benefuel in prioritising its expansion efforts, given that British…
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US trade association Growth Energy’s CEO Emily Skor appeared before the US House of Representatives Committee on Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Environment’s hearing this week. The hearing was based around a discussion draft put forth by representatives John Shimkus (Republic, Illinois) and Bill Flores (Rebublic, Texas) to repeal the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) in…
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Biofuels producer Fulcrum BioEnergy (Fulcrum) announced that it has selected the city of Gary, Indiana as the location of its Centerpoint biofuels plant. The facility will convert municipal solid waste into low-carbon, renewable transportation fuel. “Launching our business in Indiana is an important next step in expanding Fulcrum’s capabilities to new cities rich in innovation and…
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According to a government researcher, China is set to at least triple its ethanol production capacity by 2020 in order to keep up with growing demands for cleaner fuels, Reuters reports. At an industry event, China National Renewable Energy Centre researcher Don Kejun outlined how China was currently building or seeking permission for new ethanol plants to produce a potential capacity of 6.6…
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The Indian Air Force (IAF) flew a military aircraft with blended biofuel for the first time, The Times of India reports. The Russian-sourced AN-32 transport plane was flight-tested with a 10% biojet fuel, created using Jatropha oil, in a sortie flown from the Chandigarh base. “The project to flight-test the bio-jet fuel, with experiment test pilots and engineers from IAF’s premier…
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AP News reports that south-eastern South Dakota, Napa Junction is to be the location of a new ethanol plant. Officials are also considering the construction of a private natural gas pipeline in the area. The idea to bring a new ethanol plant to Napa Junction has appealed to several companies. AP News reports that since the opening of a grain shuttling facility as well as the construction of a new…
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