Defense Logistics Agency Energy, in coordination with the Navy, has released a solicitation seeking biofuels on a large scale for operational use. The Navy is seeking at least 37 million gallons of biofuels as part of its F76 marine diesel and JP5 shipboard jet fuel supply. Previously, biofuel blends of this nature were used only for the military's testing and certification... [Read More]

Ennovor Group, a European biodiesel producer, has earned the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) sustainability certification for its biodiesel produced from used cooking oil methyl ester (UCOME). The company uses an online 'digital chain of custody' record for every consignment of biofuel it trades. It focuses on converting natural and recovered oil and fats,... [Read More]

Praj Industries, a solutions provider for sugar mills and breweries, will soon start commercial production of second generation cellulosic ethanol using agro waste and municipal solid waste as feedstock. The company, will set up a manufacturing facility with a capacity of 20,000 to 30,000 litres per day and an investment of over Rs 70 crore (€510 million). Praj already... [Read More]

Brazil's Gol airlines will use a 4% biofuel mixture to power 200 flights over the course of the World Cup. Biokerosene flights indicate 'that it is possible to reduce emissions voluntarily though technological innovation,' says Izabella Teixeira, Brazilian Environment Minister. The Brazilian airline reports that biokerosene can cut emissions of CO2 by up to 80%. In October... [Read More]

A facility in Edmonton, Alberta, is considered the first commercial biorefinery to exclusively use municipal solid waste to produce advanced biofuels and chemicals. Enerkem has officially inaugurated its first full-scale municipal waste-to-biofuels and chemicals facility in Edmonton, Alberta. The facility will have a production capacity of up to 38 million litres per... [Read More]

Researchers at the University of Georgia in the US have engineered the thermophilic bacterium Caldicellulosiruptor bescii to directly convert biomass to biofuel. Janet Westpheling, University of Georgia professor in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences department of genetics, led the research team, which engineered the organism C bescii to deconstruct un-pretreated... [Read More]

China and India are set to dominate Asia's alternative fuels market, but ambitious targets, including China's 10% ethanol in 2020 and India's 20% biofuels in 2017, are doubtful. India is likely to overtake Asia's biodiesel growth, according to Lux Research's new report, titled 'Planning for the long-term in Asia Pacific alternative fuel markets'. Indonesia, China and... [Read More]

Australia's government plans to remove its ethanol production subsidy, ceasing the Ethanol Production Grants Programme on 30 June, 2015. The government's decision to eradicate the ethanol subsidy was made in its 2015-16 budget announcement. From 1 July, 2015, the fuel excise on domestically produced ethanol will be lowered to zero and then increased each year for the next... [Read More]

Aventine Renewable Energy, a producer and end-to-end supplier of ethanol, will send its first railcar shipment of ethanol produced at its Aurora West facility in Aurora, Nebraska. The Aurora West facility is unique as it only uses sugar-based feedstock. 'By producing sustainable green energy, we're also helping to ensure the US' domestic energy security,' says Mark Beemer,... [Read More]

Tyton N.C Biofuels, which produces biofuels from tobacco, has purchased the former Clean Burn Fuels ethanol plant in Raeford. The company, part of Danville, Virginia-based Tyton BioEnergy Systems, is reportedly buying the plant for less than $15 million (€11 million). Tyton BioEnergy has reportedly developed a proprietary tobacco extraction process that allows the... [Read More]

Argentine biodiesel exports will increase by 30% this year as a result of recent tax cuts. The government has cut export taxes on the alternative fuel from 21% to 11%. Claudio Molina, head of the Argentine Biofuels Association, which represents companies that make soyabean biodiesel, said this year's shipments of biodiesel are expected to rise to 1.5 million tonnes, not... [Read More]

Aventine Renewable Energy has restarted ethanol production in Aurora, Nebraska, using government surplus sugar. The ethanol producer, based in Pekin, Illinois, has shipped the Aurora plant's first batches of sugar-based ethanol from the production complex that has been closed for several periods over the past few years. 'The liquidation of sugar stocks by the commodity... [Read More]

Illinois Sustainable Technology Centre (ISTC) along with non-for-profit business, Jatropha Pepinyè, has been working on achieving a consistent biofuel production method in Haiti. Jatropha Pepinyè has developed this production method and thought of adequate ways to obtain indigenous Jatropha curcasa bushes. The beans in the pine have a high level of bio-oils... [Read More]

The Ministry of Economic Development has signed an agreement with Biochemtex Group, the engineering branch of Mossi & Ghisolfi, for the construction of three new plants. The three sites, located in southern Italy, in Sulcis, Termini Imerese and Puglia, will produce bioethanol from non-food raw materials. Each of the projects is expected to have 100 million litres per... [Read More]

COREPER, a committee working for the Council of the European Union, will bring the ‘ILUC Directive’ to the Council of Energy ministers on 13 June. Overcoming the present standstill enables the EU to move past the controversial and ongoing ILUC debate.   Rob Vierhout, secretary general of ePURE is calling for the EU to create a long-term, stable and... [Read More]

A fire broke out at the Rio Valley Biofuels plant near Anthony, New Mexico, after a series of small explosions. The fire, reported shortly after 9am, sent a plume of black smoke into the air, prompting authorities to briefly evacuate the surrounding area. Witnesses reported hearing loud explosions and seeing large flames as fire engines and emergency services came to the... [Read More]