News

In an official statement, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) claims that Indonesia’s expansion of 20% biodiesel fuel (B20) has reached 80% of its target. The expansion involves the mandatory use of B20 as part of an effort to reduce the export of crude oil, which the ministry claims is a major factor of the festering current account deficit and the nation’s weak…
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Wilmar International has said that the implementation of the biodiesel programme in Indonesia has proven that there should be no concern that the use of biodiesel will affect vehicle engines.   After concerns were raised by Malaysian hauliers and automotive manufacturers on the implementation of the biodiesel programme in Malaysia, Wilmar International’s country head in Indonesia,…
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Prominent US ethanol producer Green Plains has planned the closure of two plants in Iowa. According to Reuters, the plants are to be shut due to low profit margins. Green Plains is the number 3 ethanol producer in the United States and has an annual ethanol production capacity of around 1.48 billion gallons. It has also invested in vinegar production and cattle feedlots in an attempt to branch…
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The Chamber of Commerce in Brazil published an article detailing a public hearing where the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) will discuss the schedule for raising the mandatory ratio of biodiesel to diesel. It is outlined that the government will be intending to understand whether the changes in ratio should be accelerated or kept to a slower pace. In March 2018, it was decided that the…
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The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved a variety of pathways for renewable fuel derived from sorghum as part of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) programme. This includes the use of sorghum to produce biodiesel. Acting EPA administrator Andrew Wheeler signed the final pathway on 24 July. “Today’s approval sets the stage for more homegrown fuels under the Renewable…
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Advanced Biofuels Canada (ABFC) has announced a significant expansion to its membership. ABFC is the industry association for biofuels in Canada. According to a statement, the new members include fuel distributors, global technology developers and strategic compliance services providers. These include Canada Clean Fuels, Canfor Pulp, EcoEngineers and Honeywell UOP. “Our organisation’s…
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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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The Indonesian government is planning to make the use of biodiesel blended fuels compulsory for all vehicles and heavy machinery from 1 September, according to Reuters. According to the wire service, Indonesia’s Renewable Energy Director General Rida Mulyana announced the government’s ambitious aim on 1 August. Indonesia’s president, Joko Widodo said in a cabinet meeting on 31…
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The US Department of Agriculture has issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) on the environmental assessment report for Velocys’ planned Bayou Fuels biorefinery in Natchez, Mississippi. Velocys is describing the FONSI as a significant step towards the permitting of the Bayou Fuels facility. It was issued as part of the company’s ongoing development of the 100-acre…
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A public school district in San Diego, California, has switched its fleet of 53 school buses to run on Finnish company Neste’s renewable diesel. The Vista Unified School District (VUSD) is the fourth largest in San Diego County, comprising 32 schools with programmes ranging from kindergarten through to adult educational facilities. The district serves more than 23,000 primary to high school…
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Major US biodiesel producer Renewable Energy Group has published its financial results for the second quarter 2018. The figures cover the quarter ended 30 June, and they reveal a dramatic year on year improvement for the company. Net income per diluted share was $33 million over the period, compared to a net loss of $34.8 million in the second quarter of 2017. Adjusted net income was $23.5…
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Researchers claim to have found a way to protect yeast from damage inflicted by pretreatment chemicals in the biofuel production process. Pretreatment chemicals are used in biofuel facilities to accelerate the breakdown of plant material, however, these chemical are sometimes poisonous to the yeasts that turn the plant sugars into fuel. In a study published in the journal Genetics, a team from…
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US biofuel producer Hero BX is aiming to drastically boost the capacity of a shutdown biodiesel facility it recently purchased in South Roxana, Illinois.   As reported by Biodiesel Magazine, the acquisition of the 12MGY facility was made in an auction held by Maas Companies, which closed on 24 July 2018. Financial terms for the acquisition of the former Midwest Biodiesel Products facility…
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