News

A series of engineered proteins could improve biomanufacturing processes for the production of biofuels and other products including pharmaceuticals and commodity chemicals, according to researchers. Kevin Solomon, an assistant professor in Purdue University’s Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, and colleagues have developed a series of engineered proteins derived from…
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BASF Enzymes and Lallemand Biofuels & Distilled Spirits (LBDS) have formally entered into a marketing and sales collaboration agreement with the aim to ‘maximise value to customers in the ethanol market in the United States.’ In the collaboration, BASF’s enzyme portfolio will be used for applications in liquefaction and fermentation to improve fermentation performance. LBDS…
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The US Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and its industrial partner LanzaTech claim that their new technology is helping clear the way to ethanol derived jet fuel. In April, the ASTM International revised ASTM D7566 Annex 15 – the Standard Specification for Aviation Turbine Fuel Containing Synthesised Hydrocarbons – to add ethanol as an approved…
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Finland’s government has sold 5% of its stake in Neste, Reuters reports. The Government, described by Reuters as ‘centre-right’, sold the 5% stake in the oil refiner and biofuel company for €861 million. The Finnish state’s stake in Neste has now fallen to 44.7%. Opposition parties have apparently criticised the decision, saying that it gives up too much control in…
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Sweetwater Energy, a Rochester, NY-based biotechnology company and Estonia-based AS Graanul Invest, is going to build a commercial-scale integrated biorefinery that will produce cellulosic sugars and ‘highly pure’ lignin from 50,000 tons of local hardwood each year. In addition, the plant will allow the two companies to work with corporate partners to create and optimise new products…
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Valero Energy has acquired Pure Biofuels del Peru (PBF) through a subsidiary. According to Reuters, it is the refiner’s first infrastructure investment in South America. As the third largest fuels importer in Peru, PBF maintains a supply platform with customers including retailers, miners, and airlines.  The transaction was completed with cash and includes product terminals in Callao,…
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Struggles and triumphs of the biofuels industry were brought into sharp focus at the Platts 7th Annual Biofuels Conference in Geneva, Switzerland. With speakers from across the biofuels sector, the event at the Grand Hotel Kempinski covered the latest policy updates and struggles facing the industry. Pharoah Le Feuvre, energy analyst at the International Energy Agency, presented a current, medium…
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Fulcrum BioEnergy began site construction for phase 2 of its first waste-to-fuels project, the Sierra BioFuels Plant (Sierra), on 16 May. Sierra will be ‘the US' first’ commercial-scale plant converting a municipal solid waste feedstock that would otherwise be landfilled, into a low-carbon, renewable transportation fuel product. "Launching the final construction phase of Sierra is…
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Congressman Austin Scott of Georgia and Congresswoman Lois Frankel of Florida, members of the Congressional Boating Caucus, introduced the Consumer Protection and Fuel Transparency Act of 2018 on 16 May. The legislation would ‘more clearly’ label E15 ethanol blended gasoline, which they say is ‘harmful and corrosive’, at pumps across the US. The aim of the bill is to…
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Following the introduction of a bill to warn consumers about the perceived dangers of E15 in small engines, representatives from the ethanol industry have questioned the rationale for the legislation. The biofuel proponents say that the new rules are designed to create confusion for consumers and reduce the use of higher-blend fuels, rather than offer any kind of clarity. American Coalition for…
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Researchers have developed new technologies that can be used to convert industrial plants to produce fossil-free heat, electricity, fuel, chemicals and materials. They say the technical potential is enormous: using only Sweden's currently existing power plants, renewable fuels equivalent to 10% of the world's aviation fuel could be produced. The study offers a chance to switch to renewable…
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The City of San Leandro, a suburban city in Alameda County, California has switched all municipal vehicles from using petroleum diesel to only running on Neste MY Renewable Diesel. Neste MY Renewable Diesel is a low-carbon fuel produced from renewable and sustainable raw materials. Neste says its diesel cuts greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% while enhancing fleet performance. Neste MY…
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Reuters is reporting that Marathon Petroleum, the second biggest refiner in the United States, has asked the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to waive their ethanol blending obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). RFS waivers can save companies tens of millions of dollars. The request came in the form of a ‘hardship waiver’ application. These waivers are meant to…
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