News

The Council of the EU has adopted its position on a directive promoting the use of renewable energy across the Union. The announcement could have significant ramifications for the continent’s biofuels industry, and has already sparked controversy. Environment and energy ministers in the Council have agreed renewable energy targets for 2030 ahead of negotiations in 2018 with the European…
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The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) has joined with other associations, calling for a retroactive renewal of biodiesel tax credits and tax breaks. The 19 December letters call for “retroactive, multi-year extension of the biodiesel tax incentive” and a “seamless, multi‐year extension of the tax extenders” respectively. As the Republican Congress focuses on their tax…
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The abundance of croton trees in Kenya and the nuts’ potential use in biofuels present promising opportunity for local farmers. An article from the College of Agricultural science, published in Forest Policy and Economics, found that croton trees are readily available to most farmers. However, seed price and tree maturity periods were a concern for some. Although their resources are…
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Platts analysis of data released by the Korea Customs Service shows that imports have increased year-on-year by 39% to 261,584 megatons (mt). The data was released 11 January and shows a significant decline in Brazilian ethanol, making up only 9% of supply in 2017 from 49% in 2016. America remained the primary exporter of denatured ethanol to the country, with 78% of imports originating from the…
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UPM Biofuels has received a RSB sustainability certificate for the cultivation of the Brassica carinata crop, a new feedstock for biofuel production. It is the first time an RSB (Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials) certificate has been issued in Uruguay. "RSB certification acknowledges our strong commitment to sustainability in all operations, now also in biofuel feedstock production with…
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The company has submitted a fuel pathway petition to the EPA to certify that it has met lifetime emissions targets for its Oklahoma City gas-to-liquids plant. The company expects that the gas-to-liquid plant, which is run by a joint venture called ENVIA energy, will qualify for the most valuable renewable identification number (RIN): D7 cellulosic biofuel or biomass-based diesel. These numbers…
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ISCC (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification), has announced details of its upcoming Global Sustainability Conference 2018, set to take place on 20 February in Brussels, Belgium. According to ISCC, the overarching topic of the conference will be the future of bioenergy, a highly topical theme at a time of political and legislative uncertainties such as the RED II negotiations. ISCC…
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After much deliberation, the European Parliament has voted in favour of the revised Renewable Energy Directive (often dubbed RED II). The plenary of the European Parliament adopted its first reading position on RED II on 17 January. It has been met with mixed responses within the biofuels industry. While some have commended the decision to allow crop-based biofuels to be included towards RED…
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Next generation biofuels company Gevo has reaffirmed its focus on the commercial development of renewable jet fuel, renewable isooctane, isobutanol and related products, in its corporate update for 2018. The commitment comes amid a range of cost saving measures at the company which have seen staff reductions and pay cuts. According to the update, issued on the company’s investor relations…
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Brazilian President signs biofuels initiative into law The law establishes a national biofuels policy, called RenovaBio, encouraging all biofuels, not just bioethanol and biodiesel. According to a press release, RenovaBio is designed to reduce uncertainty for biofuel producers by establishing mandates to apply over a minimum period of ten years. President Michel Temer signed the bill into law 27…
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The legislation will allow the use of ethanol with conventional fuels, but does not mandate production levels. Local outlets are reporting that the government is allowing a 5% blend of bioethanol with octane and gasoline. According to them, the government is responding to interest from producers to set up the plants. Plant owners will have to get government permission before producing ethanol,…
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A new study suggests that by suppressing a gene that stiffens cell walls, biorefineries would have access to 60% more sugar than they would otherwise from the same amount of feedstock. The researchers from the UK, Brazil and the US announced the discovery in New Phytologist. Cell wall stiffening evolved in grass as a method to impede digestion by grazers. By reducing the effect of the gene both…
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E-Fuel has launched its solution for people who want energy independence and to be green about it. The Silicon Valley company introduced its 100% ethanol generator, the Personal Energy System (PES), 8 January. It is intended to give customers full independence from the public power grid. With the smallest version starting at US$96,000, the generators can be purchased with cash or bitcoin. Citing…
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