News

Roman Abramovich, owner of Chelsea FC owner is participating in plans to bring a waste-to-jet fuel centre to Thurrock, Essex, UK. The Russian billionaire bought shares in gas-to-liquid firm Velocys in January. His share, which stood at 7.71% in June, has led to an increase in the company's shares. Velocys is providing the technology at the plant, which will turn gases, removed from landfill, into…
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Next generation biofuel developers Cobalt Technologies has signed a global cooperation and supply agreement with Andritz to produce cellulosic n-butanol. The agreement will integrate Cobalt's lignocellulosic pre-treatment process for the production of n-butanol with Andritz's customised pre-treatment systems. Cobalt's technology naturally converts C5 and C6 sugars into biobutanol, using any…
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Global biofuel output is expected to grow during the period up until 2023, fuelled by a surge in demand, increased crude oil prices and government policies. The rise however, is expected to be lower than in the past decade. In a joint report, the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) expect ethanol and biodiesel output to…
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Petrobras has announced a joint venture with agricultural research firm Embrapa to expand ethanol production in southern Brazil. The partnership aims to develop varieties of sugarcane that can be adapted to temperate climates, Brazil's federal energy Petrobras said in a statement. The new crop is thought to be resistant to plagues and designed thrive in cool, dry climates. Research will be…
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The US Energy Information Administration has published the July issue of its Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO), which increases its 2014 and 2015 ethanol production forecasts for the second month running. The EIA expects ethanol production to average 932,000 barrels per day this year, up from the June forecast of 920,000 barrels per day. In the week beginning the 9 June, the highest weekly level…
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Two US senators have urged federal regulators to investigate allegations made by a biofuel trade group that the oil industry uses 'strong-arm tactics' to block the extensive use of higher blends of ethanol in petrol. A report produced by the Renewable Fuels Association argues that major oil companies discourage the sale of ethanol by implementing levels of 15% per gallon (E15) and 85% per gallon…
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Honduras has opened its first ethanol production plant in the city of Catacamas in the department of Colancho. Located at the headquarters of the National Agricultural University, the country's plant is part of a wider initiative led by the Organisation of American States (OAS) to expand biofuels activity within the area. Its development is supported by the Brazilian and US governments, along…
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The country's first commercial biofuels-powered flight, operated by British Midland International (BMI) between Karlstad and Frankfurt and by Nextjet between Karlstad and Stockholm, has left Sweden.  Opened on the 26 June, Karlstad Airport has become the first airport in Europe to install a fixed storage tank facility for aviation biofuel. 'We hope that this Karlstad biofuel programme will…
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Biodiesel production in Brazil and Argentina will rise 'sharply' this year, increasing the demand for soyabean oil as a raw material, Oil World reported. Brazilian biodiesel output will increase to 3.1 million metric tonnes this year from 2.56 million tonnes in 2013, with soyabean oil used as the main feedstock. From July, Brazil's government has mandated biodiesel to account for 6% of diesel…
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The Indian government has increased the prices of jet fuel and non-subsidised liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) by Rs 16.5 (€0.2) a cylinder. This rise comes after an increase in global oil prices due to the ongoing troubles in Iraq, and directly follows the surge in petrol prices by Rs 1.69 a litre and diesel prices by 50 paise a litre. Oil marketing companies are currently experiencing a daily…
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The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a new rule aimed at maintaining liquidity in the market for renewable identification numbers (RINs), established under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). A second rule has also been issued, naming additional fuels that can qualify for cellulosic or advanced biofuel RINs, which includes compressed natural gas and liquefied natural gas. The…
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Israeli scientists have successfully created a water and air-based jet fuel in the laboratory and are now looking to commercialise its method into a consumer product. Despite its cost, scientists are capable of technically producing hydrocarbons from water and air and at present, Israelis are focusing on finding innovative production techniques. The method concentrates on extracting carbon…
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Biofuel is expected to be sold in all localities in Vietnam in 2015. According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), large petrol dealers, including the Vietnam National Petroleum Group (Petrolimex) and PVOil, will sell 5% bioethanol (E5) fuel in seven areas starting this year. These areas include capital Hanoi, southern Ho Chi Minh City, northern Hai Phong city, central Da Nang city and…
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