News

Renewable energy company Sapphire Energy (SE) has taken a step closer to realising its first algae-to-energy commercial demonstration plant this month. The US-based company has welcomed several new members to its scientific advisory board, including experts in molecular biology, plant biology, biotechnology and chemical engineering. SE hopes that the new additions will refine its developments in…
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The California Energy Commission has awarded a grant of $1.8 million (€1.42 million) to the Biodiesel Industries of Ventura (BIV), a subsidiary of Biodico. The money will be used to spearhead new technologies for the production of advanced biodiesels at the Biodico facility at the National Environmental Technology demonstration site in Port Hueneme, which BIV will operate. The plant will…
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Brazilian biofuels producer Raizen, owned by oil brand Shell, has signed a landmark agreement in regard to where it will source its feedstock. Raizen was going to purchase sugar cane for ethanol grown on some farmlands that encroached on indigenous lands in the Mato Grosso do Sul state owned by the Guarani people. The deal was been struck after alleged months of pressure from Brazilian…
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US-based biomass company Incitor will use new funding to demonstrate its low-temperature biofuel production technology. The funding amounts to $1.5 million (€1.1 million) and comes from an investment group, led by Cottonwood Technology Fund, that hopes to finance an up to 30,000 tonnes per year facility. Incitor claims its low-temperature process can break down almost any biomass from…
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Renewable energy company Biox will build its second biodiesel production facility within International-Matex Tank Terminals' (IMTT) Bayonne terminal at New York Harbor after the two companies signed definitive agreements. Biox designs, builds, owns and operates biodiesel production facilities. Its first facility is located in Hamilton Ontario. The $60 million (€47 million) Bayonne plant will…
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Final approval on E15 petrol blends has been granted by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) but it may still be some time before consumers can begin selecting it at the pumps. The approval means US companies will be able to sell fuel consisting 85% petrol and 15% ethanol, up-scaling from the current E10 model allowed throughout the country. The EPA, who first set the wheels in…
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More US fuel plants are potentially considering retrofits to be able to produce isobutanol biofuel on-site. Technology provider Butamax Advanced Biofuels has signed up four ethanol plants for potential retrofits, bringing the total of what it is calling ‘the early adopters group’ to seven interested parties overall. The latest plants are Granite Falls Energy, Platinum Ethanol, Little…
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The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) and global energy information provider Genscape has announced the launch of the GEnscape Renewable Identification Number (RIN) Integrity Network dashboard. The NBB call the initiative ‘another step to stabilising the RIN market’ and its RIN task force has continuously worked with the petroleum industry to provide solutions to the uncertainities in…
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US renewable chemicals and next-generation biofuels company Gevo has begun start-up of what it is calling the world’s first commercial biobased isobutanol production plant. Based in Luverne, Minnesota Gevo broke ground on the project a year ago and reached its goal of initiating production of biobased isobutanol  at commercial level within 12 months. ‘The startup of this plant…
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US-based clean energy technology provider Zere Energy and Biofuels has been awarded nearly $1 million (€796,000) to demonstrate a ‘near zero emissions’ fuel flexible combined heat and power system. The money has come from the California Energy Commission and Zere will design and build a system prototype which employs a ‘near zero emissions’ oxidation process. It will…
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A recent report concerning Alcorn State University in Mississippi, US reveals it has conducted research into using bamboo as a feedstock for biofuels production. The Mississippi Development Authority legislation, in conjunction with next-generation renewable fuels company KiOR’s state-wide research project, has provided the funding for the university to get involved in biofuels research…
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Philippines-based San Carlos Bioenergy has claimed to have produced ethanol fuel from sweet sorghum feedstock. The company’s chairman Jose Zabaleta says this is a ‘major breakthrough and a first for the Philippines and Southeast Asia’ as his team overcame technical difficulties associated with producting ethanol from sorghum. ‘We were able to produce 247 litres of fuel…
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Bioinnovation company Novozymes has inaugurated a $200 million (€161 million) enzyme plant in Nebraska, US to help advance the biofuels market. Novozymes claims the plant will specialise in developing ‘world-leading’ enzymes to advance both existing and advanced biofuel markets. The facility will create 100 job positions and 400 construction jobs. ‘Advanced biofuels are…
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