Other News

The Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels (RSB) has changed its name following a recent meeting of its delegates. The organisation is now known as Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials to reflect its expansion of scope to apply its standards to biomass that is being used for other products in addition to biofuels. ‘There is a large range of biomaterials including bio-plastics, cosmetics, food…
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The Colorado Economic Development Commission has dangled a multi-million dollar carrot in front of biomass company Cool Planet Energy Systems (CP) to try and entice it to the state. CP, a California-based start-up, claims to have a petrol generating process via biomass and plant waste that does not need to rely on federal subsidies. The CEDC hopes $3 million (€2.3 million) in tax credits…
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Microbial developers for the biofuels and green chemicals industries Biotork and the Agricultural Research Service‘s Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Centre (ARS-PBARC) will extend a collaboration to convert agricultural by-products into biofuels and other products. The pair first began work together in 2011 and began focusing on developing strains of heterotrophic oil-producing…
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A study in Spain has pinpointed dinoflagellate microalgae as an ‘easy and profitable way’ of creating biodiesel. The research was led by scientists from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), in collaboration with the Spanish National Research Council, and claims that the oft ignored type of marine algae is suitable for cultivation with biodiesel in mind. Over the course…
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Algae-based green crude oil producer Sapphire Energy has entered into a commercial agreement with Tesoro Refining and Marketing, a subsidiary of Tesoro. Tesoro will purchase crude oil from Sapphire’s green crude farm in New Mexico, which recently reached continuous cultivation and crude oil production. “In less than one year, we have started up commercial demonstration to grow algae,…
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New government figures have revealed 2012 was a strong year for renewable energy generation in the UK. A report released at the end of March put the UK’s generated electricity from renewables last year at 11.3% overall, and 12.5% in the fourth quarter. It is believed much of this growth is due to new generating projects coming online across all renewable sectors, with biomass input…
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A commercial-scale lignin separation plant has been installed by Domtar at its mill in North Carolina, US. The company claims this is the first facility of its type in the country in over 25 years. The production of lignin began in February, with a targeted rate of 75 tonnes a day, for industrial applications such as a bio-based alternative to the use of petroleum and other fossil…
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A coalition of farmers in California, US have won support to construct a new ethanol demonstration plant using sugar beets as feedstock. A dozen farmers, with support from university experts and a grant of $5 million (€3.8 million) from the California Energy Commission, will build the demo facility in Fresno County with an aim of then building the US’ first commercial-scale biorefinery…
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An assistant professor at the Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences has launched a research project into improving butanol production from agricultural and woody biomass. Maobing Tu believes his study will be a significant stride towards butanol production becoming economically viable across the board, while also providing new insights into the design and manufacture of…
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UK investment company Future Capital Partners (FCP) has agreed to purchase US-based Appomattox Bioenergy. It is believed FCP will sell the assets to investment vehicle Future Fuels Partnership, which is developing a refinery in Grimsby, and the majority of the plant and machinery may be shipped from Virginia to help build it. The purchase of the Appomattox is reported to cut the cost of the…
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Algae biofuels company Algae Tec has signed a memorandum of understanding with engineering and construction management business WorleyParsons. The agreement outlines framework by which WorleyParsons can support Algae Tec further develop projects in places like Brazil, Australia, the EU and the US. ‘WorleyParsons will bring years of experience in supporting project types that align with…
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A new committee focusing on the future of biofuels in Canada has been formed by the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association (CRFA). CFRA revealed the committee and its members will represent those involved in advanced biofuels, particularly focusing on technology and new projects. ‘Canada is building on the success of its established biofuels industry to create a new wave of biofuels…
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It has been reported that an ethanol company located in south Minnesota, US may have to sell its plant. Denver-based Biofuel Energy was a victim of the long drought that affected US corn availability and prices last summer and it shut down the plant, which can produce up to 115 millions gallons a year, in September as it became ‘unprofitable’. ‘When those corn prices rise that…
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