Other News

The US biodiesel industry broke the 1 billion gallon mark in 2012 for the second consecutive year, according to year-end production figures released by the EPA. The total volume of nearly 1.1 billion gallons was roughly flat over 2011 production, exceeding it by 6 million gallons. ‘These numbers reflect the ongoing growth and development of our industry and represent real jobs at plants…
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Peru-based ethanol producer Maple Energy (ME) has received government approval to expand its operation moving forward. The approval, given in December, will allow ME to begin expanding its sugarcane plantation by 877 hectares from its current size of 6,532 hectares. It reveals that ‘substantial drip irrigation systems are already in place’ and it expects to plant the entire area…
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The Asian Institute of Petroleum Studies (AIPS) has made a plea for oil-fired power plants to look at using coconut methyl ester (CME) in a move to become more environmentally friendly. A move to coco-biodiesel would also be cost efficient for businesses, the AIPS claims. ‘When blended with industrial diesel oil or industrial fuel oil, also known as bunker, CME makes oil-fired power plants…
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A consortium targeting biofuels production in the US will be awarded a grant by the Biofuels Centre of North Carolina. The 13 strong group, led by AdvantageWest Economic Development, will receive $766,256 (€570,133) to fortify the biofuels sector and help with expansion in the region through a project called Planting the Seeds for a Robust WNC Biofuels Sector. The project will hope to…
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Danish renewable energy company BioGasol is to provide reactor technology to US-based cellulosic sugar producer Sweetwater Energy (SE). SE will purchase a pre-treatment reactor, designed by BioGasol to treat lignocellulosic feedstock before fermentation, as part of a decentralised sugar manufacturing unit for use by Ace Ethanol, a corn ethanol producer. ‘Our use of BioGasol’s…
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Christmas trees are again set to be renewed as energy in Lithuania according to local news reports. Residents across 12 major cities will have the opportunity to drop their trees in specially marked containers, after which the trees will be used for both biofuel and heat for housing projects. This is the seventh year the campaign has run for a week in January. ‘The campaign gets more…
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His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales has granted a royal warrant to Green Fuels in recognition of its supply of biofuel and biofuel related equipment. Royal warrants are granted to companies that have consistently supplied goods or services for no fewer than five years out of the most recent seven to the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales. It means Green Fuels can now use the…
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The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be seeking a new administrator after Lisa Jackson stepped down from the position after four years. It is believed Jackson told President Barack Obama of her decision to leave her post shortly after his re-election in November. Below is the statement that Jackson issued upon her departure: ‘I want to thank President Obama for the honour he…
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Australia-based renewable oil from algae company Algae Tec has received approval from its government for an AU$12.15 million (€9.6 million) cash refund on Australian and overseas development expenditure. The terms of the payment, covering financial years 30 June 2012 to 30 June 2015, allows for an initial $27 million spend on Algae Tec technology developments, of which the government will…
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The Olvi Foundation (OF) has decided to join in the funding of Green Fuel Nordic’s (GFN) biorefinery project. The decision will represent one of the most significant capital investors into the biorefinery project according to OF CEO Timo Saarelainen. GFN has spent the last 12 months making different players more aware of bio-oil, its production, applications and benefits. Its board believes…
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US-based Renmatix, a manufacturer of cellulosic sugars for biobased chemical and fuel markets, has unveiled its new multiple-feedstock processing facility at its King of Prussia, Pennsylvania headquarters. Secretary Tom Vilsack, leader of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), was present at the commissioning of the BioFlex Conversion Unit and took a tour of the facility with Renmatix CEO Mike…
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The head of Iran’s Fuel Conservation Company (IFC) has stated that it will start a specialised work group to produce biodiesel in conjunction with the Ministry of Agricultural Jihad. ‘Upon the request of cabinet, a fuel basket was defined recently in which the share of fuel used by diesel cars rose by 17% to hit 24%,’ Abbas Kazzemi, the head of the IFC, was quoted as saying.…
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Brazilian biofuels producer Vinema Biorefinarias do Sul (VBS) is planning to build the country’s first ethanol fuel mills that use grain as raw material. VBS wants to construct six mills at a total of BRL720 million (€265 million) and expects to secure BRL40 million of equity commitments for the first plant due to be based in Cristal. It is believed VBS expect all six plants to be…
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