Other News

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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New Jersey-based alternative fuel producer Primus Green Energy has started building its new $7 million (€5.6 million) demonstration plant. It is slated for completion in late 2012 and is designed to produce 33 litres of petrol per hour. The facility will serve as the proving ground for the company’s first commercial plant, which it hopes to break ground on next year. Primus is making…
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A new pilot plant in Ontario, Canada is due to demonstrate how spent solvent and waste water converter KMX’s technology can reduce operational costs for biofuels and green chemical manufacturers. KMX believes pathways to cellulosic ethanol and biobutanol can be aided by its hydrophobic and hydrophilic membrane technology. The pilot plant will show how it can capture and dehydrate small…
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Global biotech company Novozymes claims to have developed a microorganism that aids the production of bio-based malic acid from renewable raw materials instead of oil. Malic acid is used as a flavour enhancer in the food industry and can also be converted into other chemical derivatives used for a variety of plastic, polymer and resin products. ‘This is our first biochemical building block…
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Biofuels consultancy AdvanceBio Systems has announced its SuPR2G reactor has been chosen for a pre-treatment research project by the Brazilian Bioethanol Science and Technology Laboratory. The project will focus on the production of biofuels, fermentable sugars and chemicals from lignocelluloses rich biomass feedstocks, with both parties focusing mainly on both pre-treatment research and other…
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Brazilian pulp company Fibria Calulose has made a substantial investment into a Canadian biofuels company. Ensyn, which converts woodwaste into fuel, landed the CA$20 million (€15.6 million) injection this week and brings the company’s value up to CA$330 million. ‘This joint venture will leverage both our expertise in growing fibre and market position in Brazil to create a…
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Industrial enzymes producer Novozymes believes it has a new product that could improve the profitability and efficiency of biofuel production. The product, named Avantec,  is said to allow corn ethanol producers the ability to get a further 2.5% ethanol out of the feedstock. ‘Corn is the single biggest input cost for an ethanol producer and, as prices have gone up, profits have…
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Australian biodiesel provider Australian Renewable Fuels (ARF) will be injected with AU$14 million (€11.2 million) in capital after a proposed merger agreement with Wentworth Holdings. ARF will make an offer for all outstanding Wentworth shares, a recommendation allegedly backed unanimously by Wentworth directors. ‘The cash injection will strengthen our balance sheet and fund working…
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A joint research project between Finland-based Turku University and Manchester University in the UK believe it has found a way to unlock clean fuel from some obscure feedstocks. A fatty acid compound found in ice cream, which also resides in other items like shampoo and soap, could be a long-term solution to replace fossil fuels through hydrocarbon chemical manipulation. ‘The key is to…
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The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has introduced new state guidelines which allow for biodiesel to be blended at any ratio into any compliant fuel. This means former limitations, such as having to use more additives within the biodiesel and producers having to report blending requirements, are now non-existent. Biodiesel producers have happily accepted the new ruling with…
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In order to discover better ways to harvest, store and transport corn residue, DuPont is working with Iowa State University to combat residue buildup. If the residue buildup is able to be reduced then stand establishment concerns when the next crop is grown can be avoided. A second benefit is that nitrogen tie-up caused by residues can be reduced. At the moment, some farmers growing corn increase…
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Magellan Midstream Partners LP has announced that it will offer ethanol storage, blending and distribution at its facility in Mount Pleasant, Texas, next month. At a cost of $2 million (€1.51 million), Magellan plans to convert a 17,000-barrel tank and add a new sequential blending system. Jeff Selvidge, senior vice president of transportation and terminals says, "We now offer ethanol…
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Boeing, Airbus and Embraer have agreed to work together on the development of drop-in, affordable aviation biofuels. The agreement was signed by all respective CEOs and Presidents, at the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG) Aviation and Environment Summit in Geneva. It will see the airframe manufactures speak in unity to government, biofuel producers and other key stakeholders to support, promote…
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Boeing and All Nippon Airways have flown a 787 Dreamliner aircraft on biofuels from the Boeing Delivery Center in Everett, Washington, to Tokyo Haneda Airport. In the first ever biofuel flight crossing the Pacific ocean the plane flew on a mixture of biofuel derived from used cooking oil and conventional fuel, cutting about 30% of the CO₂ emissions usually produced. However, the companies say…
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