Other News

Developer of second generation biofuels technology TMO Renewables has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the authorities of Heilongjiang, China. The MoU will see TMO provide long-term large volume biomass feedstock supply for future biofuel production facilities from Heilongjiang State Farm, the largest state owned farming corporation in China. The MoU is also the first step towards…
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Biodiesel producers in Argentina were happy to hear the country will start to employ a sliding-scale on its multi-billion dollar export industry. President Cristina Fernandez announced the modification of a recent tax levy, from 20% to 32% on biodiesel exports, as it drew strong opposition from local producers. In light of the global price plunge for biodiesel the government were seemingly forced…
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Raizen Group, the largest producer of sugarcane-based ethanol, and Iogen, operator of the world's longest running second generation ethanol plant, have partnered to create commercial-scale volumes of cellulosic ethanol in Brazil. Raizen will invest an undisclosed amount in Iogen. Following a thorough review of cellulosic technologies, Raizen concluded that Iogen has the most advanced technology…
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The foundation stone of UPM’s Finland-based biorefinery in Lappeenranta has been laid. UPM claim the120 million litres a year facility will be ‘the world’s first biorefinery to produce wood-based biodiesel’ and this announcement means the project is running on schedule. ‘Our €150 million investment into Lappeenranta proves this is UPM’s spearhead project…
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Advanced biorefinery owners Borregaard has received a multi-million grant from the Research Council of Norway to further wood processing projects. The grant totals NOK 30 million ($5.3 million) and will be spread on projects over a three year period. Borregaard won the investment after submitting three applications for funding on projects within the areas of lignin products for use in concrete,…
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In the US, Detroit Metro Airport (DTW) and Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) will partner for the cultivation of energy crops. Between them, DTW and another airport operated by the Wayne County Airport Authority (WCAA), Willow Run, have around 1,700 acres of land suitable for growing energy crops. MSUE is currently growing canola and oriental mustard seed on 3 acres of WCAA land. These…
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Petrobras approved its 2011-2015 Business Plan on 22 July 2011. Under the new plan, the Brazilian energy company's total energy investments during this period will reach $224.7 billion (€155 billion). This is the largest business plan in the oil and gas industry, in addition to the largest investment made by a single company. The company's share in the exploration and production (E&P)…
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In the Philippines, the minimum percentage of coconut oil as a biodiesel feedstock could be increased, as the government works to reduce the nation's reliance on imported fuels. The minimum blend for biodiesel derived from coconut oil (coco-diesel) currently stands at 2%. An exact date for when this higher blend mandate will be introduced is not yet known, however the Philippine Information…
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Since relocating from Shiremanstown, Pennsylvania, US, to Lower Allen Township earlier this year, biodiesel producer Keystone BioFuels is expanding its operations, driven mainly by government mandates. The company is increasing its workforce by 14 additional staff, expanding its space and increasing production tenfold. Keystone converts soyabean oil, used cooking oil and animal tallow into…
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Biomethanol producer BioMCN and petrochemical company Sabic have been awarded International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) for second generation biofuels. Dekra conducted the certification process. 'Dekra has extensive experience in ISCC auditing, particularly in Germany, but this is the first ISCC certification for the Dutch market,' says Dekra sales manager Eric Evers. Earlier…
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Operations have begun at Futurol's demonstration-scale bioethanol plant, located in Pomade and Bazancourt, France. The facility required a $104.5 million investment (€75 million), 40% of which was supplied by the National Innovation Agency, as well as partnerships with both public and private organisations, such as the National Agricultural Research Institute. Development of the project…
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Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) is to construct a biodiesel plant in Canada to help fulfil the nation's renewable diesel mandate. In response to the B2 blending mandate that came into effect on 1 July this year, the new plant will be designed to produce 265 million litres a year of biodiesel from canola. It will be located in Lloydminster, Alberta, Canada, adjacent to ADM's existing canola crushing…
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Shipping company Maersk and the US navy are working together to test biofuels derived from algae by fuelling a container ship with the alternative fuel for a journey from the north of Europe to India. The ship, called Maersk Kalmar, was chosen for the tests because it features an engine that has been specifically designed for auxiliary testing, meaning risk of damage on the voyage is reduced. The…
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The US Department of Energy is handing out $650 million (€479 million) in loans for new biofuels refineries as part of the government’s overall $17.5 billion (€12.9 billion) plan to support 18 clean energy projects around the country. A renewable diesel plant to be built in the south of the US and a Florida bioenergy centre are two of the projects to receive loans. Diamond Green…
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