Other News

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released new specifications for a label that will be displayed at all fuel pumps dispensing petrol blended with 15% ethanol (E15). The new orange and black label will include information about which vehicles can use E15. It will also discourage the use of E15 in cars manufactured before 2011, motorbikes and boats, as well as in petrol-powered tools…
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In Straubing, Germany, chemicals company Süd-Chemie has broken ground on what will be the nation's largest cellulosic ethanol plant. By Q4 2011, the plant is expected to be producing 1,000 tonnes a year of cellulosic ethanol from locally sourced agricultural waste, including wheat straw. Bavaria's Minister of Economic Affairs, Martin Zeil, was present at the ceremony, which took place on 26…
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The development of advanced drop-in biofuels will soon be underway as the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Energy (DoE) and Navy will invest up to $510 million (€354 million) into the development of advanced drop-in biofuels. US President Barack Obama made the announcement on 16 August. The investment will be made over a three-year period and will go towards the production of advanced…
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In Mozambique, it is thought that more than $100 million (€73.5 million) has been invested in over 30 biofuel projects, which are currently being developed. It is not yet known exactly how many biofuel plants are underway in the nation, but the majority are thought to be in the initial stages, with plant owners still unsure of which feedstock would be most advantageous to use. However, it…
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A Qatari government adviser has been criticised by the Global Renewable Fuels Alliance (GRFA) after he made comments favouring a report that attributes the issues of high food prices and world hunger to biofuels. The government figure appeared to support the paper, which is funded by the International Development department of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), at the…
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Renewable fuels producer Pacific Ethanol has entered into an agreement with Pacific Ethanol Management Services (Pacific Services), a wholly owned subsidiary of Pacific Ethanol, and ZeaChem. Together the companies will provide operations, maintenance and accounting services for ZeaChem's Boardman, Oregon, US-based biorefinery. Under the terms of the agreement, Pacific Services will provide…
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In the US, ethanol producer Big River Resources has agreed to purchase an ethanol plant located in Boyceville, Wisconsin. The 55 million gallon a year plant is currently owned by Western Wisconsin Energy, which put the plant up for sale in mid-2010. Under the contract, Big River Resources will continue to employ the existing workers. Big River Resources' total production capacity will reach 385…
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The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), which represents more than 1,000 biotechnology companies, has called for long-term tax policies to be introduced in the US in order to push biofuel developments to commercial scale. In order to make sure these developments are successful, incentives should be given to ‘technologies with the greatest potential to create new jobs, economic…
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The Oil Independence for a Stronger America Act of 2010 has been introduced in the US by Rep. Jay Inslee (D-Wash) and Mike Castle (R-Del). According to The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), an organisation representing over 1,200 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centres and related organisations across the US and in more than 30 other nations, the…
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A couple in Wichita, Kansas, in the US, have been arrested after they were caught stealing waste grease from a local eatery. After leaving Joplin, it is thought that the pair visited small towns such as Iola and Cherryvale throughout the night, helping themselves to used cooking oil, before arriving at Burger King in the early hours of the morning. They were spotted at 5.30am on 25 January…
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In the US Senator Kevin Parker has introduced a new legislation designed to reduce New York's reliance on imported diesel fuel and lower greenhouse gases (GHGs) emitted from the state's fleet of vehicles. 'New York state agencies and authorities use more than 55 million gallons of diesel fuel per year,' says Parker. 'By producing biofuel in unused lands along the Thruway, my legislation will…
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Interjet and Airbus tested their first Jatropha-based biofuel flight in Mexico on 1 April 2011, using an Airbus A320 aircraft. The biofuel comes from the local region’s Jatropha plant which is harvested in the southern state of Chiapas, Mexico. The two companies say the main aim of the demonstration flight and the project was to speed up the commercialisation of aviation biofuel in the…
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At the Chemelot site in Geleen, the Netherlands, technology firm Avantium has completed start-up at its polyester pilot plant, which is the first stage of a pilot facility that will demonstrate the company's YXY technology for the production of green fuels and materials. The plant is on schedule to begin operations in Q2 2011. The company's patented YXY technology is a 'family of green building…
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One of only three major ethanol plants located in Australia and the nation's only grains-to-ethanol facility, the Dalby Ethanol Bio-Refinery has been acquired by independent retailer and wholesaler United Petroleum. The Darling Downs, Queensland-based plant, which produces ethanol from sorghum, became operational in January 2009 but went into receivership in June 2010, owing creditors $80 million…
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