Other News

Mascoma, a renewable fuels company, is developing two biofuel production plants that will make ethanol from woody biomass. In order to fund the development of the two plants, Mascoma is looking to raise $100 million (€73 million) through an initial public offering (IPO). The first of the two wood-ethanol plants will be built in Kinross, Michigan, US. It will cost $350 million to develop, $50…
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In China, Empire Oil Refineries has signed a letter of intent (LOI) to acquire Promethean Biofuels, as a wholly owned subsidiary of the company. 'We are pleased with the execution of the LOI between Empire and Promethean as it fits into our strategic plan to acquire assets in the biofuel clean energy space,' says Arshad Shah, president and CEO of Empire Oil Refineries. 'We feel that the addition…
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The USDA said today that it will grant a total of $44.6 million (€32.6 million) in payments to more than 150 biofuels producers in the US to help support them in producing and expanding their developments. Some companies, such as Texas-based White Energy, are being awarded more than $3 million towards ethanol production. Whereas others, such as QB Corporation, based in Idaho, is being given…
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Algae.Tec, a company dedicated to the production of renewable oils from algae, has been awarded a contract to build its algae biofuels production facility in Sri Lanka. The plant is being constructed for cement and building company Holcim Lanka and is Algae.Tec's first plant to be built in Asia. Holcim is investing in the plant to reduce its carbon footprint by channelling waste carbon dioxide…
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UK-based storage operator Oikos has revealed it is to upgrade its fuel terminal on Canvey Island, facing opposition from campaigners. The terminal has yet to hold its forward strategy meeting, so is unable to reveal any further details. Campaigners against the project, The People Against Methane Group, believe there are not enough emergency services facilities on the island to deal with any…
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The Canadian government has implemented a 2% biodiesel mandate in the nation. Biodiesel's performance is similar to that of conventional diesel in automobile engines, while emitting 85-99% less GHGs, depending on the feedstock. 'This is a milestone day for home grown renewable biodiesel in Canada. Biodiesel is a better way to drive and an innovative way to fuel our economy,' states Gordon…
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The newly introduced E10 fuel – a blend of conventional petrol and 10% ethanol – in Germany has created uncertainty among motorists, despite being compatible in an estimated 93% of vehicles. However, 'the launch of E10 in Germany is a positive move and is extremely welcomed,' explains Rob Vierhout, secretary general at ePURE, the European Renewable Ethanol Association which represents…
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In Dunaföldvár, Hungary, a US-Irish collaboration is due to finish the construction of its ethanol production facility by 1 March 2012. Costing $200 million (€139 million) to build, the plant is being developed by Pannonia Ethanol, a joint venture between Minnesota, US-based Fagen and Irish company Europe Ethanol. Upon completion, the plant will manufacture 240 million litres of…
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In East Java, Indonesia-based PT Perkebunan Nusantara X (PTPN X) and New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (Nedo) of Japan, are planning to build an ethanol production plant in Mojokerto. Costing an estimated $25.5 million (€18 million) to build, the plant is expected to be up and running by early 2012, before commercial operations begin at the end of 2012. The plant…
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Airlines are calling on the Australian and New Zealand governments to provide financial assistance to help grow the aviation biofuel industry. Qantas, Air New Zealand, Boeing and Virgin Australia, all members of the Sustainable Fuel Users Group, helped to create a biofuels roadmap which shows how the region can work towards building a more environmentally-friendly sector. Qantas head of risk and…
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All new Isuzu Commercial Truck of America vehicles manufactured in 2011 and onwards, including its N-Series truck models and the new Isuzu Reach commercial van, are compatible with a fuel blend of up to 20% biodiesel (B20). 'Our customers at Isuzu Commercial Truck of America have been asking for approval to use B20 in our products in the US for many years,' Brian Tabel, retail marketing manager…
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The Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels' (RSB) standard and certification system has been recognised by the EU as a way to demonstrate and document compliance with the EU biofuels mandate. In order to qualify under the Renewable Energy Directive (RED), biofuels consumed within the EU must demonstrate environmental benefits compared to its fossil-based alternatives. In order to count toward the…
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A $100 million (€70 million) ethanol plant located in Hoke County, North Carolina, US, will be put up for auction on 24 August after Clean Burn Fuels filed for bankruptcy. The auction start price has not been disclosed. Clean Burn Fuels originally filed for permission to build the plant in 2005. By 2007 it had been awarded $35 million from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), in addition…
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German airline Lufthansa has acquired jatropha oil from Jatenergy for use as bio-jet fuel in its trial of renewable jet fuel, which will be piloted in regular flights between Hamburg and Frankfurt. The crude jatropha oil was supplied from Jatenergy's operations in Central Java, Indonesia, where it has partnered with PT Waterland International. Lufthansa purchased 200 tonnes of the jatropha oil…
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