Other News

The Growing Power Hairy Hill biogas facility’s plans to expand are being supported by the Canadian Government. Expansion of the existing demonstration-scale biogas plant represents the first phase in developing a larger integrated biorefinery capable of producing products such as green power, bio-fertiliser and fuel ethanol. The project includes the construction of new biogas capacity, the…
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D1 Oils’ chairman Brian Myerson has resigned after his plans to adjust the focus of the business were rejected by fellow board members. Brian Myerson has been pressing D1’s senior executives to change from planting energy crops to producing biofuels. However, his plans have been rejected and Myerson, whose company owns 27% of D1’s shares, has stood down from the board. A statement from…
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100% fuel grade ethanol will power the racecars in the Toyota Grand Prix, held on Long Beach on 18 April 2010, according to the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA). UNICA has partnered with IndyCar to raise awareness about the use of ethanol. UNICA’s chief representative Joel Velasco for the US said: ‘Sugarcane ethanol is a clean and affordable renewable fuel that could help…
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It has been a busy month so far for Brazilian oil giant Petrobras with four separate projects taking place in both Brazil and Portugal. The company is to purchase a 45.7% share in ethanol producer Acucar Guarani, previously controlled by France-based sugar, starch and ethanol producer Tereos. Petrobras Biocombustivel will acquire the stake for $920 million (€706.3 million), valuing the…
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In a move that exemplifies the Brazilian ethanol market, ethanol producer Acucar Guarani has acquired the Mandu mill based in Sao Paulo, Brazil. It is thought that around 50% of the 400 smaller mills located in the state will be taken over by larger-scale companies. And Acucar Guarani is no different, purchasing the mill for BRL345 million (€154 million) and its debt, which, in December…
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Following US-based Amyris’ advancements in the development of its second generation technology, which uses microorganisms to produce biodiesel from crushing cane, oil group Total wishes to acquire a percentage in the company. Located in France Total is to invest an undisclosed sum to purchase a 17% stake in the biofuels producer as it plans to expand into sustainably-sourced fuels and…
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On 17 July this year a biodiesel project commenced that will see BNSF Railway test Montana, US-made biodiesel produced by biofuels manufacturer Earl Fisher Biofuels. 20% of the fuel will be blended with conventional diesel and used in one of BNSF Railway’s switch engines at the Havre Depot. Throughout the year Montana State University-Northern’s BioEnergy Center will test the biodiesel…
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In Mozambique Petromac, Portugal-based Galp Energia and biodiesel producer Ecomoz have formed Moçamgalp, a consortium that will produce biodiesel from jatropha in a $19 million (€14 million) project in the Manica province. The jatropha plantation will expand no less that 10,000 hectares, with the possibility of later expanding this to 50,000 hectares. Moçamgalp is also looking to expand to…
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With car giants such as Ford, General Motors and Chrysler all aiming to double their production of flex-fuel vehicles in the US by 2012, refining and marketing business Valero Energy is planning to increase the availability of E85 at new Valero Corner Stores. According to Valero, every newly built store will be fitted with E85 pumps, in addition to some existing stores as they are updated and…
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The Japanese government has implemented a set of guidelines that could see the nation cut its CO2 emissions by 30% by 2030 compared to levels in 1990. Japan is the fifth largest producer of greenhouse gases in the world and is looking to boost the amount of electricity generated from non-fossil fuels in a bid to cut these emissions by 25% by 2020. Currently just 34% of the country’s…
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Quality standards for aviation jet fuel in both Europe and the US have been amended to set a maximum fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) content of 5ppm. However, following over two years of negotiations, an agreement has been reached between the major engine and aircraft manufacturers and the aviation fuel suppliers to use jet fuel even if it is found to contain FAME up to 30 mg/kg, the…
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US-based renewable energy firm PetroAlgae and Sky Airline, a Chilean airline providing passenger, mail and cargo air transportation services, have entered into a non-binding offtake agreement. Subject to certain conditions, the collaboration will see Sky Airline purchase the fuel feedstock produced by licensees of PetroAlgae’s technology as a feedstock for conversion into renewable jet fuel.…
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Japan-based Itochu Corp is to collaborate with PetroVietnam for the production of bioethanol in Vietnam. Earlier this year the Vietnamese government began testing E5 and is now looking for the ethanol blend to be introduced by 2012. With this in mind, PetroVietnam has developed a project that will see three new bioethanol production facilities come online in two years’ time. These three…
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The fish farms in the area of Abu Dhabi could soon be used to produce jet fuel. The project, developed by The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, Honeywell UOP, Boeing and Ethiad Airways, will be based around the oily plant Salicornia (also referred to as pickleweed or sea asparagus). While the fish are harvested for food, Salicornia will be harvested for oil. The Silicornia will…
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