Other News

On 22 November an Airbus A320 was flown off the coast of Rio de Janeiro, Latin America, fuelled by a 50:50 blend of biofuel and conventional aviation fuel. The 45-minute flight, which was conducted by Brazil’s largest airline TAM, Airbus and engine manufacturer CFM International, used biodiesel derived from jatropha seeds in what has been named the first experimental flight in South America…
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Argentina's installed capacity of 1.8 million tonnes of biodiesel a year is set to rise to 2.5 million tonnes a year in 2011. The road to 2011 has seen a ramp-up in production with Argentina's biodiesel output totalling 1.5 million tonnes in the first ten months of 2010, up 56.8% on the year. The country exported 76.7% of the output. Its biodiesel exports rose 22.4% to 1.12 million…
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One of the US’ largest ethanol producers Abengoa Bioenergy has just taken its second step into the export market by shipping the equivalent of 40 railcars at the beginning of January 2010. ‘Exports offer a huge potential to US producers,’ says Javier Salgado, the company’s CEO. ‘Most producers are focusing on the domestic market, but exports can offer better returns, especially as…
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In Canada, discarded food from the kitchen table is to be the latest waste product used to generate biofuel. A $57 million (€41 million) refinery is going to be built in Quebec City and construction will begin this summer. The federal government is awarding $17.7 million to the construction of this plant, while the province is adding a further $16.5 million. The majority of the cost will be…
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Dag Roger Rinde, CEO of Norwegian oil company Statoil, is the latest speaker to confirm his attendance at the upcoming Bioenergy International expo & conference in Prague on 5-6 May. Statoil is the first company in Norway to offer 5% ethanol to general consumers, but it has not been an easy ride. The company’s story is full of setbacks and obstacles, not least from the government…
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The European Commission is taking an active role in steering member states on to the right path for renewables. It has worked with key industry associations and producers, many of which say they will produce surplus biofuels and bioenergy than mandated. By 2020 the European Union must source 20% of its total energy (including heat, power and transport) from renewable sources. This target was set…
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Petrobras Biocombustiveis, the biofuel subsidiary created by Brazil's state-run energy company Petrobras, has experienced losses of BLR 92 million (€38.1 million)in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2009. The company's first year in operations went poorly. Its three biodiesel plants, with 326 million litres a year combined capacity, went on stream late in Q2 2009 to a market of…
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In North Carolina, US, the city of Charlotte’s first biomass power plant is due to be complete by 31 December. The North Carolina Utilities Commission has approved a $12 million (€8.87 million) 3.2MW proposed facility by Orbit Energy Filings with the commission that Orbit intends to sell the energy produced, a total of 23 gigawatt-hours annually, to Duke Energy for the next 20…
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One country in Africa is eyeing a sweet ethanol deal if the Government puts in place a policy for biofuel blending. Reports come in that Uganda’s sugar industry plans a sh200 billion (€72.3 million) investment to produce ethanol in two years. Uganda’s three sugar factories Kakira, Kinyara and Lugazi have a combined production of 112,000 tonnes of molasses, a by-product that can be used to…
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Biology-based renewable energy company Coskata develops technology for the production of biofuels and biochemicals from biomass and waste materials and has now closed a round of equity financing with French oil major Total. The oil and gas firm has invested in the round of equity financing and will have a seat on Coskata’s Board of Directors. The investment will go towards helping Coskata…
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From 13 May until 6 July 2010 producers of cellulosic biofuels can now apply for funding under the Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels by submitting applications to the USDA Rural Development. The aim of the Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels is to provide fiscal support to biofuels producers based in rural areas in order to ensure continued development and consumption of advanced…
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On Thursday 10 June 2010 the EU Energy Commissioner Gunther Oettinger outlined strict biofuels plans, which have been described as the ‘most stringent in the world.’ Announcing the measures in Brussels Oettinger said: ‘In the years to come biofuels are the main alternative to petrol and diesel used in transport which produces more than 20% of the greenhouse gas emissions in the European…
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Located in Rehovot, Israel, biofuel plant producer Evogene has produced biojet that meets the key international standards for alternative aviation fuels. Also known as bio synthesised paraffinic kerosene (Bio-SPK) and hydroprocessed renewable jet (HRJ), biojet is the plant-based alternative to aviation fuel. Evogene Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Evogene Ltd. and developed the biojet…
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Based in California, US, clean energy company and biodiesel producer Universal Bioenergy has signed a letter of intent to acquire Norcor Technologies, headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. Focused on the biodiesel, transport fuel and energy market, Norcor is reported to be in contact with the US military with regards to the possibility of a deal that would see $49 million (€37.5…
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