Other News

The European Union is on track towards meeting and overachieving its 2020 target for reducing greenhouse emissions (GHGs) by 20%, according to a report published by the European Environment Agency (EEA). The Trends and projections in Europe 2015 report reveals that GHGs in Europe decreased by 23% between 1990 and 2014 and reached the lowest levels on record. Latest projections by Member States…
Read More »

Following the acquisition of biotechnology company Virdia last year, Stora Enso is building a demonstration and market development plant at Raceland, Louisiana, US. The new plant will become the Stora Enso Biomaterials divisions' US headquarters. It uses technology developed by Virdia and enables cellulosic biomass, such as wood or agricultural waste, to be converted into highly refined…
Read More »

A new group aimed at building and expanding support for the US Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) has been launched by former Senator Jim Talent. Americans for Energy Security and Innovation (AESI) will focus its efforts on building support for a stronger RFS to reduce dependence on foreign oil and stimulate domestic innovation and economic development in the biofuels sector. 'I believe that biofuels…
Read More »

REG Synthetic Fuels (REG-SF), a Renewable Energy Group subsidiary, has received approval from a Mississippi court to purchase equipment at the KiOR Columbus production facility. Under the approved asset purchase agreement, REG-SF paid $1.5 million (€1.3 million) and some expenses related to equipment preparation to acquire various physical assets at the Columbus, Mississippi, plant,…
Read More »

Boskalis, a dredging and marine expert, and Wärtsilä, a global complete lifecycle power solutions provider for the marine and oil and gas markets, have begun collaboration with GoodFuels Marine, the first marine biofuel company focused on the global commercial fleet. The consortium will pioneer the development of sustainable drop-in marine biofuels for the shipping…
Read More »

A researcher at Washington State University (WSU) has received a three-year $450,000 (appr. €395,000) federal grant to develop computer models for using iron to more efficiently refine bio-oils and make better biofuels. Jean-Sabin McEwen, assistant professor in the Voiland School of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering, will collaborate on the US Department of Energy Office of Basic…
Read More »

Global biofuels capacity will grow to 61 billion gallons per year (BGY) in 2018, up from 55.1 BGY in 2014, according to Lux Research. Ethanol and biodiesel will continue to dominate with 96% of the capacity in 2018, but novel fuels and novel feedstocks will be major drivers of capacity growth. Novel fuels and novel feedstocks will grow at a rapid 27% and 16% compound annual growth rate…
Read More »

US-based Algenol has signed a memorandum of understanding MOU South China’s Fujian Zhongyuan New Energy Company (ZYNE) to develop projects throughout Southern China, utilising carbon emissions to create renewable fuels. The goal of the two companies’ cooperation is to provide solutions for accessing clean air, cleaning water, and providing sustainable fuels, the three major challenge…
Read More »

Dutch grain trader Nidera has suffered a loss in biofuels and ceased working in the business due to the actions of a ‘rogue trader’. The company declined to provide a figure of the suffered losses, but said Nidera will still post a profit for the fiscal year ending this month. CEO Ton van der Laan says the company nonetheless suffered significant loss and the trader’s actions…
Read More »

Los Alamos National Laboratory researchers and external collaborators have synthesised and characterised a new DNA-templated gold nanocluster (AuNC) that could resolve a critical methodological barrier for efficient biofuel cell design. Ligands, molecules that bind to a central metal atom, are necessary to form stable nanoclusters. For this study, the researchers chose single-stranded DNA as the…
Read More »

Harbour Marina at Lake Pomme de Terre in Missouri has become the first US marina to sell petrol blended with Gevo's renewable isobutanol at the pump. Introduction of the initial isobutanol and petrol fuel blend took place at the beginning of September on the marina docks. Lake Pomme de Terre is located in one of the premier recreational boating regions of the country. Gevo is now working to…
Read More »

Neste has begun the construction of the world's first Bio liquid petroleum gas (LPG) production facility at its renewable product refinery in Rotterdam. The €60 million facility will start production of Bio LPG in the end of 2016. Bio LPG will enable users of existing fossil fuels to reduce their carbon footprint without any modifications to existing gas applications technology. It can be…
Read More »

To cut the cost of biofuels, their production-process can be enhanced to include additional valuable biochemical compounds. A recent experimental study focuses on one source of biomass: residues from Brazilian palm oil production. Biofuels still have a long way to go to become sustainable substitutes for fossil fuels. A number of social and environmental hurdles have to be overcome, and…
Read More »