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Argentina’s biodiesel production is expected to decrease by 30% in 2015 as growth of domestic demand cannot compensate for declining foreign exports. The Argentine Biofuels and Hydrogen Association (ABHA) estimates this year’s total biodiesel output to cap at 1.8 million tonnes, a significant decrease from 2.58 million tonnes in 2014. Exports are expected to decline by 55% and the…
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United Biscuits (UB), the one of the leading international manufacturers of biscuits, cakes, and snacks, has extended its initiative that leverages used cooking oil (UCO) to power its delivery vehicles. The UK-based manufacturer of Jaffa Cakes now has a total of 16 vehicles running on Ultra Biofuel brand biodiesel, which generates carbon savings of up to 97% compared to traditional…
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Hero BX (Hero), one the largest biodiesel producers in the US, is exploring the possibility of building the Caribbean’s first commercial-scale biodiesel plant in Jamaica. Hero is in talks with the Jamaican government and various private stakeholders to confirm the construction plans. The plant would boost Jamaica’s renewable energy programme and have a multi-industry impact from…
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The results of a major UK research project show greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions due to nitrogen fertiliser use on UK arable land to be less than half the level previously estimated. The results are good news for the UK biofuels industry, as the project also confirmed that sourcing of nitrogen fertilisers from production facilities which are modified to abate nitrous oxide makes a substantial…
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Green Plains and petrol retailer Murphy USA have signed a definitive agreement regarding the purchase by Green Plains of Murphy USA's ethanol production facility located in Hereford, Texas. Under the terms of the agreement, Green Plains will acquire Hereford Renewable Energy for approximately $93.8 million (€85 million), subject to customary closing adjustments. The transaction value…
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In India, the government of the state of Punjab  has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a consortium of Beta Renewables, Novozymes, and CVC India Infrastructure to set up a bioethanol refinery in the state. The INR9.5 billion (€131 million) facility is expected to begin operation in 2017, and it is projected to make Punjab the Indian state leader in the biorefinery…
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A recent national US survey shows that biodiesel is an increasingly popular alternative fuel and that support for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is on the rise, according to the National Biodiesel Board (NBB). With just one month until the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) releases the final RFS rule, 80% of voters support a renewable fuel standard, with 10% opposing it and the rest…
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DuPont has celebrated the opening of its cellulosic biofuel facility in Nevada, Iowa, US with a ceremony attended by the state's governor Terry Brandstad and other dignitaries. With the capacity to produce 30 mgy of clean fuel that offers a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to petrol, this biorefinery is the world's largest cellulosic ethanol plant. The raw material used to…
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French biofuels producer Avril has opened a 100,000 tpy biodiesel plant to meet the higher blending levels issued by the French government. The new plant, located at Sete on France’s Mediterranean coast, will raise the company’s biodiesel production capacity to 1.7 million tonnes. Earlier in 2013 Avril shut down its two northern France facilities in the aftermath of the…
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The German Bioethanol Industry Association (BDBe) has published updated versions of the two European Directives 2009/28/EC 'Renewable Energies' and 98/70/EC 'Fuel Quality' in German and English. The Directive 2015/1513/EU was adopted by the EU Council of Minsters on 13 July this year to amend these directives. The amending directive was published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJ…
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The Brazilian government wants to increase the share of biodiesel in mineral diesel in order to hit the country’s greenhouse gas reduction targets. Ricardo Dornelles, the head of the Energy Ministry’s biofuels department, made the announcement while talking at the International Biodiesel Conference in Sao Paulo. The measure is part of the proposals Brazil's intends to put forth at the…
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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…
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