Brazil, the world's third largest sugar producer, is willing to invest in Pakistan's energy sector. Ambassador of Brazil to Pakistan Alfredo Laoni communicated this during his visit to Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), highlighting that Brazil is prepared to aid community traders and industrialists during Pakistan's energy crisis. The country will increase... [Read More]

In the US Tom Vilsack, Agriculture Secretary, has chosen 16 projects across 10 states to receive funding. Together the projects will be awarded with a total of $8.5 million (€6.2 million) in financial support through the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program (REDLG), which is administered by USDA Rural Development. Of these 10 projects, over $1.8 million... [Read More]

Dedicated to the production of renewable products, Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) will invest in sustainable palm production in Brazil. Throughout five years, the ADM investment will encompass approximately 12,000 hectares of palm production in the state of Parà and will include the construction of a palm processing plant. Construction of the processing plant, near... [Read More]

In the US, renewable energy company Clean Power Concepts has executed a letter of intent to acquire Alabama Bio Energy and its subsidiary, Bridgeport, Alabama-based Eagle Bio Diesel. Currently, the Bridgeport facility produces 100 million litres of biodiesel from several different feedstocks. The deal is expected to close on 15 March this year. CEO of Eagle Bio Diesel... [Read More]

In Washington, US, biofuels for use in the aviation industry could be brought to market by 2015. Aerospace company Boeing Co. is doing its part and is working with others throughout the industry in order for 1% of all aviation fuel to come from biofuels within four years' time. Although 1% does not sound like a significant amount, Boeing Commercial Airplane's director... [Read More]

The Alliance of Automobile manufacturers, an association of 12 vehicle manufacturers, has joined forces with other groups to urge the Congress to disallow a new rule which could see E15 – a blend of 15% ethanol – used in vehicles manufactured from 2001 onwards. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) made the E15 blending announcement last month. Automakers... [Read More]

On 15 February 2011 agricultural marketing firm The Scoular Company finalised its acquisition of the assets of Gateway Plant. Included in the deal was a Pratt, Kansas, US-based 55mgy ethanol production plant and a 1.8 million bushel shuttle train facility. The terms of the transaction have not yet been discussed, nor has the company decided if the plant will be renamed. Before... [Read More]

In Jamaica, the Petroleum Corp. of Jamaica’s Centre of Excellence for Renewable Energy (PCJ) and the Caribbean Research and Development Institute (CARDI) have partnered for a small-scale biodiesel project. Using locally grown jatropha and castor cultivated on CARDI’s six-acre Sam Motta Demo Farm, the $10.3 million (€7.6 million) project will test the viability... [Read More]

Oil major Royal Dutch Shell and Cosan's $12 billion (€8.8 billion) joint venture has been named Raízen. The company will begin operations by mid-2011, producing 2.2 billion litres of ethanol a year, before output capacity is ramped up by 50% by 2016. The JV is due to become the fifth largest company in Brazil, employing around 40,000 staff. In addition to ethanol,... [Read More]

OriginOil, a developer of breakthrough technology to transform algae, has agreed to participate in a pilot-scale algae project to be funded by the Mexican government. The project will demonstrate industrial algae production, paving the way for substantial investment by the Mexican government in large-scale jet fuels production. 'We are excited to support Mexico's 'Manhattan... [Read More]

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,'... [Read More]

This year ethanol production is expected to reach 88.7 billion litres, according to a global annual ethanol production forecast, released by the Global Renewable Fuels Alliance (GRFA), in cooperation with F.O. Licht. This will replace one million barrels of crude oil a day worldwide. 85.8 billion litres of the biofuel were produced in 2010 and GRFA foresees this rising... [Read More]

Technology provider for the energy and environment sectors Abengoa will implement its enzymatic hydrolysis process technology to produce bioethanol at a commercial-scale in the US. The news comes after the company's second generation bioethanol pilot production plant, located in Salamanca, Spain, produced successful results. The project, which received financing for its... [Read More]

Three US programmes dedicated to boost and encourage the use of renewable energy, in addition to create more jobs in rural areas, are to face interim rule changes. The Biorefinery Assistance Program, the Repowering Assistance Program and the Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels will be impacted by the changes, which will allow non-rural locations to be eligible for... [Read More]