Australian airline Qantas and bioenergy platform company Solena Group are expected to finalise their partnership by the end of January 2011. Together the duo will investigate the viability of creating a biofuels production facility with Fischer-Tropsch technology. The Australia, Sydney-based plant would convert agricultural and industrial waste, including food leftovers,... [Read More]

In Nicaragua, fresh produce exporter Xagro and its multi-faceted business partner Jam are to begin testing the commercial production of cassava chips to be used for the production of ethanol in China. Testing will include assessing a number of different cassava varieties for high starch content, which is needed in the ethanol process, in addition to the production of several... [Read More]

It has been out of service since 2009 and now US, Maryland-based biodiesel firm Chesapeake Green Fuels (CGF) has retained Equity Partners to find a buyer for its biodiesel production plant in Clayton. The facility was designed by Desmet and built back in 2006 by Fagen. Located 15 miles north of Dover, Delaware, and 60 miles south of Philadelphia, the plant is ideally situated... [Read More]

2010 was a busy year for US-based biofuels company BlueFire Renewables. The company first rebranded itself in order to clearly communicate its capabilities within the entire renewable energy sector. Today BlueFire can produce a number of different biofuels, including ethanol, biodiesel and biojet fuel, in addition to other drop-in fuels. November saw the newly branded... [Read More]

A lawsuit filed by Capital Ventures International (CVI) against Verenium, a US-based company dedicated to the development and commercialisation of high-performance industrial enzyme solutions, has been dismissed. Verenium’s motion for summary judgement to dismiss CVI’s complaint was granted by the US District Court for the Southern District of New York. CVI’s... [Read More]

In a recent study the German Research Centre for Biomass (DBFZ) has found significant greenhouse gas (GHG) savings in biodiesel derived from rapeseed. After arriving at a 38% default value for biodiesel produced from rapeseed, the study went on to conclude that the balance of fertiliser and diesel fuel used was the main contributor affecting the overall result of GHG emission... [Read More]

In India, the price of biodiesel made from jatropha needs to increase if the nation is to create a financially viable and sustainable biodiesel market. This was the message communicated by The Confederation of Indian Industry and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. Together the two organisations conducted a study titled Realistic Cost of Biodiesel in India, which... [Read More]

Science-based products and services company DuPont has entered into a definitive agreement for the acquisition of Danisco, a global enzyme and speciality food ingredients company. The transaction would see DuPont acquire Danisco for $5.8 billion (€4.4 billion) cash. It will also take on Danisco’s net debt of $500 million. Speaking about the deal DuPont’s... [Read More]

After almost two years since operations ceased at biofuels producer Abengoa Bioenergy’s ethanol plant in Portales, New Mexico in the US, the facility has now restarted. The plant has a 27 million gallon a year output capacity, producing ethanol from sorghum and milo. Located just 20 miles from the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, California and Texas are the... [Read More]

Operations have started at a biodiesel production facility in Groveland, Florida, US. Owned by Greenwave Biodiesel, a key player in Florida's emerging biofuels industry, the plant has already produced its first batch of ASTM-certified biodiesel and is now preparing to begin production at commercial-scale. The plant is fitted with technology provider Raptor Fabrication's... [Read More]

Oil major BP has been forced to replace its ethanol-blended petrol (E10) in Queensland, Australia, due to severe flooding in the state. From 17 January 2011 Regular Unleaded 91 will take the place of E10, as the Queensland-based biofuel supplier cannot continue to deliver. Over 75% of Queensland, a state larger than California and Texas combined, has been declared a disaster... [Read More]

Severe flooding in Colombia in December last year has led to a loss of $29 million (€21.77 million) for the country's ethanol industry. Six ethanol refineries were also forced to close down throughout December, after sugarcane fields were immersed in water and access to harvesting equipment was restricted. Speaking about the flooding, which first hit the nation back... [Read More]

In Hawaii, power company Hawaiian Electric Industries' (HEI) subsidiary Hawaiian Electric is to generate electricity from biofuel sourced from locally grown materials. Aina Koa Pono will provide the biofuels, which will be supplied to the Ka'u region-based 80MW Keahole Power Plant. The new contract will help Hawaii reach its clean energy target of 70% renewable electricity... [Read More]

UK-based storage operator Oikos has revealed it is to upgrade its fuel terminal on Canvey Island, facing opposition from campaigners. The terminal has yet to hold its forward strategy meeting, so is unable to reveal any further details. Campaigners against the project, The People Against Methane Group, believe there are not enough emergency services facilities on... [Read More]