.

A government report complied by the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Government of Japan concluded that Colombia’s biofuels exceed international standards for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and advancing the country’s goal to become a leading ethanol producer.

Global refining and marketing company Neste Oil announced on May 15 it expanded the range of renewable raw materials it uses to produce its trademarked renewable diesel, NExBTL, from waste fat sourced from the fish processing industry at its 800,000-ton-per-year facility in Singapore.

Burlington, Ontario-based biopolymer producer EcoSynthetix Inc. announced on May 14 that it commissioned a new 80-million-pound production line within its existing U.S. manufacturing facility, which brought the company’s total annualized production capacity to 235 million pounds, the company said in a statement.

The Deccan Chronicle on May 9 reported that the city-based Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) in Hyderabad, India has been selected to be a part of a three-member consortium to conduct research in advanced biofuels and solar energy.

Belgian specialty chemical giant Solvay announced that Rhodia, a member of the Solvay Group, and the National Bioethanol Science and Technology Laboratory (CTBE) in Brazil have signed an agreement to develop chemical routes and processes to obtain molecules of a high added value from sugarcane biomass.

Agri Energy announced on May 9 the opening of the United Kingdom’s largest used cooking oil-based biodiesel plant in Bootle, Liverpool. The opening follows on the heels of a multi-million pound investment into biodiesel production by Agri, according to company statement.

Dutch food ingredients company CSM announced May 8 that is departing from its global bakery products business to focus instead on bio-based ingredients serving end-markets in food, chemicals and polymers.

Maple Energy reported on May 9 that it has been producing fuel-grade ethanol (approximately 99.9% by volume) and expects to achieve its first sale to the local market in May.

Melbourne, Fla.-based algae technology developer Parabel Inc., formerly PetroAlgae Inc., announced on May 8 it had finalized a restated Master Framework Agreement with CECEP – Chongqing Industry Co. Ltd. (an absolute holding subsidiary of China Energy Conservation and Environment Protection Group) for the implementation of its propriety technology in China as well as around the world, to include the eventual joint completion of ten 5,000-hectare (12,355-acre) commercial-scale units.

In cooperation with project partners from BASF, Munich Technical University and the University of Hamburg, scientists at Siemens’ global research unit have developed a renewable alternative to standard polystyrene-based acrylonitrite-butadiene-styrene (ABS) polymer, a material commonly used in consumer products.

Numerous publicly traded ethanol, biodiesel and biorefining firms posted quarterly earnings statements within the past week, signaling mixed growth in those respective markets.

In a deal that would augment its biorefining capabilities and expand its product, Toronto, Ontario, Canada-based Vertichem Corp. announced on May 14 an agreement in principle to acquire a 100% interest in Thesis Chemistry LLC, an Ohio-based company with operations in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada.

Franklin, Tenn.-based ethanol logistic service firm Eco-Energy Inc. announced May 14 the execution of an ethanol marketing agreement with Quad County Corn Processors, a 35 million-gallon plant located in Galva, Iowa.

California-based ethanol producer Pacific Ethanol Inc. announced on May 8 it had extended a credit facility for its subsidiary, Kinergy Marketing LLC, according to a statement issued by Pacific Ethanol.

San Francisco-based biotechnology outfit LS9 Inc. announced on May 14 a US$4.5 million investment from the Florida Opportunity Fund’s (FOF) Clean Energy Investment Program, including plans for a grand opening for its demonstration-scale production facility located in Okeechobee, Fla.

DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products Co. LLC, a joint venture between DuPont and Tate & Lyle, announced on May 14 that it had partnered with Bio-Botanica to create a new line of botanical extracts, trademarked ZeaBasics, derived from DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products’ proprietary Zemea propanediol.

Stuttgart, Ark.-based engineering and design firm Agri Processes Innovations (API) announced on May 10 it had facilitated the start-up of a 5-million-gallon multi-feedstock biodiesel facility owned and operated by Oswalt Bioenergy in Lake Providence, La.

In a World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report released May 10 the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) projected record feed grain supplies and a steep drop in corn prices for the 2012-2013 corn crop.

A paper published on May 9 by researchers at Redwoord City, Calif.-based biotech outfit Codexis Inc., Emory University, Greifswald University, Lonza AG, Merck and Seoul National University discussed recent advances in biocatalysis and the impact it is having on the commercial development of biofuels, renewable chemicals and pharmaceutical products.

Canada-based Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP) announced on May 9 it will begin to test butanol-extended fuel (isobutanol) in a variety of recreational marine engines for Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Vehicle Technologies Office. Butanol-extended fuel will be tested as an alternative to gasoline containing 15% ethanol (E15), the company stated.

Novozymes’ patent covering certain alpha-amylase enzymes for use in the biofuel and starch industries has been ruled invalid.

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) released a statement on May 9 calling on Americans for Prosperity (AFP) to stop hypocrisy and to get the facts straight when it comes to ethanol and oil policy. AFP, a Super Political Action Committee (PAC), hosted a “Refueling America” event in Des Moines on May 4.

Visalia, Calif.-based biomaterial and advanced biofuel technology developer EdeniQ Inc. announced on May 9 it had raised over US$30 million in additional capital to further its advanced biofuel and biomaterial activities.

Wagner, S.D.-based Wagner Native Ethanol announced on May 9 it had formed a strategic partnership with Questas Global Capital Market Ltd. with the intent of building and operating a proposed corn dry-mill plant, with Fagen Inc. and ICM Inc. appointed as general contractors for the plant’s construction.

Platinum Ethanol to Open New Grain Elevator in Iowa