The U.S. spot ethanol market moved higher the week ending January 27.

On the equity markets the week ending January 27, The Andersons (ANDE) headed higher, while Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) and Bunge Ltd. (BG) saw losses.

U.S. fuel ethanol inventories were higher the week ending January 20, while production declined.

Ethanol RINs were flat the week ending January 27, while biodiesel RINs were lower.

NYMEX crude oil and refined product futures moved higher the week ending January 27.

NYMEX No. 11 sugar futures slipped the week ending January 27.

Brazilian anhydrous and hydrous ethanol prices declined the week ending January 27.

U.S. cash corn and soybean prices climbed higher the week ending January 27.

Monthly U.S. ethanol production and inventories (stocks) were higher in November 2011, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

U.S. renewable diesel inventories (stocks) declined in November 2011, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Celtic Renewables Ltd., a spin-out from Edinburgh Napier University’s Biofuel Research Centre, was launched last week to commercialize a process for producing biofuel from whisky byproducts

A Malaysian subsidiary of Japan’s Toyo Engineering Corp., Toyo Engineering & Construction Sdn. Bhd. (Toyo-Malaysia), has been awarded a contract to build an ethanol production facility in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.

Novozymes has entered into an exploratory research agreement with India-based Sea6 Energy to jointly develop a process for the production of biofuels from seaweed.

The European Parliament on January 31 adopted a report on a European Union (EU) climate-change policy to 2050, based on the European Commission’s previously-unveiled Low-Carbon Roadmap.

Canada-based Clean Power Concepts, Inc. (OTC: CPOW) and Integrated Biodiesel Industries, Ltd. (IBI) of Sao Paulo, Brazil have agreed to merge, pending approval of IBI shareholders and completion of due diligence.

ZeaChem, Inc. has been selected for a US$232.5-million loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) 9003 Biorefinery Assistance Program.

KiOR, Inc. has closed on a US$75-million, four-year term loan with a lender group comprised of an affiliate of Vinod Khosla and two Canadian corporations owned by certain pension fund clients of Alberta Investment Management Corp. (AIMCo).

Aventine Renewable Energy Holdings, Inc. is resuming work on its ethanol plant located in Canton, Ill.

Most energy executives believe the U.S. can achieve energy independence within the next 15 years, so says a new research study from the CIT Group, Inc., in association with Forbes Insight. But the same executives also express concern that the current U.S. regulatory environment – along with global financial woes and opposition to fracking – could dash that promise.

On January 25, Husqvarna launched the “Ethanol Challenge,” an animated, online quiz designed to help educate consumers on the effects of ethanol as well as prevention of ethanol-related product issues.

Imperial Petroleum, Inc. announced January 31 that its board of directors has accepted the resignation of its former CEO and President John Ryer, effective January 26, 2012.