Ethanol & Biofuels News

POET Executive Appointed to California Air Resources Board Expert Panel

POET Senior Vice President of Science and Technology Mark Stowers was recently appointed to the California Air Resources Board expert workgroup to help better assess the true carbon footprint of all fuel sources under the state’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard, POET announced Feb. 22.

NBB Continues to Urge Congress to Extend Biodiesel Tax Incentive

The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) is continuing to take steps to encourage members of U.S. Congress to pass an extension to the biodiesel tax incentive. To that end, NBB’s Vice President for Federal Affairs Manning Feraci issued a statement in the wake of the U.S. Senate’s procedural vote on jobs legislation Feb. 22.

Biofuels Mandate/Subsidy Policies Doomed to Failure: Cornell Study

Biofuel policies that combine mandates with subsidies “will fail to achieve the intended environmental, energy and agricultural goals,” according to a new Cornell University study published in the scholarly journal, Applied Economics Perspectives and Policy.

New Biodiesel Process Developed at UC Davis

Yields of biodiesel from oilseed crops such as safflower could be increased by up to 24% using a new process developed by chemists at the University of California, Davis, the school announced Feb. 19.

Genencor Introduces Accellerase DUET Enzyme

Genencor, a division of Danisco A/S, on Feb. 15 introduced Accellerase DUET at the Renewable Fuels Association’s 15th Annual National Ethanol Conference in Orlando, Fla.

Catalytically Active Particles Convert Industrial Byproducts and Algae into Biodiesel

Sachtleben, a unit of Rockwood Holdings Inc., has developed catalytically active particles used in the production of biofuels through sustainable and environmentally friendly means.

Novozymes Debuts New Enzyme

Novozymes officials Feb. 16 released their new Cellic CTec2 enzymes they say will enable the biofuel industry to produce cellulosic ethanol at a price below US$2 per gallon for the initial commercial-scale plants that are scheduled to be in operation in 2011.

New FTIR Methodology for Measuring FAME Contamination in Diesel Fuel

A2 Technologies (A2), Feb. 18 announced an enhanced method for determining contamination levels of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) in diesel.

New Enzyme from Verenium

Verenium Corp. officials Feb. 11 announced the introduction of Xylathin enzyme, which the company said is designed to improve the economics of fuel ethanol production from cereal grains.

Six Ethanol Producers Join Growth Energy

Growth Energy, the coalition of U.S. ethanol supporters, announced Feb. 23 that six new ethanol producers have joined its membership.

Ethanol Production from Grain Exports Nearly US$1 Billion in 2009

The U.S. ethanol industry exported 5.64 million metric tons of distillers grains worth nearly US$1 billion in 2009, shattering the previous record set in 2008, according to data released in mid-February by the U.S. Foreign Agriculture Service.

Ethanol’s Economic Impact

In the annual analysis, The Economic Contribution of the Ethanol Industry to the Economy of the United States, economist John Urbanchuk details the significant economic impact ethanol production represents.

GM Calls for More U.S. Ethanol Fueling Stations

General Motors Co.’s plans for increasing the number of vehicles capable of running on ethanol/gasoline blends will require the network of stations offering ethanol blends be greatly expanded, GM Vice Chairman Tom Stephens told attendees of the Renewable Fuels Association Conference in Orlando, Fla., on Feb. 16, Reuters reported the same day.

Green Plains Renewable Energy Reports Net Income for Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2009

Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc. on Feb. 22 announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and full-year ended Dec. 31, 2009.

Osage Bio Energy Signs Contract to Market Ethanol Co-product

Osage Bio Energy announced Feb. 23 that it has signed a contract with Land O’Lakes Purina Feed to market its barley protein meal, a co-product of its ethanol bio-processing operation.

Environmental Development Group and EDG Fuels to Open Biodiesel Manufacturing/Refining Facility

Environmental Development Group (EDG) recently announced that in March, EDG Fuels will open a biodiesel manufacturing and refining facility in Tucson, Ariz., using used cooking oil as feedstock.

USDA’s Supply/Demand Report Released

The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture released its February Supply and Demand Report earlier this month, which reported U.S. feed grain and soybean ending stocks for 2009-2010 are projected to be lower this month.

Reports Predict Short-Term World Biodiesel Market Value

Two reports were released this month that predicted the market value of the world biodiesel market within the next 10 years.

Petrobras Imports Gasoline for First Time in 40 Years

Due to a shortage of ethanol, Petrobras is importing gasoline for the first time in 40 years, according to Estado (Brazil) news agency and reported by Dow Jones Newswires.

Nippon Oil Boosts Biogasoline Output

Nippon Oil will start producing biogasoline blends at three more refineries in western Japan during the next fiscal year, according to a Nikkei news service report.

UNICA Defends Free Trade for Ethanol

The Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA) argued for a global trading market for ethanol that is free of barriers for clean energy, in a presentation at the National Ethanol Conference held in Orlando, Fla., from Feb. 15-17, the organization reported Feb. 18.

Malaysian Palm-Based Biodiesel Exporters Wait on U.S. EPA Decision

Exports of palm-based biodiesel to the United States have decreased since the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has not yet determined whether palm-oil based biodiesel complies with a 50% greenhouse-gas savings requirement under the biomass-based diesel requirement of the new Renewable Fuels Standard, Dow Jones Commodities Service reported Feb. 22.

Stratus Invests in Amyris' Brazil Biofuel Project

Stratus Group, a U.S. venture capital firm, said Feb. 10 that it will invest 10 million reais (US$5.4 million) in the Brazilian subsidiary of Amyris Biotechnologies, Reuters reported the same day.

Czarnikow: Sugar Production Deficit Estimate Rises to 10%

Czarnikow Group is reporting that initial hopes for a strong recovery in sugar production during the 2009-2010 season will not be realized.

New Chief Financial Officer for Enerkem

Montreal, Canada-based Enerkem Inc., a waste-to-biofuels and advanced chemicals technology company, announced Feb. 18 that Patrice Ouimet has joined the company as vice president and chief financial officer.

Scientists from European Algae Biomass Association Underline GHG Reduction Potential of Algal Biofuels

The Scientific Committee of the European Algae Biomass Association discussed and confirmed once again the positive potential of algae-based biofuels in terms of reduction of greenhouse gases, EABA announced Feb. 23.

SG Biofuels Launches ‘Elite’ Jatropha Cultivar

SG Biofuels, a sustainable plant oil company specializing in the development of jatropha, announced Feb. 22 the launch of JMax 100, a proprietary cultivar of jatropha optimized for growing conditions in Guatemala with yields 100% greater than existing varieties.

Biofuels Mandates Will Push 600 Million into Hunger: New Study

United Kingdom-based food-for-the-poor advocacy group ActionAid released a new report last month indicating that about 600 million more people will be shoved into hunger if the European Union sticks to its biofuel mandate targets for 2020.