In Alaska, microbes in the gastrointestinal tract of ruminants such as moose help break down recalcitrant plant biomass into carbon nutrients, but how do they do this over the course of seasons when the moose diet changes, and what microbes are involved? Now, an international research team has studied microbial communities in the rumen of […]
In Washington, Forbes magazine is reviving the food vs. fuel debate by sourcing a 2015 publication by controversial researcher Timothy Searchinger from the World Resources Institute’s website. The paper is quoted several times identifying the use of corn in ethanol as a misguided notion, such its diversion from food for fuel and alluding towards indirect […]
The pace of bioeconomy invention and change continues at a frenetic pace. Here are the top innovations for the week of October 24th. #1 Covestro develops first biobased coating hardener for lightfast polyurethane coatings In Germany, Covestro received the MATERIALICA Design + Technology Award 2018 for the development of the first biobased coating hardener for […]
In India, despite the fact that there are not vehicles in the country running on 100% ethanol or methanol, the Times of India reports that the government has eliminated the requirement for those vehicles to secure commercial licenses in an effort to promote their use. The policy also applies to electric vehicles and rickshaws. Electric […]
In Finland, Metsä Group’s innovation company MetsäSpring Ltd. and Japanese Itochu Corporation have established a joint venture to invest approximately EUR40 million in building and operating a test plant with the aim to demonstrate a new technology for converting paper-grade pulp into textile fibers. Business Finland, a Finnish governmental funding agency, participates in the financing […]
In California, World Energy announced a $350 million investment over the next two years to complete the conversion of its Paramount, California facility into one of the cleanest fuel refineries in the world. The project will enable World Energy Paramount to process 306 million gallons annually. The conversion to renewable jet, diesel, gasoline and propane […]
In the Philippines, Platts reports that Q1 2019 ethanol quota was set at 91,000 cu m, varying from 29,500 cu m for January to 29,900 cu m for February and 31,600 cu m for March. The quarterly total is nearly 13% lower than from Q4 2018 by more than 20% higher during the same period […]
In Washington, DTN reports that Energy Information Administration data shows that ethanol blending demand grew over the past week to a seven-week high, posting the first draw down on stocks nationally in three weeks to 23.897 million bbl, down 233,000 bbl from the week prior. Even so, stocks were still 14% higher on the year. […]
In Brazil, Platts reports that UNICA data shows sugar mills continue to heavily favor ethanol production over sugar despite an increase in sugar prices the past few weeks. During the first half of October, mills produced 1.48 billion liters of ethanol, down 6.6% lower on the year due to the smaller cane crush, but ethanol […]
In the UK, dissolving seaweed sauce sachets and technology inspired by a suckerfish to remove plastics from rivers are among 11 innovative projects to win the backing of a GBP4 million government fund to clean up the environment. To showcase the ground-breaking research being led by UK scientists and innovators during Green GB & NI […]
