In India, the food ministry has gone back to cabinet to seek another $951 million in soft loans in order to facilitate implementation of 168 ethanol projects. Already 114 ethanol projects have been approved. The funding is in the form of five-year’s worth of interest subsidy, lowering interest rates to 6% or dropping bank rates […]
In Belgium, EU-funded BIOWAYS conducted an EU-wide online survey alongside analysis of relevant studies which helped them to collect qualitative and quantitate data regarding the public perception on bio-based products. The online questionnaire was translated in seven languages and evaluated public perception and engagement with bio-based products, the benefits of utilizing them and reasons that […]
In Washington, Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Danny Davis (D-IL) led a letter signed by 17 of their colleagues to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) expressing concern over the Trump Administration’s widespread issuance of waivers to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). With transportation emissions representing the bulk of U.S. greenhouse emissions, the decision to flout RFS […]
By Tammy Klein, Douglas Faulkner and Gerard J. Ostheimer, Ph.D. Special to The Digest The development of the global bioeconomy has made great leaps and strides over the past 10 years, but it has also had its fair share of stops and starts. Despite numerous technological advances, a witch’s brew of policy issues emerged (and […]
The problem: The vast number of potential chemicals and products that could be made from biomass makes prioritization of research difficult for optimizing market viability, cost competitiveness, environmental benefits, and supply chain development. The project: This CEMAC/DOE initiative studied 160 potential chemicals, and the list was pared to 26 candidates for further evaluation. The goal: To understand […]
The names seem less settled than the markets or science: is it biogas, biomethane, renewable natural gas, or RNG? Whatever your preferred name, you don’t have to burn it to make it hot — methane of the kind generated from waste landfills and farm waste is on the march. And much of it propelled by […]
In the UAE, Gulf News reports that Etihad Airways has signed an MOU with Tadweer, the Abu Dhabi Waste Management Center, to develop aviation biofuels from municipal solid waste with the end goal of the airline using the fuel for commercial flights. Under the agreement, the two companies will together develop the feasibility for such […]
In Spain, Ports Europe reports that for the first time in 15 years, biodiesel has landed at the Port of Cadiz. The 7,000 metric tons of Malaysian biodiesel was shipped from the Port Klang and imported by Olivia Petroleum. The port is seen as strategically placed to serve the Mediterranean as well as European/African markets […]
In Illinois, Reuters reports that Pro Petroleum expects year-round E15 to lead to minimal additional demand for ethanol in the short term due to legal challenges against the policy shift that may be mounted. If demand was generated, however, the company said it would invest in additional infrastructure but it could take six years for […]
In South Korea, Platts says Pakistan has become the origin of preference for ENA and REN industrial ethanol imports over Brazil due to appreciation of the Brazilian Real and softening prices expected for Pakistani product. With ongoing extended dryness leading to an early end of the Brazilian crush this year, ethanol prices are expected to […]
