In Sweden, researchers at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, have identified two main challenges for renewable biofuel production from cheap sources. Firstly, lowering the cost of developing microbial cell factories, and secondly, establishing more efficient methods for hydrolysis of biomass to sugars for fermentation. Their study was recently published in the journal Nature Energy. It […]
In Washington, recent analysis by economists at the University of Missouri’s Food and Agriculture Policy Research Institute shows that the U.S. ethanol industry could lose 4.6 billion gallons of domestic demand and nearly $20 billion in sales revenue over the next six years if the U.S. EPA continues its current practice of exempting dozens of […]
In India, the Hindu Business Line newspaper reports that the Indian Sugar Mills Association believes there is sufficient feedstock available to supply 15% ethanol-blending from the sugar industry alone but production capacity requires a few years still to ramp up. Current production is around 2.5 billion liters and could be up to 3.3 billion liters […]
In Indonesia, the Jakarta Post newspaper reports that LG and Hyundai have come together to develop a biodiesel plant from waste oil palm bunches in West Kalimantan in an effort to help supply the B20 mandate locally using cleaner technology. The facility will be sited close to the port and airport, and local authorities have […]
In Belgium, European renewable ethanol association (ePURE) members produced 5.84 billion liters of ethanol and 5.71 million metric tons of beneficial coproducts in 2017, according to new audited data released by the industry group. Some 81 percent of the total ethanol output was for fuel use, with an average of more than 70 percent greenhouse-gas savings […]
In India, the Press Trust of India reports that the state of Haryana has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Indian Oil Corp. to build a 100,000 liter per day ethanol plant using rice straw as feedstock. The $124 million plant is hoped to provide a market for rice straw for local farmers to reduce […]
In Luxembourg, the European Investment Bank issued its first Sustainability Awareness Bond last week. The EUR500 million transaction represents the first EIB funding intended to directly support sustainable finance and builds on the EIB’s pioneering role unlocking investment through green bonds. With this new product, the Bank extends its established allocation and reporting practice to […]
In India, the Business Standard newspaper reports that Uttar Pradesh will invest $21.5 million to bring six mothballed ethanol distilleries back online in an effort to quickly ramp up ethanol production in light of the national government’s push to produce and consume 10% ethanol. The facilities had been shut by the Central Pollution Control Board […]
In Australia, bacteria that turn sugar into hydrogen are being engineered by Macquarie University researchers who received a A$1.1 million grant from ARENA, the Australian government’s renewable energy agency. “There’s global interest in using hydrogen gas to produce electricity in hydrogen fuel cells, for example to power vehicles, heat buildings or provide electricity for industry,” […]
In Washington, Iowa Congressman David Young and Minnesota Congressman Collin Peterson introduced the Restoring Our Commitment to Renewable Fuels Act which will reallocate waived renewable fuel obligations and require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to disclose refineries who receive “hardship” waivers. Over the past two years, 2.25 billion gallons have been destroyed due to the […]
