In Mexico, falling a recent call by a researcher at one Mexican university to find ways to create value out of the sargassum algae that are polluting the Caribbean and Mexican coasts, a researcher at the Renewable Energy Unit under of the Center for Scientific Research of Yucatán announced he had been working to use […]
In the UK, Platts reports that implementation of the proposed E10 policy could be pushed back beyond April 2019 after the country’s expected exit from the European Union while the Netherlands are looking at Q3 or Q4 for implementation. France and Belgium have had relative success with market uptake for the fuels which Germany has […]
In Washington, the U.S. Department of Energy announced the selection of 36 projects totaling $80 million to support early-stage bioenergy research and development. It’s one of the largest group announces of projects in a long time from the BioEnergy technologies Office, with individual federal shares of up to $5 million. 19 academic and research institutes […]
In Belgium, both Abengoa and Alcogroup will contest the European Commission’s allegations of manipulating S&P Global Platts’ European ethanol benchmark prices. Last week, Reuters reported that both companies had been issued statements of objection from the EC’s competition watchdog but Abengoa had no responded to requests for comment while Alcogroup said it would fight the […]
In California, Amyris, Inc. announced that its zero-calorie sweetener made from sugarcane has received designation as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) by an independent expert panel. This designation is based on FDA requirements and allows Amyris to begin commercially selling its new, natural, zero-calorie sweetener. Amyris plans to commercially launch its sweetener during the fourth […]
In India, the Hindu newspaper reports that Maruti Suzuki India is working with NITI Aayog to test various levels of methanol blending and the impact on engines as well as with higher ethanol blends including at 10% and 20%. In addition, the auto manufacturer has also teamed with IndianOil Research & Development Centre on a […]
In Bolivia, Prensa Latina reports that the national oil company will invest $49 million over the next five years in anhydrous ethanol blending with an initial $4 million investment in anhydrous ethanol storage and some blending equipment. Eventually the company expects to blend 360 million liters annually but during the first stage will blend 80 […]
In the Philippines, Platts reports that US-origin ethanol fell to an all-time record low last Thursday of $425/cu m as demand for ethanol in the US is expected to slow down following the end of summer driving season and the upcoming corn harvest that pulls feedstock prices down. Most traders booked their Q4 shipments already […]
In California, DTN reports that Renewable Fuels Association, National Biodiesel Board, Environmental Defense Fund, Natural Resources Defense Council, Pacific Ethanol, Renewable Energy Group, American Lung Association in California, Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas, NextGen California, California Advanced Biofuel Alliance and others wrote to the Chairwoman of the California Air Resources Board asking the agency to […]
In Arkansas, a University of Arkansas biologist is developing methods that could make the production of biofuel — ethanol and diesel made from sources such as plant material — more efficient and environmentally sound. He will use a protein derived from microorganisms that live in acidic geothermal pools and springs to enhance the process of […]
