In Indonesia, the new rule limiting plantation areas to 100,000 hectares for new palm oil firms threatens the country’s output goal of 40 million tonnes by 2020. The new law will require new palm plantation firms to offer a fifth of their land for development by local farmers where possible, and gradually divest 30 percent […]
In Ghana, Regional Director of Agriculture Cyril Quist has labeled both mining and biofuel production a threat to food security for the country, claiming that efforts at promoting sustainable food systems were in danger if land leasing for biofuel production is not stopped. He spoke on this topic at World Food Day, and his sustainable […]
In the UK, Member of Parliament Ian Swales broke ranks with the Labour party to protect Ensus’s £250 wheat-based biofuel plant which opened in February of 2010. Recently, nearby residents have resumed complaining because of the plant’s foul emissions, which led to shut-downs after poor harvests, rising energy costs, and cheap foreign competition. The European […]
In Minnesota, researchers are domesticating intermediate wheatgrass, which could be a promising northern-climate alternative to switchgrass. As a perennial grain crop, the plant also can reduce soil erosion and the release of soil carbon, as well as requiring less energy, pesticide, and fossil-fuel based fertilizer. Although lines are already for commecial use, the project aims […]
In North Carolina, a Wake Forest University project has developed a new sugar-based catalyst that could cut the cost of producing biofuels from poor quality waste oils and fats. The project has created an alternative to sulfuric acid, the traditional catalyst for esterification to convert free fatty acids into biodiesel, that is inexpensive and environmentally […]
In China, DP CleanTech has signed a contract with Shougang Holding Tianguan Group to deliver the first biomass to power project in China to use byproducts from ethanol production. The contract consists of an 18MW, 75tph boiler island, which will be delivered in 2014, and will be an integral part of the Tianguan Group’s significant […]
In Texas, Darling International is acquiring Vion Ingredients, a Dutch renderer, in a $2.2 billion deal to expand their supply of possible biodiesel feedstocks. Vion’s network of 58 rendering facilities worldwide is added to Darling’s subsidiaries after they announced their acquisition of a Canadian renderer last week. The deal could close as early as January. […]
In Texas, the National Algae Association has announced a new Algae Production Incubator Programme to grow algae for start-up companies that require land, buildings, and a source of Cox for the first 12 months to grow algae for a range of uses, including fuels. The project will be housed on 17 agree, and represents NAA’s […]
In South Africa, Boeing and South African Airlines have signed an MOU for aviation biofuels in Southern Africa. This represents both Boeing and Africa as a whole’s first foray into the world of sustainable aviation biofuels. SAA is Africa’s leader carrier. ‘SAA is taking the lead in Africa on sustainable aviation fuels and, by setting […]
In the US, imports of Brazilian sugar cane ethanol could be slashed by half if the draft proposal to reduce next year’s US biofuels blending mandate is enacted. The import business has been booming as the sugar-based fuel is considered an advanced biofuel under EPA regulations, but the new EPA document parses down the required […]
