In Malaysia, Felda Global Ventures Holdings purchased Mission NewEnergy’s Kuantan Port plant for $11.5M. The 30 MMgy plant is expected to be fully operational by July 1. The signing is a forward effort by FGV towards supporting the [Malaysian] government’s B5 and B10 biodiesel initiative to make biodiesel viable in view of growing demand in […]
In California, an algae research project conducted by the University of California and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography has utilized a harvest system which processes up to 9000 gallons of algae-laden water per minute at a 95% capture rate, yielding up to 20% algae concentrations. The project utilizes World Water Works’ Algae Harvesting Technology Optimized […]
In Washington, Israeli academic and industrial biofuels research scientists and innovators are visiting Washington to explore opportunities for cooperation with the US for development of advanced biofuels. Following the meetings in Washington, they will travel to DOE labs in Oak Ridge Tennessee and in California to meet with more than 50 U.S. scientists and energy […]
In California, Cool Planet Energy Systems may relocate its headquarters to Denver, opening a manufacturing plant there as well. The company stands to receive as much as $3.1M in job-growth tax incentives after the Colorado Economic Development Commission voted unanimously to provide tax incentives for the company’s transition. Cool Planet is also considering Texas for […]
In California, Ceres is headed for harvesting of its sweet sorghum hybrids despite reporting net losses for Q2 of 2013. Revenue for the quarter came in at $1M, resulting in a net loss of $0.36 per share. The final yield data for their harvest will be available in July as the company harvests nearly 3000 […]
In the UK, biofuels will cost drivers $707m this year, according to a new report from Chatham House. Britain’s program to expand biofuel use doesn’t offer value for money and cheaper emissions reductions can be achieved elsewhere with existing technologies, the London-based think tank indicated in its report. “Current biofuels are at best an expensive […]
In France, Carbios has signed a EUR$7m strategic collaboration with INRA, the French National Institute for Agricultural Research, for the development of innovative bioprocesses for recovering plastic waste and producing biopolymers. The agreement, set for a five-year period, will aim to develop effective biobased industrial processes that add value to plastic waste. More on the […]
In Louisiana, enzymes from fungi from the feces and intestinal tracts of horses have been discovered to break down lignin and produce cellulose effectively, and could hold the key to cutting down costs on cellulosic processes. The University of California Santa Barbara team of researchers is trying to identify the most active enzyme and working […]
In Washington, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) indicated that the Senate Energy committee plans to spend “a lot of time” considering the renewable fuel mandate, claiming that he was “not convinced that the current requirements are achievable.” Wyden, a supporter of the ethanol mandate, said he would explore the topic at a hearing on gasoline prices […]
In Hawaii, the state has invested $200,000 in a papaya-based biofuels program. The grant, coming from the state’s Department of Agriculture, has been awarded to the USDA’s Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center, who has teamed up with BioTork Hawaii. The process uses algae and fungi, and will be scaled up to a pilot facility before […]
