Author Archive: Jim Lane

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US ethanol production dips to five-week low

US ethanol production dips to five-week low

September 11, 2016 |

According to EIA data as analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association, ethanol production averaged 998,000 barrels per day (b/d)—or 41.92 million gallons daily. That is down 25,000 b/d from the week before and the lowest in five weeks. The four-week average for ethanol production stood at 1.020 million b/d for an annualized rate of 15.64 […]

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Bioenergy legend Bill Holmberg dies at 88

Bioenergy legend Bill Holmberg dies at 88

September 8, 2016 |

In Virginia, bioenergy industry legend and retired Marine Lt. Col. William C. Holmberg has died of complications from cancer. He was 88. He was the first recipient of the Digest’s Holmberg Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2014, which was subsequently named in his honor and is presented annually at the Advanced Bioeconomy Leadership Conference. Holmberg was […]

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Gevo, Lufthansa rock markets with renewable jet fuel deal 

Gevo, Lufthansa rock markets with renewable jet fuel deal 

September 8, 2016 |

In Colorado, Gevo has entered into a heads of agreement with Lufthansa to supply Gevo’s alcohol-to-jet fuel from its first commercial hydrocarbon facility, intended to be built in Luverne, MN.  The terms of the agreement contemplate Lufthansa purchasing up to 8 million gallons per year of ATJ from Gevo, or up to 40 million gallons […]

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Landmark report from BIO charts $770B renewable chemicals and materials market by 2020

Landmark report from BIO charts $770B renewable chemicals and materials market by 2020

September 7, 2016 |

In Washington, the Biotechnology Innovation Organization released a landmark report “Advancing the Biobased Economy: Renewable Chemical Biorefinery Commercialization, Progress, and Market Opportunities, 2016 and Beyond,” documenting substantial, ongoing growth in the renewable chemical industry and outlining federal and state policies that support the industry. Explosive growth in renewable chemicals BIO reports that “McKinsey & Co. […]

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The EU Commission has lost the Plot on Biofuels

The EU Commission has lost the Plot on Biofuels

September 6, 2016 |

  By Dick Roche, Special to The Digest Just as the EU institutions were shutting up shop for the long summer break the EU Commission issued its strategy to reduce transport emissions in the post 2020 period, ‘European Strategy for low Emission Mobility’. The strategy will ‘axe’ any support for conventional biofuels. This should come […]

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Tesoro to Acquire Virent 

Tesoro to Acquire Virent 

September 6, 2016 |

In Wisconsin, Tesoro reached an agreement for Tesoro to acquire Virent. The acquisition, the partners said, will support the scale up and commercialization of Virent’s BioForming technology for the production of low carbon bio-based fuels and chemicals. As a result of the acquisition, Virent will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Tesoro and remain in […]

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Europe’s ethanol CEOs at the crossroads

Europe’s ethanol CEOs at the crossroads

September 5, 2016 |

By James Cogan, Special to The Digest Europe’s Big 4 ethanol CEOs (Tereos, Cristal Union, Alco Group, Crop Energies) are in a curious situation. Together with their smaller peers they produce about 6 million tonnes of the fuel commodity annually, with combined revenues of around 4 billion euro. The product gets blended into petrol accounting for 4% of […]

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Voting Opens for the 40 Hottest Emerging Companies in the Advanced Bioeconomy

Voting Opens for the 40 Hottest Emerging Companies in the Advanced Bioeconomy

September 5, 2016 |

Yes, it’s time for voting in the Hot 40. Who will be #1?  In Florida, The Digest announced the official opening of voting for the 40 Hottest Emerging Companies in the Advanced Bioeconomy. Voting Rules Voting will be open to all registered subscribers of The Digest and invited selectors; this year, votes may also be […]

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Scale-Up: What Makes the Winners Win?

Scale-Up: What Makes the Winners Win?

September 4, 2016 |

News has arrived from Quebec and we are glad to report it that BioAmber, in its Sarnia succinic acid joint venture with Mitsui & Co., has achieved the final operational milestone set out in a $20 million commercial loan that the joint venture drew down in 2015. It’s worth some detail, before the cheering: BioAmber […]

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FAA liberates drones for agriculture; PrecisionHawk advances on news

FAA liberates drones for agriculture; PrecisionHawk advances on news

September 2, 2016 |

On Monday, the Federal Aviation Administration announced the implementation of the first operational rules for commercial use of small unmanned aircraft systems or “drones”.  The provisions of the new rule – formally known as Part 107 – are designed to minimize risks to other aircraft and people and property on the ground.  Users can operate their […]

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