Author Archive: Jim Lane

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First PNNL joint staff appoint to foreign R&D institution aims at bioenergy

First PNNL joint staff appoint to foreign R&D institution aims at bioenergy

June 26, 2016 |

In Washington state, PNNL Scientist Alex Beliaev will receive a joint appointment to the Queensland University of Technology, the institutions advise. The Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, Australia, have collaborated on bioenergy and microbial biotechnology in the past. Now they are formalizing their relationship to […]

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European Parliament calls for improved policies for high GHG saving biofuels post-2020

European Parliament calls for improved policies for high GHG saving biofuels post-2020

June 26, 2016 |

In Belgium, the European Parliament has adopted an own-initiative report on the European Commission’s 2015 Renewable Energy Progress report. In the transport sector, which is now the single biggest emitter of GHG emissions in Europe, the Parliament notes that the target for 10% renewables by 2020 is “significantly lagging behind, partly owing to the challenges […]

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Northern Oil Advanced Biofuels to construct advanced lab in Queensland

Northern Oil Advanced Biofuels to construct advanced lab in Queensland

June 26, 2016 |

In Queensland, Southern Oil and JJ Richards & Sons, joint venture partners in the Northern Oil Refinery at Yarwun, near Gladstone, will construct  a multi-million dollar laboratory to support a Northern Oil Advanced Biofuels Pilot Plant over the next few months. The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) saidit would provide $2.37 million in funding to […]

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You can come back to life as a tree, after death, says Bios

You can come back to life as a tree, after death, says Bios

June 26, 2016 |

In Spain, Bios is having success with its 100% biodegradable “catalyst for life” urns — which fertilize a tree or plant to grow with the remains of a loved one. Nice outcome for a beloved pet, we think — a catalyst for life instead of death. Much better than toting ashes. Really, what will people […]

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Blue Marble Biomaterials Receives key food-grade safety OK

Blue Marble Biomaterials Receives key food-grade safety OK

June 26, 2016 |

In Montana, Blue Marble Biomaterials, a manufacturer of food-grade chemicals for the food and beverage ingredient market, has been certified by SCS Global Services (SCS) under the internationally recognized Safe Quality Food (SQF) standard. SQF is a multi-level food safety and quality scheme, benchmarked to the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). SQF certification is earned […]

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US ethanol production slips to 15.10 billion gallon annual rate

US ethanol production slips to 15.10 billion gallon annual rate

June 26, 2016 |

In Washington, according to EIA data as analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association, ethanol production averaged 962,000 barrels per day—or 40.40 million gallons daily. That is down 51,000 b/d from the all-time high of 1.013 million b/d the week before. The four-week average for ethanol production stood at 985,000 b/d for an annualized rate of 15.10 […]

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They ♥ DME, yeah yeah yeah: NREL, Enerkem advance BIO-DME to commercialization

They ♥ DME, yeah yeah yeah: NREL, Enerkem advance BIO-DME to commercialization

June 26, 2016 |

Poor DME. it burns like natural gas, handles like LPG, powers like diesel, and it’s as well-known as a good place for sewing machine repair in Burundi. San Diego-based Oberon Fuels has been the one consistent champion on the “what are we doing about energy security?” circuit. It’s the drop-in that gets dropped out, and […]

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Brexit: What does it mean for the advanced bioeconomy?

Brexit: What does it mean for the advanced bioeconomy?

June 24, 2016 |

In the UK, the British people voted to exit the European Union in a historic vote which was announced in the early Friday hours. Following the vote, UK Prime Minister David Cameron said he would resign, and Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said it was “highly likely” that the SNP would seek a referendum on leaving […]

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Verdezyne, CB&I, Albemarle, Dow AgroSciences, Newlight Technologies land 2016 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards

Verdezyne, CB&I, Albemarle, Dow AgroSciences, Newlight Technologies land 2016 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards

June 23, 2016 |

In Washington, the EPA announced that Verdezyne, CB&I, Albemarle, Dow AgroSciences, Newlight Technologies and Princeton Professor Paul Chirik are winners of the 2016 Presidential Green Chemistry Awards. Though less well-known than the Presidential Challenge on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition — think of it as basically the same thing, only for really tiny athletes. In this […]

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Knock on wood: why trade and brand will trump tech in the advanced bioeconomy

Knock on wood: why trade and brand will trump tech in the advanced bioeconomy

June 22, 2016 |

Adapted from remarks by Digest editor Jim Lane at the 2016 International Bioenergy Conference. Knock Knock Who’s there? Noah. Noah who? Noah good low carbon technology? Well, yes, you do. Lucky you. With all the uncertainty about the future of the world in the face of trade issues, immigration woes, energy and national security concerns, […]

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