Category: Top Stories

UPM signs Joint Development Agreement with Renmatix in biochemicals

UPM signs Joint Development Agreement with Renmatix in biochemicals

June 12, 2013 |

The Griffin strikes! Pulp & paper giant UPM taps Renmatix as partner for cost competitive sugars — as it heads for renewable chemicals. The Digest goes in-depth with UPM and Renmatix, and looks at the realm of supercritical fluids. Yesterday, news went around the industry like wildfire that UPM and Renmatix have entered into a […]

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USDA announces $98.6 million in support of advanced biofuels

USDA announces $98.6 million in support of advanced biofuels

June 12, 2013 |

In Washington, US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the availability of up to $98.6 million to support the production of advanced biofuels, and an opportunity for eligible producers to submit applications. USDA remains focused on carrying out its mission, despite a time of significant budget uncertainty. Today’s announcement is one part of the Department’s efforts […]

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Beta Renewables begins shipping cellulosic biofuels

Beta Renewables begins shipping cellulosic biofuels

June 11, 2013 |

Former “moon shot” transitions into “business as usual” Every once in a while, the Eagle really does land, and one small step for a man really does translate into one giant leap for mankind. In Italy, following the commissioning and start-up of its 20 million gallon per year cellulosic biofuels plant in Crescentino, Italy, Beta […]

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Novozymes’ new ethanol enzyme tech saves up to 5% corn, 8% energy

Novozymes’ new ethanol enzyme tech saves up to 5% corn, 8% energy

June 11, 2013 |

New enzyme cocktail boosts yields to 2.9 gallons per bushel, adds 13% yield in corn oil extraction while dropping energy usage In Missouri, Novozymes announced the launch of new enzyme technology that can increase ethanol yield from corn by up to 5%. The technology also increases corn oil extraction by 13%, while saving 8% energy. […]

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Mascoma, Lallemand’s new yeasts boost ethanol production up to 4% in trials

Mascoma, Lallemand’s new yeasts boost ethanol production up to 4% in trials

June 11, 2013 |

In Missouri, Lallemand Biofuels & Distilled Spirits and Mascoma announced the introduction of their next generation advanced yeast product, TransFerm Yield+, a bioengineered drop-in substitute for conventional fermenting yeast. In pilot-scale tests at ICM, the leading provider of engineering services to the ethanol industry, and commercial-scale trials at corn ethanol producers, TransFerm Yield+ consistently demonstrated […]

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Getting by with a little help from my friends

Getting by with a little help from my friends

June 11, 2013 |

by Mary Rosenthal Executive Director, Algae Biomass Organization What’s the secret to commercializing a new technology? Recently Jonathan Silver, the former head of the Department of Energy’s loan guarantee program, discussed how that program has an approximately 97% success rate, despite a few well-known failures. As the algae industry closes in on the launch of […]

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Gribbles — why these wood-feasting microbial Vikings might be energy stars

Gribbles — why these wood-feasting microbial Vikings might be energy stars

June 10, 2013 |

In the delicatessen known as the ocean, only one little critter brings all his own tools for breaking down wood into food. That’s why this friendless coastal raider has caught the eye of biofuels research teams. It takes a village to raise a child, as the saying goes. A village of microorganisms that is. No […]

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Cellana and Neste Oil ink key offtake pact for algae biofuels

Cellana and Neste Oil ink key offtake pact for algae biofuels

June 7, 2013 |

Making Gold from Green? A multi-year deal between Neste Oil and Cellana may point to the future of commercializing algae biofuels. Will the hybrid product, hybrid technology route be a winner? In California, Cellana announced that it has entered into a multi-year, non-exclusive, off-take agreement with Neste Oil for commercial-scale quantities of Cellana’s ReNew Fuel algae […]

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We Came in Peace: The Renewable Fuel Standard and the spirit of innovation

We Came in Peace: The Renewable Fuel Standard and the spirit of innovation

June 6, 2013 |

Should the Renewable Fuel Standard be saved? Depends on the scenario you believe in. The charts tell the tale. If you happened to be a wide-eyed 6-year old in the fall of 1969, as I was, you might have received a copy of a book published and distributed by Gulf Oil called “We Came in […]

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Fly the (environmentally) friendly skies: United to commence wide-scale aviation biofuels flights in 2014

Fly the (environmentally) friendly skies: United to commence wide-scale aviation biofuels flights in 2014

June 5, 2013 |

Airline to buy 15 million gallons of drop-in, cost-competitive, sustainable aviation biofuel from AltAir — for flights departing LAX AltAir Fuels’ renewable jet fuel expected to achieve at least a 50 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions on a lifecycle basis In Illinois, United Airlines executed a definitive purchase agreement with AltAir Fuels, and has […]

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