Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm recently helped launch the new American Process Inc. (API) waste-to-cellulosic ethanol clean energy project in Alpena. API, in partnership with San Antonio’s Valero Energy Corporation, received $4 million from the Michigan bioenergy Centers of Energy Excellence (COEE) program to establish a pilot scale biorefinery at the Decorative Panels International hardwood plant in Alpena. The $4 million …
Ethanol Co-Product Helps Increase Ag Exports
The U.S. agricultural exports picture continues to be a bright one thanks in part to more exports of the ethanol by-product dried distillers grains (DDGs). In the latest USDA report on exports, the forecast for 2010 exports was increased to $107.5 billion, up $3 billion compared to the May estimate. Almost half of that gain was in the revised estimate …
Ethanol Production and Demand Soar
Ethanol production reached an all-time high in June 2010, according to data released by the Energy Information Administration (EIA). Additionally, ethanol demand for June also hit a record level. According to the latest numbers, ethanol production in June was just over 854,000 barrels per day (b/d), or 1.08 billion gallons for the month, nearly 19 percent higher than June 2009. …
Mascoma Acquires Sunopta Bioprocess
Mascoma Corporation and SunOpta Inc. today announced the sale of SunOpta BioProcess Inc. (SBI) to Mascoma. The acquisiting brings together SBI’s fiber preparation and pretreatment technology with Mascoma’s consolidated bioprocessing technology to create a company with comprehensive capabilities for converting non-food cellulose (wood chips, energy crops and organic solid waste) into ethanol and high value co-products. Mascoma CEO Bill Brady …
SD Micro Ethanol Plant Up for Bid
A prototype micro ethanol plant in South Dakota is being auctioned this month by Maas Companies of Rochester, Minn. Maas Companies is accepting sealed bids on the Genesis Ethanol I, a 2-4 million gallon-per-year micro ethanol plant located outside of Sioux Falls in Parker, South Dakota until Friday, Sept. 24. A winning bid may be awarded at that time or …
Florida Feedstocks for Florida Biofuels Workshop
The Florida Biofuels Association, together with several other organizations and state universities, are holding a meeting this month focused on growing energy feedstocks in the Sunshine State. “Feedstocks for Florida Biofuels – A Florida Biofuels Association Town Hall Meeting” is scheduled for Friday September 17 at Florida Farm Bureau headquarters in Gainesville. The event will include an open forum to …
Ethanol Groups Dispute Petroleum Industry Claims
The American Petroleum Institute (API) is using findings of a new report to try and dissuade the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from making a decision on the use of increased levels of ethanol in gasoline anytime in the near future. The Sierra Research report commissioned by the national trade association that represents the oil industry found that “multiple regulatory and …
New Process for Sorghum Ethanol
A Cincinnati-based advanced biofuel technology company has announced the development of its next generation, sugar-based fuel ethanol process. According to AdvanceBio LLC, the process is capable of utilizing sugars derived from sugar cane, sweet sorghum, sugar beet and other similar crops as feedstock for the production of fuel ethanol and green power while generating zero liquid waste. When built in …
Ace Ethanol Scores Stimulus Funding
A Wisconsin ethanol plant is receiving nearly $600,000 in stimulus money to help with expansion plans. Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle announced $595,000 in support for Ace Ethanol to expand its operations in Stanley and retain 40 jobs. “My Administration’s top priority continues to be helping Wisconsin businesses create jobs and giving workers the opportunities to get those jobs,” Governor Doyle …
Brazil Sugarcane Ethanol Update
This year’s Brazilian sugarcane crush figures are being revised downward, but still are higher than last year at the moment. Meanwhile, ethanol production is up from last year but exports are down significantly. That’s according to the latest report from the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA). The new forecast projects that crushing will reach 570.191 million tons, 3.70% less than …