The president of biofuel enzyme producer Novozymes last week called on a House subcommittee to explore alternatives to drilling for oil to meet the country’s energy needs. In a written statement prepared for the House Committee on Natural Resources’ Subcommittee On Energy and Mineral Resources, Adam Monroe encouraged the committee “to explore renewable fuels: new technology and innovation already making …
AE Biofuels Changes Name to Aemetis
AE Biofuels has a new name to better reflect the company’s business strategy. The industrial biotechnology company which produces renewable chemicals and advanced fuels using patented microbes and processes became Aemetis, Inc. as of November 15. In June 2011, AE Biofuels acquired Zymetis, Inc., a Maryland industrial biotechnology company. The name Aemetis was derived from “AE” which means “The One” …
OriginOil Announces Algae Appliance
During the 4th Algae World Asia conference in Beijing, China, OriginOil announced it’s newest algae extraction technology – Algae Appliance. This entry-level commercial algae harvesting system was designed to help producers process algae at a low cost and without chemicals. Algae Appliance is set for release in the first half of 2012 and is a continuous flow ‘wet harvest’ system …
DuPont Renames Cellulosic Ethanol Business
DuPont Danisco Cellulosic Ethanol LLC (DDCE) is now DuPont Cellulosic Ethanol. In addition to the shorter name, the company has a new leadership team for the business. Steven J. Mirshak has been named business director, DuPont Cellulosic Ethanol. He was most recently the president of DuPont Tate and Lyle Bio Products, a joint venture between DuPont and Tate and Lyle …
Cellulosic Ethanol Still Needs to Get Cheaper
A cost comparison study between corn based and cellulosic ethanol has found that corn is still the cheapest way to make the alternative fuel. The study, published in the international journal Biofuels, Bioproducts & Biorefining, concludes that “the production of ethanol from lignocellulose-rich materials such as wood residues, waste paper, used cardboard and straw cannot yet be achieved at the …
First Commercial Flight Made on Advanced Biofuel
The friendly skies of United Airlines are now friendlier for the environment as subsidiary Continental flew the first commercial flight on advanced biofuel yesterday. “United is taking a significant step forward to advance the use of environmentally responsible and cost-efficient alternative fuels,” said Pete McDonald, United’s executive vice president and chief operations officer. “Sustainable biofuels, produced on a large scale …
Ethanol Industry Left Out of Hearing Again
The House Committee on Science, Space and Technology’s Subcommittee on Energy and Environment is holding a hearing today on “Conflicts and Unintended Consequences of Motor Fuel Standards” with a witness list that the ethanol industry claims is biased against biofuels. “This is the second time this year that this subcommittee has held a hearing on ethanol without bothering to include …
Contract Awarded for Florida Waste to Fuel Plant
Vogelbusch USA has been awarded a contract to supply the ethanol distillation and dehydration equipment for the INEOS Bio waste-to-bioenergy facility near Vero Beach, Florida. “We chose Vogelbusch’s distillation and dehydration systems for their proven capabilities, which are vital as we commercialize our advanced bioenergy technology,” said Mark Niederschulte, COO of INEOS Bio. “Our project is on schedule, and we …
College Seeks Bioenergy Program
A community college in Florida is seeking a grant to start a bioenergy education program. Highlands Today reports that South Florida Community College (SFCC) in Avon Park is working with biofuels companies in the region on the effort to create a program that will prepare individuals to enter the field of advanced biofuels production. The main industry partners are BP …
USDA Announces More Funding for Advanced Biofuels
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced $44.6 million in payments for 156 advanced biofuel producers across the country to support the production and expansion of advanced biofuels. “This funding will help local producers increase the production and availability of renewable energy and thus help our nation begin to reduce its reliance on foreign oil,” Vilsack said. “Just as importantly, USDA’s …