KSU Research Could Lead to Pig Poop-Powered Planes

Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

Pigs may not be able to fly, but their poop could help power planes in the future as a Kansas State University engineer is researching the production of aviation fuel precursors from swine waste.

The project focuses on anaerobic membrane reactors, or AnMBRs, as a viable platform to recover and valorize swine waste streams through co-fermentation into short- and medium-chain organic acids, which ultimately can be transformed into synthetic aviation fuel.

Prathap Parameswaran, recipient of the Fornelli Engineering Professorship and associate professor of civil engineering in K-State’s Carl R. Ice College of Engineering, received a more than $600,000 grant from BioMADE, a Manufacturing Innovation Institute sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense. Parameswaran will collaborate on the project with Iowa State University, which is leading the project, and Quasar Energy Group.

“Our role in this project is to validate the use of anaerobic membrane reactors as a platform for transforming these waste products, including fats, oils and greases, into biomanufactured aviation fuel precursors,” Parameswaran said. “We are essentially running pilot-scale production of this novel technology, while conducting the vital research and development to validate its versatility and scalability.”

The fuel precursors being created by Parameswaran’s team will be separated and purified before being transformed into synthetic aviation fuel by ketonization and hydrodeoxygenation processes.

“Synthetic aviation fuels are a strategic resource for the U.S. Department of Defense,” Parameswaran said. “While there are other ways to turn waste into fuel, many rely on federal incentives or are inefficient. Use of anaerobic membrane reactors shows real potential as a promising platform, it just needs to be piloted effectively.”

Read more from KSU.

aviation biofuels, SAF

U.S. Ethanol Industry Provides Expertise to Southeast Asia

Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

RFA’s Cassie Mullen (far right) with U.S. Grains Council trip to Vietnam and the Philippines.

Members of the ethanol industry recently joined the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) on a strategic mission to Southeast Asia (SEA) to provide support for ethanol policy and technical advancement in Vietnam and the Philippines.

The delegation included Renewable Fuels Association Director of Market Development Cassie Mullen who joined government officials, oil companies and local industry leaders for two technical fuel workshops in Ho Chi Minh City and Manila. The workshops are part of the U.S. ethanol industry’s broader strategy to provide technical support, foster policy development and reinforce ethanol’s role in clean transportation and energy diversification across the region.

In Vietnam, the U.S. delegation partnered with the Vietnam Petroleum Association (VINPA) to attract more than 120 delegates for a day-long session on best practices in retail infrastructure, fuel dispensing technology, ethanol supply chain integrity and consumer sentiment. Presentations by U.S., Vietnamese and Singaporean experts provided evidence that higher ethanol blends such as E10 are compatible with current infrastructure and consumer vehicles, especially motorcycles, which dominate Vietnam’s transport fleet.

The delegation then traveled to Manila for the Philippines E20 Retail Fuel Workshop convening roughly 100 fuel retailers, technical advisors, policymakers and downstream fuel industry players to address implementation strategies for the E20 discretionary policy promulgated in 2024 that allows for the sale of E20 gasoline alongside the existing E10 mandate.

The workshop solidified the U.S. ethanol industry’s technical leadership role in supporting fuel policy evolution and reinforced the local industry’s growing confidence in the long-term feasibility of E20 fuel blends.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Exports, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA, technology, USGC

Ethanol Report on EPA RVO Proposal and SCOTUS Ruling

Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

The ethanol industry is welcoming two major wins in the past week – EPA’s release of proposed renewable volume obligations (RVOs) for 2026 and 2027 and the Supreme Court ruling that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit is the proper venue for legal challenges to small refinery exemption (SRE) decisions.

In this edition of “The Ethanol Report” podcast, Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper provides details on both actions and explains how they help provide more certainty for ethanol producers going forward.

Ethanol Report 6-19-25 21:00

The Ethanol Report is a podcast about the latest news and information in the ethanol industry that has been sponsored by the Renewable Fuels Association since 2008.

Choose an option to subscribe

Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Ethanol Report, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

Supreme Court Rules on Small Refinery Exemptions Case

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The U.S. Supreme Court today issued its opinion that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit is the proper venue for legal challenges to small refinery exemption (SRE) decisions.

The Renewable Fuels Association and Growth Energy presented oral arguments to the Supreme Court regarding the case on EPA’s behalf and urging the court to reject the argument by refineries that would allow them to “forum shop” for more favorable venues to challenge recent SRE denials despite clear direction from Congress that those decisions should be adjudicated in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.

In a joint statement, the ethanol groups said the decision is a “victory for the American biofuels industry and for the rural communities that depend on a strong Renewable Fuel Standard.”

The Court agreed with our argument that the D.C. Circuit is the only appropriate venue for litigation on EPA’s small refinery exemption decisions. Because the Renewable Fuel Standard is a national program and SREs have nationwide impacts, any challenges to SRE decisions belong squarely in the D.C. Circuit. Allowing 12 different Circuit Courts to adjudicate SREs would result in a fractured and inconsistent body of law, causing chaos and confusion in the marketplace. The court’s opinion today gives farmers and ethanol producers much greater certainty about SRE litigation under the Renewable Fuel Standard, which continues to be one of the nation’s most successful clean energy programs.

EPA, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

Senate Foreign Feedstocks Credit Concerns Soybean Growers

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Soybean farmers are concerned with changes made by the Senate Finance Committee in the House-passed Section 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit language that would allow foreign biofuel feedstocks to qualify for the credit.

The American Soybean Association expressed disappointment in the text that removes a key provision to prevent foreign feedstocks from benefiting from U.S. taxpayer dollars.

“The Senate 45Z proposal turns its back on the Trump Administration’s farmer-first American energy dominance agenda, which was highlighted through EPA’s strong renewable volume obligations proposal that U.S. agriculture applauded,” said Caleb Ragland, American Soybean Association President and farmer from Magnolia, Kentucky. “RVOs and the 45Z tax credit should be seeking to achieve the same goals for U.S. farmers and domestic biofuel production, and instead the Senate budget reconciliation language seeks to provide U.S. taxpayer dollars to foreign feedstock competitors at the expense of soybean farmers.”

ASA applauded the inclusion of key 45Z revisions in the House-passed budget reconciliation that will support U.S. farmers and expand market opportunities domestically. For years, soybean farmers have watched used cooking oil and tallow imports take U.S. biofuel market share from soy because of policy incentives that did not promote a fully domestic value chain for biofuels. Both the House of Representatives and the EPA have sought to change course and promote farm-first energy policies, and ASA urges the Senate to follow suit as it continues to negotiate a budget reconciliation package.

ASA, aviation biofuels, Biodiesel, SAF, Soybeans

Whitefox Technologies Marks 25th Anniversary

Cindy Zimmerman

Whitefox CEO Gillian Harrison (center) received the 2025 Women in Ethanol Award

Whitefox Technologies celebrated its 25th anniversary last week at the 2025 Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo and honored their customers as the industry honored its CEO.

Gillian Harrison, CEO of Whitefox Technologies, received the 2025 Women in Ethanol Award for her visionary leadership in expanding Whitefox from a startup into a key player in the global ethanol market. “It’s a tremendous honor to receive this recognition from peers I deeply respect in a category with so many amazing women,” said Harrison. “This award belongs to our entire team, our partners, and the customers who continue to push boundaries with us.”

During a Customer Appreciation Event at FEW, Whitefox recognized those whose commitment to innovation made their anniversary possible, including:
• BGW – first ICE for sole membrane dehydration plant
• Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company – longest running cartridges in the US
• E Energy Adams – first ICM plant
• Kansas Ethanol – first ICE Flex plant
• Pine Lake Corn Processors – first plant in the US
• Redfield Energy – first ICE Plus
• Western Plains Energy – first ICE XL

Since its founding in 2000, Whitefox has been installed in 19 plants across 7 countries producing around 1 billion gallons of ethanol to date and saving the equivalent in carbon emissions to planting eight million trees.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, FEW

Clean Fuels Updates BQ-9000 Website

Cindy Zimmerman

Clean Fuels Alliance America recently unveiled a redesigned BQ-9000® website to better showcases the value of biodiesel quality assurance and the benefits of certification through the industry’s gold standard program.

Administered by the National Biodiesel Accreditation Commission and supported by Clean Fuels, the BQ-9000 program combines ASTM fuel standards with best practices for production, storage, handling, and distribution. The revamped website offers easy access to accreditation status for biodiesel producers, marketers, and laboratories, helping fuel buyers and fleets make informed, confident choices.

“In today’s competitive energy environment, trust and performance are everything,” said Scott Fenwick, Technical Director at Clean Fuels. “BQ-9000 accreditation is more than a label—it’s a mark of quality that leading engine manufacturers, fleets and fuel suppliers depend on.”

The new website includes a searchable directory of BQ-9000-accredited companies, downloadable certificates for each accredited facility, resources for fuel marketers and OEMs on how BQ-9000 supports engine performance and warranty compliance, and information on how to apply for accreditation.

Click here to check out the new website

Biodiesel, Clean Fuels Alliance

Industry Welcomes New Renewable Fuel Standards

Cindy Zimmerman

The renewable fuels industry welcomed new Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volume requirements for 2026 and 2027 announced by the Environmental Protection Agency on Friday.

EPA proposal includes a total Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) of 24.02 billion gallons (bg) for 2026, including 15 bg for conventional renewable fuels like corn ethanol and 9.02 bg for advanced biofuels, with 5.61 bg of biomass-based diesel and 1.3 bg of cellulosic biofuel. For 2027, the total proposed RVO is 24.46 bg, of which 15 bg is conventional renewable fuel and 9.46 is advanced biofuel. In addition, EPA is proposing lower RIN values for imported fuels to ensure that U.S.-produced renewable fuels are prioritized under the RFS.

“We are creating a new system that benefits American farmers while mitigating the impact on gas prices and ensuring the continued existence of liquid fuels,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. “We can no longer afford to continue with the same system where Americans pay for foreign competitors.”

“President Trump recognizes how important the Renewable Fuel Standard is for American corn and soybean farmers. This move by Administrator Zeldin is the boldest proposal ever and will provide certainty in a much-needed market for our producers while delivering lower prices at the pump for consumers. USDA and EPA have never been more aligned on the need for more American grown biofuels. This is the highest ever Renewable Volume Obligation and it sends a strong signal to the U.S. biofuels industry that President Trump has their backs and gives them the incentive to invest in American products for American consumers and to export around the world. America’s national security depends on our energy security, and biofuels are a crucial asset that brings more jobs and helps farmers in rural America,” said Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. “As the Trump Administration expands the domestic market for biofuels, at USDA we are working to break down tariff and non-tariff barriers for our American grown biofuels. President Trump’s landmark deal with the U.K. secured zero tariff access for over $700 million in ethanol exports. Not only can we be energy independent, we are unleashing American energy dominance abroad.”

Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper calls EPA’s draft rule a “very positive signal” for America’s ethanol industry and farmers. “This proposal sends a very positive and powerful signal to U.S. renewable fuel producers and farmers. It represents an excellent starting point for the 2026 and 2027 RVO discussion,” Cooper said. “We look forward to providing more feedback to EPA on the proposed volumes during the public comment period, and we’ll continue to underscore the vital importance of a strong RFS to America’s rural communities.” Cooper also noted that while the proposed rule does not specifically address 169 pending small refinery exemption (SRE) petitions, it includes a commitment from EPA to reallocate any SREs that may be granted in future actions.

American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings said,”While we’re encouraged the Agency has indicated it intends to move quickly toward finalizing the 2026-2027 RVOs, ACE will continue urging EPA to use its statutory authority to ensure conventional biofuel volumes are well above 15-billion gallons to support a growing U.S. ethanol industry,” said Jennings. “Our forthcoming comments will also emphasize the importance of projecting and reallocating small refinery exemptions (SREs) to provide greater certainty and uphold the integrity of the RFS program, as well as stress the need for EPA to adopt the most current GREET model for accurately accounting lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions — emissions that continue to trend lower for ethanol.”

Clean Fuels Alliance America, which represents producers of biodiesel, renewable diesel, and sustainable aviation fuel, was especially pleased with the EPA proposal.

“The industry has made major investments in domestic production capacity and feedstocks to meet America’s energy needs and provide consumers affordable, cleaner fuels. We anticipate this will have a tremendous beneficial impact for American farmers and agricultural communities and we look forward to working with President Trump and EPA Administrator Zeldin to finalize this rule and fully unleash U.S. clean fuel producers,” said Kurt Kovarik, Clean Fuels’ Vice President of Federal Affairs. “Our industry supplied more than 5 billion gallons of biodiesel, renewable diesel and SAF to the U.S. market in 2024, and is poised to deliver more in 2026. The U.S. biomass-based diesel industry supports 107,400 jobs and generates $42.4 billion in economic activity. Continued market growth and stability through the RFS will enable more economic opportunities, create more jobs, and revitalize America’s agricultural sector.”

ACE, advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, biofuels, Clean Fuels Alliance, EPA, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA, SAF

Chevron Opens Tech Center to Drive Innovation in Future Fuels

Cindy Zimmerman

Completion of Chevron’s new Ames Technology Center was celebrated with a ribbon cutting on June 10

Chevron Corporation celebrated the grand opening of the Ames Technology Center this week on the Chevron Renewable Energy Group (CREG) Campus.

The 45,000 square foot facility will expand the company’s lower carbon fuels technology development and advanced technical support capabilities by adding new analytical laboratory and R&D space, along with new offices.

“It’s inspiring to see so many people from all corners of the Iowa innovation ecosystem – industry, academia, government – join us as we demonstrate how the Ames Technology Center will help lead Chevron into the future with innovation,” said Jim Gable, Vice President, Innovation and President of Technology Ventures at Chevron. “The capabilities we advance here will be applied to other parts of Chevron in the renewable energy space and could be deployed at some of our biorefineries across the globe.”

Chevron operates nine biorefineries around the world, including two in Iowa, and is pursuing opportunities that generate a competitive return in biodiesel, renewable diesel, sustainable aviation fuel, renewable natural gas and other biofuels. To rapidly scale and commercialize these products, Chevron is advancing new catalytic technologies, partnering to develop lower carbon feedstocks, and leveraging its world-class fuel production expertise at existing facilities.

aviation biofuels, Biodiesel, biofuels

Land Use Change Study Author Moves to MSU

Cindy Zimmerman

Tyler Lark

The author of a 2022 land use change study out of the University of Wisconsin-Madison that caused negative headlines for the ethanol industry is moving to Michigan.

Tyler Lark will join the Michigan State University Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences in August as an assistant professor after spending the last six years as a scientist in the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s (UW-Madison) Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment.

At UW-Madison, Lark led research on U.S. agricultural land use change and its impacts on the nation’s land and water resources, including the 2022 study claiming the Renewable Fuel Standard increased corn prices by 30% and increased corn acreage by 8.7% between 2008 and 2016. The report was immediately refuted by the ethanol industry as being based on “a series of worst-case assumptions, cherry-picked data, and disparate results from previously debunked studies to create a completely fictional and erroneous account of the environmental impacts of the Renewable Fuel Standard,” and was debunked by the Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory.

The UW-Madison study was still being used last year by the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) in its lawsuit challenging EPA’s 2023-2025 Renewable Fuel Standard volumes. At the same time, Lark published another study on land use change that actually contradicted the previous one and showed that between 1986 and 2018 more than 30 million acres of U.S. cropland were abandoned and transitioned into grassland/permanent pasture, forest, shrubland, wetlands, urban areas, and other uses.

At MSU, Lark’s position is one of six new faculty roles hired through the Agricultural Resiliency Program, a partnership among MSU, the Michigan Plant Coalition, and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. The program, which is administered by MSU AgBioResearch and MSU Extension, was established in 2024 to address long-term plant agriculture issues related to extreme weather and water.

biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFS