The future of using corn stover for advanced biofuels was one of the discussion topics at last week’s Corn Utilization Technology Conference in Indianapolis. Nathan Mosier with the Department of Agricultural & Biological Engineering at Purdue University, told the conference that the corn refining industry has done a great job of using the corn kernel to create various value-added products. …
USDA Increases Ethanol Usage Number
The latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) are bumping up the use of corn for ethanol in the 2011-12 marketing year. According to the June 12 report, the 50 million bushels adjustment upward to corn usage for 2011/12 reflects the latest ethanol production and trade data. “Weekly ethanol production has increased since mid-April after gradually declining from the …
Ethanol Safety Training in Iowa
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), CN Railway and the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association are co-hosting two Ethanol Safety Seminars in Iowa this week. The Dubuque, IA seminar will be held Wednesday at the Dubuque County Emergency Responder Training Facility, also co-hosted by Big River United Energy. The Waterloo, IA seminar will be held Thursday at the Hawkeye Community College, also …
US Ethanol Exports Trending Lower
Last year was a huge year for exports of U.S. ethanol and co-products, but so far this year it appears unlikely exports will reach that same high level. U.S. ethanol exports in 2011 totaled 1.2 billion gallons. As of April, exports stood at just under 309 million gallons, which would bring this year’s total to under a billion gallons if …
American Ethanol Sweepstakes Launched
NASCAR Official Partner American Ethanol has announced a new campaign to grow more awareness among NASCAR fans about the benefits of American Ethanol. The “American Ethanol Sweepstakes” includes a national promotion from June 8 through August 31, paid media with Turner Sports for NASCAR on TNT and NASCAR.com, race entitlement sponsorships at Iowa Speedway and Chicagoland Speedway, and experiential activation …
Ethanol Plants Install ICM Selective Milling Technology
ICM, Inc. has completed full-scale commercial installations of its new Selective Milling Technology™ (SMT) at four ethanol plants. The plants that have installed the technology are LifeLine Foods LLC, Kansas Ethanol LLC, Green Plains Shenandoah, LLC and Lincolnland Agri-Energy LLC. Formerly known as Fine Grind Technology, ICM is unveiling its new product name of Selective Milling Technology™, because it more …
Vote to Cut Military Biofuels Disappoints Ag Secretary
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack is “disappointed” in recent Congressional action that would cut the use of biofuels by the military. “We are extremely disappointed in that vote because I think it fails to recognize and appreciate the enormous potential of this industry to revitalize the rural economy,” said Vilsack during a conference call today when asked specifically about a …
SLIP Plate Offers Wide Range of Products
A 95-year-old graphite company is reaching out to let more industries know about the advantages of their dry film lubricants. SLIP Plate is a Superior Graphite product that was developed in 1975 for the railroad industry as a natural lubricant that would stand up to weather and other environmental conditions. The dry film coating was not affected by temperature extremes, …
Novozymes Nebraska Enzyme Plant Opens
Advanced biofuels took a $200 million step forward on the march toward commercialization Wednesday with the official opening of Novozymes’ enzyme plant in Blair, Nebraska. The inauguration of Novozymes’ new Blair facility was celebrated with employees, customers, community leaders and government officials, including the governor of Nebraska, Dave Heineman, U.S. Department of Energy Senior Advisor Jason Walsh and Blair Mayor …
Senator Visits Michigan Cellulosic Ethanol Facility
Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) highlighted the benefits of next-generation biofuels during a tour of the Alpena Biorefinery in the northern part of her state. “This innovative partnership is producing Michigan-grown fuel that has the potential to spur new job growth and help reduce our dependence on foreign oil,” said Stabenow, who chairs the Senate Agriculture Committee which just sent a …