The Renewable Energy Group, Inc. has finalized its acquisition of Sanimax Energy’s biodiesel plant in DeForest, Wisconsin. The 20 million gallon per year facility, now called REG Madison, LLC, is now REG’s 11 active biodiesel plant in the U.S. and brings their annual production to 450 million gallons. REG paid Sanimax $11 million in cash and issued 500,000 shares of …
BioEnergy Bytes
U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Under Secretary for Science and Energy, Dr. Franklin Orr, joined Mayor Michael Hancock to announce Denver as the host city for the next U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon competition in the fall of 2017. Dr. Orr revealed that Denver won the bid to host this biennial event, in which student teams compete to design, …
Iowa Retailer Interest in Biofuels Grows
A recent meeting of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Board concluded by approving 68 infrastructure projects for a total of $3.2 million in state grants. The funds are to assist retailers in adding the infrastructure needed to offer higher blends of ethanol including E15 and biodiesel. “Thanks to sound, forward-thinking state policy, many Iowans will soon have greater access to …
Growth Thanks Farmers on National Ag Day
Today is National Ag Day, a day to thanks farmers for what they do for America. Tom Buis, co-chair of Growth Energy made a statement today in celebration of the food, feed and fuel that American farmers provide the world. “American farmers are to be admired. They are stewards of the land who ensure sustainability for future generations. They are …
E15 Takes Missouri
E15 has made its debut in the Show-Me State at two Kum & Go locations in Springfield, Missouri. The fuel is a blend of 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline and can be used on cars and light duty vehicles 2001 and newer. “The availability of E15 is great news for Missouri drivers,” said Missouri Corn Growers Association President …
U of Florida Researchers Tout Algae Breakthrough
Researchers at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) may have broken the code on better algae-based biofuels. Bala Rathinasabapathi, a UF/IFAS professor of horticultural sciences, said they have identified a “transcription factor” called ROC40 that controls the expression of many genes inside algae. He likens this process to a policeman controlling a large crowd. While …
United Airlines Takes Biofuels to New Heights
Aviation history has been made. United Airlines has become the first U.S. airline to begin regularly flying with sustainable aviation biofuel. The first flight (708) will take off from Los Angelos International Airport (LAX). As part of this new business initiative, United will purchase up to 15 million gallons of biojet fuel from AltAir Paramount over three years. AltAir is …
Math Path to Ideal Algae Biorefineries
A joint research team from the Chemical and Biological Sciences Department, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, and the Chemical Engineering Department of Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, both located in Mexico, have discovered a way to produce biofuels from algae that also removes CO2 emissions from the environment. The findings were published in a recent edition of Industrial & …
The Truth Behind Marine Engines & Ethanol
In response to a recent misleading piece in BoatUS, which warned of marine engine damage due to ethanol, Keith Holmes, President and Owner of CK Motorsports, a certified Mercury Marine Engine & Racing service dealer, wrote a response that we thought worth sharing with our readers. The Truth Behind Marine Engines and Ethanol by Keith Holmes, President & Owner of …
BIODEX-SA Earns RSB Certification
Tunisia-based BIODEX-SA has earned the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) certification for its production of biodiesel. The African company collects waste oils, coverts them into biodiesel, and sells the renewable fuel to the European market. RSB’s Executive Director, Rolf Hogan said, “We are delighted to add Biodex to the RSB certified companies already producing biofuel in Africa. We welcome their …