German-based Evonik Industries opened a new biodiesel catalyst production plant in Argentina. This company news release says Evonik hopes to take advantage of what it sees as a growing South American market. “As one of the world’s leading providers of biodiesel-production catalysts, we wish to continue consolidating and expanding our position,” [Patrik Wohlhauser, the member of the Evonik Executive Board …
Biodiesel Supply Curve Key to RIN Price Structure
A new analysis from the University of Illinois shows that the biodiesel supply curve is key to the the price of Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs). Building on earlier work that showed that biodiesel production responds positively to profitability, Scott Irwin presents a new analysis to show the relationship between the biodiesel supply curve and the RIN prices. The estimated supply …
Tax Incentives Up Chinese Biodiesel Imports
Tax and trade incentives are fueling a surge in China’s biodiesel imports. This article from Reuters says the world’s second-largest oil consumer is using the green fuel to replace petroleum-based diesel. Top state refiners Sinopec Corp and PetroChina are already expected to boost shipments of the fuel after Beijing approved large export quotas for the fourth quarter… Imports of diesel …
Sustainable Certification for Biodiesel Feedstock Co.
A Spanish company dealing with the biodiesel feedstock camelina has earned an important sustainability certification. This article from BioFuels Journal says Camelina Company España (CCE) picked up the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials’ (RSB) certification for its work to make fuel and chemicals from camelina. RSB’s sustainability certification covers Camelina Company’s office in Madrid, over 150 farmers in the regions of …
European Researchers Look to Turn Algae to Biofuel
University researchers in Europe are looking at ways to turn algae into biofuels, including biodiesel. This article from the BBC says Swansea University is teaming up with scientists in seven other European countries to find the best way of turning it into fuel. “The big driver behind the research for algae is the consideration about what we’re doing to our …
Sugar-Based Catalyst Could Help Brew Biodiesel
One of the knocks about trying to turn fatty wastes into biodiesel is the use of sulfuric acid to aid in the esterification process to remove the free fatty acids (FFAs) that appear in high quantities in low quality oils. But researchers at Wake Forest and Virginia Tech universities have found a sugar-based alternative to sulfuric acid to improve the …
EU Ends Probe Over Biodiesel Imports
The European Union’s anti-subsidy probe over some foreign biodiesel is ending. Reuters reports the original complaint from the European Biodiesel Board (EBB) about unfair subsidizing of biodiesel imports from Argentina and Indonesia is being dropped. “In accordance with article 14 (1) of the basic regulation the proceeding may be terminated where the complaint is withdrawn, unless such termination may not …
DF Cast: A More Reliable Solar Investment Way
Investing in renewable energy, particularly solar, hasn’t always been an easy proposition. The biggest stumbling block is the way you have to invest in a company and all the baggage that comes with that company. But Oakland, Calif.-based Mosaic, America’s first online marketplace to offer solar investments to the public, believes there’s a better way, allowing investors to invest in …
Biodiesel Making Significant Contributions to RFS
A new report shows that biodiesel is leading the advanced biofuels pack when it comes to contributions to the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). GlobalData says U.S. biodiesel production is on target to produce more than the 1.28 billion gallons set under the RFS for this year, making it the first Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-designated advanced biofuel, and outpacing other advanced …
Proponents Wonder Why Can’t Biodiesel Fulfill RFS
A hat tip to my friend Jessica Robinson over at the National Biodiesel Board for pointing out this great article from Biofuels Digest. As the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed lower targets for the 2014 Renewable Fuel Standard, proponents of biodiesel are wondering why their green fuel is targeted a 20 percent reduction. Let’s review the background on …