Analysis: Biodiesel Still Profitable Despite Price Drop

John Davis

Biodiesel producers remain profitable despite a recent drop in prices for the green fuel. An analysis from Scott Irwin and Darrel Good with the University of Illinois shows that several factors, including an uncertain future of federal tax credits and a drop in soybean oil prices. There are likely two explanations for the current spike [in profits]. First, diesel blenders …

Biodiesel, Research

Feds Go After Biodisel Owner for Securities Fraud

John Davis

On the heels of yesterday’s story about the federal government going after a Renewable Identification Number (RIN) defrauder, it looks like the Securities and Exchange Commission is now going after a biodiesel company owner for a different crime. Biodiesel Magazine reports Paul Marshall, Executive Director of FOGFuels Inc., has been charged with breaking federal securities laws for misappropriating client funds. …

Biodiesel

Biodiesel Bumps Up Soybean Demand, Value

John Davis

The longtime and still primary feedstock for biodiesel has received a bump up in its demand and value. Figures from the United Soybean Board show that in order to meet this year’s federal requirement of 1.28 billion gallons of the green fuel this year, it will take 9 billion pounds of vegetable oils and animal fats, with a majority, at …

Biodiesel, Soybeans, USB

Biodiesel’s Turn on the New York Catwalk

John Davis

Models are known for strutting their stuff on the catwalks of New York’s Fashion Week, but a pretty green model (no, not jealous) made its way into the limelight: biodiesel. Biodiesel Magazine reports as supermodels strutted down runways, those catwalks were lit up by lights powered by B20. Dehran Duckworth, a managing partner at Tri-State Biodiesel, said this was the …

Biodiesel

Feds Bust Biodiesel RIN Frauder

John Davis

Federal charges against a company accused of biodiesel Renewable Identification Number (RIN) looks to stop fraud of the green fuel’s federal program. Biodiesel Magazine reports the government is charging an Indiana biodiesel firm with 88 counts of conspiracy, wire fraud, false tax claims, false statements under the Clean Air Act, obstruction of justice, money laundering and securities fraud, for an …

Biodiesel, NBB, RINS

Next-Gen Scientists to Attend Biodiesel Conference

John Davis

The next-generation of scientists to advance biodiesel will get to network and look beyond the classrooms for educational opportunities. Thanks to donations from state soybean organizations and the United Soybean Board (USB), the National Biodiesel Board announced some selected students, such as Dan Browne from Texas A&M University, will get to attend the NBB’s Conference & Expo this January. Browne …

Biodiesel, NBB

August EPA Biodiesel Numbers Show Record Pace

John Davis

New numbers show biodiesel production already at nearly 1 billion gallons for the year, and with four months left in the year, it should easily go over the billion-gallon mark, a goal hit in each of the past two years. The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) says the EPA shows 148 million gallons of biodiesel production for the month of August, …

Biodiesel, Government

Castor-Seed-to-Biodiesel Trials Successful

John Davis

An Israel-based company has completed three years of field trials turning the oil from castor seeds into a biodiesel feedstock and other uses. Evogene Ltd. announced its wholly owned subsidiary, Evofuel Ltd., finished the testing in Brazil: The field trials, which were conducted in cooperation with SLC Agrícola S.A., one of Brazil’s largest landowners and leading agriculture businesses, demonstrated strong …

Biodiesel, International

Biodiesel Maker & User Receive Breathe Easy Award

John Davis

A company that makes biodiesel and its customer that uses its green fuel are honored with a “Breathe Easy” award. Biodiesel Magazine reports Maine Standard Biofuels, which makes biodiesel from used restaurant oil, and Oakhurst, northern New England’s largest independent, family-owned dairy, received a Breathe Easy Leadership Honorable Mention Award from the Northeast Diesel Collaborative, recognizing their seven-year partnership. [T]his …

Biodiesel

Reducing Wildfires and Making Biodiesel

John Davis

A project designed to cut back on wildfires in northern Arizona’s forests will also result in the green fuel biodiesel being produced. This story from the Mojave Valley Daily News says the project looks to thin 300,000 acres in four forests over 10 years with the harvested trees to go into biodiesel production, among other products. Pioneer Forest Products was …

Biodiesel