Investigation Underway in Kansas Biodiesel Plant Fire

John Davis

Fire destroyed a Kansas biodiesel plant, but thanks to quick work by firefighters on the scene, no injuries were reported. The Wichita Eagle reports the fire at the Green Energy Products plant in Sedgwick was particularly dangerous as fire crews from five jurisdictions faced possible burning biodiesel, corn oil and methanol. Some cylinders and other vessels exploded initially, Sedgwick County …

Biodiesel

Biodiesel Maker REG Posts Strongest Quarter Ever

John Davis

Things are looking up for biodiesel producer Renewable Energy Group. The Iowa-based company says it sold 69.2 million gallons of biodiesel during the second quarter this year, up 28 percent from the same time a year ago. Revenues also increased 42 percent from a year ago, hitting $387.1 million and an adjusted EBITDA of $41.6 million during the second quarter …

Biodiesel, REG

Pleasant Valley Biofuels Opens UT Biodiesel Refinery

John Davis

The folks in Southern Utah enjoy some of the most stunning views I have ever seen. Now, thanks to a new biodiesel plant in the area, the air might just be a little cleaner and clearer to see those sights all the better. The St. George (UT) Spectrum reports Pleasant Valley Biofuels in Washington City, Utah, will be able possibly …

Biodiesel

Malaysia Starts Biodiesel Mandate, Looks for More

John Davis

Building on the success of a biodiesel mandate in the central part of the nation, Malaysia is starting a 5 percent biodiesel mandate in the southern part as well. And this article from Biodiesel Magazine says the Southeast Asian country could be looking to expand that requirement even more. [Malaysian Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities] says implementation of the …

Biodiesel, International

Researchers Look to Remove Algae for Biofuel

John Davis

One of the scourges of lakes during summertime is an algae bloom. While some algae serves as an important part of the food chain, other varieties can become too plentiful and kill off large amounts of wild fish. Researchers from the University of Buffalo are looking at ways to remove that slimy, green mess and turn it into useful materials, …

algae, biofuels

Offers Made to Buy Biodiesel Maker Syntroleum

John Davis

Someone is interested in the biodiesel making efforts of Syntroleum. The Tulsa-based company is in a joint venture with food giant Tyson Foods to make biodiesel from animal fats, and according to the Tulsa World, that has got the attention of some unnamed third parties looking to buy the company, assets or patents: A news release from Tulsa-based Syntroleum indicated …

Biodiesel

Alaska and Hawaii Combine for Biodiesel Deal

John Davis

Companies from numbers 49 and 50 (in the state-numbering race) are combining forces to provide biodiesel for aircraft. Alaska Airlines and Hawai`i BioEnergy LLC announced an agreement to provide biodiesel for the airline starting as soon as 2018. “We are pleased to be partnering with Hawai`i BioEnergy to encourage the production and commercial distribution of sustainable fuels,” said Keith Loveless, …

Biodiesel

REG to Offer Biodiesel at New York Harbor

John Davis

Biodiesel giant Renewable Energy Group (REG) will soon offer the green fuel in New York Harbor. The deal was struck for the International-Matex Tank Terminals (IMTT) in Bayonne, N.J., one of the world’s largest petroleum trading hubs. “The Northeast has an active biodiesel market and this terminal position allows us to provide more high quality REG-9000® biodiesel to better serve …

Biodiesel, REG

NBB: Biodiesel Headed for Record Year

John Davis

Numbers from the EPA show that biodiesel production hit record production in the first half of the year and is on pace to have its best year ever. The EPA reports that biodiesel refiners made 636 million gallons through the end of June and is on pace to break the annual record of about 1.1 billion gallons, exceeding this year’s …

Biodiesel, NBB

Crude Oil Rise Fuels Biodiesel Feedstocks Rise

John Davis

The recent rise in crude oil prices are fueling a rise in some of the feedstocks for biodiesel. Bloomberg reports that palm oil and soybean oil prices rose this week as petroleum prices also climbed: “One of the reasons that is pushing demand for palm oil is biodiesel,” said Sim Han Qiang, an analyst at Phillip Futures Pte. in Singapore. …

Biodiesel, feedstocks