REG Acquires Texas Biorefinery

Cindy Zimmerman

Renewable Energy Group (REG) has announced the acquisition of a biorefinery in Texas to expand its biodiesel production output. With the acquisition of a 15 million gallon per year biorefinery located in New Boston, Texas, REG’s nameplate biodiesel production capacity is expected to increase to more than 225 million gallons annually. REG paid $300,000 in cash and issued 900,000 shares …

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, REG

ZeaChem Completes Cellulosic Biorefinery

Joanna Schroeder

ZeaChem Inc. has announced the completion of its 250,000 gallons per year (GPY) cellulosic ethanol biorefinery in Boardman, Oregon. According the the company, the project was completed on budget and is expected to begin production of cellulosic ethanol by the end of 2012. Earlier this year, the company’s core process was commissioned and the fermentation of sugar feedstocks has been …

advanced biofuels, Cellulosic, Ethanol, Renewable Energy

Bunge Becomes Cobalt Investor

Joanna Schroeder

The Advanced Biofuels Markets conference is underway in San Francisco and many advanced biofuels companies have been making announcements. One of these companies is Cobalt Technologies who has announced that Bunge Global Innovation has joined its Cobalt’s Series E Preferred Stock round an a strategic investor. The investment comes on the heels of Cobalt’s agreement with Bunge and specialty chemicals …

advanced biofuels, Alternative energy, biochemicals, Brazil, Renewable Energy

Civilian Jet Powered by 100% Biofuel

Joanna Schroeder

On Monday, October 29th, a jet was powered by a 100 percent renewable biofuel produced by Applied Research Associates (ARA) and Chevron Lumas Global (CLG). The two companies partnered with the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and Agrisoma Biosciences to to test and analyze the ReadiJet drop-in jet fuel during flight that …

advanced biofuels, aviation biofuels, Renewable Energy

Novozymes & Beta Renewables Solidify Partnership

Joanna Schroeder

Novozymes and Beta Renewables have joined in a partnership to jointly market and develop cellulosic biofuel solutions. As part of the agreement, Novozymes will acquire a 10 percent share in Beta Renewables, paying approximately $115 million cash for the equity, marketing fees, other intellectual property rights and milestone payments. The partners will offer biofuel companies Novozymes’ Cellic enzymes embedded into …

advanced biofuels, Alternative energy, Cellulosic, Ethanol, Renewable Energy

SG Biofuels Breakthrough

Joanna Schroeder

SG Biofuels has expanded it global network of hybrid trial and agronomic research sites with the addition of eight new JMAX Knowledge Centers located in Brazil, Guatemala and India. The company is also expanding it production facility in Guatemala. Current trials are underway in San Diego, California. The company focuses on the the production of Jatropha for use in biofuels, …

advanced biofuels, Agribusiness, Alternative energy, biochemicals, biomaterials, feedstocks, Renewable Energy

Iowa Biodiesel Production Remains Strong

Joanna Schroeder

Biodiesel production in Iowa remained strong during the 3rd quarter according to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA). Figures released by the Iowa Department of Revenue show that 10 Iowa biodiesel plants claimed tax credits on more than 44.2 million gallons of biodiesel produced from July 2012 through September 2012. Several of the biodiesel plants have reached the tax credit …

advanced biofuels, Alternative energy, Biodiesel, Iowa RFA

BP Continues Biofuels Backout

Joanna Schroeder

BP is continuing its biofuels backout with the announcement that it is abandoning its $300 million cellulosic project in Highlands County, Florida. This is the second major announcement of the company moving away from the production of renewable energy. Last December, the company exited the solar business. According to an interview with Matt Hartwig in the Washington Post, the company …

advanced biofuels, AEC, Alternative energy, BIO, Cellulosic, Ethanol, Renewable Energy

Cool Planet – 3 Years, 30 Biomass Plants

Joanna Schroeder

Cool Planet Energy Systems has announced a breakthrough in the commercialization and affordability of biofuels from biomass. Using a mechanical process and scaling approach, the company says it can produce high octane gasoline at the cost of $1.50 per gallon without the need for subsidies and also while removing carbon from the air during the course of production. The company, backed by …

advanced biofuels, Alternative energy, biomass, Carbon, Renewable Energy

Meet the Who’s Who at NBB Conference

Joanna Schroeder

There are more than 10 reasons to attend the National Biodiesel Board’s Conference: Momentum, and here is reason number 5: Meet People. This conference marks the 20th Anniversary of the event and is still the place to meet and greet the real players in the biodiesel industry. The event is being held in Las Vegas (how apropos they would offer …

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, National Biodiesel Conference