New numbers from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) show that biodiesel has once again broken the 1-billion-gallon mark. Biodiesel production hit 140 million gallons in September, pushing the year-to-date biodiesel total of nearly 1.1 billion gallons, the third year it has reached that milestone. The news was welcomed by the National Biodiesel Board: “This is a tremendous achievement that is …
Biodiesel Essay Contest Offers College Cash
The American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest is giving some high school seniors a chance to earn some cash for college by showing their knowledge about biodiesel. The organization announced at the recent Education Minnesota Professional Conference in St. Paul, Minn. that high school seniors in the state could win scholarship money of $1,000 for first place and $500 …
EU Puts Duties on Argentine, Indonesian Biodiesel
The European Union voted to impose punitive duties on biodiesel from Argentina and Indonesia. This article from Reuters on GlobalPost.com says the two countries are accused of dumping – selling at below market value – biodiesel on the European market. The European Commission has proposed duties of between 217 and 246 euros ($300-$340) per tonne on biodiesel imports from Argentina …
More Oil from Plants Could Increase Biodiesel Output
Government scientists have found the genes that increase the oil production in plant leaves, and that could increase the amount of biodiesel that can be squeezed out of plants. This news release from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Brookhaven National Laboratory says finding a way to enhance that oil expression in those parts of the plant could have significant implications …
Biodiesel Board Asks for Your Letter of RFS Support
Our friends at the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) are asking for your letter of support of the Renewable Fuels Standard. NBB has launched a letter-writing campaign to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to discourage the agency from cutting the amount of biomass-based diesel in the RFS: As a supporter of the U.S. biodiesel industry, I want to express my alarm …
Evonik Opens New Biodiesel Catalyst Plant
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 …