Chemicals found in wine could help uncork the potential in biodiesel. Researchers at the UPV/EHU-University of the Basque Country in Spain are looking into how acetals, chemical compounds found in many wines, can improve biodiesel’s properties. From the point of view of chemistry, acetals are obtained through the reaction of an alcohol and an aldehyde. They are generated naturally in …
Importance of Argentine Soy Complex
Foro PAIS – Productores Agro Industriales de Soja – was born in 2011 with the purpose of promoting the Argentine soy agro-industry and we learned more about it during the IFAJ 2013 Congress. Foro PAIS Communications and Institutional Relations Director Dr. Adrián Figueroa says soybean production is a huge industry for Argentina. “Soybean production in Argentina in the last ten …
Propel, Solazyme Seen as Future of Algae Biodiesel
A couple of companies familiar to Domestic Fuel readers are being mentioned as the future of algae-based biodiesel. This article from the Voice of America (VOA) talks about how the partnership between renewable fuel marketer Propel Fuels and algae-biodiesel maker Solazyme, both based in Northern California, is advancing the role algae-based biodiesel is having. “It all starts in the lab …
Analysis: Biodiesel Still Profitable Despite Price Drop
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 …
Feds Go After Biodisel Owner for Securities Fraud
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 Bumps Up Soybean Demand, Value
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’s Turn on the New York Catwalk
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 …
Feds Bust Biodiesel RIN Frauder
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 …
Next-Gen Scientists to Attend Biodiesel Conference
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 …
August EPA Biodiesel Numbers Show Record Pace
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, …