Former Genencor head Bob Mayer has been appointed chief executive officer and chairman of the board of directors for Cobalt Technologies, a leading developer of next generation bio n-butanol. Mayer, who has more than 30 years of experience in the chemicals and biotech sectors, will lead Cobalt as it focuses on developing commercial facilities globally. For the past 30 years, …
Amyris and Total Partner for Renewable Fuels
French energy company Total and California-based renewable products firm Amyris have announced a joint venture to develop, produce and commercialize a range of renewable fuels and products. The two companies agreed to expand their ongoing research and development collaboration to accelerate the deployment of Biofene® and develop renewable diesel based on this molecule produced from plant sugars. The program launched …
IRFA Expands Summit and Trade Show
A larger trade show at a new venue will highlight the 6th Annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit hosted by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA). The Summit will be Tues., Jan. 24, 2012 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m at the Iowa Events Center in downtown Des Moines. The event is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is required and online registration is now open. …
California Biodiesel Alliance to Hold Conference
The California Biodiesel Alliance has announced the agenda for the first annual statewide conference on Biodiesel and Renewable Diesel. The conference will be held on January 16th, 2012 in downtown San Francisco as part of BBI International’s Pacific West Biomass Conference to be held January 16-18 at the Marriott Marquis. Topics on the agenda include panel discussions on California’s Low …
Biodiesel Production Sets New Record
According to the latest government figures, U.S. biodiesel production has already set a new record this year. National Biodiesel Board (NBB) is proud to report that the industry has produced more than 802 million gallons of biodiesel in plants from Florida to Iowa to Washington state, more than doubling last year’s production of about 315 million gallons and breaking the …
IRFA Announces Video Contest for Iowa High School Students
Lights, camera, cash prizes! The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) wants Iowa high school students to submit their best videos highlighting renewable fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel. The second annual “Fuel the Future” video contest is for students in grades 9-12 in public, private or home schools who can show how renewable fuels are important to local communities, Iowa …
Biodiesel Board Announces Officers
National Biodiesel Board members this week elected seven returning governing board members and one new member to serve on the leadership committee as part of the organization’s membership meeting in Washington D.C. Officers elected to lead the board are: Gary Haer, chairman, Renewable Energy Group, Inc. (Producer) Ed Ulch, vice chair, Iowa Soybean Board (Farmer) Ron Marr, secretary, Minnesota Soybean …
San Diego School Buses Now Running on Biodiesel
San Diego-based Buster Biofuels has formed an Alliance with LEGOLAND California, the San Diego Padres, hundreds of restaurants, hotels, and resorts to collect their grease and oil and turn it into biodiesel. Now this biodiesel is being used to fuel the San Dieguito Union High School District (SDUHSD) school buses. Emissions from the use of the biodiesel are being reduced …
E. coli Could be Used to Make Biodiesel
The bacteria that is most commonly associated with triggering food recalls could be a catalyst to convert sugars into biodiesel. Researchers at Stanford University believe that Escherichia coli, better known as E. coli, could convert sugar to biodiesel at “an extraordinary rate.” Biodiesel can be made from plant oil or animal fat – usually the former. Used cooking oil from …
Raleigh Gets Biodiesel and Ethanol Station
Crown Express Mart is opening Raleigh’s first E85/Biodiesel fuel station today. Crown Express owner Kargo Corporation will join with the N.C. Solar Center/N.C. State University and Protec Fuel to celebrate the offering of two cleaner-burning renewable fuels to North Carolina’s capital city with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the first commercial fuel station offering both E85 and B20 biodiesel. The …