Navy Looks to 50% Renewables, Marines Want it Locally

John Davis

The U.S. Navy is looking to have half of its total fuel use come renewable energy sources by 2020, while the Marine Corps wants those sources, particularly the biofuels, to come from sources near its bases. The New York Times reports that Navy Secretary Ray Mabus wants to dramatically cut the Navy and Marine Corps’ dependence on fossil fuels, especially …

biofuels, Government

Energy Dept. Extends Loan Application Deadline

John Davis

Renewable energy projects will have a little more time to apply for federal government loan guarantees. Biomass Magazine reports the U.S. Department of Energy has moved the deadline for the July 2009 energy efficiency, renewable energy and advanced transmission and distribution technologies solicitations six weeks later to October 5th of this year: The newly-created Round 8, Part I of the …

biofuels, Government, Legislation

Who Are the Next Biofuels IPOs?

John Davis

On the heels of their great story yesterday on the investment in algal-biodiesel players PetroAlgae and Solazyme (not to mention Joanna’s piece on Gevo preparing for a $150 million IPO), our friends over at Biofuels Digest have put together a list of the top 10 most likely next IPOs in the biofuels sector. The list includes many Domestic Fuel regulars, …

Biodiesel, biofuels

Investments Spark Speculation on Algal-Biodiesel

John Davis

Recent multi-million dollar investments in algae-biofuel companies ($200 million IPO for PetroAlgae and $52 million to help commercialize Solazyme) is fueling some speculation of its own on how soon algae-based biofuels, in particular, biodiesel, might be available for consumers and when it would be commercially competitive. This article from Biofuel Digest breaks down the “bears” and “bulls” views of these …

algae, Biodiesel, biofuels

Dyadic Reports Second Quarter Loss

Joanna Schroeder

Dyadic International, Inc. reported a loss in second quarter revenues as compared to the same time period in 2009. Total revenue for the second quarter ending on June 30, 2010 decreased to $2.2 million compared to a reported $11.9 million the previous year. Total revenue for the first six months of the year was also down compared to 2009, with …

biofuels, News

Novozymes Acquires Brazilian Ag Company Turfal

Joanna Schroeder

Novozymes has announced that is has acquired Brazilian microorganism company Turfal in order to obtain direct access to the Brazilian bioagriculture market. Turfal develops and manufacturers microbes that stimulate the growth of crops, such as soybeans, by fixating nitrogen. These microbes allow growers to use less fertilizer and save money. Turfal’s operations are located 25 miles from Novozymes’ Latin American …

Agribusiness, biofuels, Brazil

Ethanol Companies Post Strong 2nd Quarter Profits

Joanna Schroeder

Several companies that rely on ethanol as a part of their business have reported strong financial results for the 2nd Quarter. According to The Andersons earning reports, the company’s net income for the 2nd Quarter surpassed the $25 million mark, almost $10 million more than what was reported during the same quarter in 2009. The company attributes much of the …

biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News

San Diego, A Hot Bed of Algal Activity

Joanna Schroeder

Good news for biofuels this week as the California Department of Labor awarded the San Diego Biofuels Initiative a $4 million grant to train workers to join the biofuels workforce. The award was given through the “Green Innovation Challenge,” a green jobs initiative that is overseen by the state’s Department of Labor. According to an article on SanDiego.com, the San …

algae, biofuels, News

Murphy Oil Looks to Grow Biofuels Business

Joanna Schroeder

One of the country’s most touted, and failed, ethanol concepts may be sold. Last year, Hereford Biofuels, the first commercial scale plant in the country intended to operate using methane from cattle operations, went belly-up. Construction was halted when owner, Panda Energy, an energy firm based in Dallas, Texas, sold the plant to creditors earlier this year for a reported …

biofuels, Ethanol, News

Dyadic Lawsuit Dismissed

Joanna Schroeder

Dyadic International has confirmed that the final resolution of the consolidated stockholder class action lawsuit, Miller v. Dyadic International, Inc. et. al, has been approved and the lawsuit dismissed with prejudice. Dyadic is a biofuels company that is focused on developing technologies to produce cellulosic ethanol from corn stover and wheat straw. The lawsuit was originally filed in October of …

biofuels, Biotech, Cellulosic