Poplar trees could get more popular if they prove to be the next big ethanol feedstock. A team of researchers at the University of Maryland, College Park, and Bowie State University is working on ways to use the hybrid trees to make ethanol and other biofuels, since they could be grown on plantations and harvested without affecting existing woodlands. Poplar, …
New Ideas for Funding Sustainable Biofuels
If you did a survey among the biofuels industry and asked if the funding programs for biofuels research and development were working, most would say no. Actually, many outside of the industry would say no. As the country continues forward on the federal goals set out in the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) things will need to change if we’re going …
American Process Begins Cellulosic Testing in Georgia
American Process had a ribbon cutting ceremony today celebrating its first cellulosic ethanol production at its pilot plant in Thomaston, GA. The plant was designed to test its proprietary technology, AVAP, American Value Added Pulping. This process co-produces pulp and ethanol from wood in an integrated biorefinery application. The wood is also used to provide energy for the plant. According …
Butalco Set to Produce Cellulosic Ethanol
German-based Butalco has announced that it will begin producing biofuel from agricultural waste this summer using its proprietary new yeast technology. The pilot plant is located in Southern Germany and the company’s new microbial catalysts will enable up to a 30 percent increase in yields during cellulosic ethanol production. As explained by the company, cellulosic biomass, like plant waste materials, …
Ethanol Industry Rep Appointed to California Panel
At least one ethanol industry representative has been appointed to an expert work group attempting to assess the true carbon footprint of all fuel sources under the California’s proposed Low Carbon Fuel Standard. POET Senior Vice President of Science and Technology Mark Stowers has been appointed to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is one of 30 experts from around …
Mascoma Honored with Top Biofuels Award
Lux Research has recently released a new report, “Ranking Biofuel Startups on the Lux Innovation Grid, which analyzes a number of key criteria to indicate which companies are more likey to succeed as the market matures. One of the companies given top honors is Mascoma Corporation. “We are proud to be considered a top biofuels company by Lux,” said William …
Exciting Enzymes at Ethanol Conference
Three different companies announced the introduction of new enzymes for cellulosic ethanol production at this week’s National Ethanol Conference in Orlando. Novozymes made the biggest splash with its Cellic® CTec2 for the production of biofuel from agricultural waste, but the other two are no less significant in the race towards commercialization of advanced biofuels. Verenium Corporation‘s new introduction into the …
Cellulosic Breakthrough Announced at Ethanol Conference
2010 National Ethanol Conference Photo Album A major breakthrough in the development of cellulosic ethanol was announced at the National Ethanol Conference in Orlando Tuesday. Novozymes launched the first commercially viable enzymes for production of biofuel from agricultural waste – Cellic® CTec2. “We have been working on this for the past 10 years and promised our customers and the market …
POET to Announce Cellulosic Ethanol Plans
Project LIBERTY’s construction is scheduled to begin this year and will use corn cobs as feedstock. POET has operated a pilot cellulosic ethanol plant in Scotland, S.D. since November 2008. The location of this new plant will be alongside the Emmetsburg grain ethanol plant making a more efficient process. A documentary of POET’s pilot cellulosic ethanol plant can be found …