Ethanol is taking a bite out of crude oil, this according to a recent OPEC report. An article published in The National, says that rising ethanol use in the United States is dampening demand for petroleum based fuels and this will be felt even more during the next few months. Next week, OPEC ministers are getting ready to meet in …
Novozymes Achieves Cellulosic Enzyme Breakthrough
Each day, cellulosic gets closer to becoming commercially viable in the marketplace. Two weeks ago, a major hurdle was overcome with the announcement that Novozymes’ enzyme Cellic® CTec2, used for cellulosic ethanol production with feedstocks such as corn stover and corn cobs, is now 50 cents per gallon. I had the opportunity to learn more about this breakthrough when I …
NCERC – Corn Ethanol Still Has Room to Grow
“Some people believe that corn ethanol is an old technology. We believe just the opposite,” said John Caupert, the Director for the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center (NCERC) during an interview with me at Commodity Classic. “We feel the corn ethanol industry is still in its infancy and through technological advancements, there’s much more to learn and prove in corn ethanol …
Register Now For Process Optimization Seminar
It may be a little late in the day for this reminder but you can still go online to register for a spot in the upcoming Process Optimization Seminar being hosted by Phibro Ethanol Performance Group, along with Fremont, Fermentis and Novozymes. The Seminar is targeted to plant managers, operations managers, technical managers, lab managers and general managers. This interactive …
USDA Guarantees Loan for GA Wood Ethanol Plant
A Colorado-based firm with a planned biorefinery located near Soperton, Georgia is the recipient of a loan guaranteed by USDA Rural Development to make cellulosic biofuel from wood chips, according to a USDA announcement. The finalized deal with Range Fuels was first announced last year and represents the first ever loan guarantee by USDA to a commercial-scale cellulosic biofuel plant. …
University of Florida Ethanol Plant Breaks Ground
Representatives from the University of Florida, Buckeye Technologies Inc. and the Florida Legislature broke ground for a new pilot plant to produce ethanol from cellulosic biomass. Funded by a $20 million appropriation from the Florida Legislature, the plant will be built at the Perry, Fla. facility of Buckeye Technologies Inc., a manufacturer and worldwide distributor of cellulose-based specialty products made …
Iowa Ethanol Exec Moves On
Marty Lyons, Chief Commercial Officer with Hawkeye Gold, LLC has resigned from the Iowa ethanol company to pursue other interests. Lyons worked for Hawkeye Gold since 2007, helping to create and expand marketing opportunities for one of the nation’s largest ethanol producers. Previously, Lyons was the Senior Vice-President, Ethanol, Sweetners, and Starches at Archer Daniels Midland in Decatur, Illinois. “It …
Pilot Travel Centers Adds More E85 in TN
Pilot Travel Centers has added three more locations where Ethanol 85 can be purchased. Pilot now offers E85 at five locations statewide. E85 contains 85 percent ethanol and is for Flex Fuel vehicles only. The stations include Strawberry Plains Pike and Crossville locations in East Tennessee and in Dickson, Tenn., along Interstate 40 west of Nashville. Earlier locations were in …
Response to Expanded Biofuels Production Study
The National Research Council (NRC) is currently conducting an ongoing study on the impacts of expanded biofuel production. NRC, which is part of the National Academy of Sciences, hosted a workshop last week to receive feedback from people on both sides of the debate. The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) represented the ethanol industry and Geoff Cooper, RFA’s Vice President of …
Register Now for the Process Optimization Seminar
Back by popular demand, Phibro Ethanol Performance Group, along with Fremont, Fermentis and Novozymes are hosting the second Process Optimization Seminar targeted for plant managers, operations managers, technical managers, lab managers and general managers. This interactive seminar is focused on helping ethanol plants increase their efficiency and profitability through learning about new technologies available for the fermentation process. This two …