A Wisconsin ethanol plant is receiving nearly $600,000 in stimulus money to help with expansion plans. Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle announced $595,000 in support for Ace Ethanol to expand its operations in Stanley and retain 40 jobs. “My Administration’s top priority continues to be helping Wisconsin businesses create jobs and giving workers the opportunities to get those jobs,” Governor Doyle …
Brazil Sugarcane Ethanol Update
This year’s Brazilian sugarcane crush figures are being revised downward, but still are higher than last year at the moment. Meanwhile, ethanol production is up from last year but exports are down significantly. That’s according to the latest report from the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA). The new forecast projects that crushing will reach 570.191 million tons, 3.70% less than …
Ethanol Promotion Success at Sturgis
Promotion of ethanol to motorcycle lovers was a bigger success this year than last. This edition of the “Ethanol Report” with Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) Director of Market Development Robert White takes a look at how their sponsorship at the 70th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally went this year. This is the second year that RFA partnered with the Legendary Buffalo …
Export Exchange Focuses on Ethanol By-Product
The upcoming Export Exchange 2010 is shaping up to be a must-attend event for anyone involved in the production of ethanol who also produces the co-product dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS), which is becoming a major export commodity from the United States. The Export Exchange, sponsored by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and the U.S. Grains Council (USGC), features …
Shell & Cosan Partner on $12 Billon Ethanol Project
Brazil-based Cosan S.A. has announced a partnership with Shell to form a $12 billion joint venture for the production and commercialization of ethanol and power from sugarcane. According to company sources, the venture, which must receive regulatory approval, would create the 3rd largest ethanol producer in the world, manufacturing 440 million gallons of ethanol per year, and result in more …
Gators Study Termites for Cellulosic Ethanol
The University of Florida is continuing its research into the use of termite enzymes to help make cellulosic ethanol commercially viable. As we reported last year, researchers at UF have been working on genetic sequencing to harness the insects’ ability to churn wood into fuel. Now they report that they have isolated two enzymes that termites use to break up …
The Relationship Between Biomass Harvesting and Soil
As the cellulosic industry gets closer to bringing cellulosic ethanol to market, there have been some concerns regarding how biomass harvesting will affect soil health and yields. These very issues were discussed by Dr. Stuart Birrell a professor at Iowa State University, whom with his team, have been studying soil sustainability as it relates to biomass harvesting. His latest research …
Purdue Study Advocates Variable Ethanol Tax Credit Rate
A new study from Purdue University finds that a variable rate for the ethanol blenders tax credit could cost the government less and provide more security for producers than current fixed rates. The study, by Purdue agricultural economist Wally Tyner, concludes that a variable rate would insulate producers from risk because as oil and ethanol prices drop, the subsidy for …
KL Energy & Petrobras Partner on Bagasse Project
KL Energy Corporation and Brazil-based Petrobras have announced a new joint development agreement to optimize KL Energy’s cellulosic ethanol process technology for the conversion of sugarcane bagasse feedstock to ethanol. As a component of this partnership, Petrobras will invest $11 million to adapt KL Energy’s demonstration facility to use bagasse. The money will also be dedicated to validating the company’s …