Shares of Archer Daniels Midland Co. and VeraSun Energy Corp., the two biggest U.S. ethanol producers, soared on speculation that Democratic control of the U.S. House of Representatives will boost demand. “A Democrat-led House is likely to amount to a political net plus for the ethanol industry,” Stanford Group Co. analyst Mark McMinimy wrote today in a report to clients. …
ADM Expects Growth in Low Percentage Ethanol Blends
The Chicago Tribune reports on comments from Archer Daniels Midland executives that they foresee “rapid growth in the market for gasoline blended with 10, 15 or even 20 percent concentrations of ethanol, but slower acceptance of so-called “E-85.” Read full story.
ADM Plans Global Lead in Biofuels
Archer Daniels Midland Company made presentations to financial analysts in Chicago Wednesday outlining plans to be the global leader in ethanol and biodiesel production, while expanding its top position in the agricultural processing value chain. “ADM is uniquely positioned at the intersection of the world’s increasing demands for both food and fuel,” said Patricia Woertz, ADM CEO and President. “As …
ISU Researching Potential Cellulose Breakdown Compound
A 40-year-old discovery is showing promise as a chemical pre-treatment that breaks down plant fiber. That could release the simple sugars in corn stalks or switchgrass so they can be fermented into ethanol. And that could add value to Iowa’s crops or the fibrous co-products of ethanol production. John Verkade, left, a University Professor of chemistry at Iowa State, and …
UL Reports Progress on E85 Pumps
Underwriters Laboratories reports progress toward developing safety requirements for E85 ethanol dispensers after a two-day forum at headquarters in Chicago last week. Concern over the safety of pumps for 85 percent ethanol was brought into question after a notice Oct. 23 that UL had suspended authorization of E85 dispenser components and that it would be updating its requirements. The technical …
Ford Goes Back to Ethanol Roots
AgriNews of Minnesota reports that Ford is “returning to its origins with its interest in ethanol.” In 1907, ethanol was the primary fuel for Ford vehicles because it was the most widely available fuel, said Ron Westby, director of public policy for Ford Motor Company, speaking at last week’s Agri-Growth Council annual meeting. Ford switched to gasoline after the Volstad …
Ethanol Fever Fires Up Farmers
Scripps News has a feature on ethanol fever in the Heartland, focusing on Heron Lake, Minn. Ethanol mania is sweeping through Heron Lake and many towns like it across the Corn Belt. Investors are spending billions in rural communities, sparking a wild rush to secure land, an industry movement to alter environmental standards and a rash of fierce bidding by …
Canadian Renewable Fuels Summit
The third annual Canadian Renewable Fuels Summit is coming up December 10 – 12 in Banff Springs, Alberta, Canada. The summit is hosted by the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association and features a number of important speakers including: The Hon. Lorne Calvert, Premier of Saskatchewan Lorne Hepworth, President, CropLife Canada Barb Isman, President, Canola Council of Canada Lionel LaBelle, Saskatchewan Ethanol …
CBOT to Launch OTC Ethanol Contracts
The Chicago Board of Trade has announced plans for two new over-the-counter (OTC) Ethanol Calendar Swap contracts. The new products, which will include contracts for both forward and previous month calendar swaps, will be based on the price of CBOT Ethanol futures contracts. Scheduled to be introduced on December 4, 2006, CBOT Ethanol Swap contracts are the first exchange-cleared OTC …
“Buy the Bus” to Promote E85
Two Boulder, Colorado residents are on a mission to promote E-85 by bus. Self-described dedicated environmentalists Jason and Tracey Keeley have “organized Buy the Bus to fund an eight-month tour of key locations in the United States, during which they will spread the word about E85.” Tracey and Jason’s combined passion for the great outdoors has culminated in Buy the …