A Florida-based biodiesel company says it has completed its research into using jatropha as a feedstock at its Central American operation. In a news release published in the Sacramento Bee, Alternative Fuels Americas, Inc. (AFAI) says it successfully completed research trials and is moving to establish above ground oil fields as a staged entry into a market forecasted to exceed …
Canada to Fund Algae-to-Biodiesel Project
A joint project between the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) and industry partners could result in technology to grow algae to be made into several items, including biodiesel, in the heart of the Canadian petroleum industry: oil sands facilities. The Algal Carbon Conversion Pilot Project, a partnership among the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), Canadian Natural Resources Limited …
Rebuffed in EU, Argentina Aims for US Biodiesel Market
Shut out of selling biodiesel the the European Union, Argentina is now trying its hand at getting into the U.S. biodiesel market. Reuters reports the Argentinians believe it will be easier to meet U.S. environmental laws than overcome Europe’s block “We’re going through the process of getting EPA approval, which takes some time,” Luis Zubizarreta, president of the Argentine Biofuels …
Canadian Biodiesel Plant Plans to Ship to Germany
A Canadian biodiesel plant plans to crank out 7 million gallons of the green fuel a year, but none of it is intended for use north or south of the border. Biodiesel Magazine reports Biofuel Weiss Inc.’s Halifax, Nova Scotia, multifeedstock biodiesel refinery product will go to Germany: “We are different than the other [biodiesel facilities] in Canada because our …
Groups Seek to End EU Duty on US Ethanol
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and Growth Energy have filed a complaint with the General Court in Luxembourg challenging the European Union’s (EU) decision to impose a 9.6 percent antidumping duty on all ethanol imported from the United States. The complaint outlines 10 specific violations of one established trade law committed by the European Commission in its investigation of anti-dumping …
Argentina Fights Back Against EU Biodiesel Block
The Argentinians are not sitting by and letting the European Union block their exports of biodiesel. Bloomberg reports the country filed a challenge against the EU with the World Trade Organization: The EU is studying whether to levy import tariffs on countries including Argentina and Indonesia that may be exporting biodiesel with state aid like it did for U.S.-based ethanol …
New Mandate to Boost Biodiesel in Canada
The Canadian Renewable Fuels Association (CRFA) welcomed the proposal of a new renewable diesel mandate in Ontario. The measure would be based on fuel percentage and carbon intensity and replaces the current biodiesel tax exemption for all diesel sold in the province. It’s also expected to boost biodiesel production in Ontario. “These consultations are a step in the right direction …
Argus India Ethanol Assessment Launched
Global energy and commodity price reporting agency Argus has added a new tool to its arsenal: Argus India ethanol assessment. The company says the new product is designed to meet the growing demand for price reference and transparency in the market and was created in response to India’s mandate for increased ethanol blending in gasoline. The daily assessment is specifically …
Senators Urge Probe in EU Ethanol Duty Decision
A bipartisan group of senators are asking for an investigation into a recent anti-dumping decision made by European Union regarding ethanol imports from the United States. Fourteen Democratic and Republican Senators have joined together to sign a letter sent to the Acting United States Trade Representative (USTR), Demetrios Manatos and Acting Secretary of Commerce, Rebecca Blank, calling on them to …
Europe Urged to Re-reconsider Biofuels Policy
It wasn’t that long ago that Europe was a champion of biofuels, in particular, biodiesel, as just a few years ago the continent adopted a policy of having 10 percent of transportation fuels come from renewable sources, including biofuels. This boosted biodiesel demand, coupled with favorable tax laws and the popularity of diesel vehicles. This piece in Public Service Europe …