A national laboratory in Thailand has signed an agreement that will allow them to produce biofuels using the University of California, Riverside’s process to convert biomass and agricultural wastes into fuel. The project is a collaboration between the UC Riverside Bourns College of Engineering and the Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research. The work will focus on utilizing steam …
First Biofuel Flight Takes Air in Mexico
Interjet, Mexico’s domestic airline carrier, along with Airbus received praise today from The Consejo de Promocion Turistica de Mexico for the first successful test flight using biofuels. The test was conducted earlier this month with an Airbus A320 aircraft using a 30 percent biofuel blend produced from jatropha. The biojet fuel blend was made from locally sourced jatropha grown and …
International Energy Agency Supports Biofuels Roadmap
Biofuels can provide up to 27% of world transportation fuel by 2050, according to a new report from the International Energy Agency (IEA). The report says that “the widespread deployment of biofuels can play an important role in reducing CO2 emissions in the transport sector and enhancing energy security, when produced sustainably.” With the transportation sector growing considerably, and demand …
Mossi & Ghisolfi Break Ground on Cellulosic Plant
Italy is soon to be the home of one of the world’s largest cellulosic ethanol biorefineries. Yesterday, Mossi & Ghisolfi Group (M&G) held a groundbreaking ceremony for a 13 million gallon per year plant located in northwestern Italy. The company believes its plant will be 10 times larger than the largest demonstration facilities in operation today and is scheduled to …
FAO Urged to See Oil and Food Price Correlation
The Global Renewable Fuels Alliance (GRFA) is calling on delegates to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UNFAO) meeting in Rome to focus on the price of oil as the real driver behind rising food costs. Last week while addressing the South American renewable fuels industry in Buenos Aires, GRFA spokesperson Bliss Baker presented data showing the direct link …
NBB Protests EU Extension of Tariffs on US Biodiesel
European Union members have voted to extend current tariffs on U.S. biodiesel, and that violates the group’s own laws, according to the National Biodiesel Board. This Reuters article posted on ForexPros.com says EU officials accuse U.S. exporters of smuggling biodiesel through Canada to avoid tariffs imposed since 2009: “We think this would be a bad decision that runs directly counter …
Nestle Chairman – Biofuels Are Immoral
The Chairman of Nestle, who just so happens to sit on the board of ExxonMobil, Peter Brabeck-Latmathe, lambasted global leaders for their support of “immoral” biofuel policies that are starving millions around the world earlier this week. In particular, he attacked the Obama administration for promoting corn-based ethanol and reserved no kind words for U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack who …
Propel Fuels CEO Gets Biofuels Leadership Award
Propel Fuels CEO Matt Horton was recently honored with the Biofuels Leadership Award at the 3rd Annual Sustainable Biofuels Awards presented at the World Biofuels Markets Congress and Exhibition in Rotterdam, Netherlands. The award honors an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the development of the biofuels industry and Horton was recognized for “providing thousands of drivers with …
Saskatchewan Budgets for Biodiesel Incentive, Mandate
Following in the footsteps of Canada’s national biodiesel mandate (see my story and Joanna’s post from last month), Saskatchewan has called for a biodiesel producer incentive and mandate in its provincial budget. The news was welcomed by the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association: “Saskatchewan’s 2011 budget will be welcome news to farmers and biodiesel producers alike,” said Gordon Quaiattini, President of …
PetroAlgae Inks Deal with Haldor Topsoe
PetroAlgae has inked a deal with Haldor Topsoe to provide technology and catalysts to upgrade oils produced from PetroAlgae’s biomass through refinery coking processes and pyrolysis into drop-in renewable fuels including diesel and jet fuels. Haldor Topsoe is global company focused on the refining, petrochemical and power industries. Under the agreement, the two companies will work together to apply Haldor …