Brazil Moves Up Biodiesel Mandate Schedule

John Davis

Already a world beater in ethanol use, Brazil is getting aggressive in the amount of biodiesel it will burn. Right now, diesel users in the South American country are required to run on a 4 percent biodiesel blend. Last week, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva upped the ante to 5 percent by 2010… three years ahead of schedule. …

Biodiesel, International

Algae Biodiesel By-Product to be Sold to Indonesia

John Davis

A Florida-based algae-biodiesel company has found an international market for a by-product of its clean energy business. This press release from PetroAlgae Inc. says it has has received official notice that the protein from PetroAlgae’s proprietary micro-crop production technology has successfully passed testing by the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture and is suitable for use in animal feed: Furthermore, the protein …

algae, Biodiesel, International

Biodiesel Makers Win Canadian Cleantech Award

John Davis

A pair of pioneers in biodiesel production in Canada have been recognized for their green efforts. Timothy Haig and Kevin Norton of BIOX Corp picked up the 2009 Ontario Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of The Year – Cleantech Award. They were congratulated by the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association: “BIOX is globally recognized as a biodiesel pioneer, and today’s cleantech entrepreneur …

Biodiesel, International

IEA: Global Biofuel Production to Rise Big by 2012

John Davis

Biodiesel production worldwide has risen by 10 times over the last eight years and could double again in just two more years, while global ethanol production has more than tripled over the same time period and could jump by another 50 percent by the year 2012. Farmers Weekly Interactive reports a new report from the International Energy Agency says biodiesel …

Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, International, News

Grains Council Demos Ethanol Co-Product Use in Egypt

Cindy Zimmerman

The U.S. Grains Council is setting up demonstration trials in targeted countries to educate livestock producers about the nutritional and economic benefits of using ethanol co-products like corn gluten feed (CGF) and distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) “Conducting the trials locally gives local farmers a chance to see DDGS and CGF use firsthand in a trial that utilizes their …

Distillers Grains, Ethanol, Ethanol News, International

Brazil Could Import US Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

With persistent rain affecting ethanol and sugar production in Brazil this season, prospects are that U.S. ethanol may be exported to that country to meet the demand. According to the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association UNICA, ethanol production this year is down more than three percent so far while demand continues to grow. “While production has been negatively affected by weather …

Ethanol, Ethanol News, International

Dakar Rally Race to Debut Ethanol Category in 2010

Cindy Zimmerman

The world’s largest rally competition will include an ethanol category for the first time next year. The new category was introduced by the Dakar Rally organizers at the request of Brazilian rally veteran and former rally winner Klever Kolberg, who will drive the first-ever flex-fuel vehicle to take part in the prestigious race next year – a Brazilian-made 2010 Mitsubishi …

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Indy Racing, International, Racing

Schrum: High Taxes Killing German Biodiesel Industry

John Davis

In what should be a cautionary tale to American lawmakers who might want to raise revenues from biodiesel sales, a leader of Germany’s biofuels industry says high taxes on biodiesel in that country are killing the green fuel there. This article from Forexyard.com quotes Peter Schrum, president of biofuels industry association BBK, saying that Germany’s nearly 5 million tonnes annual …

Biodiesel, International

Good News, Bad News: Brazil to Send US, EU Biodiesel

John Davis

This is one of the good news, bad news stories. The bad news is: According to this story in World Energy Alternatives, Brazil wants to start sending soy-based biodiesel to the U.S. and the European Union. That word comes the Brazilian Agriculture Ministry: Sustainability studies have been performed to prove the biodiesel was produced sustainably to meet EU norms, but …

Biodiesel, International

White House Responds to Brazilian Tariff Questions

Cindy Zimmerman

Ethanol groups expressed concern and Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) called for clarification this week on the White House’s position regarding the U.S. tariff on imported ethanol after a statement in favor of lifting the tariff was made by the President’s nominee for ambassador to Brazil. During his confirmation process, ambassador nominee Thomas Shannon said that removing the tariff would be …

Ethanol, Government, International