Dallas-based Maple Energy is planning to plant 20,000 acres of sugar cane in Peru to produce ethanol for export to the United States and Europe. According to this story from the Houston Chronicle, Maple plans to begin growing sugar cane on the acreage in northern Peru next year with a goal of producing 30 million gallons of ethanol a year. …
Good Fortune, Great Ethanol
Kirin Brewery Company of Japan reportedly plans to begin experimental production of ethanol using the residue of malt used to make beer as feedstock. According to an Autochannel.com story, an estimated 300 million yen ($2.5 million) will be invested to construct a pilot plant which will have the capacity to produce 15 kilolitres of ethanol a year. Production is expected …
US Tells EU No Way on Ethanol Ban
C Boyden Gray, the American representative to the European Union, says his country won’t be considering any ban on ethanol production for fuel. The US program has come under some fire for using a food source, corn, to make the fuel source, ethanol. Forbes.com reports his comments came during an international conference in Brussels, Belgium: ‘The only way to stop …
Texas A&M, Blue Diamond Team Up for Biodiesel
Texas A&M University and Blue Diamond Ventures, an agriculture, biofuels (including ethanol and biodiesel) and commercial development company with operations in Central America and the U.S. have joined together in a plan to make biodiesel in the Central American country of Belize. This company press release says the focus will be turning non-food sources into biofuels: “We are delighted that …
Incoming British PM Pushes Biodiesel
The man expected to replace British Prime Minister Tony Blair has called for more tax incentives for the production of biodiesel. According to this story on the Scotsman.com, to make his point, Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown made a recent trip on Europe’s first biodiesel-powered train with Sir Richard Branson, the chairman of Virgin: The pair travelled on a …
Soros Warns About Ethanol Tariffs
Billionaire investor George Soros is warning that U.S. and European tariffs on Brazilian ethanol might keep that country from reaching its potential in alternative fuel production. According to this story posted on Bloomberg.com, Soros, who is a major investor in Brazil’s ethanol industry, needs bigger markets to justify the expansion and building of new distilleries there: “Unless the markets in …
Biodiesel Boat Out for Sure This Time
It looks like it’s truly the end of the road, or the water in this case, for a biodiesel-powered boat trying to set a record for a ’round-the-world trip. Previous reports of the Earthrace abandoning its bid were dismissed by the crew. The record attempt looked in serious jeopardy earlier this spring when the boat ran into mechanical and biodiesel …
Int’l Biodiesel Conference Set
Mark your calendar for the International Congress on Biodiesel, November 5-7th in Vienna Austria. Congress General Chair Michael Haas of the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service posted a message on the American Oil Chemists’ Society’s web site (one of the conference sponsors, along with the USDA) inviting participants to open a global discussion on the science and the technologies of biodiesel: …
UK Study Shows How Green Biodiesel Is
A new report coming out of Great Britain says using biodiesel in place of ultra-low sulfur diesel can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by an amazing 94%… and reduce energy use by up to 97%. Check out this story in Biofuel Review: A summary of the research was launched today (23rd May) at a meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Renewable …
Coffee Growers Brew Biodiesel
Known for their beans that start the world’s day, Brazilian coffee growers might soon be known for brewing the fuel that starts your car. According to this story in the Wall Street Journal’s on-line version, tests are being done to see if the beans not suitable for your cup will be good for your tank: The studies, which are being …