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“Proud History, Bright Future” Theme for Ethanol Event

Joanna Schroeder

“Proud History, Bright Future” is the theme for the upcoming 25th annual ACE Ethanol Conference to be held August 8-10th in Omaha, Nebraska. The conference will cover topics such as an outlook on markets and policies that will impact ethanol plant profitability; the role octane and vehicle technology innovations will play for ethanol demand; an update on E15 implementation; product and technology process innovations at ethanol plants; an update on cellulosic and advanced ethanol technologies; and more.

“Our 25th anniversary conference will provide forward-looking previews on the policy and market development opportunities and challenges facing the U.S. ethanol industry,” said Brian Jennings, ACE’s executive vice president. “Ethanol producers are feeling the effects of the E10 blend wall; we are in the midst of introducing E15 to the market; and expectations are high for progress on the advanced and cellulosic ethanol front.”

Jennings said the conference is a mix of general sessions and breakout sessions and many of them will be very useful for ethanol plant board members and management. Session titles include:

  • ABC’s of E15
  • Quality Assurance for Distillers Grain
  • Fiduciary and Governance Responsibilities for Ethanol Plant Board Directors
  • Feedstock Quality and Its Impact on Profitability
  • Energy Market Price Outlook

Jennings added, “As we celebrate ACE’s 25th year, the conference will show how far we’ve come as an industry and how we as a grassroots organization are positioned to help the industry evolve, innovate, and succeed well into the future.”

Speakers will be announced soon. Click here for more information about the conference and to register.

ACE, advanced biofuels, biofuels, Cellulosic, conferences, Ethanol

LS9 Announces Grand Opening Ceremony

Joanna Schroeder

The Florida Opportunity Fund’s (FOF) Clean Energy Investment Program has awarded funds to LS9 to aid in the company’s grand opening plans for its biorefinery in Okeechobee, Florida. Earlier this year, FOF awarded LS9 $4.5 million to help fund the retrofit of their demonstration facility that when in operation will produce biodiesel and renewable chemical products. With the retrofit complete, the company will begin scaling up its technology to commercial production levels.

LS9 will be hosting a grand opening event on Tuesday, June 12th at its facility to showcase its technology and products. U.S. Congressman Tom Rooney (R-Fla.) will be on hand along with other notable persons and company representatives. The company anticipates production will begin this summer.

“LS9 has been working diligently to complete the retrofit of our Okeechobee facility, and we greatly appreciate the support of the Florida Opportunity Fund on this project,” said Ed Dineen, LS9 President and CEO. “We are honored to have the support of Congressman Rooney for our Grand Opening event and believe this facility can be a magnet for attracting other advanced agricultural and bio-product technologies to the state. Our Florida location is ideal as it allows for prime access to the feedstocks required to produce our renewable products.”

The company plans on producing biodiesel as its first product. In addition, the demonstration biorefinery will produce commercial samples for testing and product qualification by key partners and potential customers. The plant will also test and optimize new process conditions – all in preparation for commercial scale production.

Jennifer Dunham with Florida First Partners, the manager of the FOF Clean Energy Investment Program added, “The State of Florida recognizes the need for adoption of renewable energy products and remains committed to supporting companies, such as LS9, striving to produce these technologies.”

advanced biofuels, biochemicals, Biodiesel, biomaterials

Danish Company First To Achieve WindMade Status

Widex, a Danish hearing-aid manufacturer, is the first company in the world to receive the recently established WindMade designation, a new global consumer label for companies that use wind energy.

The WindMade label requires participating companies to obtain at least 25 percent of their electricity from wind power. A wind turbine at Widex’ new global headquarters in Denmark covers 95 percent of its energy needs, including production, the company says.

The WindMade label was created to allow companies to communicate their commitment to renewable energy while providing consumers with the choice to favour companies and products using wind power.

“We congratulate Widex for becoming the first-ever WindMade-certified company,” says Henrik Kuffner, CEO of WindMade. “By committing to renewable energy and using the WindMade label, Widex has set a great example that will inspire companies and consumers all over the world.”

“Being a high tech company, we have an uncompromising approach to innovation and we always strive to find the best solution. By completely eliminating the use of fossil fuels, we believe that we have created the best possible foundation for the future – both for our company and for society,” says Richard Tøpholm, manager at Widex and member of the Board.

Other major companies – including Becton Dickinson, Motorola, Deutsche Bank and PricewaterhouseCoopers Denmark – have expressed their commitment to the initiative and will be certified in the coming months.

Company Announcement, Energy, Production, Utilities, Wind

Sky Factory Switches to Net-Zero Solar Power

The Sky Factory, a global fine art and technology company based in Fairfield, Iowa, will “flip the switch” to become Iowa’s first net-zero solar powered business June 7.

Designed and installed by Fairfield’s Ideal Energy, the 3,500 square foot photovoltaic panel array, generating 54 kilowatts, is the largest private installation in the state and will generate 104 percent of Sky Factory’s power needs.

The Sky Factory creates virtual skylights and windows with nature scenes. Products are designed and manufactured in Fairfield and distributed globally. The company founded the Sustainability Research Institute (SRI) in 2008 with a mission to initiate and support the development, research and implementation of sustainable systems that are locally and globally relevant.

Inspired by Jack Eastman, long-time Sierra Club leader and Sky Factory’s own eco-conscience, the company began to investigate and implement sustainable practices. Sky Factory total recycling, a new energy conserving building, and implementation of a renewable energy system are the results of their dedication to eco-centric living.

The public is invited to celebrate the launch of this renewable energy system on Thursday, June 7, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. until noon. Presentations and tours will take place at 801 N. 18th St., Fairfield, Iowa 52556.

Company Announcement, Energy, energy efficiency, Solar

Ethanol Plants Install ICM Selective Milling Technology

Cindy Zimmerman

ICM, Inc. has completed full-scale commercial installations of its new Selective Milling Technology™ (SMT) at four ethanol plants. The plants that have installed the technology are LifeLine Foods LLC, Kansas Ethanol LLC, Green Plains Shenandoah, LLC and Lincolnland Agri-Energy LLC.

Formerly known as Fine Grind Technology, ICM is unveiling its new product name of Selective Milling Technology™, because it more accurately describes what the technology is doing. According to ICM Technical Director for Product Development Dr. Scott Kohl, Ph.D., “The process of using energy to free more starch for enzyme conversion to sugar can involve breaking larger starch particles into smaller ones; or breaking/rolling starch away from fiber, protein, or fats. Our SMT™ allows plants to maximize this added energy by targeting the particles that can benefit from it most.”

ICMICM has worked collaboratively with Fluid-Quip, Inc. to develop the technology and deliver it to the marketplace; Fluid-Quip is ICM’s equipment provider for the SMT™ systems. In addition, ICM has obtained the rights to license the SMT™ technology to commercial plants from Lee Tech, LLC.

Customer provided data from operations of ICM’s SMT™ illustrate the various benefits that are derived from this revolutionary platform technology, including: increased ethanol yields of 1.5% – 3.0%, increased oil recovery yields of 11% – 18%, and ultimately, increased revenues. Reflecting on the positive SMT™ data analysis to date, Kansas Ethanol Operations Manager Thane Combs said, “After running the SMT™, we are pleased with how it boosted our ethanol yield, lowered residual WDGS starch and most importantly, improved our bottom line.”

ICM President Chris Mitchell said, “We continue to focus our efforts on developing solutions that deliver value-added product streams to the renewable energy industry. We believe our competitive advantage comes from providing our customers with products that deliver immediate returns for them coupled with our expanding platform technologies that we’re excited to launch.”

A full-scale SMT™ disc mill, paddle screen and time-lapse photos/video of the technology being installed will be on display at ICM’s booth (#715) at the Fuel Ethanol Workshop (FEW), June 4-7 in Minneapolis, MN. In addition, SMT

ICM also announced today that Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy (SIRE) has purchased the company’s Advanced Process Controls (APC) system to be installed and commissioned at the 110 MGY plant in Council Bluffs. ICM’s APC package is an advanced hardware and software integrated solution designed to maximize plant efficiency by eliminating variability in operational parameters in critical areas such as slurry solids, water balance, beer column/evaporators, molecular sieves, dryers, fermentation, and stillage/centrifuges.

Ethanol, Ethanol News

Vote to Cut Military Biofuels Disappoints Ag Secretary

Cindy Zimmerman

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack is “disappointed” in recent Congressional action that would cut the use of biofuels by the military.

hawaii“We are extremely disappointed in that vote because I think it fails to recognize and appreciate the enormous potential of this industry to revitalize the rural economy,” said Vilsack during a conference call today when asked specifically about a vote last week by the Senate Armed Services Committee that would prohibit the military from spending money on alternative fuels. “I certainly hope that as this process continues folks will understand the negative impact such a vote has on rural America and will decide that the Navy, USDA and Department of Energy are on the right track to produce these new fuels.” The House Armed Services committee is considering a similar amendment to the defense spending bill.

Vilsack, pictured here during a visit to Pearl Harbor earlier this year to talk about military use of biofuels, said it is the right policy for the country. “People have got to understand we should not be so overly reliant on others for the supply of fuel,” he said, noting that commercial airlines are also very interested in the development of aviation biofuels.

The secretary indicated that he believes the oil industry is behind the movement in Congress to keep the military from using alternative fuels, just as oil interests are working to get rid of the Renewable Fuel Standard. “Because it is becoming a competitive alternative, and that is a good thing,” he said.

Listen to Vilsack’s comments here: Vilsack press conference questions

advanced biofuels, Audio, biojet fuel, Government, USDA

SLIP Plate Offers Wide Range of Products

Cindy Zimmerman

A 95-year-old graphite company is reaching out to let more industries know about the advantages of their dry film lubricants.

SLIP Plate is a Superior Graphite product that was developed in 1975 for the railroad industry as a natural lubricant that would stand up to weather and other environmental conditions. The dry film coating was not affected by temperature extremes, and did not attract dirt, grit, ice, water or snow. Additional SLIP Plate formulations were developed to meet the needs of the railroads, along with agricultural, industrial and consumer uses. The company’s slogan is “If it needs to slide, roll, turn, twist or spin – it’s a job for SLIP Plate®!”

One product specifically created for the agriculture market is Seed SLIK which has been engineered to reduce seed binding and bridging in planter hoppers and lubricate the mechanical parts of the planter without hurting the seeds. Barry Lee, Product Manager Coatings & Lubricants for Superior Graphite, says they are working to re-introduce the agricultural market to SLIP Plate and one of the ways they’re doing this is with the launch of the SLIP Plate® Facebook Sweepstakes.

SLIP Plate® Facebook Sweepstakes Want a chance to win a $100 Visa® Gift Card? Just follow these simple steps: 1) “Like” SLIP Plate on Facebook. 2) Enter the contest posted on SLIP Plate’s Facebook wall. Winners will be chosen randomly by the sweepstake’s host application, Easypromos, and will be notified via email. 2nd place and 3rd place entries selected will win SLIP Plate product (retail value up to $50.00). Contest ends: June 13, 2012. We thank you for your business and wish you good luck!

Listen to an interview with Barry Lee, Product Manager Coatings & Lubricants for Superior Graphite, here: Interview with Barry Lee

Production

Novozymes Nebraska Enzyme Plant Opens

Cindy Zimmerman

Advanced biofuels took a $200 million step forward on the march toward commercialization Wednesday with the official opening of Novozymes’ enzyme plant in Blair, Nebraska.

The inauguration of Novozymes’ new Blair facility was celebrated with employees, customers, community leaders and government officials, including the governor of Nebraska, Dave Heineman, U.S. Department of Energy Senior Advisor Jason Walsh and Blair Mayor James Realph. The governor and the mayor together ceremonially started the fermentation process at the plant. “The grand opening of Novozymes is important for the ethanol industry and for energy independence,” said Governor Dave Heineman. “Nebraska is one of the top producers of ethanol in America, which makes our state the perfect site for this facility.”

With the 100 new jobs created by the plant opening, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack highlighted the importance of expanding tax credits for investments in clean energy manufacturing for the economy during a conference call today with Novozymes President Adam Monroe. Novozymes leveraged its $200 million private investment in the Blair facility with a 48C manufacturing tax credit from the federal government.

“This program (48C) along with several other tax credits really create the opportunity for a clean energy future with three very important results,” said Vilsack. Those results, he says, include increasing farm income, creating jobs, and reducing reliance on foreign oil.

Monroe says biofuels currently make up 16% of Novozyme’s $2 billion in revenues. “We’ve done a number of research projects funded by DOE and have reduced the cost of the key enzymes needed for advanced biofuels production by 90%,” he said. “Now it’s about getting steel in the ground and moving ahead. We wanted to be ready when this industry commercialized and now we are.”

Listen to comments from Secretary Vilsack and Adam Monroe here: Vilsack/Monroe press conference

advanced biofuels, Audio, Biotech, Ethanol, Ethanol News, USDA

Senator Visits Michigan Cellulosic Ethanol Facility

Cindy Zimmerman

Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) highlighted the benefits of next-generation biofuels during a tour of the Alpena Biorefinery in the northern part of her state.

“This innovative partnership is producing Michigan-grown fuel that has the potential to spur new job growth and help reduce our dependence on foreign oil,” said Stabenow, who chairs the Senate Agriculture Committee which just sent a new farm bill to the full Senate that includes initiatives to expand biofuel innovation and production. “New, advanced biofuels right here in Alpena – that’s a pretty big deal,” she said.

The Alpena Biorefinery is a partnership between American Process Inc. (API) and Decorative Panels International (DPI) that uses advanced technology to convert hardboard waste into cellulosic ethanol. “DPI is committed to continuing the collaborative efforts with API to leverage and integrate their proprietary technology in converting our waste stream to a marketable biofuel,” said Tim Clark, President of Decorative Panels International. “APIs success in operating the biorefinery will support our objectives for sustainable manufacturing and environmental stewardship.”

The Alpena Biorefinery is expected to start commercial production in June.

advanced biofuels, Cellulosic, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government

Iowa Ag Secretary Says Ethanol is Strong

Cindy Zimmerman

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey continues to be bullish on ethanol, despite tight margins for producers.

Speaking on Iowa Public Television’s Iowa Press program Sunday, Northey disagreed with a reporter’s question that losing the blenders tax credit has put the ethanol industry on “quicksand” and could be sinking. “No, ethanol is certainly very strong,” Northey said. “We have 41 ethanol plants in Iowa. Produce over 3 billion gallons of ethanol a year and we actually lost those tax credits last December 31st. So, we have been operating the first five months of this year without that 45 cent a gallon tax credit.”

Northey admitted that the ethanol plants are operating on very tight margins right now but they are still open. “There is some belief that maybe a few of those will slow down over the summer depending on what grain prices are and the availability of corn,” he said. “These plants have gotten more efficient and then we have the next generation of plants. We have some cellulosic ethanol plants that are in the process of groundbreaking or letting bids for new production facilities. So, I think we have that next generation that is coming as well.”

Northey, who is a corn farmer and former president of the National Corn Growers Association, says that ethanol has had a positive impact on the state’s agriculture industry overall, even for livestock producers because of the co-product distillers grains (DDGS). “So, corn goes in the front, the starch is used for ethanol, the product coming out of the back is distillers dry grains and solubles. That is a wonderful cattle feed and we are actually seeing an increase in the number of cattle fed in Iowa because of that,” Northey added.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government