NEC 2027

Register for Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit

Cindy Zimmerman

The 6th annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit on January 24 in Des Moines is free and open to all who want to attend, but they want to know if you are going to be there.

irfa summit2011“Registration is required and can be done on-line at iowarfa.org,” said Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Managing Director Lucy Norton. The registration deadline for the event is January 19.

Norton says they are very excited about the event this year, which has a focus on the national security aspect of renewable fuels. “This is an opportunity for people to learn more about the impact that domestic fuels have on our energy security, our economy and the environment and the advantages of using something that we produce here,” she said. “That’s keeping our money at home instead of sending it over to countries that really don’t like us that much.”

Speakers include General Paul J. Kern (U.S. Army Ret.); Former National Security Advisory Robert McFarlane, and Dr. Gal Luft, Institute for Analysis of Global Security. The summit will also feature an update on biodiesel and the plans for implementing E15 for consumer fuel choice.

The summit on January 24 will be held at a new location in the Veterans Memorial/Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. Registration is easy and fast on-line and there is also more information on program details and hotel availability.

Listen to an interview with Lucy Norton about the summit here: Lucy Norton on Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit

Audio, Biodiesel, conferences, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Iowa RFA

Final Weekly Ethanol Production Report for 2011

Cindy Zimmerman

Ethanol plants continued to crank up production right through the end of 2011, setting yet another record for the last week of the year after already setting new records for the two weeks prior.

According to the Energy Information Administration, ethanol production averaged 963,000 barrels per day – or 40.45 million gallons daily – for the week ending 12/30/2011. That’s 1,000 barrels more than the record set the previous week.

No doubt that ethanol production this year will be a record, although it will be a couple of months before the actual, official total is calculated. But, based on the weekly reports, production will be around 13.78 billion gallons, which beats the 2010 total of 13.23 billion. However, official monthly data tends to deviate slightly from the weekly data and those numbers for November and December have not yet been released.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA

Register Now for Process Optimization Seminar

Cindy Zimmerman

phibroManagers of ethanol plants are encouraged to attend the latest in the Process Optimization Seminar management series, coming up February 8-10 in St. Paul, Minnesota. The event is organized by Fermentis, Fremont Industries, Novozymes and Phibro Ethanol Performance Group.

“This is our seventh event,” said Phibro’s Tom Slunecka. “All prior events have been sold out and we believe that’s based on several factors. We keep the class sizes small, we keep the locations affordable, we keep the agendas tight, and we also throw in some entertainment.”

The focus at this upcoming event will be on exports of both ethanol and distillers grains. “All plant managers today know that without the export market that our profitability would be much lower than it is,” Slunecka said. “So this seminar’s going to give pointers and tips on how to maximize that opportunity.” The seminar’s general session will cover many of the most important issues; regulations, quality control, contracting and mediation.

The entertainment portion of this event will be the National Hockey League game between the Minnesota Wild and Vancouver Canucks.

Listen to an interview with Tom Slunecka about the upcoming seminar: Process Optimization Seminar Interview

Registration is $275 and is available on-line at www.processoptimizationseminar.com.

Audio, conferences, Ethanol, Ethanol News

McFarlane to Address 6th Annual IRFA Summit

Former National Security Advisor Robert C. McFarlane will speak at the 6th Annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit on January 24. McFarlane’s address is titled, “Foreign Oil: Breaking Our Addiction Through Consumer Fuel Choice.” The Summit is sponsored by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA).

Prior to serving as President Reagan’s National Security Advisor, McFarlane was appointed as the President’s Special Representative in the Middle East. After numerous years of public service, he founded Global Energy Investors, LLC, and co-founded the United States Energy Security Council. The Council’s mission is focused on diminishing the inordinate strategic importance of oil, which stems from its virtual monopoly over transportation fuel.
Iowa RFA
“We’re privileged to have Mr. McFarlane join the Summit program to underscore the hazardous results of the oil monopoly on the U.S. economy,” said Lucy Norton, IRFA Managing Director. “His message of consumer fuel choice will make clear how flex-fuel vehicles and renewable fuels can play a significant role in reducing our country’s dangerous foreign oil dependence.”

The Summit and trade show will be held in Des Moines, Iowa at Veterans Memorial/Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is required.

Biodiesel Conference, conferences, RFA

ZeaChem Completes Core Facility at Oregon Biorefinery

ZeaChem Inc., a developer of biorefineries for the conversion of renewable biomass into sustainable fuels and chemicals, has completed construction and begun operations of the core facility for its new integrated demonstration biorefinery in Boardman, Oregon.
Zeachem
The core facility will produce the intermediate chemicals acetic acid and ethyl acetate, which are high-value products for applications including paints, lacquers and solvents. ZeaChem will sell bio-based chemicals to commercial and industrial customers seeking renewable and cost-competitive alternatives to petroleum-sourced chemicals. The facility will employ 25 full-time operations staff.

ZeaChem is further developing its integrated biorefinery through implementation of a second project to add the capability of using cellulosic biomass on the front end and converting ethyl acetate into ethanol on the back end. This separate “bookends” project is currently underway and supported by a $25 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Once operational in 2012, it will result in the production of up to 250,000 gallons per year of cellulosic ethanol.

“Beginning operations at the core facility is another indication that ZeaChem continues to successfully execute its strategic roadmap,” said Jim Imbler, president and chief executive officer of ZeaChem. “Our phased development approach minimizes risk by allowing us to produce marketable products as we scale up our biorefining operations. We will continue to build out our biorefinery platform to produce a broad portfolio of sustainable and economical chemicals and fuels derived from cellulosic biomass.”

In addition to this work, ZeaChem, headquartered in Lakewood, Colo., has been named, “This Week’s Colorado Company to Watch,” for the company’s work in growing their business of building bio-refineries that produce advanced biofuels and bio-based chemicals.

biochemicals, biomass, Cellulosic, Facilities

NBB Comments on EPA’s Approval of Camelina Oil

The EPA has published a final rule approving camelina oil as a feedstock under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2).

Today, the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) released the following statement in support of the ruling.

“Biodiesel’s evolving feedstock diversity is one of its greatest strengths, and we’re pleased to see the EPA recognizing camelina as yet another feedstock that meets the agency’s standards as an Advanced Biofuel,” said Anne Steckel, vice president of federal affairs at NBB. “As it has with other biodiesel feedstocks such as animal fats, recycled cooking oil, soybean oil and canola oil, the EPA’s proposal shows that biodiesel produced from camelina oil reduces greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50 percent compared with diesel fuel. This is good news for our industry and will give biodiesel plants another tool in the toolbox as they continue producing record quantities of America’s Advanced Biofuel.”

Biodiesel, biofuels, Government, NBB

Coalition for E85 Fights Back Against Rising Prices

Cindy Zimmerman

As prices for 85 percent ethanol fuel are rising in the wake of the expiration of the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC) on January 1, the Coalition for E85 is increasing its effort to have American-made 85-percent ethanol recognized as an alternative fuel along with natural gas, propane, and hydrogen alternatives.

The expiration of the VEETC resulted in an immediate a 38-cent increase on every gallon of clean E85, which the coalition notes reduces the incentive for Americans to buy domestically produced fuels, and endangers the investments of millions of Flex Fuel auto owners, E85 retailers, producers, equipment manufacturers, and other supporters.

“Despite the tax credit’s expiration, we are continuing to work to protect the investments made by millions of Flex Fuel drivers, and thousands of retailers and producers who want to keep money spent on fuel right here in our country,” said Matt Horton, CEO of Propel Fuels, a leading member of the Coalition for E85. “Oil companies didn’t need the tax credit to keep blending ethanol into gasoline, but America’s alternative fuel retailers need the tax credit to keep E85 affordable. Without Congress’ continued support, America will become more dependent on foreign oil.”

The Coalition for E85 is urging supporters to reach out to their representatives and show support for E85. A tool kit including sample letters to Congress, pump top posters for retailers, and social media links can be found on the coalition’s website.

E85, Ethanol, Ethanol News

California Files Appeal in Ethanol Ruling

Cindy Zimmerman

CA ARBAs expected, the California Air Resources Board today filed an appeal in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit to challenge last week’s ruling that the California Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) violates the commerce clause of the U.S. Constitution.

The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) responded to the expected action by noting that the judge who issued the ruling has made a good decision in determining that the LCFS discriminates against Midwestern ethanol producers. “Judge O’Neill agreed, basing his ruling on strong evidence and sound constitutional law,” said the RFA statement. “In the Court of Appeals, RFA will vigorously defend the result obtained at the District Court level.”

The judge’s ruling found that the LCFS discriminates against out-of-state corn-derived ethanol and impermissibly regulates extraterritorial conduct and the court therefore issued an injunction against the enforcement of the LCFS in California.

RFA’s Matt Hartwig provides a good overview of the ruling and its implications on the E-xchange Blog. “The RFA is not opposed to carbon-reducing programs but believes any such initiative should be undertaken at the national level, thus avoiding a state-by-state patchwork of unworkable and possibly unconstitutional policies,” notes Hartwig. “If based on the best available science and grounded in real world perception, a national low carbon fuel strategy that complements the Renewable Fuel Standard would be something the RFA and its members would support.”

Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA

DuPont and NexSteppe Team for New Bio Feedstocks

Cindy Zimmerman

DuPontTwo companies have teamed up to develop advanced feedstocks for biofuels, biopower and biobased products.

The collaboration between DuPont and the bio-based firm NexSteppe will be working on new feedstocks for renewable energy, including sweet sorghum and high biomass sorghum hybrids.

dupontUnder the agreement, DuPont has made an equity investment in NexSteppe, and through its Pioneer Hi-Bred business, will provide knowledge, resources and advanced technologies to help the company accelerate the breeding and commercialization of new hybrids of these crops in the United States and Brazil.

“We’re using science-based innovation and collaboration to develop scalable, sustainable feedstock options for the biobased industries,” said John Bedbrook, vice president for DuPont Agricultural Biotechnology. “Collaborations like this one with NexSteppe will provide new opportunities for growers to address the rising demand for secure, environmentally sustainable and affordable alternatives to fossil fuels.”

Sorghum“Sorghum is a crop with significant genetic diversity and great potential that has received relatively little research attention and funding,” said Anna Rath, NexSteppe founder and CEO. “Combining DuPont’s world-class research and development capabilities with our industry knowledge, experienced team and singular focus, we will be able to rapidly improve the crop to produce feedstocks tailored to the needs of the biofuels, biopower and biobased products industries.”

Sorghum has many advantages as a feedstock. It is naturally tolerant to both drought and heat and can grow in marginal rainfall areas with a short growing season and the ability to work in crop rotation systems. Sweet sorghum can be used as a complement to sugarcane in existing Brazilian sugar to ethanol mills, and as a feedstock for advanced biofuels and other biobased products produced from sugars. High Biomass Sorghum is a high-yielding crop that can be used as a feedstock for biopower and cellulosic biofuels. DuPont, through its Industrial Biosciences business, operates and develops industrial processes that use sugar as a feedstock.

advanced biofuels, biomass, Cellulosic, Ethanol, Ethanol News, sorghum

BASF Invests in Cellulosic Sugar Company

Cindy Zimmerman

BASFGlobal chemical giant BASF has invested $30 million in a Pennsylvania-based company that has developed a process to produce cellulosic sugars for renewable chemicals and biofuels.

BASF, through subsidiary BASF Biorenewable Beteiligungs GmbH & Co. KG led a $50 million financing round in the technology firm Renmatix Inc.

BASFRenmatix has developed the patented Plantrose™ platform whereby industrial sugar can be produced from lignocellulosic biomass (wood, cane trash or straw). In the Plantrose technology, biomass is split into cellulose and sugar in supercritical water at high temperature and pressure in a two-step process.

Industrial sugars are important renewable resources for the chemical industry and can be used, for example, to produce biofuels or basic chemical products and intermediates by fermentative processes. The availability of industrial sugars in sufficient quantities and at favorable cost is therefore important for the competitiveness of the products.

biofuels, biomass, Biotech, Cellulosic, Ethanol, Ethanol News