NEC 2027

Cereplast to Develop Bioplastics from Algae

Joanna Schroeder

1185861940Do you feel guilty when you buy drinking water bottled in plastic? If you don’t, you should and if you do then Cereplast may have a way to ease your mind. The company’s mission is to producing bio-based sustainable plastics and today announced that it has developed a breakthrough technology to transform algae into bioplastics. Cereplast intends to launch a  new family of algae-based resins that will complement their existing line of Compostables & Hybrid resins.

Frederic Scheer, Cereplast’s Founder, Chairman and CEO said, “Based on our own efforts, as well as recent commitments by major players in the algae field, we believe that algae has the potential to become one of the most important “green” feedstocks for biofuels, as well as bioplastics. Clearly, our focus will be on bioplastics. However, for our algae-based resins to be successful, we require the production of substantial quantities of algae feedstock. We are very encouraged when we see big players entering the algae production business, including Exxon’s $600 million investment in Synthetic Genomics and BP’s $10 million investment in Martek Biosciences.”

The company calculates that their algae-based resins could replace 50 percent or more of the petroleum content used in traditional plastic resins. Currently, Cereplast is using renewable material such as starches from corn, tapioca, wheat and potatoes and Ingeo® PLA.

Scheer concluded, “Our algae research has shown promising results and we believe that in the months to come we should be able to launch this new family of algae-based resins. Algae-based resins represent an outstanding opportunity for companies across the plastic supply chain to become more environmentally sustainable and reduce the industry’s reliance on oil. We are still in the development phase, but we believe that this breakthrough technology could result in a significant new line of business in the years to come.”

algae, biofuels, Company Announcement, News

Next Gen Biofuels Hearing Today

Cindy Zimmerman

The House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research will hold a hearing today to review the future of next generation biofuels.

Subcommittee chairman Tim Holden (D-PA) will preside over the hearing, which will include testimony from U.S. Department of Agriculture officials, as well as representatives from several companies involved in exploring new technologies and new feedstocks for biofuel production. Among the companies presenting testimony are BP Biofuels, Coskata, Mascoma and Osage Bio Energy.

A live video and audio feed will be available from the hearing, starting at 10 am eastern time today.

algae, Biodiesel, biofuels, Cellulosic, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government

Brazil Moves Up Biodiesel Mandate Schedule

John Davis

brazilflagAlready 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. The jump in biodiesel use is expected to coincide with a rise in biodiesel production to 634 million gallons in 2010, cementing Brazil’s grip as the world’s leader in renewable energy use:

Biodiesel blends became mandatory in early 2008, quickly followed by a raise in blend levels from 2 to 3 percent in July of the same year and from 3 to 4 percent in 2009. The increase to 5 percent was originally planned for 2013. This has enabled a steady expansion of the Brazilian biodiesel market, with 43 plants operating today and production capacity currently at 3.6 billion liters (950 million gallons) per year, more than enough to supply the volume required by the 5 percent mandate.

”Our urban areas and highways will have cleaner fuel, which also creates jobs and generates income to the poor through family farming”, said minister of Mines and Energy Edison Lobão. More than 90 percent of the market has received the Social Fuel Label, a mechanism used by the federal government to ensure a joint participation by small farmers and agribusinesses in the biodiesel production chain.

The move is expected to save 62 million tons of carbon dioxide from going into the air between now and 2017.

Biodiesel, International

Algae Biodiesel Maker Updates Progress

John Davis

PetroSunAlgae-biodiesel maker PetroSun, Inc. has released reports on the progress of three keys areas for the company: the domestic algae-to-biofuels program, algae derived co-products and alternative energy programs:

D.O.E. Integrated Biorefinery Proposal (DE-FOA-0000096)

The D.O.E. Integrated Biorefinery oral presentation was completed on October 15th by the University of Arizona-led team that included Texas A&M, Los Alamos National Lab, Air Liquide, Lurgi and PetroSun. The D.O.E. moderator indicated that a decision on the awards for this program is anticipated during December 2009.

Gulf Coast Algaculture Lease Program

This program was placed on hold until acceptable terms are reached for the capital required to retrofit the existing aquaculture farm ponds for commercial algae production. The global economic crisis crippled the capital markets during the past twelve months that PetroSun had engaged for this program, but those markets and new sources of foreign investment are now in the negotiation stage to provide potential funding for this program.

Business Model Moving Forward

The future implementation and operation of the commercial algae integrated biorefinery facilities by PetroSun BioFuels in the Gulf Coast Algaculture Program and the pilot scale Arid Raceway Integrated Design designed in collaboration with the University of Arizona team. The focus of the algae operation is to produce algal oil for conversion to fuel, recognizing however that a major revenue contributor to the program will be the value of the co-products, including animal feed and fertilizer.

PetroSun, Inc. is a diversified energy company with technology and operations in oil, natural gas and helium exploration, as well as algae-biodiesel.

algae, Biodiesel

Biodiesel Tour Bus Gets Free Fillup

John Davis

PermibusYou can’t beat free… unless you’re also getting renewable, clean-burning biodiesel. Well, the world’s first environmentally sustainable tour bus was able to get a free fillup of B100, pure biodiesel, at Innovation Fuels’ New York Harbor bioefinery:

InnovationFuels“The Permibus” – the world’s first environmentally sustainable tour bus complete with an interior garden perpetuated by worms, live chicken farm, multidimensional composting system, solar panels and wood burning stove – visited renewable fuels company Innovation Fuels’ New York harbor bio-refinery on Passaic Street in Newark, NJ on Thursday, October 22, 2009 and received a free tanks’ worth or 60 gallons of 100% pure biodiesel. The bus, which has traveled over 11,000 miles on renewable energy, stopped at Innovation Fuels as part of a national tour dedicated to showcasing sustainable living.

The New York-based green fuel maker and distributor sells biodiesel in the U.S. and around the world. The Permibus is a traveling roadshow of education and resources to those interested in cultivating revolutionary ways of living in their communities.

Biodiesel

Bioeconomy Conference to Focus on Biofuels Future

Cindy Zimmerman

Land grant universities around the Midwest are joining together to hold simultaneous state conferences to discuss biofuels and the future of renewable energy.

bio-econferenceThe 2009 Bio eConference – “Growing the Bioeconomy: Solutions for Sustainability” – will be held on December 1 through a network of co-host sites that will be “sharing content through high-speed communication systems to promote agriculturally-based sustainable solutions to global climate change and energy supply.” The conference will also be available online for a fee.

Among the universities taking part in the conference are Iowa State, Michigan State, North Dakota State, Purdue and the Universities of Minnesota, Missouri and Nebraska. The conference will run from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. EST on December 1.

conferences, University

Growth Energy Promotes Blender Pumps at NACS

Joanna Schroeder

nacsGrowth Energy was at the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) show in Las Vegas last week promoting the benefits of mid-level ethanol blends and blender pumps to retailers. I spent a few minutes with Phil Lampert, the Vice President of Market Development with Growth Energy. There were between 25,000-30,000 participants ranging from retailers, equipment manufacturers, jobbers and distributors, very eager to learn more about ethanol and mid-level blends such as E20, E30 and E85.

There are several hurdles facing the industry right now including not having a certified equipment by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), ASTM standards dated,to general lack of enthusiasm from DOE and others about ethanol said Lampert. However, he noted that there has been a hose and nozzle submitted to UL for certification and the dispenser is certified. Lampert expects the entire system to be certified by 2nd Quarter in 2010. “Growth Energy has been instrumental in helping pay for these things and really take the mid-level and high level blends of ethanol to the next step,” he said.

When I asked him what he really wanted retailers to take away from the show he said, “Retailers have been selling liquid hydrocarbon fuels for 110 years. The only growing liquid fuel is ethanol. It’s the only form of liquid fuel that has the opportunity to grow and we want them to see that it’s the new profit center. We’re trying to find the entrepreneurs that aren’t risk adverse but looking for a new profit center. They should consider putting in your store.”

You can listen to my full interview with Phil Lampert here.

Audio, blends, conferences, Ethanol, Growth Energy

Biofuels Promotion in Olivia, MN

ala-mnOlivia Cenex at 1208 West Lincoln in Olivia, Minnesota will be holding a Grand Opening celebration on Wednesday, November 4 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. E85 will sell for 85 cents off the original price per gallon and Biodiesel will sell for 20 cents off per gallon.

Event supporters include: Farmers Coop Oil, Renville County Corn and Soybean Growers, Minnesota Corn Growers Association, Minnesota Soybean Association, and the Minnesota Clean Air Choice Team.

Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty has been a long time supporter of high blends of ethanol such as E85. He has recently shown support for an increase in the mandated amount of ethanol sold per gallon of state gasoline from 10 percent to a higher percentage. “We want to move Minnesota dramatically and boldly toward the development and use of more ethanol and alternative fuels,” said Pawlenty.

Currently, Minnesota has 361 of the 2,094 E85 fueling locations within the United States — the most E85 stations of any state throughout the country.

Biodiesel, E85, Ethanol, Ethanol News, News

Conference in Omaha for Ethanol Lab Managers

midland_scientificMidland Scientific Inc. and Midwest Laboratories are sponsoring the second annual Fuel Ethanol Laboratory Manager Conference in Omaha, Nebraska on November 10 and 11. The conference is being held at the Pappillion/LaVista Conference Center and is dedicated to bringing together lab managers and lab professionals in the fuel ethanol industry to collaborate and learn information that can be utilized for improving laboratory practices and quality control.

midwest_labThere are 7 speakers with topics ranging from fermentation management to proper sampling techniques. Additional sponsors are Novozymes, Mettler, Metrohm, and EMD Chemicals.

Attendance is expected at over 100 lab managers and related professionals from the fuel ethanol industry. To register for the conferenece, click here.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, News

Patrick Hessini Joins Avant Energy as VP

Joanna Schroeder

Patrick HessiniPatrick Hessini has joined the Minneapolis-based Avant Energy team as Vice President. Hessini’s main role will be to lead Avant’s consulting business and help to develop additional innovative energy projects and programs.

According to Avant Energy president Derick Dahlen, “Patrick enhances our ability to help municipal and cooperative utilities, educational institutions and corporations achieve their energy management goals.”

Hessini joins Avant from HB Fuller of St. Paul, where he most recently directed the company’s global consulting business, including leading project teams to develop green supply chain platforms and sustainability programs. Prior to joining HB Fuller, he was involved in wind energy business planning for ConocoPhillips and held numerous business leadership and project management roles in the energy industry.

“It’s clear to me that Avant’s rich portfolio of experience in utility management, renewable generation projects, and overall energy project management translates into superior results for our clients and customers,” said Hessini.

Company Announcement, Energy