The Chicago Tribune reports on comments from Archer Daniels Midland executives that they foresee “rapid growth in the market for gasoline blended with 10, 15 or even 20 percent concentrations of ethanol, but slower acceptance of so-called “E-85.” Read full story.
ADM Plans Global Lead in Biofuels
Archer Daniels Midland Company made presentations to financial analysts in Chicago Wednesday outlining plans to be the global leader in ethanol and biodiesel production, while expanding its top position in the agricultural processing value chain.
“ADM is uniquely positioned at the intersection of the world’s increasing demands for both food and fuel,” said Patricia Woertz, ADM CEO and President. “As one of the largest agricultural processors in the world and the largest biofuels producer in the world, ADM is in a category of one to capitalize on the exceptional opportunity ahead.”
Read more from ADM press release,
and Reuters report one and two.
ISU Researching Potential Cellulose Breakdown Compound
A 40-year-old discovery is showing promise as a chemical pre-treatment that breaks down plant fiber. That could release the simple sugars in corn stalks or switchgrass so they can be fermented into ethanol. And that could add value to Iowa’s crops or the fibrous co-products of ethanol production. John Verkade, left, a University Professor of chemistry at Iowa State, and Reed Oshel, a graduate student in biorenewable resources and technology, are studying the compound which they are not identifying as they explore patent options.
Read more here from ISU.
UL Reports Progress on E85 Pumps
Underwriters Laboratories reports progress toward developing safety requirements for E85 ethanol dispensers after a two-day forum at headquarters in Chicago last week. Concern over the safety of pumps for 85 percent ethanol was brought into question after a notice Oct. 23 that UL had suspended authorization of E85 dispenser components and that it would be updating its requirements.
The technical forum, co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, featured 32 national experts discussing E85 fuel-dispensing system materials and the development of safety standards for E85 dispensers. Participants included automobile and petroleum company representatives, ethanol producers, dispenser and component manufacturers, industry associations, government agencies and researchers.
UL, North America’s leading safety testing and certification organization, said additional technical data is necessary from forum participants to assist in the standards development process. Forum participants agreed to provide UL with requested technical data no later than Nov. 15.
Read more.
Ford Goes Back to Ethanol Roots
AgriNews of Minnesota reports that Ford is “returning to its origins with its interest in ethanol.”
In 1907, ethanol was the primary fuel for Ford vehicles because it was the most widely available fuel, said Ron Westby, director of public policy for Ford Motor Company, speaking at last week’s Agri-Growth Council annual meeting.
Ford switched to gasoline after the Volstad Act outlawed alcohol in 1918, Westby said, because then gasoline was more readily available.
Read the story here.
Ethanol Fever Fires Up Farmers
Scripps News has a feature on ethanol fever in the Heartland, focusing on Heron Lake, Minn.
Ethanol mania is sweeping through Heron Lake and many towns like it across the Corn Belt. Investors are spending billions in rural communities, sparking a wild rush to secure land, an industry movement to alter environmental standards and a rash of fierce bidding by communities desperate for their own plant.
Two decades after farmers began mashing their corn into ethanol, the clear, odorless liquid is seen by many as the best chance for America to lessen its dependence on foreign oil.
Read the story here.
Million Mile Haul
Ten truckers will be driving a million miles over the next two years to study and promote the benefits of soy biodiesel.
The Iowa Soybean Association, Decker Trucking Lines, Inc., the National Biodiesel Board, Caterpillar Inc., Iowa Central Community College, Renewable Energy Group and the USDA have partnered to support this study.
The study will use a biodiesel mix of 20% soy biodiesel and 80% petroleum diesel. Trucks using both biodiesel and traditional diesel will run identical routes and carry the same weight, and researchers will measure fuel mileage, engine wear, and other data.
Read more here.
Biodiesel Report Available
SRI Consulting recently released its new Biodiesel Report that provides comprehensive and current information on the global biodiesel industry and trends.
According to an SRI news release:
Author and Vice President at SRIC Ralf Gubler said, “Over the last year, the biodiesel industry has changed dramatically. For example, the average biodiesel plant in Western Europe produced about 40 thousand metric tons last year. In 2006, the average capacity is expected to be 100 thousand metric tons. Also, other regions are planning to have the same capacity within two years.”
The report provides in depth coverage on supply and demand, feedstock issues, production technologies, and regulatory, environmental and agricultural issues for over 60 individual countries. In over 500 pages and 280 tables, the report details 15 years of historical and five years of projected supply/demand figures on a country-by-country level.
For additional information about the Biodiesel Report, see www.sriconsulting.com.
Canadian Renewable Fuels Summit
The third annual Canadian Renewable Fuels Summit is coming up December 10 – 12 in Banff Springs, Alberta, Canada.
The summit is hosted by the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association and features a number of important speakers including:
The Hon. Lorne Calvert,
Premier of Saskatchewan
Lorne Hepworth, President,
CropLife Canada
Barb Isman, President,
Canola Council of Canada
Lionel LaBelle,
Saskatchewan Ethanol Development Council
Gord Surgeoner, President,
Ontario Agri Food Technologies
Dave Vander Griend, President and CEO,
ICM Inc.
Dave Paterson, V.P Corporate and Environmental Affairs,
General Motors Canada
CBOT to Launch OTC Ethanol Contracts
The Chicago Board of Trade has announced plans for two new over-the-counter (OTC) Ethanol Calendar Swap contracts.
The new products, which will include contracts for both forward and previous month calendar swaps, will be based on the price of CBOT Ethanol futures contracts. Scheduled to be introduced on December 4, 2006, CBOT Ethanol Swap contracts are the first exchange-cleared OTC products to be specifically tailored for use in the ethanol industry.