Verbio Begins Work on Indiana Biorefinery

Cindy Zimmerman

Verbio has begun construction to convert its South Bend ethanol plant into the second integrated biorefinery plant in North America.

The facility will incorporate both the production of renewable natural gas (RNG) and bioethanol using an innovative production approach. The company, a subsidiary of Europe`s leading biofuels and bioenergy producer Verbio SE, had received approval for its expansion proposal from the City of South Bend in April. Following the application of the Verbio technology and commissioning, Verbio targets a production capacity of at least 85 million gallons of corn ethanol and 2.8 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of RNG annually.

Verbio CEO Claus Sauter says the RNG will be created using the corn stillage co-product coming from the ethanol production process. “The technology approach we are applying integrates bioethanol and RNG production in a unique way,” said Sauter. “We are working with a closed-loop system that uses all raw materials sustainably and most efficiently. Almost 100% of all accumulated waste products are being refined in further steps into high-quality fertilizer products that are then sold back to growers.”

South Bend Ethanol is the second biorefinery project of Verbio in the United States. The company`s first RNG plant in Nevada, Iowa, has been producing RNG from corn stover since 2021. The build out in South Bend coincides with the expected commissioning of ethanol production at the Nevada plant in the coming weeks. Stillage from the ethanol production will be used to produce additional RNG, similar to the expansion of South Bend.

advanced biofuels, biofuels, corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News

ICM and Western New York Energy to Implement FOT Oil Recovery™ system

Cindy Zimmerman

ICM, Inc. this week announced a strategic collaboration with Western New York Energy to implement ICM’s cutting-edge FOT Oil Recovery™ system.

Under the terms of the agreement, ICM will be responsible for engineering, equipment procurement, and installation of its proprietary FOT Oil Recovery™ system at WNYE’s advanced facility in Medina, New York. This agreement marks the sixth commercial installation of ICM’s proprietary oil recovery technology.

FOT Oil Recovery™, a two-step separation system integrated after the distillation process, significantly increases downstream oil recovery by optimizing solids-liquid separation in the whole stillage. This system also dewaters the whole stillage cake as it goes to the dyer, reducing a plant’s natural gas load.

The on-site installation of FOT Oil Recovery™ will start this fall, with a system startup planned for next spring.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Facilities, Production

Chandra Joins Grains Council Ethanol Efforts

Cindy Zimmerman

Ankit Chandra, US Grains Council

The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) announces the addition of Ankit Chandra as new senior manager of global ethanol market development.

In this role, Chandra will contribute to planning and implementing promotional programs and market analysis to advance U.S. ethanol exports across transportation and off-road applications, including sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), maritime and other bio-based sectors.

Chandra joins the Council with vast experience in agricultural trade, previously holding positions as an Agricultural Specialist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agriculture Service and other major agricultural organizations. Chandra recently earned a master’s degree in public administration with a specialization in agriculture, energy and the environment from Columbia University.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Exports, USGC

Ethanol Report on Days of Summer

Cindy Zimmerman

When it’s summertime, the driving is easier with ethanol.

As millions of Americans are looking ahead to summer vacations and family road trips, high fuel prices may be a concern, but ethanol is helping to keep prices lower than they might be otherwise, and the Renewable Fuels Association notes that higher ethanol blends like E15 and E85 offer even lower prices, and the chance for motorists to win $300 in fuel every week this summer.

In this edition of the Ethanol Report, RFA chief economist Scott Richman, and Senior VP, Industry Relations & Market Development, Robert White talk about the benefits of ethanol blended fuel and RFA’s annual Ethanol Days of Summer Contest.

Ethanol Report 5-23-24 15:38

The Ethanol Report is a podcast about the latest news and information in the ethanol industry that has been sponsored by the Renewable Fuels Association since 2008.

Choose an option to subscribe

Audio, E15, E85, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Ethanol Report, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

ACE Announces “Gold Standard” Conference Theme

Cindy Zimmerman

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) is setting “The Gold Standard” as the theme for its 37th annual conference, August 14-16, at the Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District.

“ACE is devoting considerable time, effort and resources to help ethanol producers and the farmers supplying them become the gold standard when it comes to producing low-carbon fuel,” said Brian Jennings, ACE CEO. “We invite ethanol producers and industry members to join us in Omaha this summer to discover how they can benefit from the work ACE is undertaking to enhance the value and demand for ethanol.”

“For nearly four decades, biofuel stakeholders have used the ACE conference as a platform to discuss the latest technological advancements and market updates, as well as the industry’s future direction and ambitions,” said Katie Muckenhirn, Vice President of Public Affairs at ACE. “Our industry is setting the benchmark for sustainable energy solutions, and we’re crafting an event agenda that covers topics designed to shape the continued success of this industry.”

Registration is now officially open for the conference which will cover topics like maximizing tax credit opportunities under the Inflation Reduction Act, the retail marketplace for E15 and E85, farm-to-biofuel carbon market collaborations, trade developments and more. The conference also offers breakout sessions with subjects falling under three different tracks: leadership and management, technology and carbon.

ACE, ACE Ethanol Conference, Ethanol, Ethanol News

RFA Safety Program Continues Winning Streak

Cindy Zimmerman

The Renewable Fuels Association safety program continues its winning streak, receiving its 12th consecutive National Achievement Award from TRANSCAER, a national hazardous materials safety coalition. In addition, RFA’s Director of Safety and Technical Programs Missy Ruff received an Individual Recognition Award for her efforts.

“The U.S. ethanol industry continues to maintain an excellent safety record, which is a direct result of RFA’s ongoing efforts to prepare ethanol producers, shippers, first responders, local community leaders, and others,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “We are honored to again receive this award from TRANSCAER, and I am especially proud to see our director of safety and technical programs, Missy Ruff, continue to be recognized for her leadership and commitment to the industry’s safety.”

Speaking of safety, RFA is has two events focused on safety coming up next month. A Train the Trainer Ethanol Emergency Response webinar is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. CDT Tuesday, June 4, open to anyone with the responsibility or interest in teaching operator-level ethanol emergency response. Click here for information and to register.

On Wednesday, June 5, an Ethanol Safety and Steel Drum 101 webinar will be offered from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. CDT. Participants will get an in-depth look at proper training techniques needed when responding to an ethanol-related emergency and gain helpful information to better comprehend the components of steel drums. Click here for information and to register.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA, safety

Ethanol Groups Petition Supreme Court Over SRE Decision

Cindy Zimmerman

The Renewable Fuels Association, together with Growth Energy, filed a petition in the Supreme Court of the United States Monday requesting review of a Fifth Circuit Court opinion on proper venue for challenges to the Environmental Protection Agency’s small refinery exemption (SRE) petitions under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

In a November 2023 decision, the Fifth Circuit concluded that it was an appropriate venue to hear a challenge brought by oil refiners whose SRE petitions had been denied by EPA. RFA intervened in the Fifth Circuit case on behalf of EPA and argued that the only proper venue for SRE challenges is the D.C. Circuit Court because SREs are nationally applicable and have nationwide scope or effect.

Similar challenges brought by refiners were transferred or dismissed in the Third, Seventh, Ninth, Tenth, and Eleventh Circuit Courts, as those courts all affirmed they were not the proper venue to review a nationwide policy issue. In addition, the dissenting opinion in the Fifth Circuit case, written by Judge Patrick E. Higginbotham, agreed that the Fifth Circuit was an inappropriate venue and that the challenge should have instead been heard in the D.C. Circuit.

“As our petition makes clear, the Fifth Circuit never should have heard this challenge brought by refiners,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “As underscored by five other Circuit Courts and the dissenting opinion in the Fifth Circuit, the D.C. Circuit is obviously the only proper venue for reviewing EPA’s denial of small refinery exemption petitions. The Supreme Court should overturn the Fifth Circuit’s flawed opinion and ensure that any SRE challenges are considered by the singular D.C. Circuit venue.”

EPA, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

USGC Provides Ethanol Education in Latin America

Cindy Zimmerman

USGC image

As many countries across Latin America (LTA) seek to develop energy transition policies, the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) along with the Latin American Energy Organization (OLADE) and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) have partnered to train government officials and industry and refinery representatives on the benefits of ethanol and its use in gasoline blending.

The training program began in February 2024 with the launch of a virtual course in which more than 380 people from 13 Latin American countries registered. The course content included six modules on various topics, including biofuels and climate change, global ethanol markets and sustainable aviation fuels (SAF).

“The last two weeks have been very fruitful, as the program has held face-to-face workshops in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico and more recently Peru. More than 160 participants from eight countries have gained a greater understanding of the topics covered in the virtual course and have learned about international experiences with ethanol blends from the United States, Argentina, Bolivia and Colombia, among other countries,” said Juan Diaz, USGC LTA regional ethanol consultant.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Exports, Grains, International, USGC

Senate Resolution Opposes EV Tax Credit Rule

Cindy Zimmerman

Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) is one of six Senators who joined to introduce a resolution of disapproval last week opposing the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s final rule implementing the 30D Clean Vehicle Credit for electric vehicles with batteries containing Chinese sourced materials like graphite. The resolution was sponsored by Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and co-sponsored by cosponsored by Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Mike Braun (R-IN).

“President Biden wants to prop up America’s transition to EVs by keeping Chinese graphite flowing into the United States. As usual, China will profit richly off the administration’s ‘green’ energy dreams. If Joe Biden wants to force EVs on Americans, he should at least find another source of graphite,” said Senator Fischer.

A similar resolution is expected to be introduced in the House.

Electric Vehicles

Iowa Renewable Fuels Issues Forum Scheduled

Cindy Zimmerman

Candidates for the Republican nomination for Iowa’s Fourth Congressional District will address key issues for the state at the Rural and Renewable Fuels Issue Forum to be held May 30 at the Western Iowa Tech Community College in Cherokee.

Candidates U.S. Representative Randy Feenstra and Kevin Virgil have both confirmed their attendance at the event sponsored by the Agribusiness Association of Iowa, Iowa Biodiesel Board and Iowa Renewable Fuels Association.

During the forum each candidate will be given the opportunity to address a series of questions impacting rural Iowa, including topics on farming, livestock production, renewable fuels, and rural life.

Rep. Randy Feenstra hails from Hull, Iowa where he has served in several different capacities in Hull, Sioux Center and as a Senator at the statehouse before winning the Republican nomination for the 4th congressional district in 2020. Leading up to his role of U.S. Representative, Feenstra held a career in sales and as a professor at Dordt University. He was reelected in 2022 and now seeks a third term.

Kevin Virgil is an O’Brien County native. Virgil served in the Army and later joined the Center Intelligence Agency (CIA). He has also led a career on Wall Street and as an entrepreneur when he co-founded a data analytics company called Polysentry. He now seeks the nomination for Iowa’s 4th district.

Biodiesel, Ethanol, Ethanol News, politics