REG Completes $34M Danville Biorefinery Upgrade

Joanna Schroeder

The biodiesel biorefinery located in Danville, Illinois is showing off its new upgrades and enhancements. REG, the owner of the 45 million gallon per year biodiesel plant that has expanded from 8 acres to nearly 30 acres, invested $34.5 million into the facility. REG hosted a public celebration to showcase the completed project that included a ribbon cutting. On hand for the event was Illinois Congressman John Shimkus (R) as well as area civic and business leaders and contractors involved in the project.

In order to enable the biodiesel plant to utilize a wider array of low-carbon feedstocks, the upgrades included the addition of a biodiesel distillation unit along with various manufacturing improvements. The project also included several logistical improvements including an additional truck loadout, new warehouse and office space. With the acquisition and integration of the neighboring Bunge facility, the biodiesel biorefinery now has an additional 13 million gallons of feedstock and biofuel storage, that according to REG, will significantly improve year-round production and storage capability.

“This is a culmination of more than two years of work not just within REG, but also with our contractors, our longtime lending partner Fifth Third Bank, the city of Danville, Vermillion County, and local residents,” said REG President and CEO Daniel Oh. “We now have a stronger REG Danville that can produce high quality, lower carbon intensity biofuel from a wider variety of crude raw materials in a part of the country where they are abundant.”

Renewable Energy Group celebrated the completion of $34.5 million in upgrades to its Danville, IL biorefinery. Pictured (L to R)---Gary Haer, REG Vice President, Sales & Marketing; Cong. John Shimkus (R-IL); Brad Albin, Vice President, Manufacturing; Mike Jackson, REG Board Member; Chad Stone, Chief Financial Officer; Daniel Oh, President and CEO; Danville Mayor Scott Eisenhauer; Natalie Merrill, REG Vice President & Chief of Staff; Paul Calamari, REG Danville Plant Manager; and Bruce Lutes, REG Danville General Manager. (Photo: Business Wire)

Renewable Energy Group celebrated the completion of $34.5 million in upgrades to its Danville, IL biorefinery. Pictured (L to R)—Gary Haer, REG Vice President, Sales & Marketing; Cong. John Shimkus (R-IL); Brad Albin, Vice President, Manufacturing; Mike Jackson, REG Board Member; Chad Stone, Chief Financial Officer; Daniel Oh, President and CEO; Danville Mayor Scott Eisenhauer; Natalie Merrill, REG Vice President & Chief of Staff; Paul Calamari, REG Danville Plant Manager; and Bruce Lutes, REG Danville General Manager. (Photo: Business Wire)

Among the speakers was Illinois Congressman John Shimkus, a senior member of the House Energy & Commerce Committee and long-time biodiesel advocate. “Biodiesel adds value to the economy and it helps improve the environment, supports jobs throughout the supply chain and strengthens our energy security,” he said.

REG acquired the Danville biorefinery in 2010 from Blackhawk Biofuels, LLC. It is one of the company’s 11 biomass-based diesel refineries across the U.S. that have a combined nameplate production capacity of 452 million gallons annually, making REG the leading producer of advanced biofuels in North America.

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel

Lee Enterprises Celebrates 21st Anniversary

Joanna Schroeder

Lee Enterprises Consulting is celebrating its 21st anniversary. The organization began as a small biodiesel consulting practice in 1955 and today has grown to a consultancy with over 100 international experts. Lee Enterprises now has seven divisions with emphases on biodiesel, ethanol, emerging technologies, biomass power, renewable chemicals, biogas/AD and business/finance.

Wayne Lee, Founder & CEO of Lee Enterprises Consulting.

Wayne Lee, Founder & CEO of Lee Enterprises Consulting.

“This has been a pretty amazing journey,” said Founder and CEO, Wayne Lee. “I am truly humbled as I reflect back on our beginnings, growth and current position.” Lee notes that he is inspired each day to continue to improve. “I am blessed beyond measure to be part of something that can assist so many in a future in which I fervently believe.”

Other Lee Enterprises executives share Lee’s enthusiasm. “With so many top experts in so many different areas of the bioeconomy, this Lee Enterprises Consulting team is really like no other,” said EVP Gerald Kutney. “The sheer size and cumulative knowledge allow us to provide a very balanced approach, blending the technical, financial, academic, engineering, legal, and accounting into one project.”

EVP Mark Farrer agrees. “Undoubtedly, Lee Enterprises Consulting is the premier consulting group of its kind, and as a consultant myself, it is truly comforting to know that I have so much knowledge and expertise, and so many resources at my fingertips.”

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, Company Announcement, Ethanol

Cuba & U.S. Relations – Good for Ag & Tourism

Jamie Johansen

zp-nh1Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “How should U.S. normalize relations with Cuba?”

The U.S. Ag Coalition for Cuba represents about 120 national groups each working collectively on individual interests with the common goal of improving trade relations with Cuba. Cubans seek to normalize relations with the U.S. which would include the U.S. lifting the embargo, extending credit to Cuba ensuring future trade deals and opening borders allowing U.S. citizens to travel as tourists to Cuba. A strong majority agree both trade and tourism with Cuba are win, wins for our country.

Here are the poll results:

  • End trade embargo – 12%
  • Allow U.S. tourism in Cuba – 6%
  • Both – 76%
  • Neither – 6%

Our new ZimmPoll is live and asks the question, Will you be getting the new iPhone 7?

The new models of the iPhone are out, the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. Chuck already has his 7 Plus and will be writing a review of it soon. We’d like to know if you have plans to own the newest thing from Apple. It has some exciting new features and some controversial ones like no ear bud connector. If you haven’t made up your mind then Google probably made the choice a little more difficult this week when they announced their phone, Pixel. But you can only get it on Verizon. So, please let us know your plans.

ZimmPoll

Celebrate National Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Day

Joanna Schroeder

Saturday, October 8, 2016 is National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day. The event was created to raise awareness of clean energy technologies that are available now, including fuel cell powered vehicles. October 8 (10.08) was selected in reference to the atomic weight of hydrogen (1.008).

national-hydrogen-and-fuel-cell-dayThe Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA) along with its members, industry organizations, and state and federal governments are commemorating the event with a variety of activities and events across the country.

For example, Air Products will have its hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, the new Toyota Mirai, on display from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Da Vinci Science Center in Allentown, PA. The same vehicle will be on display in FCHEA’s booth at Taste of D.C. in Washington, D.C. this weekend.

To learn more about hydrogen and fuel cell events throughout the country this Saturday, click here.

Hydrogen

RFA’s Davis Re-appointed to Energy Committee

Joanna Schroeder

kelly-davis3Kelly Davis, director of regulatory affairs for the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), has been re-appointed to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee (REEEAC), which advises the agency on U.S. renewable energy and energy efficiency products and services.

Davis was one of 34 members appointed earlier this week. REEEAC members advise the Commerce Secretary regarding the development and administration of programs and policies to expand the competitiveness of U.S. exports of renewable energy and energy efficiency goods and services.

“I am honored to be reappointed to this committee,” said Davis. “The Department of Commerce has played an influential role in promoting U.S. products across the globe, and as the sole U.S. ethanol representative, I will continue to champion biofuels’ role in the global market, through exports and other opportunities.”

The next REEEAC meeting will be held on Dec. 1 in Washington.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA

Students Get Schooled in #Ethanol

Joanna Schroeder

High schoolers in Minnesota continue to get schooled in ethanol. Nearly two dozen students from Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg (KMS) High School visited the Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company (CVEC) to learn more about ethanol and its co-products. The group include three exchange students from an agricultural high school in Norway. The biorefinery, that recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, produces 50 million gallons of ethanol each year.

322fca48-3a35-43e2-944d-c46e31823253“We were pleased to welcome KMS High School to learn how Minnesota-grown clean renewable energy is produced. Ethanol production plays an important role in boosting the economy in rural Minnesota and tours like these highlight the necessary skills to pursue a career in the ethanol industry,” said Chad Friese, CEO of CVEC.

The students, from grades nine to 12, learned several different components of ethanol production during the tour including incoming grain grading, grain handling, fermentation, grain storage, dried distiller grain production and storage, ethanol storage and shipment.

“Today’s visit is the sixth plant tour we’ve organized this year. It’s important for students to understand how ethanol produced right here in Benson creates jobs, reduces harmful greenhouse gas emissions and reduces prices at the pump,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association, who organized the tour.

Christa Williamson, KMS High School’s agricultural education instructor, said many of the students that participated in the tour were from farms that supply corn to Minnesota’s ethanol industry. “The ethanol industry is an important component of agriculture, especially in West Central Minnesota. It is important to show our students the potential jobs, as well as how commodities we grow provide energy.”

Education, Ethanol

E85Prices.com Now Tracking E15 #Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

e85-pricesE85prices.com just got more inclusive and now provides information on stations offering 15 percent ethanol blends as well.

Visitors to the website E85prices.com, a crowd-sourced service managed by the Renewable Fuels Association, can now toggle between E15 and E85, locating information and reporting prices on either fuel blend. RFA vice president of industry relations Robert White says the improvements also allow consumers to review E15 prices reported by others, price spreads for each state, historical statistics and more, giving them access to the lowest price gasoline available. “We are pleased to be able to broaden the website’s information to include information on E15,” said White. “There are now hundreds of stations throughout most of the U.S. that offer E15, and that number will grow into the thousands next year. We want to make sure consumers know and can track that information, so they can take advantage of higher ethanol blends and the savings associated with using alternative fuels.”

The website also maintains a database of blender pump locations and an online forum. In 2012, EPA gave final approval to E15 for 2001 and later model year vehicles, which accounts for 80 percent of today’s automotive fleet.

blends, E15, E85, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA

Ethanol & DDG Exports Continue to Rise

Joanna Schroeder

Government data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) shows that U.S. ethanol exports for August 2016 totaled 77.9 million gallons (mg), an increase of 12 percent from July. The top monthly customer was Brazil with 25.1 mg followed by Canada at 20.9 mg. India increased its exports to 14.0 mg while the remaining exports went to 31 markets. Year-to-date, exports stand at 594.3 mg with yearly estimates for 2016 at 891.4 mg.

Denatured fuel ethanol exports dropped 10 percent from July to 19.8 mg. The majority of the product was sent to border countries with 17.8 mg going to Canada and 1.9 mg delivered to Jamaica. Export sales of undenatured fuel ethanol increased 15% over July to 50.6 mg—only the second time in 18 months to breach 50 mg. Brazil increased its imports to 25.1 mg—half of all U.S. shipments—as did India at 14.0 mg. The Philippines reduced its August exports to 3.8 mg. Other notable destinations were Peru (2.2 mg), Mexico (1.8 mg), China (1.5 mg) and Singapore (1.1 mg).

Sales of denatured ethanol for non-fuel use tripled over July to 1.1 mg, with Mexico’s purchase of 777,371 gallons. August sales of undenatured ethanol for non-fuel, non-beverage use also more than doubled over the prior month to 6.5 mg—the highest level on record since March 2012. More than half of those shipments were destined for Nigeria (3.4 mg), followed by Canada at 3.0 mg.

u-s-ethanol-exports-for-2016-08

For the third straight month, sizable volumes of shipments of ethanol were imported into the U.S. Brazil upped it imports by 2 percent to 10.7 mg of undenatured fuel. Despite the nearly 32 mg of imports streaming in this summer, the year-to-date total of 33.7 mg is running just 3 percent ahead of 2015, and suggests yearly imports will close out 2016 around 50.5 mg.

Export of U.S. distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGs) increased 6 percent over July to 1.160 million metric tons (mt) with exports up 34 percent since February 2016. China was the top market for the fourth consecutive month in August exporting 262,201 mt; however, it was a 10 percent decrease from July. Top markets for August were Mexico (200,199 mt), Vietnam (127,009 mt), South Korea (117,029 mt), Thailand (75,438 mt) and Turkey (68,194 mt). Through August, DDGS exports stood at 7.6 million mt, indicating an annualized total of 11.4 million mt.

Distillers Grains, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder

  • BioEnergyBytesDF1Green Plains Inc. has announced that it has acquired SCI Ingredients Holdings, Inc. (SCI) and its wholly owned operating subsidiary Fleischmann’s Vinegar Company, Inc., the world’s largest manufacturer and marketer of food-grade industrial vinegar for $250 million, subject to certain post-closing adjustments. Green Plains entered into a definitive stock purchase agreement with the selling shareholders of SCI and is financing the transaction with $135 million of debt with the balance paid from cash on hand.
  • Mexico City-based Monarca has announced plans to expand its Yucatan jatropha project by 33,000 hectares. The project is currently focused on producing 30 million gallons of biojet fuel for the Mexican government Aviation Services Department; however, the additional seed oil created will be targeted to U.S. refineries.
  • Through its subsidiary, Énergies Sonic inc., La Coop fédérée has announced that it will participate in the pilot project to install multi-fuel stations in Quebec, one of the commitments by the Government of Quebec within the framework of its 2030 Energy Policy. La Coop fédérée is proud to be a part of a group of enterprises, leaders in their domain, comprising Toyota Canada, Gaz Métro, Air Liquide, and the crown corporation, Hydro-Québec, which will make up the steering committee.
  • AOG has transferred 75.1% ownership of Addax Bioenergy (SL) Limited, its sugarcane bioethanol and renewable electricity operation in Makeni, Sierra Leone, to a group of investors led by Sunbird Bioenergy Africa Limited. AOG is keeping a minority interest of 24.9% as a mark of its confidence in the future of the business, while Sunbird Bioenergy group will provide the additional financing to take the project to full commercial operation. This handover is made by way of a capital injection by Sunbird Bioenergy group into Addax Bioenergy.
Bioenergy Bytes

NEW PBS Documentary: The Ethanol Effect

Joanna Schroeder

Detroit Public Television (DPTV) is debuting a new ethanol documentary this Sunday, October 9, 2016 at 9:00 pm ET called, “The Ethanol Effect“. The film, produced by DPTV, takes a look at the controversy surrounding the challenges of the best use for America’s corn production: food or biofuel. The worldwide premier of the documentary is on PBS’ World Channel. (Click here to view promo clips and for additional air times.)

“The Ethanol Effect” delves into what Ethanol is, demonstrates the production process and investigates the human, environmental and political costs of growing and refining corn for fuel in America. The documentary also dives into why the choices between food or biofuel are sparking controversy across the country. Interestingly, I met the production crew this past January in Altoona, Iowa during the Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit where they had access to various speakers including Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, USDA Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack, presidential hopefuls, and more biofuel experts.


The documentary is hosted by David Biello, science and technology curator for TED. He takes viewers on a journey from Iowa’s farm fields to Washington’s corridors of power.

“The Ethanol Effect will definitely make you question your assumptions about biofuels. While we stay true to our journalistic integrity and ‘let the viewer decide’ approach to storytelling, this documentary certainly uncovers some surprising developments,” said Ed Moore, DPTV’s award-winning producer of the Alfred I. DuPont/Columbia award-winning series Beyond the Light Switch.

We’d love to hear from our readers after the documentary airs and encourage comments to this post.

advanced biofuels, corn, Ethanol, Video