American Ethanol up for Michigan NASCAR Race

Cindy Zimmerman

American Ethanol will be on center stage at the Michigan NASCAR race this weekend including driver Austin Dillon behind the wheel of the #33 car in a cool black and green ethanol paintout.

american-ethanol-paintDillon says the use of 15% ethanol blended fuel as a clean burning alternative has had great benefits for NASCAR racing. “If you look back on our history on performance and see how clean our engines burn, it’s been an easy transition from our old fuel to American ethanol,” he says. “Our engines run great and create horsepower each and every race and you don’t have a fuel problem as far as running out of fuel and you can still run the long runs over a long period of time.”

Dillon also uses ethanol in his everyday car because he believes it is helping to create a better, greener future for future generations. “The fuel speaks for itself, the way that it’s enabling us to have cleaner burning fuel,” he said. “To be able to go out and really perform well and still have a fuel that burns clean is awesome. I want my kids to be able to enjoy the same things that I have been able to enjoy with our country and I feel like moving to a green initiative like American ethanol is important for everyone.”

As the grandson of racing legend Richard Childress, Dillon and his family have been involved in the racing business for generations and he says having American Ethanol as a sponsor has opened their eyes to the benefits of ethanol to the environment for the future.

The Sprint Cup series race will begin at 1:00 pm Eastern time on Sunday. American Ethanol partners include Growth Energy, National Corn Growers Association, and New Holland.

American Ethanol, corn, Growth Energy, NASCAR, NCGA

Propane’s Message Hits Track with ROUSH CleanTech

John Davis

RoushCleanTechford1Alternative fuel vehicle technology leader ROUSH CleanTech is getting out the message about the beauty and performance of propane with some recent big victories and upcoming milestones on the NASCAR racetrack. Roush Fenway Racing’s (RFR) Trevor Bayne won a dramatic victory in the NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) at Iowa Speedway; earning Ford’s 200th win in the NNS. And now the No. 6, ROUSH CleanTech-bedecked Ford Mustang is shooting for Ford’s 1,000th NASCAR win at the Michigan International Speedway this week.

“I haven’t run a Nationwide car at Michigan since they repaved it, but the Sprint Cup cars are unbelievably fast,” said Bayne.

“We are thrilled to have ROUSH CleanTech’s message of clean and economical propane autogas hit the track with Trevor as he hopefully continues his winning streak,” said Joe Thompson, president of ROUSH CleanTech. “Across the nation, a growing number of fleets operate on this readily available and domestically produced alternative transportation fuel.”

ROUSH CleanTech officials point out that propane autogas is the most commonly used alternative fuel in the nation, operates school buses, trucks, vans and taxis.

Good luck on Saturday in Michigan!

Propane, Racing

Pacific Biodiesel Taps Millington as CEO

John Davis

MillingtonPacific Biodiesel Technologies has tapped Samuel Millington as CEO for the Hawaiin biodiesel maker. This company news release says the long-time Hawaii resident joins PBT as the company ramps up at Big Island Biodiesel, a state-of-the art, 5.5 MMgy facility:

“I’m thrilled to be a part of the Pacific Biodiesel family of companies,” said Millington. “I’m also humbled. Pacific Biodiesel has an incredibly talented, committed staff and a reputation for innovation, quality and integrity that extends throughout the world,” he added. “As the company continues to grow, it’s a great opportunity for me to roll up my sleeves and pitch in.”

Millington moved to Hawaii in the mid-1990s and has served on numerous boards, commissions and task forces including J. Walter Cameron Center, Maui United Way, Maui Non-Profit Directors Association and Maui Police Commission. Most recently, Millington served as a Franklin Fellow for the State Department where he helped build public-private partnerships to support U.S. foreign policy interests.

Pacific Biodiesel’s production is now equal 10 percent of the onroad statewide use of petroleum diesel.

Biodiesel

Ethanol Report on RFS-Food Price Study

Cindy Zimmerman

Ethanol Report PodcastIn this Ethanol Report, John Urbanchuk of ABF Economics talks about a new study, commissioned by the Renewable Fuels Association, that shows no direct correlation between the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and the overall increase in food prices since 2008.

Listen to or download the Ethanol Report here: Ethanol Report on RFS-Food Price Study

Subscribe to “The Ethanol Report” with this link.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Ethanol Report, Food prices, RFA, RFS

Renmatix, UPM Ink Biochemicals Deal

John Davis

renmatix-upmProvider of sugars for biofuels Renmatix teams up with European pulp and paper giant UPM in an agreement to develop biochemicals. This Renmatix news release says the companies will use Renmatix’s water-based Plantrose™ process to convert woody biomass into low-cost sugar intermediates for subsequent downstream processing into biochemicals.

“We are very excited about this truly collaborative endeavor. It combines UPM’s core competencies in sustainable sourcing and efficient industrial processing of wood, with Renmatix’s unique conversion technology,” noted Michael Duetsch, Director of Biochemicals, at UPM. “Access to second generation, lignocellulosic, sugars through a process that uses almost no consumables is a crucial factor in Plantrose technology’s attractiveness.”

The Plantrose process employs water at very high temperatures and pressures to breakdown biomass through supercritical hydrolysis. Under such conditions water can act as both a powerful solvent and catalyst, creating rapid reactions.

“We believe this pioneering approach leads to real cost advantages over conventional methods. Our growing relationship with UPM gives Renmatix an opportunity to support them expanding the Biofore story,” commented Mike Hamilton, CEO of Renmatix. “Renmatix, as a U.S. based technology provider, takes great pride in working with global companies across the emerging bio-value chains. It reinforces the demand that exists for licensing Plantrose technology as the bridge between sustainable sources of upstream biomass, and downstream manufacturing of biochemicals and fuels.”

The deal is seen as part of the growing interest among forestry players to diversify their product portfolio and enter into the growing biochemical and biofuels markets.

biochemicals, biofuels

Biodiesel-Ready Cruze Delivers Muscle Car Power

John Davis

Chevycruze3Previously, we told you about how fuel efficient the biodiesel-capatible 2014 Chevy Cruze is. Now, Chevy is reminding us that the little car with the big green heart in the form of a Clean Turbo Diesel also packs a pretty powerful wallop under the hood using what the company calls “overboost,” while still maintaining that great MPG:

Cruze Diesel’s turbocharged 2.0L engine delivers a segment-leading SAE-certified 151 horsepower (113 kW) and 264 lb-ft of torque (358 Nm), but overboost can increase torque to 280 lb-ft (380 Nm) for about 10 seconds of stronger acceleration. That’s the equivalent torque delivered by the 1972 Camaro Z28’s heavier 5.7L V8.

Unlike the muscle car era, Cruze Diesel marries that quick burst to a segment-leading EPA-estimated 46 mpg highway, and demonstrated range of 717 miles on one tank of fuel.

“Overboost provides increased performance when the driver demands it, like when passing on the highway,” said Mike Siegrist, GM 2.0L diesel assistant chief engineer. “When the driver leans on the throttle, the turbocharger increases the air and fuel intake over and above what the engine needs for normal torque demand.”

Chevy says the Cruze Diesel can sprint from 0 to 60 in about 8.6 seconds – half a second faster than its chief competitor, the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta 2.0L TDI. It sports a lightweight aluminum cylinder head and aluminum intake manifold that help with the car’s ability to deliver balanced ride and handling.

“Cruze’s turbo-diesel engine is powerful, efficient and clean,” Siegrist said. “It will change perceptions of what a diesel car can be while giving customers another fuel-efficient choice in the Chevrolet lineup.”

Biodiesel, Carbon

PERC Offers Propane Farm Incentive Program

Joanna Schroeder

The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is encouraging producers to upgrade their grain dryers with a $5,000 incentive through the Propane Farm Incentive Program. Producers who purchase a new qualifying propane-fueled dryer from GSI Group or Mathews Co. now through the end of 2013 can apply for the incentive through PERC’s nationwide research program. In exchange, producers report post-harvest performance data to PERC.

Propane Farm Incentive Program LogoFor many farmers this spring, planting has been a challenge with cool, wet and rainy conditions. This has led to planting delays that may lead to more grain drying in the fall, and today, nearly nine of of 10 farmers dry grain using propane-fueled equipment. New models can offer energy efficient designs that produce even, consistent drying and can save producers money.

New and improved grain drying equipment is a profitable investment for producers, according to Mark Leitman, director of marketing and business development at PERC. “Mew propane-fueled grain dryers can be 30 to 50 percent more efficient than older models. These machines can produce huge energy savings for farmers, and we offer a $5,000 incentive on select, new models.”

The eligible models for the incentive include the GSI X-Stream series and Mathews Trilogy series dryers. PERC co-supported the development and testing of these machines because they’ve been proven to offer increased capacity, improved grain quality, and they can dry up to twice as many bushels per gallon of propane as previous models.

Agribusiness, Propane

USDA Report Increases Corn for Ethanol Use

Cindy Zimmerman

usda-logoThe latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report from USDA lowers forecast corn production for the U.S. this year but increases corn for ethanol use estimates.

Stressing right up front that because planting is still underway projections are “highly tentative,” the report lowers the projected corn production number due to delayed plantings by 135 million bushels to 14.0 billion with the average yield projected at 156.5 bushels per acre, down 1.5 bushels from last month. “Despite rapid planting progress during mid-May across the Corn Belt, rains and cool temperatures since have delayed the completion of planting in parts of the western Corn Belt and raised the likelihood that seasonally warmer temperatures and drier conditions in late July will adversely affect pollination and kernel set in a larger share of this year’s crop.” As of June 10, USDA reported that 95% of the corn nationwide was planted, just about caught up to the five year average of 98%, and the crop condition is still rated mostly good to excellent despite the weather challenges.

The report increased the estimate for corn used in ethanol production this year by 50 million bushels to 6.35 billion on higher-than-expected May ethanol production as indicated by weekly data reported by the Energy Information Administration. “Those have been, just this past week, up close to 13.6 billion gallons on an annualized basis,” said USDA Chief Economist Joe Glauber. “That’s certainly kept demand stronger than what we were anticipating last month.” Favorable margins for ethanol producers and high prices for Renewable Identification Numbers (RINS) are also expected to moderate any slowdown in production through the end of the marketing year.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, USDA

New Study on Food Prices and the RFS

Cindy Zimmerman

ABF Economics released a new, detailed analysis showing no direct correlation between the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and the overall increase in food prices.

The study, commissioned by the Renewable Fuels Association, specifically examined “the relationship between the RFS and recent changes in consumer food prices. Specifically this includes an examination of the relationship between corn prices and consumer food prices, the factors that affect corn prices, the role of the major industry participants in determining consumer food costs, and the relative importance of components such as agricultural commodities and energy on consumer food prices.”

urbanchuk-cornStudy author John Urbanchuk is managing partner of the recently launched agriculture and biofuels consulting firm ABF Economics. “It’s undeniable that the use of corn to make ethanol has increased as the Renewable Fuel Standard mandate has increased over time,” Urbanchuk said. “However that has had really no significant impact on consumer food prices.”

Urbanchuk says consumer food prices have increased since the RFS was implemented in 2008. “If you take a look at the time period since the implementation (of the RFS) and a comparable period prior to that, what we found is that retail level food prices have actually increased at a slower rate,” he said.

In addition, the report notes that the food processing industry accounts for a larger share of consumer food costs than does production agriculture. Moreover, energy prices play a more significant role in costs for food processors than do the prices for any individual agricultural commodity.

Listen to Urbanchuk explain the report here: John Urbanchuk, ABF Economics
Read the full report here.

Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Food prices, RFA, RFS

Biodiesel Board Taking Renewable Diesel Members

John Davis

nbb-logoIn a reflection of how really closely related the two industries are, the National Biodiesel Board opens up its membership to qualified renewable diesel producers. This NBB news release says the move is expected to unite the advanced biofuels industry in the diesel sector under one tent and creating a stronger and more effective voice for both.

“We are excited to expand our membership to include renewable diesel producers,” said Joe Jobe, CEO of NBB, which traditionally has represented only biodiesel interests. “While produced with different technologies, biodiesel and renewable diesel are close cousins with a lot of shared interests, particularly in policy areas such as the RFS and the blender’s tax incentive. Joining forces puts us in a much stronger position as a coalition to make our voice heard and spread the word that these policies are working and that advanced biofuels are here today.”

Jobe noted that with the change, NBB will represent the entire biomass-based diesel category under the Renewable Fuel Standard…

Representatives of the renewable diesel producers echoed Jobe’s statements.

“We have long been impressed with the work NBB does to represent the biodiesel industry and felt that joining forces was the next logical step,” said Randall C. Stuewe, President and Chairman of the Board of Darling International, Inc. which is a 50% equity owner in Diamond Green Diesel, a Louisiana-based Renewable Diesel plant with annual production capability of over 136 million gallons coming on line shortly. “Many of the same issues face both biodiesel and renewable diesel producers and we’re glad to be speaking with one voice on these issues.”

NBB points out that biodiesel and renewable diesel are both made with renewable resources such as soybean oil, animal fats and recycled cooking oils. The difference comes through the process that turns those materials into fuels, with biodiesel produced through a natural chemical reaction that takes place when alcohol is introduced to oils or fats in the presence of a catalyst and for renewable diesel, hydrogen is added to the oils or fats under high pressure and temperatures, converting it to a hydrocarbon very similar to diesel fuel refined from petroleum crude.

Biodiesel, NBB