The first quarter financial results of Archer Daniels Midland Co. were a mixed bag, with the ethanol segment showing improved margins while oilseeds earnings were reduced. Net earnings for the quarter ending March 31 were $268 million.
Enzymes could break down cell walls faster, leading to less expensive biofuels for transportation, if two enzyme systems are brought together in an industrial setting, new research by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory suggests.
A biomass mini-press and an algae production project were featured at the 2013 White House Science Fair in Washington, D.C. The science fair featured 100 students from more than 40 states.
A recent report published by the USDA Global Agricultural Information Network provides an overview of the bioeconomy in France, focusing specifically on biomass energy under the country's Energy Transition initiative.
A new strain of yeast that could help streamline cellulosic ethanol costs and production has been developed by USDA researchers. The team determined that this yeast strain can break down and ferment the sugars in corn cobs after xylose extraction.
Virgin Australia, Brisbane Airport Corporation and the global market maker in sustainable jet fuel, SkyNRG, have announced a feasibility study into the creation of Australia's first "bioport" at Brisbane Airport.
With a fresh investment from Brazil's GranBio, American Process Inc. is poised to develop its first commercial-scale cellulosic biorefineries in both the U.S. and Brazil. API CEO Theodora Retsina, said the companies hope to break ground in 2014.
Global energy and commodity price reporting agency Argus has launched the Argus India ethanol assessment to meet growing demand for price references and transparency in the market.
Brazil's Agricultural Trade Office has filed its annual sugar report with the USDA Global Agricultural Information Network. According to the document, Brazil's marketing year 2013-'14 sugarcane crop is forecast to reach 640 million metric tons.
Amyris Inc. has released financial results for the first quarter of 2013, reporting continued revenue improvement. President and CEO John Melo said the company is on track in meeting milestones and is optimistic about the future.
Sweetwater Energy Inc. has announced a $250 million, deal to supply Naturally Scientific with its customized industrial sugars over a 15-year term. Naturally Scientific will convert the cellulosic sugars into vegetable oils for biofuel conversion.
Several biofuel trade organizations have weighed in on white paper published by the House Energy and Commerce Committee on the impact the renewable fuel standard (RFS) has had on the U.S. agricultural sector.
Biomass Power Association has announced changes to its board of directors. Tom Beck, an executive at ReEnergy Holdings Inc., will become chairman of the board, while Minnesota Power's Bill Libro and FSE Energy's Marvin Burchfield will join the board.
A recent survey of the ethanol industry revealed improved ethanol yields and energy efficiency from 2008 through 2012. Water use dropped during the over the time frame, while corn oil extraction increased by nearly five times.
Virent Inc. announced the delivery of 100 gallons of its biobased jet fuel to the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory for testing purposes. Product testing will begin at Wright Patterson Air Force Base.
Forrest Boe, director of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' Division of Forestry, said the state presents challenges and opportunities for thermal biomass utilization at the second annual Heating the Midwest Conference and Expo.
After seven years of planning, Vermont Technical College has broken ground on an anaerobic digestion project that will generate heat for the campus, and power that will be sold to the grid.
NASA's Alternative Fuel Effects on Contrails and Cruise Emissions (ACCESS) experiment recently completed a series of tests that studied effects of alternate biofuel produced from camelina plant oil on engine performance, emissions and contrails.
Montpelier, Vt., broke ground in mid-April on its biomass thermal project to serve downtown public and private buildings. The project, a joint undertaking by the city and state government, is expected to be complete later this year.
On April 25, a 23.4-MW biomass cogeneration plant in Shakopee, Minn., enduredan explosion and a resulting fire.Luckily, none of the seven workers who were on site at Koda Energy LLC were injured.
A bill proposed Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., that would put E15 on hold for another round of studies was evaluated by the Congressional Budget Office. The cost evaluation followed the bill's passage in a full committee markup on April 11.
A group of fourteen U.S. senators have sent a letter asking the acting U.S. trade representative and acting secretary of commerce to consider a World Trade Organization challenge to the five-year duty imposed on U.S. ethanol exported to the Europe.
Legislation recently introduced in the U.S. Senate aims to level the energy playing field between fossil and renewable energy projects by allowing investors in renewable energy projects access the corporate structure of master limited partnerships.
Legislation recently introduced in the U.S. Senate aims to level the energy playing field between fossil and renewable energy projects by allowing investors in renewable energy projects access the corporate structure of master limited partnerships.
Natural Power has this month been awarded its first biomass contract in Ireland. The contract will see Natural Power provide owners engineer services for Biotricity Ltd. on the company's Rhode Biomass Plant in County Offaly, Ireland.
Canergy LLC has announced that the selection of Chemtex and Beta Renewables for the development of its 25 million gallon a year cellulosic biofuels facility to be located in the Imperial Valley of California.
More than 100 organizations have delivered a letter to the leaders of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees urging them to adopt a new Farm Bill with robust mandatory funding for renewable energy and energy efficiency programs.
More than 100 organizations have delivered a letter to the leaders of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees urging them to adopt a new Farm Bill with robust mandatory funding for renewable energy and energy efficiency programs.
Advanced Biofuels Corp. has bought a legacy 7 MMgy ethanol plant in Moses Lake, Wash., with plans to retrofit existing systems and install new pretreatment process equipment, converting the facility into a 6 MMgy advanced ethanol facility.
When you think of Neil Young, I'm betting the environment isn't the first thing that pops into your mind. Maybe it should.
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