Biobased Chemical

May 15, 2013

Algenuity releases its newest photobioreactor technology

BY Chris Hanson Found In:Advanced Fuels, ChemicalsU.K.-based Algenuity launched its newest lab-scale photobioreactor, Algem, in Europe and Middle East markets on May 15. The product allows researchers to run simultaneous and comparative algal growth studies in two 1-liter flasks. READ MORE

May 14, 2013

Senate Ag Committee approves Farm Bill

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:Pellets, Power, Thermal, Biogas, Advanced Fuels, ChemicalsThe U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry has voted to approve a bipartisan Farm Bill authored by Committee Chairwoman Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., and Ranking Member Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan. READ MORE

May 13, 2013

BIO, Ag Energy Coalition applaud Farm Bill draft

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:Pellets, Power, Thermal, Biogas, Advanced Fuels, ChemicalsThe Biotechnology Industry Organization and Agriculture Energy Coalition have issued statements thanking members of the Senate Agriculture Committee for authoring legislation to reauthorize Farm Bill Energy Title Programs. READ MORE

May 10, 2013

BioAmber announces pricing of IPO

BY BioAmber Inc. Found In:ChemicalsBioAmber Inc. has announced the pricing of its initial public offering of 8,000,000 units consisting of one share of common stock and one warrant to purchase half of one share of common stock at $10 per unit. READ MORE

May 10, 2013

Spanish university develops new seaweed cleaning technology

BY Chris Hanson Found In:Advanced Fuels, ChemicalsResearchers at Spain's University of Alicante invented a system capable of washing, drying and compacting seaweed to produce biomass fuel. The method involves a three-hopper system that leaves up to 80 percent of seaweed water and sand on the beach. READ MORE

May 10, 2013

Professor outlines conditions needed for biomass standards

BY University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Found In:Power, Thermal, Advanced Fuels, ChemicalsA University of Illinois professor of energy and environmental law says standards are needed so farmers, ethanol producers, and others in the biofuels industry will all be on the same page here in the United States as well as in Europe and Brazil. READ MORE

May 10, 2013

University of Wyoming spin-out targets algae industry

BY University of Wyoming Found In:Advanced Fuels, ChemicalsPlanktOMICS Algae Bioservices recently finalized a spin-out agreement with the University of Wyoming. The company has developed a service business that expedites the highly technical process of domesticating algae. READ MORE

May 09, 2013

European Space Agency plans biomass satellite

BY Anna SimetFound In:Pellets, Power, Thermal, Biogas, Advanced Fuels, ChemicalsThe European Space Association announced it will begin monitoring the amount of biomass and carbon stored in the world's forests via satellite. ESA intends to use the satellite project as an way to provide long-term monitoring of forest lands. READ MORE

May 09, 2013

Franken and Harkin introduce energy section of 2013 Farm Bill

BY Sen. Al Franken's office Found In:Pellets, Power, Thermal, Biogas, Advanced Fuels, ChemicalsU.S. Sens. Al Franken, D-Minn., and Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, have introduced the energy legislation to be included in the 2013 Farm Bill, which includes several provisions expected to create jobs throughout the country. READ MORE

May 08, 2013

Gevo provides update of Luverne operations

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:Advanced Fuels, ChemicalsGevo Inc. provided updated information on it Luverne, Minn., plant and patent dispute with Butamax Advanced Biofuels LLC as part of its recent first quarter 2013 financial announcement. READ MORE

May 07, 2013

Natural Resources Canada awards funding to biomass projects

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:Pellets, Power, Thermal, Biogas, Advanced Fuels, ChemicalsCanadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has announced the government's ecoENERGY Innovation Initiative is providing funding to 55 innovative energy projects, including several that address biomass power and thermal, biobased chemicals and biofuels. READ MORE

May 03, 2013

NREL researchers use enzyme combination to break down biomass

BY National Renewable Energy Laboratory Found In:Advanced Fuels, ChemicalsEnzymes 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. READ MORE

May 02, 2013

2 biomass projects make appearance at White House science fair

BY Chris Hanson Found In:Pellets, Thermal, Advanced Fuels, ChemicalsA 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. READ MORE

April 30, 2013

Bill aims to open MLP business structure to renewable energy

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:Pellets, Power, Thermal, Biogas, Advanced Fuels, ChemicalsLegislation 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. READ MORE

April 26, 2013

Toray produces PBT using Genomatica's biobased BDO

BY Toray Industries Inc. Found In:ChemicalsToray Industries Inc. has jointly announced with Genomatica Inc.that it has successfully made a partially bio-based PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) using 1,4-butanediol (BDO) made with Genomatica's bio-based process technology. READ MORE

April 26, 2013

Chemists use oxygen to convert lignin to into chemical feedstocks

BY University of Wisconsin-Madison Found In:Advanced Fuels, ChemicalsUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison chemists have identified an approach to use oxygen gas to convert lignin, a byproduct of biofuel production, into a form that could allow it to replace fossil fuels as a source of chemical feedstocks. READ MORE

April 22, 2013

National algae testbed leaders assemble for kickoff meeting

BY Arizona State University Found In:Advanced Fuels, ChemicalsAlgae Testbed Public-Private Partnership (ATP3) members from across the nation descended upon the Arizona State University Polytechnic campus April 15-18 to discuss strategies for advancing research and development of algae-based technologies. READ MORE

April 19, 2013

NexSteppe launches biomass crops for biofuel, biopower

BY NexSteppe Found In:Power, Thermal, Advanced Fuels, ChemicalsNexSteppe, a company dedicated to pioneering the next generation of sustainable feedstock solutions for the biobased industries, has announced the launch of its first sorghum hybrid products in the U.S. and in Brazil. READ MORE

April 18, 2013

Cereplast announces 2012, preliminary Q1 2013 financial results

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:ChemicalsCereplast's financial statements show that preliminary financial results for the three-month period ended March 31 demonstrate that total revenue for the first quarter of this year exceeds the entire revenue reported for 2012. READ MORE

April 18, 2013

DSM, Rostekhnologii to cooperate on biotechnology

BY Royal DSM Found In:Advanced Fuels, ChemicalsRoyal DSM has announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for a strategic partnership with Rostekhnologii (Rostec), a Russian State corporation, in the fields of biotechnology and functional materials. READ MORE

April 17, 2013

ABO launches map of algae research, company and project locations

BY Algae Biomass Organization Found In:Advanced Fuels, ChemicalsA new map of the algae industry published online by the Algae Biomass Organization shows algae production facilities and research projects stretching from coast to coast, illustrating a nationwide opportunity for a new and growing industry. READ MORE

April 17, 2013

EIA releases first chapters of AEO2013, interactive data tool

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:Pellets, Power, Thermal, Biogas, Advanced Fuels, ChemicalsOn April 15, the U.S. Energy Information Administration released the initial sections of its Annual Energy Outlook 2013 (AEO2013). Additional chapters will be released periodically through May 2, when the complete AEO2013 will be available. READ MORE

April 16, 2013

Ceres releases Q2 financials, reports progress with sweet sorghum

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:Pellets, Power, Thermal, Advanced Fuels, ChemicalsCeres Inc. has released financial results for the second quarter of its 2013 fiscal year, which ended Feb. 28. The company also provided an operational update, noting progress with its sweet sorghum and switchgrass varieties. READ MORE

April 16, 2013

Enzymes from horse feces could streamline biofuel production

BY American Chemical Society Found In:Advanced Fuels, ChemicalsUniversity of California, Santa Barbara scientists have described the discovery of a potential treasure-trove of candidate enzymes in fungi thriving in the feces and intestinal tracts of horses that could aid in cellulosic biofuel production. READ MORE

April 15, 2013

USDA proposes to simplify REAP application process

BY USDA Found In:Pellets, Power, Thermal, Biogas, Advanced Fuels, ChemicalsThe USDA has proposed a series of changes to make it easier for agricultural producers and rural small businesses to apply for renewable energy and energy efficiency funding. READ MORE

April 15, 2013

Gevo, Butamax continue battle in patent office, courts

BY Holly Jessen Found In:Advanced Fuels, ChemicalsThe patent battle between Gevo Inc. and Butamax Advanced Biofuels LLC is continuing with recent action in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Unsurprisingly, the two companies had different views on the event. READ MORE

April 12, 2013

Berkeley researchers catalyze more sugars from biomass

BY Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Found In:Advanced Fuels, ChemicalsResearchers with the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory through support from the Energy Biosciences Institute have literally shed new light on cellulase catalysis using an ultrahigh-precision visible light microscopy technique. READ MORE

April 11, 2013

Monitoring, diagnostics tackle algae biofuel pond crash problem

BY Sandia National Laboratories Found In:Advanced Fuels, ChemicalsSandia National Laboratories is developing a suite of complementary technologies to help the emerging algae industry detect and quickly recover from algal pond crashes, an obstacle to large-scale algae cultivation for future biofuels. READ MORE

April 11, 2013

Engineering algae to make nanocellulose

BY American Chemical Society Found In:Advanced Fuels, ChemicalsGenes from the family of bacteria that produce vinegar have become stars in a project that would turn algae into solar-powered factories for producing the "wonder material" nanocellulose. READ MORE

April 10, 2013

White House issues fiscal year 2014 budget request

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:Pellets, Power, Thermal, Biogas, Advanced Fuels, ChemicalsPresident Obama has sent his fiscal year 2014 budget to Congress. It includes increased spending on several renewable energy initiatives. READ MORE