Natural gas exploration and production companies hit by potentially rising borrowing costs and lowered rates of return for shale plays by drastically cutting exploration and spending. Production could be poised to fall at least marginally this year.
Rumors of another Chinese anti-dumping investigation is creating an unusual dynamic, as some DDGS byers are buying more than normal, while others have been on the sidelines, fearful of a shipment in limbo due to a quick change in import parameters.
The U.K. Department of Energy and Climate Change has released third quarter energy statistics, reporting biodiesel consumption was down 35 percent during the third quarter of 2015, while ethanol consumption was down by 3.3 percent.
In November, an international consortium led by Autodisplay Biotech GmbH started Pathway EFB, a collaborative research and development project to lower cellulase cost in the production of biofuels and biobased chemicals.
The USDA recently announced a significant jump in ethanol exports to China this year, following a USDA-led trade mission to the country last year. China currently accounts for nearly 20 percent of all foreign sales of U.S. agricultural products.
The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association recently announced that Iowa's 43 ethanol plants produced over 4 billion gallons during 2015, up slightly from 3.9 billion gallons in 2014. Iowa continues to be the number one ethanol producing state.
The Federal Trade Commission has announced final amendments regarding ethanol blends above E10 to its fuel rating rule, which determines the fuel rating that appears on pump labels and how octane levels are calculated.
The ethanol market's—and energy complex on the whole—inability to end 2015 on a high note will continue to create some additional challenges for the industry in the upcoming year. Ethanol futures continue to trade around $1.40 per gallon.
Outside markets have recently had a major impact corn prices. Currencies, energy prices, and Argentine policy changes have been in the spotlight over the past few months.
The USDA has released a list of its 2015 top achievements. The list includes several achievements that have benefited the biofuel and bioenergy sectors, including funding for ethanol fuel pumps and progress with the BioPreferred Program.
The January issue of EPM is now online, including a series of interviews featuring ethanol industry representatives' outlook on 2015 and 2016. Tom Bryan's editor's note appears in that issue with the headline "Let's Get After It Now."
Bipartisan congressional approval of recent legislation restoring tax credits for retail fuel station owners who buy equipment to offer alternative fuels could further increase availability of E85 and profitability for retailers.
Archer Daniels Midland Co. has announced an agreement with Kinder Morgan Inc. and Bailey Feed Mill to construct a new unit train rail facility and ethanol offloading system in Selma, North Carolina.
This fall, ACE members discussed ways to ensure more market access for ethanol, with the fuel's clean octane advantages at the top of the list, writes Brian Jennings. This column appears in the January issue of EPM.
An analysis of 2016 model year warranty statements and owner's manuals conducted by the Renewable Fuels Association shows that auto manufacturers explicitly approve E15 use in more than 70 percent of new vehicles.
The Andersons Inc. has announced plans to double capacity of its ethanol plant in Albion, Michigan. ICM Inc., which constructed the original plant, is contracted to build the expansion. The expansion project is expected to be complete in April 2017.
The U.K. Department of Energy and Climate Change has released renewable energy statistics for the second quarter of 2015, reporting ethanol accounted for 57 percent of biofuel consumption during the three-month period.
Members of the global coarse grains, ethanol and coproducts markets will gather under one roof in October at the Export Exchange 2016 in Detroit, Michigan. The event is cosponsored by the U.S. Grains Council and the Renewable Fuels Association.
The U.S. Grains Council's ethanol export promotion program has seen an early success with a U.S. exporter confirming sales of 10 million gallons of U.S. ethanol to Peru, valued at more than $15 million, following a trade team's visit.
For the second time in history, the U.S. ethanol industry's daily average production has reached 1 million barrels per day. Ethanol production averaged 1 million barrels per day the week ending Dec. 11, nearly meeting the record set in November.
CARB readopts standards, and sets time lines and treatment for legacy pathways. This contribution appears in the January issue of EPM.
Optimism about the ethanol industry's future is high, despite challenges. This article appears in the January issue of EPM with the headline, "Moving into 2016."
Chempolis Ltd. has entered into partnership with Avantha Group's research wing Avantha Centre for Industrial Research & Development to offer technology to India to extract ethanol from various agricultural residues.
Federal lawmakers have released the text of a $1.1 trillion spending bill that will fund the U.S. government through October 2016. An accompanying legislative package of tax extenders aims to extend certain bioenergy tax incentives for two years.
In mid-December, Kum & Go and Growth Energy are partnering to bring E15 to the residents of Greater Little Rock, Arkansas. During two promotions, customers can fuel up with E15 for only $1.15 per gallon, as well as learn more about the fuel blend.
The Federal Trade Commission has issued its 2015 Report on Ethanol Market Concentration. As in prior years, the report concludes that any unilateral or coordinated attempt to exercise market power in the U.S. ethanol industry is highly unlikely.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has released its 2014 Data Book, showcasing increased use of renewable energy. According to the report, renewables accounted for approximately 11.1 percent of U.S. energy production in 2014.
UNICA, Brazil's sugarcane industry association, has announced rains slowed the pace of the sugarcane crush during the second half of November. The association also reported reduced demand for hydrous ethanol.
DuPont and The Dow Chemical Co. have announced plans to combine in an all-stock merger of equals into DowDuPont. The parties intend to subsequently pursue a separation of DowDuPont into three independent, publicly traded companies.
The government of Queensland, Australia, recently passed a bill that requires the fuel industry to comply with a 3 percent ethanol mandate for gasoline and a 0.5 percent mandate for biobased diesel. The mandates take effect Jan. 1, 2017.
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