Biomass Week - March 15, 2013

KLM kicks of biofuel-fueled flight pilot program On March 8 a flight fueled by a biofuel blend departed JFK International Airport in New York headed for Schiphol Amsterdam Airport in the Netherlands. The flight marked the start of a 25-week pilot program undertaken by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. READ MORE SHARE
Group seeks to improve biofuel efficiency, bioproducts quality A Kansas State University biochemical engineer is part of a national collaboration working to advance biomass as a leading source for more efficient drop-in biofuels, bio-power and animal feed. The project is described as high risk, high reward. READ MORE SHARE
	Biomass Magazine to reveal plant construction data at April event Detailed information about 27 new biomass facilities recently completed or currently under construction will be presented by Biomass Magazine at the International Biomass Conference & Expo to be held in Minneapolis April 8-10. READ MORE SHARE
Fermentation process converts algae waste into lactic acid Currently, lipid-depleted biomass from algae production is either burned for energy, or simply discarded as a waste product. A team of researchers have developed a process that turns this material into lactic acid, a valuable chemical feedstock. READ MORE SHARE
NREL releases CREST model for anaerobic digesters The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has released an updated version of its Cost of Renewable Energy Spreadsheet Tool for anaerobic digestion (AD) projects. The model allows users to assess and compare the economics of biogas-to-energy projects. READ MORE SHARE
Pilot plant to convert AD waste into high-quality fertilizers The Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Neiker-Tecnalia, and the Guipuzkoa-based company Ekonek will be building a pilot plant to treat organic waste destined for producing high, added value fertilizers. READ MORE SHARE
BNEF report highlights findings of Bioenergy Leadership Forum In early March, Bloomberg New Energy Finance published a report outlining its Bioenergy Leadership Forum, which was held in October. The report includes information on the first- and second-generation biofuels, biochemicals, biopower and pellets. READ MORE SHARE
Metso reveals world's largest biomass gasifier, financial results On March 11, Metso Corp. announced that Vaskiluodon Voima Oy has inaugurated the world's largest biomass gasification plant in Vaasa, Finland. The facility was constructed as part of an existing coal-fired power plant. READ MORE SHARE
Dyadic releases 2012 financial results Dyadic International Inc. has released financial results for 2012, announcing the company was profitable for the full 2012 fiscal year. During the year, Dyadic's gross revenue was up 121 percent while total expenses decreased 18 percent. READ MORE SHARE
Korsair signs licensing agreement for Russian pyrolysis process Germany-based Korsair Holdings AG has signed a sales and marketing license agreement for a Russian waste-to-energy technology developed by scientists at the Regional Design and Technology Business Incubator at the Polytechnical University of Tomask. READ MORE SHARE
Cereplast receives patent, joins ABO Cereplast Inc. has announced the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office granted the company patent protection for biodegradable nanopolymer compositions and biodegradable articles made thereof. The company has also joined the Algae Biomass Organization. READ MORE SHARE
RenuEn selects ERC to construct Fla. biogas project On March 12 Florida-based RenuEn Corp. announced the selection of ERC General Contracting Services to construct its proposed landfill gas project in St. Cloud, Fla. Construction permits for the project are expected to be issued within days. READ MORE SHARE
KIT announces commissioning of biomass-to-biofuel pilot plant In early March, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany announced the successful commissioning of the second stage of its bioliq pilot plant. The achievement was made in cooperation with technology partner Air Liquide Global E & C Solutions. READ MORE SHARE
Group provides update of guayule-based polymer development Consortium partners Cooper Tire & Rubber Co., Yulex Corp., Arizona State University, and the USDA Agricultural Research Service met recently to review initial progress on their $6.9 million grant awarded by the USDA and U.S. DOE in mid-2012. READ MORE SHARE
Canadian town wins grant for biomass heating system The Village of Telkwa will receive $680,230 from the Government of Canada through the Gas Tax Fund transfer to retrofit their municipal building and install an innovative biomass heating system, as well as to develop a sustainable subdivision plan. READ MORE SHARE
Codexis launches new enzyme products biobased fuels, chemicals Codexis Inc., a developer of engineered enzymes, has announced the launch of CodeXyme 4 and CodeXyme 4X cellulase enzyme packages for use in producing cellulosic sugar for production of biofuels and biobased chemicals. READ MORE SHARE
Domtar inaugurates commercial lignin production Domtar Corp. has announced that it has successfully installed a commercial-scale lignin separation plant at its Plymouth, N.C., mill, the first U.S. facility of its type in more than 25 years. The production of BioChoice lignin began in February. READ MORE SHARE
Researcher wins grant to develop enzyme structures for bioenergy A University of California, Riverside researcher has received a $360,000 grant from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research's Young Investigator Program to create a more efficient biofuel cell using enzymes to convert sugars into electricity. READ MORE SHARE
ZeaChem announces commercial production of ethanol, chemicals ZeaChem Inc. reached a milestone March 12, announcing its 250,000 gallon per year demonstration facility in Boardman, Ore., has officially produced commercial-grade cellulosic ethanol and biobased chemicals. READ MORE SHARE
ISU Extension to hold miscanthus production workshop March 19 A biomass crop production workshop will look at reasons for increased interest in biomass crops for energy in Iowa. The workshop will be held March 19 in Iowa City, Iowa, and focus on miscanthus production for heat and power. READ MORE SHARE
Dynamic Fuels earns RSB sustainability certification Dynamic Fuels LLC, a joint venture of Tyson Foods Inc. and Syntroleum Corp., has received Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels certification for its technology to create drop-in, renewable diesel from animal byproducts. READ MORE SHARE