1. In its positive financial reportings Braskem S.A., based out of Sao Paulo, recently announced that its green ethylene plant in Triunfo, Brazil, is in the commissioning and preoperational phase, with full operations for the global market expected to begin in September.
Given all the bad press BP has received over the Gulf oil spill this summer, the company likely welcomes positive news about its nearly operational, jointly owned biobutanol plant.
Joint ventures and other collaborations, formed to expand niche products and increase global supplies, are rife within the biobased chemicals and bioproducts space.
Joint ventures and other collaborations, formed to expand niche products and increase global supplies, are rife within the biobased chemicals and bioproducts space.
A report issued by the World Economic Forum projects $295 billion in revenue potential for the biomass value chain by 2030 (see chart above). Specifically, the report found that development of the biorefining sector could create significant economic growth opportunities, leading to job creation, particularly in rural areas.
A couple of smart college students use their fast pyrolysis technology knowledge to start a bioenergy company that offers a one-of-a-kind bio-oil recovery system.
Lactic acid, a monomer of polylactic acid (PLA) that can be applied in many products, is traditionally being produced from starch-based feedstocks via fermentation by companies all over the world.
Historically known as the "spirit of amber," succinic acid is a dicarboxylic acid comprised of four carbon atoms. The name is derived from the Latin word succinum meaning amber, from which the acid may be obtained.
For an advanced biofuel technology provider, reporting a loss can actually be a good thing. Both Lignol Energy Corp., a cellulosic ethanol company from Canada, and Syntroleum Corp.
From plastic filler produced with lignocellulosic fiber, to corn cob-based levulinic acid esters and biomass-based plasticizers, companies in the bioplastics sector are quickly moving to commercial production.
Brazil is well-known for its voluminous ethanol production and usage, however, state-owned oil major Petrobras is working to put advanced biofuels and biobased chemicals on the map.
A small town in the woods of Wisconsin, fresh off the bankruptcy and closing of its century-old paper mill, might be the last place to find the biorefinery blueprint of the future.
Unquestionably, the financial meltdown of 2008 redefined how biorefining projects will be financed in the future. Traditional avenues of finance––whether private equity drives, bank loans or debt financing––are now virtually nonexistent.
Over the past couple of years the biodiesel industry has trended toward utilizing fewer virgin oils, largely due to economic factors of depending on the more expensive refined materials, and has relied on low-value waste oils such as used cooking oil.
The opportunity to brand goods as environmentally friendly and sustainable has driven some demand for biobased chemicals. But it's far from the only motivator.
JRW Bioremediation LLC, in partnership with Archer Daniels Midland Co., recently announced that a U.S. patent has been awarded to the two companies for a soy-based environmental remediation product.
American Process Inc. recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the launch of its Alpena, Mich.-based biorefinery project. Construction on the cellulosic ethanol plant is scheduled to begin in September, with the plant reaching full operational capacity by mid-2011.
Montreal-based Enerkem Inc. held a groundbreaking ceremony in Edmonton, Alberta for the site of a new 36 MMly (10 MMgy) municipal solid waste-to-ethanol facility.
Speaking on behalf of the Advanced Biofuels Association (ABA) during a televised interview, Lee Edwards, CEO of Virent Energy Systems Inc., said “private enterprise absolutely is committed to making new investments in new technologies that provide returns.
On Aug. 12, isobutanol technology developer Gevo Inc. filed an initial public offering with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in an effort to raise $150 million to fund the company's acquisition of ethanol facilities.
LanzaTech NZ Ltd., a New Zealand-based producer of fuels from waste gas, has successfully produced a building block used to make polymers, plastics and hydrocarbon fuels.
The comment period has ended for the U.S. EPA's 2011 proposed renewable fuel standards and it appears that most producers agree that the agency's proposal to lower next year's cellulosic biofuels target to between 5 and 17.
Georgia-based American Process Inc. recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Alpena, Mich., location where the company intends to build a demonstration-scale cellulosic ethanol plant.
Ethanol industry veteran Jeff Roskam has been named founding CEO of the Kansas Alliance for Biorefining and Bioenergy. Formed last year through a $4.1 million grant from the Kansas Bioscience Authority's Centers of Innovation program, KABB will focus on resolving technical issues related to the production of biochemicals and biofuels, from harvesting feedstocks through the processing and marketing of organic chemicals.
Range Fuels Inc. is one step closer to producing cellulosic ethanol at its Soperton, Ga., plant. The company announced Aug. 17 that it had completed an initial phase of production by producing cellulosic methanol, which is expected to be followed by ethanol production in the third quarter.
A groundbreaking ceremony held Aug. 31 in Edmonton, Alberta, was the culmination of many words-painting a picture of possibilities, visions and ideas for a waste-to-biofuels project, said Vincent Chornet, president and CEO of Enerkem Inc.
A report recently published by New Zealand Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Jan Wright calls for a more strategic approach to biofuels development within the nation.
The USDA has issued an amendment for advanced biofuel producer requirements necessary for the Advanced Biofuel Payment Program, now allowing both nonrural and foreign-owned producers to qualify for the program.
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson recently announced that $200,000 in Recovery Act funding has been awarded to New Mexico State University. A portion of that funding will go to the university's Renewable Energy, Water and Arid Lands Task Force to support an algae biodiesel project.
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