Spot prices for U.S. fuel ethanol were lower throughout most of 2012 compared to 2011. Prices were relatively stable during the first half of 2012, but they rose at mid-year as severe drought and scorching temperatures reduced corn yields.
On Jan. 31 the U.S. EPA published a proposed rule that creates a structured process for buyers of renewable identification numbers (RINs) to verify their validity. A 30-day comment period will allow member of the public to weigh in on the measure.
The phones were ringing and multiple staff meetings were being held at the Iogen Corp. headquarters following the Jan. 31 announcement of Novozymes' acquisition of the industrial enzymes business of the Ottawa-based enzyme maker.
ACE Ethanol LLC and Front Range Energy LLC have signed 15-year agreements with Sweetwater Energy Inc. to purchase cellulosic sugars for processing at their corn-ethanol facilities.
The Wall Street Journal editorial board has once again demonstrated that it either does not understand why Congress decided to require oil companies to use cellulosic biofuels five years ago or it is not willing to tell the truth about it.
High corn prices, difficult supplies and tight margins have taken three more ethanol plants offline in recent weeks, including one in Plainview, Texas, one in York, Neb., and a third in Ravenna, Neb.
On Jan. 28 Global Partners LP announced it would acquire 100 percent of the membership interests of an idled 110 MMgy ethanol plant in Clatskanie, Ore., as well as an onsite rail transloading facility serviced by the BNSF Railway, and other assets.
The Coordinating Research Council has released a report outlining fuel test results that show E15 fuel can damage fuel system components. Representatives of the ethanol industry, however, are questioning the testing methods.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration's Fuel Ethanol Overview in its January Monthly Energy Review shows that ethanol consumption for the first 10 months of 2012 was up slightly compared to the two previous years.
The Bundesverband der deutschen Bioethanolwirtschaft (BDBe), a German ethanol trade organization, has released production statistics for 2012. According to the organization, German ethanol production increased by 7.4 percent last year.
A recently released European Commission proposal on deploying alternative fuels infrastructure recognizes the importance of biofuels but does not go far enough, said ePURE, the European Renewable Ethanol Association.
Praj Industries has announced major order gain for an ethanol plant from Riopaila Castilla SA for a 400,000 liter-per-day plant that will be located at La Paila in the Valle del Cauca region of Columbia.
On Jan. 23, Guardian Energy Heron Lake LLC announced the signing of an agreement to acquire the ethanol production assets of Heron Lake BioEnergy LLC, a 50 MMgy ethanol plant located in Heron Lake, Minn.
Poet Biorefining-Macon will temporarily suspend plant operations effective Feb. 1 due primarily to a lack of available local corn. All of the plant's 44 team members will remain employed at their current hours.
The Renewable Fuels Association and the Renewable Fuels Foundation are excited to announce Wade Hunt of Sterling, Neb., is this year's recipient of a scholarship to attend the 18th Annual National Ethanol Conference: Driving Forward.
An idled ethanol plant in Nebraska has been purchased by a North Dakota-based company that intends to turn around and find a new buyer and operator for the facility, according to the plant's president and general manager.
Novozymes has appointed a new president and CEO and released its financial results for 2012. On Jan. 21, the company announced its board of directors has appointed Peder Holk Nielsen president and CEO, effective April 1.
The first employees of the 10 MMgy Enerkem Alberta Biofuels LP cellulosic ethanol plant under construction in Edmonton, Alberta, have begun technical training at Enerkem Inc.'s demonstration facility in Westbury, Ontario.
Pacific Ethanol Inc. has contracted to install Edeniq Inc.'s Cellunator technology at its 60 MMgy Stockton, Calif., ethanol plant. The company also announced it has increased its ownership in the four plants it operates.
McDermott described the current situation as a margin compression, which unlike the 2008-'09 or 1995 ethanol industry downturns, is not as steep, though longer lasting. Many producers learned from those downturns, and have improved performance.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will be the keynote speaker at the 18th Annual National Ethanol Conference of the Renewable Fuels Association in Las Vegas, Nev. Vilsack will address the crowd of over 1,000 attendees at 8 a.m. Pacific on Feb. 7.
After six months of deliberations and a short time on the market, the board of Patriot Holdings LLC, owner of the 110 MMgy Patriot Renewable Fuels LLC plant in Annawan, Ill., has taken down the "for sale" sign.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign professors Scott Irwin and Darrel Good have revised a prediction posted to the university's farmdoc daily website on Jan. 10 regarding the use of Brazilian ethanol and biodiesel to meet 2013 mandates.
A report published by the North Dakota Alliance for Renewable Energy Inc. estimates that the renewable energy industry contributes more than $1 billion per year to the state's economy, with $643.5 million resulting from ethanol production.
Making the case for the world's ethanol powerhouses to work cooperatively
BP expects renewables to continue to be the fastest growing class of energy over the next several years. According to the BP Energy Outlook 2030, renewables will increase at an average of 7.6 percent a year through 2030.
Peru-based sugarcane ethanol producer Maple Energy plc is expanding its operations. In an update released Jan. 15, the company noted it has received government approval to begin expanding its plantation by 877 hectares (2,167 acres).
Developing a retail relationship with area fuel stations is a potential perk for ethanol plants, retailers and consumers.
Advertisement
@ Copyright 2026 - BBI International - All rights reserved.