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Date Published:
13 March 2018

Volume 12, Issue 2


Light at the end of the tunnel

Feature
The EU is about to agree on its renewable energy policy for the period to 2030. The agreement on the new Renewable Energy Directive – also known as REDII – is a major milestone. It will provide some clarity on the role of biofuels in the EU energy mix for the next decade. So far, no other region has provided direction for investment in renewables within a similar time frame. Depending... [read more]

Let's blame ourselves (and not the weather)

Feature
Biofuels come almost entirely from plant-based feedstocks. So, being able to provide that feedstock at low prices and abundant quantities is key to have a working model. This is easy when you have plenty of land, water, sun, and every ingredient a plant needs to thrive. If you do have those, all you need is to choose a plant that is easy to ferment or somehow process biologically and you end up... [read more]

From sewing spools to renewable biofuels

Feature
UPM has been producing UPM BioVerno renewable diesel and naphtha from the wood-based residue crude tall oil since early 2015 in its Lappeenranta Biorefinery, Finland. 2017 was a special year for Production director Jaakko Nousiainen and his team – they managed to reach design capacity and exceeded production of 100,000 tonnes of advanced biofuels in the biorefinery. “Reaching the... [read more]

Sustainable trends

Feature
The Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) has recently supplied sustainability certification to both UPM Biofuels for the cultivation of the Brassica carinata crop in Uruguay, and Alt Air for the creation of biojet fuel. Biofuels International caught up with RSB Executive Rolf Hogan to discuss the process for certifying biofuels, and the key trends in sustainability.

Palm oil and fatbergs

Feature
International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) is a certification system dedicated to verifying fully traceable and deforestation free supply chains. The system has been used widely in the biofuels sector to verify a range of feedstocks, from crops to waste. This has included UK producer Argent Energy, which produces biofuel from fats, oils and grease (FOG) waste. Here, Biofuels... [read more]

Ian Parry

Feature
For biofuel producers, testing and analysis of the finished product is vital to ensure quality and environmental standards are met. Biofuels International speaks with Scion Instrument’s Ian Parry about the importance of analysis, and the company’s drive to deliver customised solutions to clients ranging from undergraduate and PhD students to major producers. Scion Instruments... [read more]

Cellulosic ethanol to scale

Feature
As part of promoting further commercialisation of its sunliquid technology for the production of cellulosic ethanol from agricultural residues, Clariant recently set-up the new Business Line Biofuels & Derivatives. We talked to Dr. Markus Rarbach, head of Business Line Biofuels & Derivatives at Clariant about the technology, current projects and regulatory developments.

The 'trashy' bullet

Feature
We are over two years on from the adoption of the Paris Agreement and the key commitment to keep global warming below 2 degrees has become the new climate mantra. Even though the implementation of this goal still lacks concretion, the Paris agreement includes provisions setting the basis for effective climate action beyond the state level, with a specific role for regions, cities, NGOs and... [read more]

Testing targets for EU biofuels

Feature
The prospect of Europe tripling its transport based use of liquid biofuels to 66 billion litres by 2030 is an enticing vision for the industry. But is such a target achievable? The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) certainly thinks so, having stated in its latest REmap report (RenewableEnergy Prospects for the European Union) that liquid biofuels, both advanced and conventional, will... [read more]

Supply and Demand

Feature
A weaker vegetable oil complex and depressed biodiesel prices have seen European UCO (used cooking oil) prices weaken since the beginning of the year. Still, demand for imported product from international suppliers has remained strong, with a flurry of offers coming from Asia, Africa and other origins on a regular basis. European UCO prices have shed 10% since the beginning of the year, following... [read more]

US biodiesel producers navigate stormy political climate

Feature
The bankruptcy filing by a Philadelphia based oil refinery has again heightened criticism of a federal programme in the United States that mandates demand for renewable fuels in the transportation sector, sparking a clash among US Senators and renewed involvement by US President Donald Trump to settle the issue. Supporters of the Renewable Fuel Standard want no changes to the programme that they... [read more]

Biofuels International Storage Supplement

Feature
Who to choose? The considerations when choosing a storage provider Robots are taking over How AI is aiding biofuel storage and monitoring