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Date Published:
21 June 2012

Volume 6, Issue 5


Land grab in Africa: no easy way out

Feature
The latest coup: Biofuels grab land in Africa. Development NGOs join in the anti-biofuels tune of environmental activists seconded by large food multinationals fearing for their profit margins. Concerned MEPs organise seminars and ask the Commission how land grabs for biofuels could be prevented.   In the Brussels discourse, biofuels production equals land grabbing, a false... [read more]

US biodiesel spot trade slows in Q2

Feature
The economics for biodiesel in the US spot market are already challenging, one in which its cost can be nearly $2 (€1.60) per gallon more than that of petroleum-based diesel. The industry lost a $1 gallon tax subsidy at year-end 2011 that had previously narrowed the spread.   There were expectations the value of tradable federal compliance credits or Renewable Identification Numbers... [read more]

ILUC stalemate hit during European seed debate

Feature
And so the debate rumbles on – European oilseed growers were said to be ‘relieved’ as a recent discussion centred on appropriate consideration of indirect land use (ILUC) changes failed to reach a conclusion.   EU senior officials met in early May to debate biofuels’ indirect impact on greenhouse gas emissions as deforestation and land clearing to grow crops for... [read more]

No end to US oil addiction?

Feature
As the US biodiesel industry still fights for the reinstatement of the $1 (€0.80) per gallon tax incentive, a speech delivered by US President Barack Obama in Albany, New York in May has reiterated his desire to extend tax credits for clean energy companies to foster jobs and well-being on home soil.   To date, US Congress has not renewed some of the tax breaks that relate to the US... [read more]

Coming through a Brazilian dry spell

Feature
There have been some trying times for biofuel producers in Brazil recently. Spells of both dry and frosty weather during 2011 has meant sugarcane crop levels, the main feedstock of the country’s ethanol production, fell by 11% year-on-year when compared to back in February.   However forecasts for 2012-13 production will see sugarcane levels rise up again, albeit slightly.  ... [read more]

Argentinean biodiesel: the next generation

Feature
The humble castor bean’s stock as a sustainable and cost-effective feedstock for second generation biodiesel production is beginning to rise and South America is in a prime position to take advantage.   The continent is one of the largest exporters of soyabeans in the world, with a climate conducive to growing them and a buoyant bioenergy industry already in place, making it an... [read more]

Brazilâ

Feature
Brazil holds a privileged position in the world as a large producer of biofuels, particularly regarding sugarcane-based ethanol, or first generation biofuel.   Although Brazilian ethanol production – which is currently based only on sugarcane juice – has obtained increasing achievements in its agricultural and industrial productivity over the last few decades, its current leading... [read more]

In the presidential spotlight

Feature
US President Barack Obama has overseen an extremely active, but volatile four years of biofuels growth, maturation and survival. This political season – as his presidency is challenged – biofuels have started to become a central issue, even a polarising factor in the 2012 race.   Obama has called his opponents ‘flat-earthers,’ who like ‘gas-guzzlers,’ and... [read more]

Sweet success

Feature
Among the many new crops proposed for biofuels production, the sugar palm is relatively unknown. A recent Ecofys and Winrock study commissioned by NL Agency suggests this crop, native to southeast Asia, could potentially deliver large volumes of ethanol from previously degraded land, while creating employment and value for local economies.   The sugary juice of the sugar palm, also known by... [read more]

Cane + grain = continuous ethanol production

Feature
Ethanol from sugarcane is one of the most promising biofuels because of its positive energetic balance; growing sugarcane absorbs more carbon than is emitted when the ethanol is burned as fuel.   Compared to ethanol from other feedstocks, sugarcane ethanol has a very favourable GHG emissions balance, mainly due to the fact that all the energy needs for its production come from the bagasse... [read more]

Going beyond carbon

Feature
In today’s global economy, non-technical risk management is key to maintaining a licence to operate, as the biofuels industry fully recognises.   Having an oversight of the supply chain, beyond one’s own operations, is a significant challenge, but nonetheless essential in delivering performance and value, and in providing assurance on a wide range of environmental and social... [read more]

Added value

Feature
Dried Distillers Grains with Solubles (DDGS) is a product of the ethanol production process. The residual corn product leftover after this process (distillers grains) is centrifuged and sold as wet product to local cattle feeders, or is dried (with the solubles) and moved domestically and internationally via trucks, rail, containers, or barges/bulk ships. It is a market that has grown... [read more]

Calculating biomethane GHG emissions

Feature
Calculating the greenhouse gas (GHG) impact of biomethane presents a challenge. In this regard, recording all relevant emissions along the production chain and ensuring transparency concerning the GHG emission saving potential is critical.   Biogas upgraded to natural gas quality can be injected into the grid and used to fuel natural gas vehicles. The European Renewable Energy Directive... [read more]

The evolving biofuels financing environment

Feature
The environment for financing biofuels/ biogreentech opportunities has evolved considerably since the deployment of first generation technologies in the mid 2000s. Second generation technologies and the companies associated with them are maturing to a point where first successes at commercial scale are approaching amid a backdrop of wavering financial support and less than stellar performances by... [read more]

Resisting change

Feature
There have been a lot of mishaps and setbacks when it comes to getting biofuels into car tanks in European forecourts. Renault promised B30 approval for its diesel line then backtracked; fuel retailer Morrisons pulled its biodiesel pumps in the UK and producers have had to watch from the sidelines while OEMs like Volkswagen, Ford and General Motors have built flex-fuel vehicles for North and... [read more]

Riding the rollercoaster

Feature
The biofuel sector has experienced highs and lows with investors over the past decade. After gaining early momentum as a promising alternative to fossil fuels it fell out of favour as the economy collapsed and biofuel technologies failed to deliver on promises. Yet, as the midway point of 2012 approaches, a new wave of investments are starting to pour in.   Biofuel emerged as a promising and... [read more]

Know when to hold â

Feature
There are four factors that drive project transition. These are feedstock pricing and availability, operational proficiency, margin management strategy, and available capital.   Many biofuel plants were built on low-price feedstocks and high biofuel prices. As shown in chart 1, the price of corn, which generally is over 80% of the cost of ethanol production, has ranged from $3 (€2.4)... [read more]

Making the most of it

Feature
Biodiesel emits 85% less CO2 emissions than fossil diesel. While the carbon intensity of mineral diesel is 3,128g/litre of CO2 equivalent, biodiesel produced from waste vegetable oil is 437g/ litre of CO2 equivalent – a saving of 2.7kg/litre. This has resulted in a significant increase in government targets all over the world.   However, the disposal of waste oils can prove... [read more]