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Pure and simple

Feature

Over the last few years the number of ethanol associations in the US has increased from one to three.

Europe is moving in the opposite direction. The European Bioethanol Fuel Association (eBIO) has now merged with the European Union of Ethanol Producers (UEPA) forming a new association – ePURE (European Producers Union of Renewable Ethanol). The aim of this merger is to create an organisation... [read more]

Brazil’s ethanol giant

Feature

In October 2009 it was reported that the nation’s B5 blending target would expand its production of biodiesel in 2010. And yet further expansion is on the horizon as at least one new biodiesel facility is due to be up and running in the Brazilian state of Pará by July 2013, in addition to one acquisition and two expansions.

The company has already invested R$3.8 billion (€1.6 billion) in the... [read more]

Leading by example

Feature

Brazil is globally recognised for its renewable resource contributions in its energy supply, which has continued to increase in recent years. As of 2009, renewable resources have contributed 43.7% to Brazil’s domestic energy supply, which includes the use of hydropower, sugarcane products, fuel wood, charcoal and biodiesel.

Notably, sugarcane products contribute to 18.8% of Brazil’s energy... [read more]

Three in one

Feature

Located in the industrial area of Baleycourt in Verdun, France, a subsidiary of the UK company Ineos has been producing biodiesel from rapeseed for more than 10 years.

The company decided that it wanted to double its capacity to over 200,000 tonnes a year. Ineos soon realised that there were large advantages to be had from having an integrated factory: starting from seed crushing through to... [read more]

Integrating the energy streams

Feature

For decades the biofuels sector has really offered a partnership of products: the green liquid fuel, and the by-product, whether it be dried distillers grains (DDGs), bagasse, or glycerine for the pharmaceutical industry.

While DDGs and glycerine are widely regarded as separate products, there is a move afoot to integrate the byproduct at the liquid fuel production site. Certain engineering... [read more]

GreenSky thinking

Feature

The aviation industry has agreed on a set of global climate change targets which would cap net carbon emissions from 2020 and see net emissions from aviation reduce by 50% below their level in 2005, by 2050.

The development of sustainable biofuels for the industry represents a significant opportunity to help airlines achieve these targets. British Airways is taking a leadership position in... [read more]

Taking care of the next generation

Feature

There are somewhere between 15 and 20 cellulosic ethanol demonstration plants operating or being built in the US and Canada. The mandate for E15 may have just been passed in the US but producers and governments the world over know foodstock-based biofuels plants are slowly being demoted and the time of cellulosic inedible feedstocks is rapidly approaching.

The first generation market has seen... [read more]

Sizing up the industry

Feature

Business in the construction industry is still difficult and some engineering companies are comparing their order books over the years only to conclude the recession is not completely over. This is down to at least two core issues: financing is still difficult, and there are no complete secure political decisions, something upon which the biofuels industry is dependent.

The biofuels industry... [read more]

Building a biomass family tree

Feature

The expected strong growth of the biosector puts huge pressure on biomass supply and logistics and challenges investors to seek the right implementation paths from the variety of biorefinery operations.

Success in the biovalue business requires perceptive long term views and commitment as well as favourable investment climate and market conditions. Furthermore, it is also essential to consider... [read more]

Adding chemical value to biofuels

Feature

Faced with volatility in demand for biofuels, renewable producers are increasingly looking at producing chemicals or other bio-based materials to generate revenue. Some companies like Elevance, Segetis and Rivertop Renewables are going for a pure-play emphasis on renewable chemicals, while others like Gevo, LS9 and Enerkem favour a mixed approach.

Following significant venture investment in... [read more]

Eliminating impurities

Feature

Feedstocks contain varying levels of impurities and gums. These can include phosphatides, free fatty acids, pigments (such as chlorophyll), odours and flavours (including aliphatic aldehyde and ketone) and waxes, as well as heavy metals and pesticides. Before the feedstock can be converted to biodiesel, transported or stored, these contaminants must be removed.

Phospholipids exist in two... [read more]