In Oregon, Columbia Pacific Bio-Refinery has delayed reopening of the 120 million gallon Clatskanie-based ethanol plant, which originally was supposed to come back online in February after nearly three years in bankruptcy and shutdown. After the plant was sold and re-capitalized, up to 70 employees were added, but now 50 have been laid off as […]
In Georgia, the owners at Clean Energy Biofuels, one of two Georgia-based biodiesel plants still operating, said that they plan to continue operations, despite a challenging feedstock environment that has pressed their margins hard. The company, which operates biodiesel fueling station in Atlanta in addition to its production facility, depends on restaurant-based waste oils and […]
In Massachusetts, Mascoma remains on track for its planned cellulosic ethanol plant opening in Kinross, and had moved into the bid review stage after receiving numerous bids for its Michigan project. Back in March, the company said, “We anticipate construction of this facility to start in 3 to 6 months and we expect the facility […]
In Colorado, Gevo announced that it has agreed to sell 12,500,000 shares of its common stock at a public offering price of $4.95 per share. The gross proceeds to the Company from this offering are expected to be $61,875,000, before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other estimated offering expenses. Gevo granted the underwriters a […]
In Canada, the federal government announced a $1 million investment in Ontario-based Pond Biofuels, which uses cement manufacturing off-gases to provide CO2 and process heat for algae production in cold, northern regions. “This technology pioneered by Pond Biofuels, in partnership with St Marys Cement, speaks to the Canadian cement industry’s commitment to innovation and commitment […]
In the UK, a 16-year-old Egyptian student has developed a novel catalyst that produces methane, propane and ethane by breaking down waste plastic – products that are then converted into fuel ethanol. “Plastic waste is a real problem in Egypt — and in most developing countries — and this project is simply converting the problem […]
In France, Jean Ziegler, the former UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, who ignited a global controversy when he described the production of biofuels as a “crime against humanity,” has published a book called “Betting on Famine”, now in French, but available in English in the fall. The book explores biofuels, global hunger […]
In BioBased Digest’s A-List, we highlight a new generation of bio-based cleaners that offer a deeper clean that roots out the residual pathogens that regenerate after traditional cleaning. As BioFusion points out, “every microbial or sanitizing agent, while effective in removing pathogens, leaves behind residues that form the underlying nutrient source for recontamination. These microscopic […]
In Wisconsin, UW-Madison assistant professor Brian Pfleger received a Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award, from the National Science Foundation, that will assist in his research on metabolic pathways in bacteria that can be used for drop-in advanced biofuels. Specifically, his research focuses on microbes convert levulinic acid into free fatty acids that can be […]
In Maryland, Rodney R. Hailey was convicted of wire fraud, money laundering and violating the Clean Air Act, in a biodiesel RIN fraud case, and faces up to 484 years in prison. The 33-year old was convicted of selling $9 million in fraudulent RINS, and faces sentencing on October 11th. RIN fraud cases have created […]
