In Washington, the USDA is forecasting an increase of US corn acreage in 2012, to 94 million acres, the fourth consecutive year of increases, and what would be the largest acreage planted for corn since 1944. At the same time, the USDA said that it expected corn prices to fall to $5 per bushel by […]
The Biofuels Digest Index™ (BDI), a basket of public biofuels stocks, gained 0.36 percent to 74.82 as ethanol soared. For the day, BP slipped 0.59 percent to $46.99, while Pacific Ethanol (PEIX) soared 27.52 percent to $1.39. Among other equities, Biofuel Energy (BIOF) was up sharply, 19.70 percent to $0.79 . Overall, advances led declines […]
Novozymes releases a new, high-performance enzyme for advanced cellulosic biofuels: Cellic CTec3. Will Novozymes win the enzyme wars? Will enzymes defeat gasification? When will renewables defeat fossil fuels on cost? In Denmark, Novozymes announced their latest enzyme product, Cellic CTec3. Novozymes reports this enzyme enables cost-efficient conversion of biomass to ethanol and performs 1.5 times […]
In Minnesota, BioAmber raised $30 million in its Series C round of financing with $20 million invested in November by Naxos Capital, Sofinnova Partners, Mitsui & Co. Ltd. and the Cliffton Group, and a second tranche of $10 million on February 6th, 2012 closed with specialty chemicals company LANXESS. BioAmber and LANXESS are jointly developing […]
In Ohio, Arisdyne and United Ethanol have collaborated to refine verification test procedures and demonstrate that controlled flow cavitation produces additional gallons daily. United has agreed to license and acquire Arisdyne’s patented cavitation system, after extensive test development and testing to prove the plant increased daily ethanol production. Bob Shank of Critical Path Management, who […]
In Colorado, Zeachem reports they have successfully completed contract negotiations to receive its portion of $12 million of a $40 million grant from USDA for the development of advanced drop in fuels. The company will implement the AFRI project at its existing Boardman 250,000 GPY demonstration biorefinery. Design of the AFRI project is underway and […]
In Iowa, Renewable Energy Group announced 2011 operating income of $93 million, or net earnings of $3.14 per share, for 2011, on revenues of $824 million. Both are records for the company, and compare to compared to an $8 million loss on $216 million in revenues in 2010. REG sold 150 million gallons of biodiesel […]
In New Zealand, LanzaTech was named by Technology Review to the 2012 TR50, the third annual list of the world’s most innovative technology companies. TR50 members are chosen by Technology Review’s editors, who look for public and private companies that over the last year have demonstrated original and valuable technology, are bringing technology to market […]
In Ohio, the United Soybean Board has awarded Battelle funding specifically targeted to assist Biobent Polymers in the commercialization of its new bio-composite polymers made from soy. The USB funding will allow Battelle and Biobent Polymers to continue pioneering work refining soy-based polymers in an effort to solidify Biobent’s position as an innovator of bioplastics […]
In Illinois, University of Illinois researchers have developed a new maize hybrid that they report will produce as much as 15% to 20% more biomass given the same amount of fertilizer as commercial hybrids. The hybrid is a mix of both tropical and temperate maize, with increased drought resistance and sugars in the corn stalk, […]
