Author Archive: Jim Lane

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When the Spotlight Moves On, Does Carbon Still Matter? Looking at big news from Pyran, Carbon Clean, HutanBio

When the Spotlight Moves On, Does Carbon Still Matter? Looking at big news from Pyran, Carbon Clean, HutanBio

May 22, 2025 |

We’ve rarely had a week in the bioeconomy where so much worthy advancement on carbon-smart technology won so less applause.  Pyran announced that an independent cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment for its 1,5-pentanediol, confirms that Pyran’s bio-based PDO reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 99% compared to petroleum-derived 1,6-hexanediol. Pyran’s been lauded for using intermediates […]

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The Enerkem Question: When a company evolves, how do its low-carbon platforms remain in motion?

The Enerkem Question: When a company evolves, how do its low-carbon platforms remain in motion?

May 22, 2025 |

Enerkem has it all: patented technology, public sector backing, global partners, and a flagship project in Quebec. It also has C$350 million in debt and as we reported last week, the company has filed for creditor protection as it reorganizes. We can only speculate about Enerkem post-reorganization, but informed voices suggest it may be controlled […]

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Here’s to the Crazy Ones: looking at Jobs, Buffett and the Bioeconomy through a new lens

Here’s to the Crazy Ones: looking at Jobs, Buffett and the Bioeconomy through a new lens

May 22, 2025 |

I walk a lonely road The only one that I have ever known Don’t know where it goes But it’s home to me, and I walk alone. —Green Day, “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” So begins Green Day’s “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” but it could just as easily describe the emotional terrain of today’s clean energy […]

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Avantium on a roll: It’s PEF’s Big Year, were the visionaries right, the nay-sayers wrong?

Avantium on a roll: It’s PEF’s Big Year, were the visionaries right, the nay-sayers wrong?

May 22, 2025 |

Avantium completed its first commercial FDCA plant after nearly two decades of development, last October, and start-up is underway. We had a good signal this week on prospects for the future, Avantium announced a capacity reservation agreement with BIOVOX who will use Avantium’s PEF (polyethylene furanoate) in various pharmaceutical applications. This PEF is expected to […]

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The Digest’s 2025 Multi-Slide Guide to ICF’s SAF and Carbon Outlook

The Digest’s 2025 Multi-Slide Guide to ICF’s SAF and Carbon Outlook

May 21, 2025 |

ICF forecasts LCFS prices potentially hitting ~$100/ton by early 2026, trending toward $150 by 2032. They anticipate D3 RIN prices recovering, pushing above $3/RIN in 2026 once the 2023 Set Rule lapses. Policy issues include Treasury’s 45Z guidance, USDA climate-smart rules, and state waiver disputes. SAF trends favor Ethanol-to-Jet and e-SAF buildout. The loss of […]

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Greenergy mothballs UK biodiesel plant temporarily

Greenergy mothballs UK biodiesel plant temporarily

May 21, 2025 |

In the UK, Greenergy announced the temporary suspension of operations at its biodiesel plant in Immingham, North East England, as it conducts a strategic review to evaluate the plant’s commercial viability amid the significant challenges currently facing the UK biofuels industry. Despite implementing significant cost reduction measures at Immingham, market conditions remain unsupportive. All staff […]

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Quebec may lose $60M invested in Enerkem as bioeconomy pioneer reorganizes

Quebec may lose $60M invested in Enerkem as bioeconomy pioneer reorganizes

May 21, 2025 |

In Canada, La Press reports the Legault government is set to lose the C$84 million Quebec has invested in Enerkem as the Montreal company has just taken shelter from its creditors. It is likely to succeed in the hands of its largest lenders, the Spanish oil company Repsol and two New York-based funds. The company […]

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The Digest’s 2025 Multi-Slide Guide to Aemetis

The Digest’s 2025 Multi-Slide Guide to Aemetis

May 20, 2025 |

Aemetis focuses on renewable natural gas (RNG) and low carbon fuels in California. Their Biogas project includes 12 in-service dairy digesters, a 36-mile pipeline, and an in-service RNG facility connected to PG&E. A fueling station is expected in 2025. Funding involves $30M preferred equity, $23M CA grants, and USDA REAP debt (Funded $50M, $150M in […]

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Is This Built to Last? A Systems-Based Toolkit for Evaluating iMicrobes’ Biomanufacturing Strategy

Is This Built to Last? A Systems-Based Toolkit for Evaluating iMicrobes’ Biomanufacturing Strategy

May 20, 2025 |

Industrial Microbes CEO Noah Helman’s column yesterday on biomanufacturing was packed with real-world insight. It’s highly recommended reading, and paired well with Liberation Labs CEO Mark Warner’s column on Monday. First, let’s recap the iMicrobes column. Thankfully, it doesn’t promise the moon. Instead, it delivers something more valuable: clarity. Noah Helman’s take on iMicrobes highlights […]

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The Digest’s 2025 Multi-Slide Guide to Axens

The Digest’s 2025 Multi-Slide Guide to Axens

May 19, 2025 |

Axens provides technologies for CCUS (DMXTM), Hydrogen transport (LOHC) using MCH, and e-Fuels (Gasel® FT). E-fuels are highlighted for energy diversification and meeting EU demand for e-SAF blending by 2055. Challenges include the need for low electricity prices. Opportunities lie in leveraging regions with low-cost CO2 and/or low-CI hydrogen. Axens emphasizes collaboration and utilizing existing […]

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