In California, 27 teams representing six countries advancing in the $20M NRG COSIA Carbon XPRIZE, a global competition to develop breakthrough technologies that convert the most carbon dioxide emissions from natural gas and power plant facilities into products with the highest net value. The semi-finalist teams propose converting CO2 into products as varied as enhanced concrete, biofuels, toothpaste, […]
By Dr. Terry Mazanec, Lee Enterprises Consulting Special to The Digest Some years ago I visited a platinum mine in South Africa. About a mile underground at the end of the maze of tunnels at the ‘minefront’ they excavate about a 1 meter high layer of material to get the 2 cm thick vein that […]
One thing that is clear in hindsight from the flow of energy project investment between 2010 and 2014 is that investors believed in three predictions that didn’t come true: 1. The spread between natgas and oil would continue at historically high levels — a belief that touched off a spate of announced gas-to-ethylene projects, that otherwise would […]
By Dr. Elham Khaghami, Lee Enterprises Consulting Special to The Digest Energy is fundamental to economy and survival in today’s social activity. Clearly the search of alternative energy sources would have a high priority. Therefore, minimizing the quantity of waste being generated from the source energy such as recycling could be a potential remedy in […]
One of the newer arrivals in Florida’s small bio-based industry is Culture Biosystems, which produces attractive economics for its advanced algae cultivation platform which enables large-scale production of algae to be used in producing biofuels, aviation fuels, feed, protein and nutraceuticals. Culture BioSystems has developed a hybrid technology platforms that takes the best of both […]
In California, Amyris has a new partner, described fetchingly yet with near-to-complete vagueness as a “a leader in food ingredients and nutraceuticals” which is roughly as helpful as describing a person as “someone who enjoys ice cream”. Some ice cream there is, nevertheless, in this agreement, which will bring a short-term collaboration investment of […]
In Germany, 2015/16 exports of rapeseed oil climbed significantly, according to figures published by the German Federal Statistical Office. According to UFOP, the volume of around 1.1 million tonnes was up almost 16 per cent from 2014/15. Around 91 per cent went to other EU countries, which was 3 per cent less than the previous period. The Netherlands, […]
In Washington, according to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association, US ethanol production averaged 962,000 barrels per day (b/d)—or 40.40 million gallons daily. That is down 18,000 b/d from the week before and tied for the lowest total in 16 weeks. The four-week average for ethanol production stood at 978,000 b/d for an […]
In the EU, Copa & Cogeca warned against EU Commission plans to phase out conventional biofuels post-2020 at a high-level dinner debate organized by the European Oilseed Alliance in European Parliament this week. Speaking at the debate, Chairman of Copa & Cogecas Oilseeds working party Arnaud Rousseau said “We are very concerned about the EU […]
In the UK, Green Biologics revealed its branding and product development strategy for its high purity bio-based n-butanol and acetone, as well as associated downstream products. The company aims to market all 100 percent bio-based chemicals under the brand “BioPure,” a descriptive brand name that encapsulates both the purity and sustainability of its bio-based chemistry. […]
