Author Archive: Meghan Sapp

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Japanese researchers see ethanol helping plants survive drought

Japanese researchers see ethanol helping plants survive drought

August 25, 2022 |

In Japan, ethanol can help plants survive in times of drought says a new study conducted at the RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science in Japan. Researchers show that adding ethanol to soil allows plants, including rice and wheat, to thrive after two weeks without any water. As ethanol is safe, cheap, and widely available, […]

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Canada and Germany launch hydrogen alliance

Canada and Germany launch hydrogen alliance

August 25, 2022 |

In Canada, as Russia continues to weaponize energy in its illegal war with Ukraine, Canada is working with European partners to strengthen global energy security and accelerate the global clean energy transition. To these ends, Canada’s allies in Europe have initiated efforts to displace imports of Russian oil and gas in the short term while […]

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Sulzer Chemtech and BASF signs MOU for renewable fuels and chemically recycled plastics

Sulzer Chemtech and BASF signs MOU for renewable fuels and chemically recycled plastics

August 24, 2022 |

In Switzerland, Sulzer Chemtech (GTC Technology) and BASF have signed a MoU with the goal of advancing technologies for renewable fuels and chemically recycled plastics that will further expand the partners’ portfolio of sustainable solutions.  Sulzer Chemtech, an established licensor and engineering partner for process technologies like hydrotreating for renewable fuels and chemical recycling of […]

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Ginkgo Bioworks acquires Zymergen for $300M

Ginkgo Bioworks acquires Zymergen for $300M

August 24, 2022 |

In Massachusetts, Ginkgo Bioworks and the biotechnology company Zymergen (have entered into a definitive agreement under which Ginkgo will acquire Zymergen in an all-stock transaction that values Zymergen at an approximately $300 million market capitalization. Under the terms of the agreement, which have been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies, Zymergen […]

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Quebec invests a further $219.24M in Recyclage Carbone Varennes

Quebec invests a further $219.24M in Recyclage Carbone Varennes

August 24, 2022 |

In Canada, The Minister of Economy and Innovation and Minister responsible for Regional Economic Development, Pierre Fitzgibbon, has confirmed an investment through Investissement Québec of C$284.45 million (C$161.85 million in the form of a loan and C$122.6 million in preferred shares) to Recyclage Carbone Varennes (RCV). The RCV project now combines the biofuel plant and […]

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Carbio calls on Argentine government to keep biodiesel blending at 12.5%

Carbio calls on Argentine government to keep biodiesel blending at 12.5%

August 24, 2022 |

In Argentina, the Clarin newspaper reports that fter the expiration on August 16 of DNU 330/22, which was launched by the Government in the midst of a diesel shortage crisis and imposed an additional temporary 5% biodiesel blend, the Argentine Chamber of Biofuels (Carbio) requested the “permanent continuation” of the measure. “The measure showed the […]

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Shell may invest $1.4B to convert Convent refinery to SAF and renewable diesel with ATJ

Shell may invest $1.4B to convert Convent refinery to SAF and renewable diesel with ATJ

August 24, 2022 |

In Louisiana, the Advocate newspaper reports Louisiana Economic Development documents show Shell plans to convert its mothballed Convent refinery to sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel using a third-party alcohol-to-jet technology. The $1.4 billion facility conversion would use sugarcane-based ethanol as feedstock but could use corn-based ethanol if required. The project is meant to start […]

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Ethanol production increases but stocks also rise as blending demand falls

Ethanol production increases but stocks also rise as blending demand falls

August 24, 2022 |

In Washington, DTN reports Energy Information Administration data shows ethanol production rose slightly on the week to 987,000 bpd, 5.8% higher than last year, but as the summer driving season came to an end, so did ethanol blending demand which dropped from a one-year high the week prior by 10,000 bpd. As a result, ethanol […]

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Brazilian ethanol production down 10% in H2 August due to poor weather

Brazilian ethanol production down 10% in H2 August due to poor weather

August 24, 2022 |

In Brazil, Reuters reports UNICA data shows ethanol production fell during the first half of August by more than 10% to 2 billion liters in line with a 13.7% drop in the sugarcane crush. Even though yields have increased 2.5% this year, adverse weather got in the way of the crush during H1 August, causing […]

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Duke University researchers find way to make plants heatwave-tolerant

Duke University researchers find way to make plants heatwave-tolerant

August 24, 2022 |

In North Carolina, when heat waves hit, they don’t just take a toll on people — the plants we depend on for food suffer too. That’s because when temperatures get too high, certain plant defenses don’t work as well, leaving them more susceptible to attacks from pathogens and insect pests. Now, Duke University scientists say […]

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