Now it is springtime and the water is high on the Crooked River in north central Oregon, but you’ll find the anglers there all the same. If they are not casting today on the most beautiful stretch of rainbow trout-heavy river in America, you can find them unlocking the secrets caches of the caddisfly, and […]
In the past month, the Digest pointed towards a tipping point in the underlying technology that powers the industry — and a convergence in the technologies of genetics, Big Data and robotics that is rapidly and radically re-shaping the bioeconomy and the to an increasing extent the general economy. We noted that the tip of […]
Over at our sister publication Nuu, we reported this week that TerraVia got a “generally recognized as safe” OK from the FDA for its long-awaited algae butter. It’s a palm-free, non-hydrogenated, vegan solution for bakery, spreads and confectionery applications. Algae Butter will be produced by the TerraVia and Bunge joint venture, SB Oils, and marketed […]
When it comes to sustainable aviation fuels, the public is yelling impatiently for take-off, and the airlines are pleading impatiently for off-take. So, where are the gallons? There are two hold-ups, primarily, and they have nothing to do with the usual suspects in advanced technology – those are the unworkable technology and the unaffordable feedstock, and […]
If you’ve been to Hawaii, you’ve heard the greeting Aloha, and perhaps someone told you the word is used in greeting, departure, and also in expressing love. But you might not know that Aloha goes a little deeper in the old Hawaiian teaching: When food is needed I will take only my need and explain […]
Among biodiesel’s amazing growth stats is word from LMC International that the 2.1 billion gallons of biodiesel and renewable diesel used by Americans in 2015 supported $8.4 billion in economic impact across a wide variety of economic sectors. But here was the weird news. There were 47,400 jobs. It reminds us of a trend in […]
In Washington, the Office of the Secretary of Defense announced a $55M funding opportunity for a 10M gallon biorefinery capable of producing advanced drop-in bio-equivalent fuels suitable for military use. Proposals may take the form of either Brown Field expansion/modification of existing Pilot-scale facilities, commercial-scale facilities, or new Green Field construction. Attention will be paid […]
The makers of biodiesel, America’s favorite advanced biofuel, are gathering this week in San Diego for the leading annual gathering on the future of diesel-side renewable fuels, and how the quest for energy security, domestic jobs and reduced greenhouse gas emissions is coming along. As the National Biodiesel Conference opened, NBB’s new CEO Donnell Rehagen […]
Last week we reported that Toray Industries has teamed with Mitsui to produce cellulosic sugars from bagasse leftover from the sugar production process at Thai sugar mills. The companies will invest up to $51 million to build one of the world’s largest bagasse-based cellulosic sugar plants. Producing 1,400 tons of cellulosic sugar annually that will be used […]
If you find yourself among the 79 percent of people who “agree that they consider themselves an environmentally conscious person,” you’ve probably stayed up nights in recent years wondering what the heck to do with the swamp of dubious chemicals in your hair known benignly as shampoo. But if you are among the 75 percent […]
