Major Stories
Models on the runway: is SAF ready for take-off?
Amidst the cool early summer breezes off the Mediterranean, the 32nd edition of EUBCE has arrived in Marseille, and the delegates have been comparing notes on sustainable projects and technologies with elán vital and force irresistible. The delegates are serious, impassioned, confident and, oh my, detailed. My boat is swamped with forecasts, models, predictions. There […]
Biotechnology, Design and Story, and the persistence of the plastics problem
The BioDesign Challenge has come and gone for another year, and we are left to consider what it tells us about the intersection of biotechnology, design, and story. You can learn all about the Challenge, the worthy staff that runs it, the students from high school to graduate school who compete, right here. Five projects […]
Five Unforgettable Projects from the BioDesign Challenge
The BioDesign Challenge has come and gone for another year, and we are left to consider what it tells us about the intersection of biotechnology, design, and story. A more in-depth profile of the event, the winning entry and the context which makes BDC important, is here. Yet, a review of the event would not […]
Bioeconomy Expert Witnesses: The Person You Hope to Never Need
By Wayne Lee and Dr. Doug Rivers, LEC Partners (formerly Lee Enterprises Consulting) Special to The Digest In bioeconomy-related projects, two distinct scenarios emerge concerning the expert. On one hand, there’s a company’s proactive decision to seek the expertise of an expert to guide them through the complexities and help them complete a project while […]
Federal Funding for Your Commercial Scale Bioeconomy Project
By Bill Hagy, Project Director, LEC Partners (formerly Lee Enterprises Consulting) Special to The Digest There are numerous federal funding resources available to support commercial-scale bioeconomy projects. The following items should be considered when identifying federal funding resource(s) available for potential project funding: Some programs are restricted to small businesses. Some programs are restricted to […]
8-Slide Guides
The Digest’s 2024 Multi-Slide Guide to GTI Energy and breakthrough collaboration
In this ABLC presentation by GTI Energy’s Pedro Ortiz, IH2 technology, Cool Reformer/E-Reformer Technology, SAF from Biogas, Biomass, CO2, and Waste Gas, SAF from Biogas, Biomass, CO2, and Waste Gas, rLPG from bioethanol and much more.
The Digest’s 2024 Multi-Slide Guide to a Year of Opportunity for Sustainable Fuels & Chemicals
Gerard Ostheimer, Manager of the CEM Biofuture Campaign and chairman of the Bold Goals Action Group, gave these slides at ABLC 2024 outlining the opportunities at the international policy level stemming from India’s G20 presidency last year, Brazil’s presidency in 2024 and South Africa’s in 2025. it’s the Global South bringing down the gavel on […]
The Digest’s 2024 Multi-Slide Guide to De-risking for project efficiency: the ABB perspective
This is one ABLC slide guide you don’t want to miss! ABB’s John Oyen shares what ABB Energy Industries is all about, highlights ways developers/producers can improve de-risking and much more. ABB is a technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future.
The Digest’s 2024 Multi-Slide Guide to Hexas Biomass
Hexas Biomass is a biomaterials company focused on the production and use of sustainable plant-based materials to replace wood and petroleum-based feedstocks in multiple applications, including energy, chemicals, packaging, textiles, and structural/non-structural applications. CEO Wendy Owens gave this update on the company;’s promise and progress at ABLC 2024.
The Digest’s 2024 Multi-Slide Guide to the State of Renewable Diesel and DME
This week on ABLC CONNECT, we networked and exchanged information about the world of Renewable Diesel and rDME, and as part of the proceedings, we had the State of Renewable Diesel and rDME presentation. The slides are here.
The Latest World News
LanzaTech Global and LanzaJet launch CirculAir fuel joint venture
In Illinois, LanzaTech Global, Inc. and LanzaJet, Inc. are launching CirculAir, a new joint offering to convert waste, carbon, and renewable power into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and immediately accelerate decarbonization of the aviation industry globally. CirculAir is a breakthrough offering that provides an economical and commercialized alternative to Fischer-Tropsch technology to create eFuels, Power-to-Liquids […]
Quadrise extends scope of cooperation agreement with BTG Bioliquids
In the UK, Quadrise Plc. announced the signature of a Cooperation Framework Agreement with BTG Bioliquids BV. The CFA serves to extend the scope of Quadrise’s existing agreement with BTL. Following the signature of a Joint Development Agreement with BTL in June 2023, Quadrise has worked with BTL to incorporate BTL’s sustainable Fast Pyrolysis Bio-Oil products […]
European Investment Bank and Cepsa sign 305$M loan for SAF and HVO plant in Andalusia
In Spain, European Investment Bank (EIB) and Cepsa signed a €285 million loan agreement for the construction of an advanced biofuels plant to be located next to the ¨La Rábida Energy Park¨ in Palos de la Frontera, Andalusia. The plant, which Cepsa is building together with Bio-Oils, will produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable […]
Aether Fuels lands $34M Series A round
In Illinois, Aether Fuels has secured $34 million in Series A financing from a syndicate of global investors. AP Ventures led the round, which also includes Chevron Technology Ventures, CDP Venture Capital and Zeon Ventures. Series Seed lead investor Xora Innovation and other existing investors TechEnergy Ventures, Doral Energy-Tech Ventures, Foothill Ventures and JetBlue Ventures […]
EverGen Infrastructure executes 20-year RNG offtake agreement with FortisBC
In Canada, EverGen Infrastructure Corp. announced the execution of a 20-year offtake agreement with FortisBC Energy Inc through its wholly owned subsidiary Fraser Valley Biogas Ltd., subject to the acceptance by the British Columbia Utilities Commission. Under the terms of the agreement, FortisBC will purchase Renewable Natural Gas from FVB for injection into its natural […]
R&D News
Austrian reearchers use bioleaching and bioaccumulation process for recovering rare earths
In Austria, a research collaboration between BOKU Tulln and IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems is using the further development of bioleaching and bioaccumulation to develop a two-stage, environmentally friendly and sustainable process for recovering rare earths. In the bioaccumulation step, metal recovery rates of up to 85% were achieved from electronic scrap. The key […]
New research focuses on use of cactus pear in biofuel production
In Nevada, the University of Nevada reported that a research team led by University of Nevada, Reno researchers has identified several varieties of cactus pear that are particularly well-suited to producing biomass for fuels production. The new findings build on earlier research led by John Cushman, a professor in the University’s Department of Biochemistry & […]
USDA seeing information on climate-smart farming practices for biofuel feedstock
In Washington, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking information from the public on procedures for quantifying, reporting, and verifying the effect of climate-smart farming practices on the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with U.S.-grown biofuel feedstock crops. The input is being collected through a Request for Information to establish voluntary standards for biofuel feedstocks […]
ORNL and University of Maine researchers design 3D recyclable natural-material floor panel to replace steel
In Tennessee, researchers at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Maine have designed and 3D-printed a single-piece, recyclable natural-material floor panel tested to be strong enough to replace construction materials like steel. The project is part of the Sustainable Materials & Manufacturing Alliance for Renewable Technologies, or SM2ART, program. The SM2ART […]
University of Nevada, Reno researchers ID cactus pear varieties suited to biofuel production
In Nevada, a research team led by University of Nevada, Reno researchers has identified several varieties of cactus pear that are particularly well-suited to producing biomass for fuels production. The new findings build on earlier research led by John Cushman, a professor in the University’s Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology in the College of […]
Policy & Policymakers
Philippines to kick off SAF roadmap development in July
In the Philippines, Power Philippines News reports the Department of Energy is expected to kick off next month the development of a sustainable aviation fuels roadmap. Together with the DOE, the Department of Science and Technology has launched a call for research proposals to better understand SAF and help to inform the policy and regulation […]
East Kalimantan governor encourages Chinese investment in biodiesel plant
In Indonesia, Indonesia Business Post reported that the Governor of East Kalimantan, Akmal Malik, encouraged Chinese companies to invest in building a biodiesel plant in East Kalimantan, Indonesia, emphasizing the region’s significant palm oil production potential. The offer was conveyed during a recent visit to China. During the visit, Akmal explored investment opportunities with various […]
WWF says EU’s revised RED rules remain deeply flawed on bioenergy
In Belgium, bioenergy has a role to play in the decarbonization of the EU energy system, but only where it provides significant, near term cuts in emissions compared to fossil fuels, according to the WWF. It says that unfortunately the rules on bioenergy in the EU’s revised Renewable Energy Directive (RED) remain deeply flawed in […]
Bipartisan group of senators want EPA, USDA, CBP and USTR on top of Chinese UCO import surge
In Washington, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. led a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the United States Trade Representative (USTR) concerned with the recent and dramatic increase in used cooking oil imports from China. Recent news coverage has suggested that large […]
Ukraine parliament debating bill to register manufacturing facilities that use only biofuels
In Ukraine, in an effort to boost net zero industrial production, Ukrinform reports the national parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, has had a first reading of a bill that seeks to create a register of facilities that use biofuels as their only form of fuel. The register, which will be administered by the Cabinet of Ministers, […]
Other Recent Articles
Neste to supply renewable diesel to Dutch river cruise company
In the Netherlands, in a partnership aimed at advancing sustainability in river cruises, Neste and OK Slurink, subsidiary of Catom B.V. and a specialist in bunkering services, have joined forces with Scylla, a provider of river cruises, to supply Neste MY Renewable Diesel™ in the Netherlands for Scylla’s river cruise operations. The collaboration, ongoing since […]
Ethanol production holds mostly steady on the week
In Washington, the Energy Information Administration reports ethanol production held mostly steady last week at 1.043 million barrels a day, falling only 14,000 barrels compared to the week prior and 9,000 compared to the year prior. With summer driving season in full swing, stocks fell 194,000 barrels last week to 23.423 million barrels but remained […]
EIB, CEPSA sign $305 million loan to finance the construction of a second-generation biofuels plant in Spain
In Luxembourg, The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Cepsa signed a $305 million loan agreement for the construction of an advanced biofuels plant to be located next to the ¨La Rábida Energy Park¨ in Palos de la Frontera, Andalusia. The plant, which Cepsa is building together with Bio-Oils, will produce sustainable aviation fuel and renewable […]
IHI to install small-scale SAF production test rig for further development of CO2 to SAF synthesis technologies
In Japan, IHI Corporation together with the Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy and Environment (ISCE), a research institute under the Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, has been working on the development of technology for the synthesis of sustainable aviation fuel. IHI Corporation stated that the decision has now been taken to proceed […]
RTA to test hydrogen bus in Dubai
In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Gulf News reported that the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai has signed an agreement with a company to trial an environmentally-friendly hydrogen bus in Dubai’s climate and operational conditions. Ahmed Hashem Bahrozyan, CEO of RTA’s Public Transport Agency, said: “These buses represent a sustainable future for transportation […]
HDF Energy receives public funding for its high-power hydrogen fuel cell industrial project
In France, HDF Energy, a manufacturer of high-power fuel cells and developer of large-scale hydrogen infrastructure, announces that the European Commission has approved French financial support for its industrial project within the framework of the IPCEIs (Important Projects of Common European Interest). The grant, worth up to $184 million, will be dedicated to the development […]
