Category: Top Stories

The commercialization of renewable fuels, chemicals and biobased product: 4 new views, in depth

The commercialization of renewable fuels, chemicals and biobased product: 4 new views, in depth

May 11, 2015 |

New targets, new markets, new tech, new methods, new outcomes. LanzaTech, Genomatica, Amyris and Brazil’s CTBE share in-depth presentations from the 37th Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals. 100 of the most fascinating slides you’ll see all year. This past week, a notable session wrapped up at the 3th SBFC convention, this one on […]

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The push is on for “high renewable content fuels”

The push is on for “high renewable content fuels”

May 11, 2015 |

Something exciting is happening in the distribution of what could be broadly described as “high-renewable-content” fuels, which we’ll dub HRC fuels in order to give them  an obscure three-letter acronym. What is an HRC fuel? In the world of gasoline replacement, it is any fuel which has a renewable content higher than the typical E10 […]

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Propel Fuels CEO Rob Elam: The Digest interview

Propel Fuels CEO Rob Elam: The Digest interview

May 11, 2015 |

Propel Fuels has been on a tear of late in expanding distribution of what we call “high renewable content fuels”. We spoke with CEO Rob Elam to see what’s driving the latest surge in renewable fuels. Digest: What the price target to turn renewable fuels into consistent sellers? RE: Our target is just under street […]

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Joule raises $40M, as “fuel from thin air” preps for commercial scale in 2017.

Joule raises $40M, as “fuel from thin air” preps for commercial scale in 2017.

May 11, 2015 |

In Massachusetts, the remarkable journey of Joule Unlimited towards commercial-scale continued to add exciting chapters with the news that the company has closed on $40 million in private equity and venture debt financing, supporting the company’s growth towards commercialization. The round was led by existing investors, including Flagship Ventures, and brings the company’s total to […]

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Joule, Audi confirm revolutionary Sunflow fuel meets US, EU specs

Joule, Audi confirm revolutionary Sunflow fuel meets US, EU specs

May 11, 2015 |

In Massachusetts, news arrives from Joule that the company’s CO2-recycled  ethanol meets US and European fuel specifications. No one is dying of surprise that they would do so, but  getting Joule fuels registered for commercial sale is an important step towards commercialization of the technology, and Audi, Joule’s strategic partner in the automotive space, initiated […]

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Syngenta rebuffs Monsanto $45B offer as key shareholders say $50B might do the trick

Syngenta rebuffs Monsanto $45B offer as key shareholders say $50B might do the trick

May 10, 2015 |

In Switzerland, the Board of Syngenta confirmed that it has received an unsolicited proposal from Monsanto to acquire the company at a price of $45 billion (CHF449 per Syngenta share) with approximately 45 percent in cash. Reporting on the proposed acquisition has sugested that key Syngenta shareholders would back a deal which valued Syngenta at […]

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Alaska Airlines, Gevo to demonstrate renewable Alcohol-to-Jet fuel in upcoming flight

Alaska Airlines, Gevo to demonstrate renewable Alcohol-to-Jet fuel in upcoming flight

May 7, 2015 |

Alaska Airlines ups the ante in the search for sustainable, affordable jet fuels. In Colorado, Gevo and Alaska Airlines announced a strategic alliance to purchase Gevo’s renewable jet fuel and fly the first-ever commercial flight on alcohol-to-jet fuel (ATJ). The demonstration flight is expected to occur after Gevo receives ASTM International certification for its fuel, […]

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Solazyme’s product revenue shoots up 20% in Q1 2015 earnings report

Solazyme’s product revenue shoots up 20% in Q1 2015 earnings report

May 7, 2015 |

In California, Solazyme announced a loss of $34.7 million on sales of $12.6 million compared with a $34.7 million loss on $12.4 million in sales for Q1 2014. Product revenue of $8.8 million was up 20% versus the comparable quarter. Comments from Solazyme “We are executing against our operating plan for 2015 and are pleased […]

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Fulcrum’s $200 million pick: Abengoa for EPC contractor of first MSW-to-jet fuel project in the US

Fulcrum’s $200 million pick: Abengoa for EPC contractor of first MSW-to-jet fuel project in the US

May 6, 2015 |

The historic performance guarantee that’s at the centerpiece of the deal; the partnership that could lead to eight projects; Cathay Pacific, Waste Management and the US Navy in the mix. In California, Fulcrum BioEnergy has selected Abengoa to build the first biorefinery using gasification technology to convert municipal solid waste into syncrude that will be upgraded into jet […]

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REG biodiesel gallons up 26% for Q1 2015, as lower oil prices bite, and company slides into loss

REG biodiesel gallons up 26% for Q1 2015, as lower oil prices bite, and company slides into loss

May 5, 2015 |

In Iowa, Renewable Energy Group announced Q1 2015 adjusted EBITDA loss of $30.2 million compared to $1.9 million in the prior year period, without any adjustments for the 2014 Biodiesel Mixture Excise Tax Credit (BTC). After the December 2014 reinstatement of the BTC, the first quarter of 2014 was retroactively adjusted to reflect this reinstatement, […]

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