In New Zealand, Stuff reports that Z Energy has mothballed its biodiesel facility but that it may reopen again next year depending on market conditions. A bidding war on animal tallow made biodiesel production uneconomical but the company is looking to reduce its cost of production by doubling the installed capacity of the facility if […]
In Brazil, Platts reports that agriculture ministry data shows ethanol stocks were the highest ever on record at the start of the sugarcane crush on April 1 at 2.33 billion liters. That figure was 98% higher than at the start of the prior crush while ethanol was scarce and was being imported from the US […]
In Canada, NOVA Chemicals Corporation and Enerkem have entered into a joint development agreement to explore turning non-recyclable and non-compostable municipal waste into ethylene, a basic building block of plastics. Working together, the companies will research advanced recycling technology to transform hard-to-recycle municipal waste, including items such as plastics, household waste, and construction materials, into […]
In Texas, Global Clean Energy Holdings bought the Alon Bakersfield Refinery in California from Delek US Holdings for $40 million cash. Primoris Services Corporation announced ARB Industrial was awarded a $200 million contract for the engineering, procurement and construction of a renewable diesel facility at the refinery. The retooled facility will produce renewable diesel from […]
In Pennsylvania, Reuters reports the Environmental Protection Agency has offered to cut Philadelphia Energy Solutions’ RIN obligation by 70%, capping it at $10 million. It is the second time the agency has offered to make such a deal for PES that entered into bankruptcy protection last year after it suffered a major fire. By limiting […]
In Illinois, Brownfield Ag News reports two commodity analysts predict the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath will force significant consolidation in the ethanol industry that will lead to permanent closures. One said that with many ethanol plants getting near 3 gallons of ethanol per bushel, those that are less efficient, getting less than 2.8 gallons […]
In Vietnam, the VN Express newspaper reports a State Audit Agency report shows that despite the Binh Phuoc Ethanol Plant shutting down more than seven years ago, the defunct facility is still accruing $11.25 million per year in costs. More than $5.12 million is spent annually on loan interest for the non-functional plant in addition […]
In Brazil, Reuters reports that despite expectations that the government would raise gasoline taxes in an effort to help support the ethanol industry, the President said late last week that he wouldn’t be raising taxes of any kind in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ethanol demand fell along with gasoline demand more than 50% as […]
In Washington, D.C., Kilpatrick Townsend reports that as of early 2020, over 500 qualified opportunity funds totaling almost $70 billion of capital gains eligible for tax-advantaged treatment under the opportunity zone legislation and regulations were created and there is project level funding and private placement funding at the technology company level if located in a […]
In Washington, D.C., Kilpatrick Townsend created a COVID-19 Reopening Guidebook as an online resource to keep companies up-to-date on legal and business risks, successful practices, and the ever-evolving landscape of reopening orders and guidance from all of the states — more than 35 already. Reopening a business or workplace in the face of COVID-19 threats […]
