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Date: 2013-04-01
The Ohio Soybean Council and Ohio Soybean Association (OhioSoy) have endorsed by U.S. Congress's passage and President Obama's signing of H.R. 4853 into law last week. A provision of the H.R. 4853 -- the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 -- extended a $1-per-gallon biodiesel tax credit through 2011 and made the credit retroactive for 2010 as well.
Originally enacted in 2004, the biodiesel tax credit expired on December 31, 2009, and the lapse had negative impacts on the U.S. biodiesel industry. The reinstatement and extension of the tax credit is expected to help the industry regain traction and stimulate increased domestic biodiesel production.
The Ohio Soybean Council and soybean checkoff has long supported the promotion of soy biodiesel to farmers and consumers as it is an environmentally friendly fuel that increases engine lubricity and reduces dependence on petroleum.
The Ohio Soybean Association has been working with a coalition of other state and national groups, including the American Soybean Association, to encourage lawmakers to renew the $1-per-gallon tax credit. (Source: Ohio Soybean Council, Mar., 2013)
Contact: Ohio Soybean Council, (614) 310-0800, www.soyohio.org
Tags Biofuels Tax Credit news, Soy news, Biodiesel news,
Date: 2013-03-13
Following on our Feb. 6 coverage, Houston, Texas-based Channel BioRefinery & Terminals, LLC (CB&T), a subsidiary of BioFuels Development International LLC (BDI), the new owners of hurricane Ike idled 105 MMgy GreenHunter Biofuels soybean biodiesel production facility on the Houston Ship Channel, is ramping-up efforts to get the plant into full production by July, 2013. A ground breaking is planned for tomorrow.
When Hurricane Ike struck shortly after the plants opening in Sept. 2008, GreenHunter was unable to fund the needed repairs.
(Source: Channel Biorefinery & Terminals , Biodiesel Mag., 13 Mar., 2013) Contact: Channel Biorefinery & Terminals
Kenneth Brown, Pres., CEO, BioFuels Development International, LLC, (504) 934-1620, www.biofuelsdev.com; GreenHunter, www.greenhunterenergy.com
Tags Channel Biorefinery & Terminals LLC news, Green Hunter news, Soy Biodiesel news,
Date: 2013-03-01
In a move that expands Minnesota's legal definition of biofuel beyond corn-based ethanol and soybean-based biodiesel which have been produced in the state for years, the Minnesota State House and Senate agriculture committees on Wednesday approved a change that would allow the sale of butanol. If the bill passes the Legislature, fuels such as butanol could be used to meet the state requirement that biofuels be mixed with petroleum-based gasoline. Under current legislation, butanol can not be blended in gasoline and sold in Minnesota.
The Minnesota Ethanol Producers Association and the Minnesota Corn Growers support the change.
Brian Kletcher of Highwater Ethanol in Lamberton said his facility is considering converting to butanol production.
Butanol, which can be mixed with gasoline or used for other purposes, can be made from a variety of plant matter, including corn waste, wood and switchgrass. (Source: Grand Forks Herald, Feb. 28, 2013) Contact:
Contact: Minnesota Ethanol Producers Association, www.ethanolrfa.org; MInnesota Corn Growers , www.mncorn.org; Highwater Ethanol, (507) 752-6160, www.highwaterethanol.com
Tags Butanol news, Ethanol news,
Date: 2013-02-22
Research scientists at Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory are testing sugar beets (energy beets) as an ethanol feedstock. Igathi Cannayen, who splits his time between the lab and North Dakota State University, has been working with industry group BeetsAll Biofuel on an energy beet economic feasibility study, yield trials, and juice storage research since 2009. The group has found that the beets produce a higher yield, higher income and can be grown in non-traditional areas.
Energy beets are grown strictly for energy use and produce twice the ethanol per acre than corn. The net return per acre is double that of corn and soybeans on non-irrigated land and three times those crops on irrigated land.
The group has planted 14 test plots, five irrigated and nine dryland, across the state, including locations in Turtle Lake, Williston, Minot and Jamestown. From the test plots Cannayen said he expects an average income of $13.9 million after expenses.
BeetsAll Biofuel plans 16 energy beet processing plants across the state, with construction on the first 20-million gpy plant targeted for 2015. Each plant is projected to coast approximately $60 million. About 30,000 acres of energy beets will be needed to support each processing facility.
Ethanol from the beets is certified as an advanced biofuel by the Environmental Protection Agency, making them sell for a premium price. The test plots also establish federal crop insurance for growers and the group is trying to get a multi-peril crop insurance program.
(Source: BeetsAll Biofuel, Bismarck Journal, 21 Feb., 2013) Contact: BeetsAll Biofuel, (701) 320-3667, [email protected], www.beetsallbiofuel.com
Tags BeetsAll Biofuel news, Energy Beets news, Ethanol news, Biofuel news,
Date: 2013-02-15
In its Agricultural Projections to 2022, the USDA is projecting that US ethanol and biodiesel production will continue to rise in the next 10 years but at a much slower pace than in the past decade.
In 2004-05, corn used in the production of ethanol totaled 1,323,210,000 bushels, which equated to 11 percent of the 2004 corn out-turn of 11,805,581,000 bushels. By 2011-12, corn used for ethanol production hit 5,011,030,000 bushels, which equated to 40 percent of the 2011 corn outturn of 12,359,612,000 bushels. The amount of corn used for ethanol production was forecast to drop to 4,500,000 bushels in 2012-13, or 42 percent of the drought-reduced 2012 corn out-turn of 10,725,000 bushels. Corn use for ethanol production was forecast to begin to increase steadily in subsequent years but not surpass the 2011-12 level until 2020-21. Corn use for ethanol was forecast at 5,375,000,000 bushels in 2022-23, the last year in the projection period.
According to the USDA, "Projected increases in corn-based ethanol over the next 10 years are much smaller than occurred in 2005-2010. This projection reflects declining overall gasoline consumption in the United States (which is mostly a 10 percent ethanol blend, E10), infrastructural and other constraints on growth in the E15 market, and the small size of the E85 market. Nonetheless, a strong presence for ethanol in the sector continues, with about 35 percent of total corn use expected to go to ethanol production during the projection period."
The use of soybean oil in U.S. biodiesel production was estimated at 4,900 million lbs. in 2011-12 and forecast at 4,900 million lbs. in 2012-13 and at 5,000 million lbs. in 2013-14. Soybean oil use in biodiesel production was forecast to rise steadily each year in the rest of the projection period reaching 6,300 million lbs. in 2022-23. (Source: USDA, MeatPoultry.com, Feb 13, 2013) Contact: USDA, (309) 681-6528, www.ars.usda.gov
Tags USDA news, Ethanol news, Biodiesel news, Corn Ethanol news,
Date: 2013-02-11
The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) recently awarded the United Soybean Board's national soy checkoff's commitment to advancing the U.S. biodiesel industry with the Eye on Biodiesel Influence Award. The award honors an individual or organization that has impacted public acceptance of biodiesel. U.S. soy oil is the main feedstock for U.S. biodiesel manufacturing.
A large portion of the checkoff's biodiesel investments has been used for quality and performance testing, and to promote biodiesel availability and use. The checkoff has also been active in promoting Bioheat, a biodiesel-based heating oil alternative. .
The USB's 69 farmer-directors oversee the investments of the soy checkoff to maximize profit opportunities for all U.S. soybean farmers. These volunteers invest and leverage checkoff funds to increase the value of U.S. soy meal and oil, to ensure U.S. soybean farmers and their customers have the freedom and infrastructure to operate, and to meet the needs of U.S. soy's customers. As stipulated in the federal Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soy checkoff. (Source: United Soybean Board,
Contact: United Soybean Board, Chairman Jim Stillman, Chairman, (636) 530-1560, www.unitedsoybean.org
Tags Soybean news, United Soybean Board news, Bioheat news, Biodiesel news,
Date: 2013-01-23
In a letter to President Obama, the recently formed Iowa RFS Coalition has urged the President to continue his support for agriculture and renewable fuels during his second term.
The Iowa RFS Coalition is committed to protecting and preserving the federal RFS through cooperative efforts of advocacy, outreach and education. The Coalition opposes re-opening the federal RFS; recognizes that maintaining the federal RFS is critical to the Iowa and U.S. economies, our nation's energy security and our planet's air quality; and agrees that ethanol and biodiesel production are essential components of an all-of-the-above American energy solution.
Current Iowa RFS Coalition members include DuPont, Iowa Biodiesel Board, Iowa Biotechnology Association, Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa-Nebraska Equipment Dealers Association, Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, Iowa Soybean Association, Monsanto and Syngenta. The Iowa RFS Coalition will continue to welcome new members throughout 2013.
(Source: Iowa RFS Coalition, Jan. 22, 2013)
Tags RFS news, Ethanol news, Biodiesel news,
Date: 2013-01-04
The Corn & Soybean Digest is reporting that 2013 is expected to be an "interesting year" in the agriculture industry, following a very profitable year in 2012 for most crop producers in the Upper Midwest, and a fairly negative profit year for most livestock producers.
In the renewable fuels industry, 2012 ended in uncertainty. Profit margins were tight in the ethanol and biodiesel industries, and some U.S. production plants slowed or ceased production completely. In 2012, ethanol profitability was hampered by a combination of high corn prices and low petroleum prices. Also in 2012, the U.S. EPA continued the Renewable Fuels Standards (RFS) as approved despite the efforts of many environmental, Livestock, members of congress, taxpayer and other groups to reduce or eliminate the RFS standards. 2013 is expected to be a pivotal year for the future direction of renewable energy policy in the U.S. (Source: Corn & Soybean Digest, Jan. 1, 2013)
Tags RFS news, Ethanol news, Biofuel news, Renewable Fuel news,
Date: 2012-11-26
The RFS has pegged the use of soybeans for biodiesel production at about 16 percent -- or 468 million bushels -- of the total U.S. soybean crop for 2013. The increase in mandated use of both corn ethanol and biodiesel, plus this year's drought conditions, translates into high prices of these two commodities, reduced exports of U.S. corn and soybeans, growing international competition and an increased use of marginal farmland, as well as ailing livestock, poultry, and dairy industries. Ecologically, these policies have meant less crop rotation, greater intensive farming on marginal lands, greater acreage devoted to these two industrial crops, and the increased removal of corn stover from corn fields for readily accessible cellulosic feedstock. Land prices have increased due to policy support of growing these monoculture crops, making them profitable even in a severe drought year such as this.
Biodiesel RINs credits have fallen in price recently because the mandate for this year was met in production by early November. The price of RINs is indicative of the demand for biodiesel and, since RINs were sold on secondary markets, they have been exploited fraudulently.
According to the DesMoines Register, the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers has asked the U.S. government to reconsider its decision to increase the amount of biodiesel required for use in the nation's trucks next year by 28 percent due to "unintended consequences" including higher fuel prices for consumers. (Source: Big Picture Agriculture, Des Moines Register, Nov. 23, 2012)
Tags Soybean news, Biodiesel news, RFS news,
Date: 2012-11-21
On 20th November the American Fuels & Petrochemicals Manufacturers (AFPM) petitioned the EPA to reconsider its Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: 2013 Biomass Based Diesel Renewable Fuel Volume which increased the volume of biomass based diesel from 1.0 billion to 1.28 billion gpy. The AFPM urged that the EPA to reconsider its decision to increase the biomass based volumes by 28 percent in 2013.
According to the AFPM, EPA data estimates that the cost of increasing the biomass based diesel mandate will add between $253 million and $391 million to consumers' transportation fuel bill in 2013. Charles T. Drevna, AFPM President Charles Drevna said "The US economy is still struggling and this increase will hurt the million who rely on transportation fuels.
Evidence is strong that an increase in the 2013 volume will not affect domestic energy security, as the US currently is a net exporter of diesel, contrary to research carried out by the EPA. In the category of unintended consequences, EPA's decision will curtail investment in advanced biofuels that compete with biodiesel and will increase carbon emissions in 2013 under the RFS. It is also possible that the increase could negatively impact the price and supply of agricultural commodities, since additional biodiesel feedstocks, such as soybean oil, will be required under the rule".
Drevna added, "Before increasing the 2013 volume, EPA must resolve the pervasive problem that exists in the biodiesel market of Renewable Identification Number (RIN) fraud. To date, over 140 million fraudulent RINs have been sold to unsuspecting refiners concerned with meeting their RFS obligations. That number and the costs associated with the fraud will grow as investigations of additional biodiesel producers continue today." (Source: AFPM, Nov, 21, 2012) Contact: AFPM, Charles Drevna, Pres., (202) 457-0480, www.afpm.org
Tags AFPM news, Biomass news, Biodiesel news,
Date: 2012-10-29
The Brazilian Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture (MPA) and Petrobras subsidiary Petrobras Biocombustivel have agreed to investigate and produce biodiesel from fish harvest waste. Petrobras currently produces biodiesel from soybean, castor and palm.
Petrobras Biocombustivel is developing several projects to evaluate the use of fish oil for manufacturing biodiesel. One of them is Biopeixe pilot project, implemented with farmers in the region of Jaguaribara, in Ceara, to conduct research in the dam Acude Castanheo where
$2.05 million will be invested until 2014 to raise fish production. It is expected that this increase in production, with a consequent increase in fish waste and fish oil, contribute to make projects such as that on biodiesel, viable. (Source: Petrobras, Estrella Online, FIS Oct. 26, 2012) Contact: Pertrobras, www.petrobras.com
Tags Petrobras news, Biodiesel news,
Date: 2012-10-26
Argentina is expected to help replenish global corn supplies with a record harvest this season, even as a fast-growing domestic ethanol industry puts new demands on the world's No. 2 exporter. The country's Ethanol output is expected to more than double in 2013 as new corn-fueled plants come on line to meet demand generated by the country's E-5 legislation. Diesel is required to be a seven percent biodiesel blend.
Unlike the U.S. where 40 percent of the corn harvest goes to ethanol production, Argentina's distilleries are forecast to absorb just 1.2 million tonnes of an expected record 24.5 million tonnes crop -- less than five per cent of production. Argentinian corn exports are set to rise to 18.5 million tpy from 16 million tonnes , according to estimates by the USDA.
Argentinian ethanol production should rise from about 250,000 tonnes to 600,000 tonnes in 2013, as new plants come online, according to the state-run National Biofuels Program. In 2011, Argentina produced just 130,000 tonnes of ethanol.
But corn industry sources in Argentina say that rather than threatening exports the ethanol boom could boost plantings.
Corn is expected to soon overtake sugarcane as Argentine distillers' main feedstock, partly because corn growers have more scope to expand plantings to cater to the new market created by the government's compulsory blending requirement.
Government incentives have helped Argentina become the largest exporter of biodiesel, made from soybean oil.
(Source: Alberta Farmers Express, Oct. 24, 2012)
Tags Ethanol news, Biodiesel news, Ethanol Blend news, Corn Ethanol news,
Date: 2012-10-24
In October, NYC implemented regulations requiring all home heating oil to contain at least 2 percent biodiesel, a blend called "Bioheat." NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg in 2010 signed an air quality bill which included the Bioheat provision for heating homes and buildings, though phase-in for the blend was complete Oct. 1. Another New York state bill also required a switch to Ultra Low Sulfur Heating Oil, which took place in July. Both the United Soybean Board and the National Biodiesel Board have come out in support of the new regulations.
A special education and outreach program, including videos, information and industry updates, was created to help customers understand the new blend.
Biodiesel used to supplement home heating oil also is eligible to meet the Renewable Fuels Standard, according to the National Biodiesel Board. No other city has a Bioheat requirement in place, but several states have passed requirements that will go into effect when contingent states pass similar laws, the NBB said. (Source: Farm Futures, Oct. 22, 2012)
Contact: NBB, Anne Steckel, (573) 635-3893, www.biodiesel.org; United Soybean Board, www.unitedsoybean.org
Tags United Soybean Board news, Biodiesel news, Bioheat news, National Biodiesel Board. news,
Date: 2012-10-24
Marcus, Iowa-based Soy Energy LLC has temporarily shut down it production operations and laid off employees due to market conditions and continued production challenges. The company plans to resume production when market conditions improve.
Soy Energy, which produces soybean oil-based biodiesel and corn stillage oil-based biodiesel, said it is hopeful the market will improve in the coming months.
The company is also exploring potential options to "move the business forward."
Compant President and CEO Jeff Oestmann says the biofuels industry in general is going through challenging times with the volatile commodities market and political environment. (Source: Soy Energy LLC, Oct. 22, 2012) Contact: Soy Energy LLC, Jeff Oestmann, Pres. & CEO, (712) 376-2081, www.soyenergyllc.com.
Tags Soy Biodiesel news, Soy Energy news,
Date: 2012-10-24
ST. LOUIS, October 22, 2012 - U.S. soybean farmers have come out in support of the National Tractor Pullers Association's (NTPA) promotion of biodiesel among tractor pulling fans. The NTPA plans to return the favor by allowing 100 percent biodiesel fuel, or B100, to be used in all diesel pulling classes beginning next season. This mutual support could increase the demand for biodiesel by putting its performance benefits on display for the farmers, truck drivers and other diesel users who make up a large portion of the NTPA's fan base.
A recent study by the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSR&PC) and the United Pullers of Minnesota (UPM) found that using B100 in a pulling tractor can add up to 4 percent more horsepower and torque compared with traditional diesel.
The United Soybean Board has partnered with the NTPA for the past six years to help increase biodiesel availability and use among pulling fans.
(Source: NTPA, Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, Oct. 22, 2012) CContact: Minnesota Soybean, www.mnsoybean.org; United Soybean Board, www.unitedsoybean.org
Tags B100 news, Soy Biodiesel news, Biodiesel news,
Date: 2012-10-12
Cargill's Paseo Biofuels will expand soybean biodiesel production by more than 40 percent to 56 million gpy at its Kansas City, Missouri plant. The ramp-up is slated for an early 2013 date. At full capacity, the plant will significantly increase its soybean purchases from local producers. (Source: Cargill, OzarksFirst.com, Oct. 9, 2012) Contact: Paseo Biofuels, Cargill, www.cargill.com
Tags Cargill news, Soybean news, Biodiesel news,
Date: 2012-10-10
The Nebraska Soybean Board is offering potential biodiesel retailers grants of up to $60,000 per station for the design and installation of biodiesel blending pump equipment reimbursements. The Board also helps retailers work out a program where they get a credit for a product they sell to help them recoup their investment. The board will also provide technical assistance and monitoring.
In 2011 the U.S. sold 1.1 billion gallons of the product. Next year, the board is expecting 1.3 billion gallons to be used. (Source: Nebraska Soybean Board, NTV News, Oct. 8, 2012) Contact: Nebraska Soybean Board, Victor Bohuslavsky , executive director, (402) 441-3240, www.nebraskasoybeans.org
Tags Biodiesel news, Soybean news,
Date: 2012-10-10
Ames, Iowa-based biodiesel producer Renewable Energy Group (REGI)reports that it is expecting a much wider loss for its third fiscal quarter. On an EBITDA basis, the company expects to lose $7 million versus a previously forecast loss of $2 million. The expected loss in in spite of an improved sales forecast of 60 million to 63 million gallons of biodiesel, versus previous guidance of 55 to 60 million gallons.
According to a company statement, the change is related to movements in commodity prices, a steep depreciation in the price of RINs, and tighter than expected operating margins.
REGI said the company remains optimistic about long-term prospects for Renewable Energy Group and the biodiesel industry despite the fluctuations in its markets. He said the company still has a strong balance sheet and the company's flexible feedstock technology provides it with a long-term cost advantage. (Source: REGI, The Gazette, 9 Oct., 2012) Contact: REGI, Danial Oh, Pres./CEO, (515) 239-8118, www.regi.com
Tags Soybean news, Renewable Energy Group news, Biodiesel news,
Date: 2012-09-26
The Argentinian government has devised a new system to determine biofuels export duty rates after producers complained about a substantial hike to the rate in August.
In August, biofuel export duties were hiked from 20 to 32 percent to boost domestic supply and cut the nation's fuel import bill. The measure was taken prior to government plans to increase the use of biofuel in environmentally-friendly diesel blends, from 7 to 10 percent.
However, on September 20, following meetings with key producers, the government confirmed that the rate applicable to soybean biofuels exports would be determined every fifteen days, and would be based on biofuel prices.
Accordingly, the export duty rate has been set at 19.1% for a two-week period. (Source: Gov't of Argentina, Tax-News, 24 Sept., 2012)
Tags Biofuel news,
Date: 2012-09-20
The U.S. EPA has announced an increase in the biodiesel volume requirement under the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS2) from 1 billion gallons in 2012 to 1.28 billion gallons in 2013, a move welcomed by the American Soybean Association (ASA).
"More than half of all biodiesel produced in the U.S. comes from soybean oil, which expands a growing market for soybean farmers," said ASA President Steve Wellman. "We congratulate the EPA on today's announcement as well as the USDA and (Agriculture) Secretary Vilsack for their continued strong support for the U.S. biodiesel industry. We look forward to helping the U.S. biodiesel industry hit the 1.28 billion gallon mark in 2013. By achieving the new requirement, we'll help to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, and help increase soybean meal supplies to our valued partners in the livestock industry for use as feed."
Wellman highlighted several benefits from biodiesel production that help U.S. livestock producers. "Soybean-based biodiesel actually has a positive impact on U.S. soybean meal supplies," he said. "Processing biodiesel from soybeans uses only the oil portion of the soybean, which is about 18 to 20 percent of the soybean, leaving the remaining 80 to 82 percent of the soybean available as protein to nourish both livestock and humans. By increasing the market for soybean oil in the U.S. and domestic oilseed processing, we increase the availability of protein-rich meal for human and livestock consumption. The increased meal supply results in a more cost-effective food and feed source." (Source: American Soybean Assoc., 19 Sept., 2012) Contact: American Soybean Association, Steve Wellman, First Vice President, (402) 269-7024, [email protected], www.soygrowers.com
Tags American Soybean Association news, Soybean news, Biodiesel news,
Date: 2012-09-19
Tulsa-headquartered Magellan Pipeline Company has completed a new biodiesel distribution facility in Des Moines, Iowa. The newly equipped facility will enhance the unloading, storage and blending of biodiesel as well as facilitate biodiesel distribution by making it simple for petroleum distributors to access pre-blended fuel.
The project was partially funded by the Iowa Renewable Fuel Infrastructure Board, the Iowa Soybean Association and soybean checkoff program, and the Iowa Economic Development Authority (funded by the U.S. DOE).
(Source: Magellan Pipeline, equities Spotlight, 18 Sept., 2012) Contact: Magellan Midstream Partners LLC, (918) 574-7000, www.magellanlp.com
Tags Biodiesel news, Biodiesel Blending news,
Date: 2012-09-18
A new USDA study says sorghum is the potential breakthrough candidate for biofuel expansion. The study claims sorghum's adaptability to a range os growing conditions, sturdiness and resistance to drought make it ideal for the production of bioenergy. According to USDA researchers, it also has a high biomass content (plant material). The soluble sugar that it produces can be converted into biofuel, and then the residual fibers leftover from the juice extraction can be burned to generate electricity.
This USDA study is part of a larger effort to meet the government mandate to produce 36 billion gallons of biofuel by 2022. It is estimated that 15 billion of those gallons will be from grain ethanol, and the remaining 21 billion will be from other sources including sorghum, sugarcane, switchgrass, and other grasses. Other options include oilseed crops like rapeseed and soybean.
The USDA research on Sorghum's potential as a biofuel has been published in the journal, Agricultural Research (Source: ENN, Sept. 17, 2012) Contact: USDA,
Tags USDA news, Sorghum news, BioenergyCrop news,
Date: 2012-08-22
According to Singapore-based bioenergy developer Joil Pte Ltd, the economics of cultivating jatropha, which until recently has been seen primarily as a renewable source for biodiesel and biokerosene, has improved significantly as the crop can be turned into biomass fuel cakes and animal feed meal.
"The product revenue per hectare for jatropha plantations has the potential to double from the current estimate of $1,000+ per hectare per year to $2,000+ per hectare per year with biomass fuel cakes and animal feed meal. When this happens, the economics of jatropha production will change dramatically and lead to better commercial viability of the plant," said Hong Yan, JOil's chief scientific officer, at the International Conference on Next Generation Technologies for Bioenergy and Biomass Utilization, held recently in Singapore.
"While jatropha oil has received the most attention as a renewable source of biodiesel and biokerosene, jatropha plants are also a source of lignin-cellulosic biomass as well as protein rich seed cake."
The source for biomass comes from shed-off leaves, pruned branches and twigs, seed coat and shell and when made into cakes serve as biomass feedstock for biocharcoal, biogas, bioetanol and other value-adding products.
Jatropha kernel meal derived from the crushed seeds contains up to 60% of proteins with good balance of essential amino acids. As animal feed, it has been shown to be comparable or better as a source of protein than soybean meal after detoxification.
(Source: EnergyAsia, August 21 2012) Contact: Joil, [email protected], www.joil.com.sg
Tags JOil news, Jatropha news,
Date: 2012-08-20
Further to our April 23 coverage Spain Slashes Argentinian Biodiesel Imports to Protest YPS Takeover, on Friday, Aug. 17, Argentina initiated the process of formally accusing the EU for its decision to impede accesses of Argentine bio-fuel, thus violating the WTO norms, according to a release from Argentina's Foreign Ministry.
Last April the Spanish government announced limitations on the imports of Argentine bio-fuel to protest the decision from the administration of President Cristina Fernandez of seizing control of 51% of Repsol YPF holdings. According to Argentina the Spanish decision "established a ban on imports of bio-fuel from outside the EC, pushing aside the Argentine produce, which is leader in the world in efficiency and costs". The Argentine government also recalled that the "main providers of bio-fuels to Spain and the EU are from developing countries".
In 2011, Argentina, was the world's second-largest biofuels producer and the world's third largest exporter of soy oil, having shipped 1.6 million tons of bio-fuels worth approximately $2 billion to other countries. Last week the Argentine government said it was opening its borders to soybean from Paraguay and Bolivia to fill the idle capacity of the domestic oil-seed crushing plants.
Earlier this year, Argentina lodged a protest with WTO committee on technical barriers to trade due to Spain's bio-diesel policy. But Argentina is currently the target of an EU complaint at the WTO due to its controversial import restrictions.
At the same time Argentina is fighting to open markets for its bio-fuels, but has hiked export taxes on the fuel in a move that some analysts say could hurt the industry. Bio-diesel will now face the same 32% export tax as soy-oil, which is the main feedstock used to make the fuel. Previously, the bio-fuel export tax stood at about 20%.
(Source: Gov't of Argentina, Aug. 20, 2012) Contact: YPF, www.ypf.com; Repsol, www.repsol.com
Tags YPF news, Repsol news, Biodiesel news,
Date: 2012-08-17
"The worst Midwest drought in decades is on the verge of creating a corn availability and price crisis in the bulk of the nation's corn-growing states. The subsequent shortages derived therefrom will have a particularly negative impact on cattle feed and export shipments, on which much of the world depends. This has instigated pleas from several U.S. Governors, 26 bi-partisan Senators, 156 U.S. House members, and the United Nations for the Environmental Protection Agency to grant a waiver from the ethanol quotas mandated by the federal Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). Top officials of the nation's leading cattle producers' associations have also issued a petition urging the EPA to waive its 10% mandate of corn-based ethanol usage as a component of each gallon of gasoline marketed in the U.S.
"These combined pleas warn of a nationwide disaster affecting stratospheric prices, lack of cattle feed, and global cattle feed shortages. Even a lesser corn shortage caused spot food riots in various parts of the world three years ago. So far, EPA head Lisa Jackson has not responded officially, but is said to be unfavorable, according to unconfirmed sources.
"Due to the drought, USDA forecasts already record high corn prices up to $9 per bushel at the farm level, destined to be 40% higher or more than the 2011-12 crop year. To make matters worse, the USDA. has already reduced its feed usage forecast from July's report by 15%. Much of this shortfall will fall heavily on livestock and poultry producers, and cause the resultant elimination of feedstock.
"According to Governor Beverly Perdue (D-NC), one of the petitioners to the EPA, 'The disproportionate, ever higher requirement for corn-based ethanol usage has caused the renewable fuels standard (RFS) to utilize over 30% of the available corn and soybean crop for transportation fuel. Originally voted into law by Congress in 2005, and increased as a higher gasoline blend percentage in 2007, spot shortages had previously developed, but were controlled by chronically higher prices,' added Governor Perdue in her co-signed petition to EPA. She added that the current drought is much more severe than those of previous weather-instigated shortages, not only of corn, but soybeans.
"According to industry sources, ethanol production consumes approximately 40% of the nation's corn crop. As of January 1, 2012, 211 ethanol plants in 29 states were producing an estimated 13.9 billion gallons of ethanol. Each bushel of corn yields 2.8 gallons of ethanol and 17.5 pounds of livestock feed, according to the Renewable Fuels Association.
Last Friday's (August 10th) World Agricultural Supply and Demand estimates report, in which the USDA forecast the 2012-13 corn crop to be 10.8 billion bushels, which would be down more than 20% from previous estimates. The ending carry-over inventory of corn for the 2012-13 crop year is estimated at 650 million bushels, or 5.8% of total corn usage. This will turn out to be the smallest inventory reserve since the 1995-96 crop year."
(Source: mydesert.com, Morris Beschloss , August 16th, 2012)
Tags Corn Ethanol news,
Date: 2012-08-14
Argentina is raising its biodiesel export tax to 32 percent, according to a government decree published in the official gazette on Friday. The tax was previously set at 20 percent.
Argentina is the world's largest exporter of soybean oil biodiesel, as well as the leading global supplier of soy oil and soy meal. (Sources, Various, Aug. 10, 2012)
Tags Soy Biodiesel news,
Date: 2012-08-07
"Don't alter renewable fuel policies based on one poor crop year, or at least until farmers know exactly what kind of yields they'll get from a year marked by drought, local corn and soybean producers said Monday.
"David Meiss, a Gridley farmer, joined several other area farmers in a roundtable discussion led by U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) at the Evergreen FS Yuton Elevator northwest of Bloomington. He said each row of corn hosts stalks that vary widely in quality, so farmers won't know exactly how they'll fare until harvest. 'Let's not make any rash or hurried decisions until we just get the facts,' Meiss said after the discussion. He said a lot of time, energy and money have been spent building the infrastructure and a market for corn- and soybean-infused energy. 'One year might be a bump in the road, but we don't need to throw everything out because of one year.'
"The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires petroleum used for fueling vehicles to be blended with set levels of renewable fuel. As a result, much of the nation's corn crop is used to blend ethanol, but some have called for the EPA to waive the renewable fuel requirement to avoid higher food prices.
"Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Bob Flider also attended the discussion and warned against 'unintended consequences' of a reduced renewable fuel standard. Farmers said a byproduct of ethanol can be used to feed livestock and a disruption of that chain could further throw the market out of balance. During an appearance earlier at Chestnut Family Health Center in Bloomington, Durbin was asked about the answer -- in light of the drought -- for livestock farmers and growers of specialty crops who don't have crop insurance. 'Those without crop insurance gambled and lost,' Durbin said. While the overwhelming majority of farmers have crop insurance, the drought is 'a lesson learned that crop insurance is a valuable investment,' he said. Farmers who have insurance won’t receive payments for awhile. In the meantime, those growers can receive USDA low-interest loans, Durbin said.
"For livestock farmers, USDA is releasing some conservation reserve ground to allow live-stock to graze and for hay harvest.
Meanwhile, the U.S. House needs to pass the Farm Bill, which already has passed the Senate, he said." (Source: Pantagraph.com, Aug. 7, 2012)
Tags Corn Ethanol news, RFS news,
Date: 2012-07-24
A coalition of industrialized livestock and poultry producers in opposition to corn-based ethanol has released a study supporting its campaign to get Congress to modify the 2007 Renewable Fuel Standard. The study, The RFS, Fuel and Food Prices and the Need for Statutory Flexibility contends that the ethanol mandate has destabilized corn, soybeans, and wheat prices causing them to rise, which hurts producers and consumers of food and fuel. It also found that U.S. oil imports have declined not because of increased ethanol production, but resulting from increased domestic crude oil production and higher gasoline and distillate fuel oil yields.
The study was produced by the Indiana agricultural and food industry consulting firm, FarmEcon LLC, with funding from the American Meat Institute, California Dairy Inc., the Milk Producers Cooperative, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, the National Chicken Council, the National Pork Producers Council and the National Turkey Federation.
Separately, a paper published by a pair of professors from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of California--Davis concludes that increased ethanol production has not cut gasoline prices. The study, Ethanol Production and Gasoline Prices: a Spurious Correlation, says bluntly in its summary: "Some proponents of ethanol have argued that ethanol production greatly lowers gasoline prices, with one industry group claiming it reduced gasoline prices by 89 cents in 2010 and $1.09 in 2011. The estimates have been cited in numerous speeches by Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack. These estimates are based on a series of papers by Xiaodong Du and Dermot Hayes. We show that these results are driven by implausible economic assumptions and spurious statistical correlations."
The pair of new studies follows on the heels of a separate May report that concluded it may be impossible to use the volumes of renewable fuels required by the 2007 act.
The 2007 regulations require 36 billion gallons of ethanol to be included in U.S. vehicle fuel by 2022--a volume more than three times the 11.1 billion gallons used in 2010. For 2015, the requirement is 15 billion gallons. (Source: Green Car Report, 23 July, 2012)
Tags Renewable Fuels Standard news, Ethanol news,
Date: 2012-07-20
Soy biodiesel emits the highest levels of acrolein, a toxic aldehyde, from a range of four fuels when used in trucks, say US researchers. Biodiesel was introduced to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels and it is generally produced by the transesterification of fatty acids in animal fats or plant oils. While biodiesel is cleaner than fossil fuel diesel, there is concern over the emission of nitrogen oxides and other pollutants like unsaturated aldehydes, some of which are toxic.
Robert Okamoto from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and Thomas Cahill from Arizona State University have compared the aldehyde emissions from four types of diesel when used to run two types of truck. Soybean biodiesel, animal biodiesel, renewable diesel and California ultra-low sulfur diesel were tested in two heavy duty trucks and the aldehydes were analysed by GC/MS.
The emission rate of acrolein from soy biodiesel was the highest of the four fuels, although levels of all aldehydes were reduced in the more modern truck, due to the presence of a diesel particulate filter. The other fuels emitted roughly the same levels of acrolein. (Source: SpectroscopyNow.com, July 19, 2012)
Tags Soy Biodiesel news, California Air Resources Board news,
Date: 2012-07-09
Because of it's poor livestock forage suitability, prairie cordgrass has been largely ignored for study at agricultural schools whose interest in perennial grasses like switchgrass as forage has translated more easily into research into their suitability as biofuels feedstocks. Except, apparently, at the University of Illinois where crop scientists D.K. Lee and Lane Rayburn are saying that cordgrass just might have energy crop potential.
Cordgrass grows well on marginal that are too wet for row crop production and would not compete with food crops like corn and soybeans which are also raised as energy crops. Lee and Rayburn say that cordgrass might do well in cropland that has been abandoned due to high soil salinity after years of irritation with salt-heavy ground water.
The researchers also say prairie cordgrass could be appealing from a land conservation standpoint. "One of the characteristics of this grass is that it has a strong rhizome and root system," Lee said, making it good for erosion control. Importantly, cordgrass is a native plant
and would not disrupt habitats.(Source: University of Illinois, TG Daily, 2 July, 2012) Contact: University of Illinois, Lane Rayburn, (217) 333-4374, [email protected]; DK Lee, (217) 333-6652, [email protected], www.illinois.edu
Tags University of Illinois news,
Date: 2012-06-25
Two years after the shuttering of 52 of the U.S.'s 170 biodiesel plants, biodiesel production is on the rise, according to DOE statistics. Energy Department During the first quarter of 2012, 241 million gallons of biodiesel were produced; 78.5% increase over the same three months in 2011 and a whopping 169% increase over the same period in 2010, the year the industry was rocked by the temporary loss of federal tax credits.
The majority of the biodiesel was produced from soybean oil, followed by canola oil, yellow grease and finally corn oil. The bulk of the production came from Texas (328 million gallons), Illinois (278 million gallons), Iowa (250 million gallons), Missouri (110 million gallons), and California and Pennsylvania (91 million gallons).
The 92 million gallons of biodiesel produced in March -- the best month so far this year -- compares to some staggering numbers. Nice numbers in March but still a pittance compared to the 23.6 billion gallons of crude oil that were consumed in the same month. As the old Virginia Slims cigarette ad used to say, if any of our readers care to remember: "You've come along way Baby but you've still got a long ways to go."
(Source: DOE, LA Times, 22 June 2012)
Date: 2012-06-14
Argentina, which until recently was the dominate Spanish biodiesel market supplier, has lodged a protest with the World Trade Organization's (WTO) committee on technical barriers to trade over Spain's recent protectionist decision to stop purchasing biodiesel from non-EU sources. The ban began in April, 2012. Soybean-based biodiesel imports from Argentina were valued at about €750 million ($944 million) in 2011, according to Spain's Renewable Energy Producers Association.
Spain's biodiesel restrictions followed Argentine President Cristina Kirchner's decision to expropriate a 51 percent stake in the Spanish oil-and-gas company YPF SA .
(Source: 4 Traders, 13 June, 2012)
Tags YPF SA news, Argentina Biodiesel news,
Date: 2012-06-04
Pennycress has been on the fast track to becoming a sustainable biodiesel resource since 2008. A member of the mustard family, pennycress grows wild in the Midwest, and its seed packets contain oilseeds that yield 36 percent oil when crushed. An acre of pennycress would yield the equivalent of about 80 gallons of oil priced similarly to soybean oil.
One of the advantages of penneycress is that it can be grown during the winter on farm land that would normally sit dormant. It has no impact on existing crops, conservation grounds, or critical wildlife habitat and, as a winter crop, provides sustainable ground cover that helps prevent erosion and nutrient runoff. It also takes very little energy and no inputs to grow in Midwestern states. Although often considered a weed, pennycress dies off in the spring and does not compete with corn or soybeans. It can planted in-between the corn and soybean crops on land that would otherwise sit empty. It is also easy to get rid of with routine herbicides if necessary.
For more information on pennycress, visit www.growpennycress.com(Source: USDA) Contact: Terry Isbell, Research Leader, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, (309) 681-6528, [email protected], www.ars.usda.gov
Tags Pennycress news,
Date: 2012-05-29
Following on our May 23 coverage, the Ohio Soybean Association has expressed it's concerns with the Ohio auditor's recommendation against the use of biodiesel in the state's vehicle fleets. The Soybean association says using a blended biodiesel fuel instead of only petroleum diesel provides economic and environmental benefits that make it worth the extra expense.
Ohio Auditor Dave Yost said last week that lawmakers should consider eliminating a mandate that state vehicles use biodiesel blended fuels. After a performance audit of the Ohio Department of Transportation, Yost found the mandate adds an additional $800,000 to the agency's annual fuel bills.
The fuel consists of 20 percent soybean derived
oil and 80 percent traditional diesel fuel. (Source: Akron Beacon Journal, 24 May, 2012) Contact: Ohio Soybean Association, (614) 310-1800, www.soyohio.org
Tags Soybean Biodiesel news,
Date: 2012-05-23
Evogene Ltd. and Argentinian biodiesel producer T6 Industrial S.A.,report that Evofuel Ltd., Evogene's wholly owned subsidiary, and T6 Industrial S.A., will collaborate on development of castor bean seeds as a sustainable and cost competitive feedstock for biodiesel production.
Evofuel and T6 Industrial S.A will evaluate and develop Evofuel's advanced castor bean varieties for commercial production in Argentina. The companies anticipate initiating field trials as well as validating the economics and scalability of using Evofuel's castor bean varieties as a feedstock to supply T6 Industrial's biodiesel facilities.
The collaboration expands Evofuel's Latin American operations which are currently focused on Brazil.
According to the USDA Foreign Agriculture Service, Argentina's 2011 biodiesel production was 2.5 billion liters, with soybean oil being the main feedstock. In addition to significant fluctuations in soybean oil prices, its continuous expansion for biodiesel consumption has spurred a debate on the impact of using food crops for biofuels, raising doubts on the sustainability and long-term feasibility of relying on these sources.
Evofuel's castor varieties are aimed at being financially competitive with currently available feedstock, such as soybean, enabling sustainable oil production at a cost equivalent to approximately $50 per barrel
T6 is the biggest producer of neutral oil, biodiesel and refined glycerin in the country and an important player in the international market for Biofuels. Evogene is a world leading developer of improved plant traits, such as yield and drought tolerance, for a wide diversity of key crops through the use of plant genomics. (Source: Evogene PR, May 22, 2012) Contact: Evogene, www.evogene.com
Tags Soy Biodiesel news, Evogene news,
Date: 2012-05-23
The State of Ohio's auditor says the use of biodiesel blended fuels in the Buckeye State's fleet is too expensive and is calling on state lawmakers to cancel a 2006 mandate requiring state agencies to use a 20% soybean oil blended biodiesel fuel. Auditor Dave Yost's comments came after a performance audit of the Ohio DOT. Yost said the mandate adds $800,000 to the agency's annual fuel bill. (Source: WTRF Radio, 22 May, 2012)
Tags Biodiesel Blend news,
Date: 2012-05-03
In Brussels, European Union officials will attempt to strike a deal on Wednesday on how to measure the impact of biofuels on climate change in a debate that could have dire consequences for the EU's biofuel industry. Scientists have warned that using biodiesel made from European rapeseed, imported palm oil and soybeans does nothing to prevent climate change and could actually accelerate it.
If, as expected, the EC executive recommends excluding some or all of these fuels from the EU's climate targets, it would be a major blow to the biofuel industry's green credentials and the industry worldwide.
The EC's ongoing biofuels policy debate centers on Indirect Land Use Change (ILUC) which contends
that by diverting food-crops into fuel tanks, bio fuel production increases the global demand for agricultural land. If farmers meet that extra demand by cutting down rainforest and draining peat-land, it results in the release of millions of tonnes of additional carbon emissions.
EC studies indicate that the risk of ILUC is far greater for biodiesel than it is for bioethanol.
By estimating the ILUC emissions associated with each specific crop, scientists concluded that most biodiesel currently used in Europe emits more carbon than conventional diesel. (Source: EU-EC, Reuters, 2 May, 2012)
Date: 2012-04-25
The USDA is investigating the use of pennycress seeds in biofuel production and this year promises to be a breakout year , with farmers in the Midwest getting to rake in a bumper crop.
At first glance, pennycress seeds do not seem ideal for biofuel; they are tiny and can be measured in less than a couple of millimeters. However, field pennycress is part of the same oilseed family that includes camelina, another weedy plant that has been proving itself an ideal biofuel feedstock. Researhers have been considering Pennycress for industrial oil-based products since the 1940's. In 2007, the USDA's Agricultural Research Service got interested in pennycress as a biofuel source, and by 2010, USDA researchers were reporting that pennycress had the "right stuff" for biofuel production using conventional growing, harvesting and processing methods. Its oil content is about double that of soybeans, and it far outperforms corn in terms of its net energy output. It also create added-value for farmers.
Pennycress as a biofuel crop is a non-food crop that can be grown in the winter as a ground cover, and harvested in time to prep the soil for growing another crop over the summer. That provides farmers with an additional cash crop over and above what they would normally produce during the year, with the added bonus of providing a winter ground cover to prevent soil erosion while fixing nutrients in the soil.
The USDA has partnered with Western Illinois University, the Pennycress Energy Company and a new federally funded regional economic development group called EBI Network in an effort that could make Galesburg, Illinois the go-to place for pennycress production. The goal is to recruit farmers to put about
200,000 acres under cultivation, providing enough feedstock to make a commercial scale seed oil pressing operation viable.
(Source: USDA, Clean Technica, April, 2012) Contact: Terry Isbell, Research Leader, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, (309) 681-6528, [email protected], www.ars.usda.gov
Tags Pennycress news,
Date: 2012-04-20
Australia's largest soybean processing facility is being built at a projected cost of $273 million in Port Kembla, Wollongong. Once up and running, the plant will produce 288 million lpy of biodiesel to supply to major companies like Caltex, Xstrata and BHP.
The project received development approval in 2009, and the location was chosen for its proximity to Sydney and easy access to bulk carrier ships at Port Kembla.
National Biodiesel says the facility will reduce the state's reliance on imported soybean meal and biodiesel as it processes 1.1 million metric tonnes of soybeans in its first year of operation (Source: ABC Illawarra, 19 April, 2012)
Tags Soy Biodiesel news,
Date: 2012-04-05
The European Union's renewable energy policy would lower U.S. soybean prices, according to a soy checkoff study. The study shows the EU's Renewable Energy Directive -- which currently excludes biodiesel made from U.S. soybean oil in renewable energy quotas -- could decrease U.S. soybean prices by as much as 35 cents per bushel. If left unresolved, the regulation could cost U.S. soybean farmers more than $1.1-billion per year.
The checkoff contends the EU's policy unfairly singles out biodiesel made from U.S. soy. It requires all transportation fuels used there to include 10-percent renewable energy. To qualify as a renewable fuel, it must reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 35 percent. While soy-checkoff-funded research shows biodiesel made from U.S. soy reduces greenhouse gas emissions by between 39 percent for U.S. soybeans shipped to and crushed in Europe, and 49 percent for processed U.S. soy biodiesel shipped to Europe, the Europeans claim biodiesel made from U.S. soy only reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 31 percent. The American Soybean Association is working with the U.S. government to reach an agreement with the EU to include biodiesel made from U.S. soy in the policy.
United Soybean Board Immediate Past Chair Marc Curtis notes the EU is the second-largest market for U.S. soybeans. He says the market is at risk because of the Renewable Energy Directive. He says the checkoff study shows how much of an impact the regulation would have on U.S. soybean farmers and will give the U.S. government facts to demonstrate to the European Commission that the regulation needs to be based on sound science. (Source: American Soybean Assoc., NAFB News Service, April, 3, 2012) Contact: American Soybean Association, Steve Wellman, First Vice President, (402) 269-7024, [email protected], www.soygrowers.com
Tags American Soybean Association news, Soy Biodiesel news,
Date: 2012-03-22
Archer Daniels Midland Co. Agri-Industries Lloydminster oilseeds processing facility recently announced the introduction of its Sustainable Grower Program in connection with the sustainability certification it has earned from the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) system. According to information released by ADM, the Lloydminster, Alberta-based facility is ADM Agri-Industries' first certified sustainable location in North America.
To comply with European export market requirements, the entire supply chain related to biodiesel feedstock production must meet the European standard for sustainability. According to ADM, its Sustainable Grower Program aims to help growers become certified sustainable, which will help them realize global opportunities for their canola crops.
The ISCC was established to help guarantee that biofuel feedstocks—and the resulting fuels—are in compliance with the EU's Renewable Energy Directive which aims to guarantee biofuels used within EU member countries deliver tangible greenhouse gas savings compared to traditional fossil fuels. The Directive applies to all biofuels, whether manufactured in the EU or imported from abroad. ADM's Sustainable Grower Program will help Canadian producers who want to sell fuel into the European market ensure that the canola feedstock they use meets Directive requirements.
ADM has also worked to supply sustainable soybean feedstock to the European market. In August 2011, the company announced that it had achieved ISCC requirements to supply sustainably grown soybeans to the European market. At that time ADM noted that it was the first company to provide Europe with ISCC-certified soy.
(Source: ADM, March 20, 2012) Contact: ADM, www.adm.com
Tags Archer Daniels Midland news, Canola news,
Date: 2012-03-13
In the Land Down Under, the Australian Center for Plant Functional Genomics (ACPFG) and DuPont have expanded their research collaboration to increase research scale on improving the overall productivity of wheat, corn, soybeans, canola, rice and sorghum for bioenergy. The program will focus on use of molecular markers, discovery research for agronomic traits and hybrid seed production in wheat. Collaboration will continue working on agronomic traits for increased drought tolerance and decreased need for nitrogen fertilizers in the other crops. (Source: DuPont, March 12, 2012)
Tags Plant Genomics news,
Date: 2012-03-08
Agrium Advanced Technologies (AAT) is partnering with The Fertilizer Institute on Nitrace, an innovative demonstration project to establish fertilizer application practices designed to reduce GHGs and generate carbon offset credits for agricultural producers. The three-year, $2.86-million project seeks to develop a program that affords participating producers with advice to implement, monitor and track fertilizer best management practices for nitrous oxide (N2O) emission reductions. The results of the demonstration project eventually may lead to a system that enables agricultural producers to create and sell carbon offset credits into both voluntary and compliance carbon markets. Nitrace is jointly funded through a USDA Conservation Innovation Grant and matching resources from the project's participants. Through the partnership, Agrium Advanced Technologies' ESN controlled-release fertilizer will be available to participant growers during the 2012 and 2013 growing seasons.
During the next two growing seasons, Agrium will contribute more than $30,000 in donated ESN product to the project. ESN employs a unique polymer coating to help prevent against all forms of nitrogen loss, including volatilization, denitrification, and leaching. ESN is also designed to deliver nitrogen to a growing crop all season long, allowing the crop to effectively reach its full genetic potential.
Corn and soybean producers in Illinois and Iowa will be key participants in the program, tracking the application of ESN and other fertilizers using "4R" best management practices. The goal is to assist farmers in adopting practices that minimize nutrient loss from fields.
The Nitrace results are expected to pave the way for agricultural producers to capitalize on their carbon savings, providing a potential, new revenue stream by offering crops -- and their carbon capture properties -- as a commodity to the carbon cap and trading marketplace.
In addition to The Fertilizer Institute, project partners include Camco, ClimateCHECK, The Climate Trust, International Plant Nutrition Institute, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture's National Laboratory on Agriculture and the Environment, Michigan State University and Colorado State University. (Source: Agrium Advanced Technologies, March 6, 2012)
Contact: Agrium, Sarah Fox, Sustainability Initiatives Specialist,
(970) 292-9634, [email protected], www.agriumat.com
Date: 2012-02-09
The American Soybean Association says the European Union's heavy-handed policies on biotech soybeans, as well as inaccurate characterization of biodiesel by the Renewable Energy Directive, have contributed to a 70% drop in total soybean export quantity and a 44% decrease in soybean export value to the EU over the last 14 years. According to ASA President Steve Wellman, a soybean farmer from Syracuse, Neb., as a direct result of more than a decade of discriminatory biotech traceability and labeling practices, America's soybean producers have lost a significant portion of what was a viable and thriving export market. "With a Renewable Energy Directive that omits biodiesel based on inaccurate information and arbitrary standards, the remainder of that export market is threatened," Wellman said.
The ASA points out that multiple EU policies hinder the importation and use of biotech crops from the United States, including delays in approvals of new biotech traits, despite positive assessments by the European Food Safety Authority; commercially infeasible requirements on biotech content in food products under EU Traceability and Labeling Regulations; state-by-state restrictions on biotech imports; and application of National Seed Catalog and Coexistence requirements to planting of biotech crops by certain EU member states. (Source; ASA, February 7, 2012) Contact: American Soybean Association, Steve Wellman, First Vice President, (402) 269-7024, [email protected], www.soygrowers.com
Tags American Soybean Association news,
Date: 2012-01-30
Rockville, Maryland-based Genovation Cars Inc.plans to do what many in the auto industry have failed to do; build a fully electric, battery-powered vehicle that the public embraces. On Thursday, the company showed off the aerodynamic properties of the G2, as the car is called, and promote their project. Genovation has won a $135,000 product development grant from the Maryland Industrial Partnerships, a university program. The company says it hopes to begin building the first of what it says will be a 3,000 vehicles-per-year production run within two years.
The G2 is being designed to do zero to 60 mph in under seven seconds and will have a rally-style suspension for performance handling. The car would be made from environmentally friendly materials, such as soybean resins for the body and natural rubber for the tires. A hybrid model also is on the drawing board. The vehicles are expected to be offered for approximately $60,000 each.
Despite $5 billion in federal grants and loans over the last several years, the EV market remains lukewarm. Neither Nissan nor General Motors is coming close to meeting sales projections. Energy expert Robert Bryce, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, summed up the rocky history of the vehicles at a 2010 forum on sustainable transportation: Electric Cars are the Next Big Thing ... and They Always Will Be. But that hasn't stopped the nation's leaders from including EVs and other alternate-fuel vehicles in their vision of the future. Last year, President Barack Obama set a goal of 1 million EVs on the nation's highways by 2015.
But first, he must get the attention of investors to raise $125 million to get the G2 from model-size to (Source: Baltimore Sun, January 27, 2012) Contact: Genovation Cars Inc., Andrew Saul, CEO, www.genovationcars.com
Tags Genovation news,
Date: 2012-01-19
In Missouri, the United Soybean Board and soybean checkoff will team with nine cities through the DOE's Clean Cities coalition to promote the use of soy oil-based biodiesel and bioheat. The checkoff program will provide $200,000 to the nine cities via a reimbursement program for communications activities.(Source: United Soybean Board, January 18, 2012) Contact: United Soybean Board, (636) 530-1777, www.unitedsoybean.org
Tags United Soybean Board news, Soy Biodiesel news,
Date: 2012-01-13
Clean Energy Pathways, Inc. has received early support for its concept to co-fire coal utility boilers with liquid biofuel, forming an alliance with the Mid-Atlantic Soybean Association to promote the solution for utilities complying with EPA's Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS), Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2), Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) and Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR).
According to Clean Energy Pathways Marketing Director Jon Chynoweth, biodiesel can be used for flame stabilization, start-up, or as a component to be co-fired with coal.
Clean Energy Pathways markets custom-blended biofuels for use as a Btu-substitute in coal-fired utility furnaces and diesel-powered equipment. Available as B20, B100 or other custom blends, the fuels meet the EPA's RFS2 mandate for use of renewable fuel, and create carbon tax credits. These fuels also qualify for the Renewable Electric Producer Tax Credit of 2.2 cents per kilowatt, or 22 cents per gallon based on 10 kilowatts per gallon. (Source; Clean Energy Pathways, January 11, 2012) Contact: Michael Parsons, CEO, Clean Energy Pathways, Inc., (888) 412-9787, www.cleanenergypathways.com
Tags Soybean news, Clean Energy Pathways news,
Date: 2012-01-09
The EPA has published a proposed rule approving camelina oil as a feedstock under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2). Today, the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) released the following statement in support of the ruling.
"Biodiesel's evolving feedstock diversity is one of its greatest strengths, and we're pleased to see the EPA recognizing camelina as yet another feedstock that meets the agency's standards as an Advanced Biofuel," said Anne Steckel, vice president of federal affairs at NBB. "As it has with other biodiesel feedstocks such as animal fats, recycled cooking oil, soybean oil and canola oil, the EPA's proposal shows that biodiesel produced from camelina oil reduces greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50 percent compared with diesel fuel. This is good news for our industry and will give biodiesel plants another tool in the toolbox as they continue producing record quantities of America's Advanced Biofuel."(Source:NBB, January 2012) Contact: NBB, Anne Steckel, (573) 635-3893, www.biodiesel.org
Tags Camelina news, NBB news,
Date: 2012-01-03
Evogene Ltd. (tase:EVGN) is establishing Evofuel, a wholly owned subsidiary, to focus on developing seed for advanced second-generation feedstock for biofuel. Evofuel will develop and commercialize castor bean varieties for Brazil as well as the biofuel R&D activities located in Israel.
World biodiesel production of biodiesel has been substantially increasing in the past years, reaching over 20 billion liters in 2010, however feedstock supply falls short of meeting the required demand and industry economic and sustainability needs. In addition to being the limiting factor for future growth, feedstock, which currently relies mainly on edible oils, such as soybean and canola, currently constitutes approximately 80% of biodiesel production costs.
Evogene's biofuel activity, initiated in 2007, targets the development of second generation feedstock to serve as a sustainable, viable and cost efficient source of oil for the growing biodiesel industry. Evofuel also intends to broaden its activity to additional potential feedstocks for the biodiesel, biojet and bioethanol markets.
The company recently announced the completion of field trials for its advanced castor varieties in Brazil in cooperation with SLC Agricola, a leading agribusiness in Brazil. Based on results obtained demonstrating improved yield potential and performance under rain-fed conditions in northeast Brazil, the companies expanded their activity in order to accelerate development of best performing varieties and agronomical practices suitable for commercial scale production. (Source: Evogene, January, 2, 2012)Contact: Evogene, Assaf Oron, EVP Strategy & Business Development, www.evogene.com ; SLC Agriclo, www.slcagricola.com
Tags Evogene news, Castor Bean news, SLC Aricola news,
Date: 2011-12-19
The Illinois legislature this week passed a tax package extending the state's biodiesel tax credit for five years. It has been signed into law by the governor. The 6.25 percent sales tax exemption went into effect in 2003 and since that time annual biodiesel production capacity in Illinois has increased from 20 million gallons to a record 188 million gallons in 2010. The tax has helped make Illinois the leading biodiesel producing state which is on pace to exceed last year's record production this year. Illinois soybean grower
Illinois soybean growers say the biodiesel tax credit has given growers and the industry the certainty they need to keep growing the still young biodiesel industry and that the federal biodiesel tax credit is still needed. (Source: BrownFiled Ag News, December, 16, 2011)
Tags Biodiesel Tax news,