BY Jamie O’Brien Rocked by the financial collapse of 2008, the son of a Boston bus driver and plumber who had no commodity or trading experience, and just a high school education, took a chance on becoming an entrepreneur in the biodiesel space. And it paid off. READ MORE

BY The Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council Missouri soybean farmers broke ground on a new building in western Jefferson City July 24, kicking off an 18-month project to develop the Center for Soy Innovation. Soybean farmers highlighted the need to be a resource for farmers and the community. READ MORE

BY Ron KotrbaThe Holy Spirit University of Kaslik in Lebanon and IPT Energy Center signed an MOU in July to install a pilot biodiesel production plant fed by used cooking oil. The feedstock will come from households and will be collected at strategic locations. READ MORE

BY The American Soybean Association The American Soybean Association expressed extreme disappointment July 11 in Robert Lighthizer's announcement that an additional $200 billion in tariffs will be imposed on Chinese goods.The action worsens the trade dispute between the U.S. and China. READ MORE

BY UFOP Soybean meal prices have come down significantly since the beginning of May. Ample supply from Brazil, favorable growing conditions in the U.S. and an escalating trade dispute between China and the U.S. are putting downward pressure on prices. READ MORE

BY Eni S.p.A. Italian oil refining giant Eni will begin collecting used cooking oils from the homes of its employees for conversion to renewable diesel at its biorefinery. This pioneering initiative is part of its commitment to adopt a circular economy program. READ MORE

BY Neste Corp. Neste, a producer of renewable fuels from waste and residues, and animal fat trader IH Demeter B.V. have agreed that Neste acquires sole control and 51 percent of the shares of IH Demeter B.V., making Neste the controlling shareholder. READ MORE

BY Ron KotrbaBiodiesel Magazine spotlights eight companies—four process technology providers, two commodity firms, a blending equipment manufacturer and an adsorbent supplier—forging new paths in their respective fields. READ MORE

BY Brookhaven National Laboratory Scientists at U.S. DOE's Brookhaven National Laboratory have discovered new details about biomolecules that put the brakes on oil production. The findings suggest that disabling these biomolecular brakes could push oil production into high gear. READ MORE

BY Ron KotrbaIn Germany, AGQM and FAM have opened registration for their annual round robin tests for biodiesel and rapeseed oil. After a decade of such tests, however, the groups have modified rapeseed oil fuel round robin test to include used cooking oil. READ MORE

BY Ron KotrbaAemetis announced that its 50 MMgy Universal Biofuels subsidiary in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, India, has completed construction of a biodiesel pretreatment unit to process low-cost feedstocks, which was part of a supply deal inked with BP Singapore. READ MORE

BY Ron KotrbaD7 RINs generated at a biorefinery in Oklahoma City producing cellulosic diesel fuel have been verified by Weaver and granted Q-RIN status. Envia Energy uses FT technology to convert landfill gas and natural gas into diesel fuel, naphtha and wax. READ MORE

BY The National Biodiesel Board As March Madness nears, the very best of college basketball will be showcased. In that spirit, the National Biodiesel Board has released its own bracket of colleges and universities upping their game with biodiesel research, production and education. READ MORE

BY Ron KotrbaThe U.S. Senate confirmed the nomination of Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey Feb. 27 as USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation. Northey was nominated in September, but his confirmation was held up for months by Ted Cruz. READ MORE

BY Ron KotrbaThe American Soybean Association has hired Ryan Findlay as its new CEO to replace Stephen Censky, who is now the deputy secretary at the USDA. Findlay, a Michigan native, has worked for the global ag company Syngenta for the past four years. READ MORE