January 30, 2014
BY Ron Kotrba
Neol Biosolutions, a 50/50 joint venture between the Neuron Bio Group and Repsol, has patented the microorganism Neoleum, which the company says is able to produce oils from waste at a faster rate than oil-bearing seeds such as palm, rape or sunflower.
The trademarked Neoleum culture in a one-cubic-meter bioreactor produces the same quantity of oil in a year than an extension of one hectare of oil palm in the same period of time, according to Neol.
The oils obtained are highly versatile, the company says, and their composition makes them ideal raw material for the production of biofuels such as biodiesel and biokerosene, or for other industrial applications such as biolubricants or surfactants.
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Neol is working to scale up the process in order to manufacture enough oil to supply the biodiesel market with additional feedstock.
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The USDA significantly increased its estimate for 2025-’26 soybean oil use in biofuel production in its latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report, released July 11. The outlook for soybean production was revised down.
U.S. fuel ethanol capacity fell slightly in April, while biodiesel and renewable diesel capacity held steady, according to data released by the U.S. EIA on June 30. Feedstock consumption was down when compared to the previous month.
The U.S. EPA on July 8 hosted virtual public hearing to gather input on the agency’s recently released proposed rule to set 2026 and 2027 RFS RVOs. Members of the biofuel industry were among those to offer testimony during the event.
The USDA’s Risk Management Agency is implementing multiple changes to the Camelina pilot insurance program for the 2026 and succeeding crop years. The changes will expand coverage options and provide greater flexibility for producers.
The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service on June 30 released its annual Acreage report, estimating that 83.4 million acres of soybeans have been planted in the U.S. this year, down 4% when compared to 2024.