Biodiesel World News

Despite challenges, 2017 was a solid year for US biodiesel In terms of the U.S. market for biodiesel, 2017 was not a record-breaking year, as was 2016, but it was also not a bad year for production and demand either, particularly considering that the industry faced numerous challenges. READ MORE SHARE
European biodiesel industry welcomes antisubsidy investigation Following an EBB complaint, the EU Commission initiated an antisubsidy investigation Jan. 31 targeting subsidized Argentine biodiesel exports. Since September when EU tariffs were reduced, Argentina shipped 600,000-plus tons of biodiesel to the EU. READ MORE SHARE
	Emergent research could forge new paths to biodiesel's future Young scientists presented their ongoing biodiesel research projects during a panel at the National Biodiesel Conference in late January. Process and feedstock research like the work presented could provide an impetus the biodiesel industry needs. READ MORE SHARE
BDI breaks ground on algae production facility in Styria, Austria Biodiesel technology and engineering firm BDI-BioEnergy International AG officially broke ground Jan. 26 on its new algae biomass production plant at Hartberg Ecopark in the Austrian state of Styria. The milestone is the culmination of years of R&D. READ MORE SHARE
UPM assesses construction of second biorefinery in Finland UPM has begun an environmental impact assessment for a possible biorefinery in Mussalo, Kotka, in southeastern Finland. The 500,000-ton plant, which would be UPM's second, would use different feedstocks than the current UPM Lappeenranta Biorefinery. READ MORE SHARE
WTO: EU duties on Indonesian biodiesel must conform to GATT 1994 EU antidumping duties against Indonesian biodiesel are expected to be lowered, following a WTO panel report stating that the duties are inconsistent with provisions in established trade rules and must be brought into conformity with GATT 1994. READ MORE SHARE
Industry honors biodiesel champions, reflects on history As the U.S. biodiesel industry celebrates 25 years at its yearly gathering, this year back in Fort Worth, the National Biodiesel Board's annual awards recognize individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to biodiesel. READ MORE SHARE
USDA stops support for Farm-to-Fleet biofuel production incentive The USDA Commodity Credit Corp. has withdrawn support for the Farm-to-Fleet biofuel production incentive, effective Feb 1. Payments will continue to be made, however, under existing commitments. The USDA said the incentive is no longer a priority. READ MORE SHARE
Biojet fuel producer AltAir Fuels achieves RSB certification AltAir Fuels, a 40 MMgy biojet fuel production facility in Paramount, California, has been certified by the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials to produce certified-sustainable biojet fuel, renewable diesel and naphtha. READ MORE SHARE
Minnesota schedules workshops as state prepares to implement B20 As Minnesota prepares to implement its 20 percent biodiesel requirement in diesel fuel May 1, a series of workshops will be held across the state beginning Feb. 12 in Saint Paul. Minnesota implemented its B10 mandate in 2014 with no major issues. READ MORE SHARE
Biojet fuel propels Qantas' historic transpacific flight The world's first dedicated biofuel flight between the U.S. and Australia, QF96 from Los Angeles to Melbourne, was scheduled to depart Jan. 29. The biofuel, processed from Brassica Carinata by AltAir Fuels, powered Qantas' Dreamliner 787-9. READ MORE SHARE
Wootton, Miner charged with fraud on top of last year’s charges Wootton, serving as president of Keystone Biofuels, and Miner, serving as CEO, are alleged to have participated in a conspiracy to defraud the IRS by, among other things, fraudulently claiming tax refunds based on the biodiesel blenders credit. READ MORE SHARE