The U.K. Renewable Energy Association has launched a far-reaching review into the future of bioenergy in the U.K. Bioenergy is energy generated from biobased fuels, such as wood pellets and biodiesel.
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd has developed a new technique based on gasification, which offers a sustainable way to turn forest industry byproducts, such as bark, sawdust and forestry waste, into transport fuels and chemicals.
Attis Industries has announced plans to purchase a 85 MMgy corn ethanol plant in Fulton, New York, from Sunoco LP and develop the site into a green tech campus that will produce corn ethanol, cellulosic ethanol and other biomass-based products.
A new, fossil-free bioplastic is emerging, according to Lund University. Lab experiments show the material is more durable than both regular plastic and other bioplastics, and is potentially better suited for recycling.
Researchers from NREL, PNNL, and ANL have identified an approach to improve the efficiency and reduce costs of biofuel production by demonstrating improvements in bio-oil yield through catalyst and process development.
Canada has officially become a member of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Canada becomes the Agency's 160th member to join the global intergovernmental organization dedicated to the widespread adoption of renewable energy.
On Jan. 9, President Trump formally nominated Andrew Wheeler to serve as administrator of the U.S. EPA. Wheeler has held the post of acting administrator since July 9, 2018, following Scott Pruitt's resignation earlier that month.
Using supercomputers, a team from the U.S. Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory has made several fundamental discoveries related to the challenges associated with breaking down biomass.
Scientists at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory have created a recipe for a renewable 3D printing feedstock that could spur a profitable new use for an intractable biorefinery byproduct: lignin.
A team of University of California San Diego biologists and chemists has been granted $2 million from the U.S. Department of Energy to develop new methods for manufacturing products based on algae.
On Dec. 20, President Trump signed the $867 billion 2018 Farm Bill into law. The bill, titled the Agricultural Improvement Act, or H.R. 2, reauthorizes several Energy Title programs, including REAP and BCAP.
The U.S. Department of Energy has issued a second funding opportunity announcement (FOA) for the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs for fiscal year 2019.
The development of a waste-to-biofuels plant in Minnesota's Twin Cities metro area is one step closer to reality with the Metropolitan Council's recent approval of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) and design deposit agreement with Enerkem Inc.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the $867 billion 2018 Farm Bill by a vote of 369 to 47 on Dec. 12. The legislation will now be sent to President Trump's desk. Trump is expected to sign the bill.
On Dec. 11, the Senate voted 87 to 13 to pass the 2018 Farm Bill. The vote came one day after House and Senate ag committee leaders released the text of the 2018 Farm Bill conference report. The bill will now be considered by the House.
Scientists studying the digestive system of a curious wood-eating crustacean have discovered it may hold the key to sustainably converting wood into biofuel. Gribble are small marine invertebrates that have evolved eat wood washed into the sea.
A report released by the Biofuture Platform states that the world's greenhouse gas reduction goals cannot be met without greater use of biofuels and bioproducts. The report also describes several barriers impeding future progress in the sector.
The Biotechnology Innovation Organization recently announced 21 companies have joined the Industrial & Environmental Section over the past year, including Gevo, Velocys, Virent, and Agrisoma Biosciences.
Total Corbion PLA, a 50/50 joint venture between Total and Corbion, announced the start-up of its 75,000-ton-per-year poly lactic acid (PLA) bioplastics plant in Rayong, Thailand. The plant has successfully produced Luminy PLA resins.
The U.S. Department of Energy has announced it is seeking new concepts in biobased materials for additive manufacturing as part of its Manufacturing Innovator Challenge, which is an effort to crowdsource solutions for next generation manufacturing.
The U.K. BEIS has published a national bioeconomy strategy for 2018 to 2030. The U.K. REA spoke out in support of the strategy, noting it endorses the use of biobased resources as fundamental to U.K. goals for decarbonization and economic growth.
A study released Nov. 19 highlights strategies, policies and best practices that have been successful in creating an environment in which biotechnology innovation can flourish around the world, according to the Biotechnology Innovation Organization.
The USDA is taking action to allow agency administrators additional flexibility to obligate federal funds associated with certain infrastructure projects, including those associated with several of its rural development programs.
Iowa State University researchers will test a new way of producing biobased chemicals that's backed by 10 years of working in laboratories, partnering with industries and launching startups.
The USDA recently announced that two U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratories have received USDA's Excellence in BioPreferred Procurement Awards for Fiscal Year 2018 for testing and adopting biobased products within their operations.
The Canadian government has announced funding to support the development of biomass-based alternative material that could replace traditional nylon used in automobile manufacturing and other industries.
Ongoing research at the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory could lead to a cleaner method of transforming acrylonitrile (ACN) into carbon fiber, replacing petrochemicals with biomass as the starting point.
BASF has started production of methanol on the basis of renewable raw materials according to the biomass balance approach. The product name is EU-REDcert-methanol, which is certified according to the REDcert standard.
Clariant has signed an agreement for a new partnership with Neste. By using Neste's renewable hydrocarbons in its product development, Clariant increases the number of products in its portfolio that are derived from renewable raw materials.
LCY Biotechnology Inc., a division of Taiwan-based LCY Chemical Corp., has purchased the assets of BioAmber Inc., a bankrupt renewable chemicals company that built a biobased succinic acid plant in Sarnia, Ontario.
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