EPA & the Biofuels Back Track The (mostly corn-based ethanol) biofuel industry is, understandably, quite disappointed in the confirmation of earlier rumors that the renewable fuel mandate would be scaled back in 2014-5. The revised proposal trims roughly 10% from the ‘first generation’ volume, roughly in line with lower US gasoline consumption since enactment of …
Watch this Space but keep your money in your wallet! It’s still early, but a number of practitioners of ‘second generation’ cellulosic chemistry are nearing key milestones. GEVO, which has been renovating corn-to-ethanol refineries to produce higher valued chemicals/fuels, should make commercial volumes in its first facility by mid-year. Zeachem (private) has started …
“Can’t Anyone Here Play this Game?” Although most of the stocks are well below their IPO price, bankers claim that the industrial biotech boom (over fifty venture-funded private companies) continues, with several more filings in process. As a whole, the technology offers the prospect of energy and specialty chemicals from renewable resources, but the route …
Ethanol is a Growth Chemical, but not from Corn I never thought I’d see the day – untaxed moonshine is worth as much as the drinkable stuff. But a few anecdotes: Brazil, the largest ethanol consumerism the world, with the lowest cost process, is short, and getting shorter. High sugar prices are forcing ethanol economics …
Big Oil Goes CleanTech Earlier this month, French Oil Major TOTAL announced an agreement to tender for 60% of SunPower (SPWRA), one of the leading solar module manufacturers and distributor/project developers, at a 43% premium to the previous market close. TOT is not new to the non-hydrocarbon energy market, having acquired some thin film …
First Generation Ethanol (Food for Fuel) – Headwinds Coming? Congressional Republicans are working to repeal, or refuse to renew, the tax credit on domestically produced ethanol. It has come to their attention that, in addition to the requirement that producers use minimum levels of ethanol, plus the various benefits accruing to larger growers, the …