Major Stories
Get Funded! Avoid the Top 3 Mistakes in Raising Bioeconomy Capital
By Steve Weiss, co-founder of Grey Heron, and long-time member of the Due Diligence Wolfpack* Capital is the fuel for building your business – and you can get it, just like you keep achieving milestones and adding partners. But fundraising is often harder, longer and more uncertain than you’d like – and you don’t want […]
More to do on Methane
By Patrick Serfass and Adam Comora Special to The Digest A recent study released by the journal Science supported by research conducted by Carbon Mapper and the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory revealed that methane emissions from landfills are greater than previously thought – but also that their abatement represents a significant opportunity in our fight […]
Carbon dioxide and modified gas packaging applications in the food industry
By Sam A. Rushing, Advanced Cryogenics, Ltd., www.carbondioxideconsultants.com Special to The Digest Of today’s approximate 20 million annual tons per year in CO2 merchant consumption, would be some 40% consumed in the United States. To follow, would be Japan; and then to follow the European Zone. Of the most interesting applications in the carbon dioxide […]
Brazil moves ahead in sustainable mobility
By Plinio Nastari Special to The Digest It does not come as surprise that only in the last three months investments in the automotive sector were announced in excess of 115 billion Reais, or 23 billion US dollars, which include ambitious plans for expansion and launching of optimized engines using ethanol and hybrid vehicles, which […]
The Electrifying End To Life on Earth
By Peter Brown Special to The Digest I have come to the conclusion that due less to climate change than suffocation we are coming to the last chapter of our presence on this planet. AND we will have done it with the best intentions. In pursuit of our salvation from climate change we are now […]
8-Slide Guides
The Digest’s 2024 Multi-Slide Guide to using TEA and LCA as a strategic tool
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a systematic evaluation of the environmental impact of a product through its entire life cycle. Many cleantech startups and companies cannot afford the time and cost that is required for an ISO-compliant LCA. Boundless Impact follows ISO standards, but completes reports in 4-8 weeks, translating the Life Cycle Assessment into […]
The Digest’s 2024 Multi-Slide Guide to Current and Future Availability of Sustainable Biomass
Oak Ridge National Lab, in partnership with the US Department of Energy, aims to collect, review, and distribute the best available and citable global data on current biomass uses, and potential future availability as consistent as possible; at the same time, developing effective methods for systematizing, cataloging and harmonizing inventory data from varying sources and […]
The Digest’s 2024 Multi-Slide Guide to the Circular Carbon Economy
Carbon is the foundation of our material world, says LanzaTech CTO Rob Conrado in these slides presented at ABLC 2024. It’s in the products we use, the planes we fly, the clothes we wear. Where our carbon comes from will define our climate future. Good news, the world has enough carbon above ground to make […]
The Digest’s 2024 Multi-Slide Guide to Futuria Fuels and DME
Dimethyl-ether is a single molecule that can be produced from a wide range of renewable feedstocks. It can be blended with LPG and used in existing applications. It is chemically similar to propane and butane, and is a gas at room temperature and pressure. Like LPG it is easily transported as a liquid in pressurized […]
The Digest’s 2024 Multi-Slide Guide to the global policy context for BIO-LPG
A decarbonization path for the LPG sector continues to increase in importance as a response to political forces which affect regulatory survivability and access to capital. Global North LPG marketers are responding to the lack of green LPG by getting involved in upstream green supply development. Global South countries are looking for ways to unlock […]
The Latest World News
Boeing buys 9.4M gallons of SAF from Neste
In Virginia, Boeing is buying 9.4 million gallons (35.6 million liters) of blended sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to support its 2024 U.S. commercial operations, reducing its carbon emissions and working to help grow the supply of the fuel globally. This is the company’s largest annual SAF purchase, more than 60% higher than its buy in […]
Hyosung TNC greenlights bio-BDO investment in Vietnam
In Vietnam, Hyosung TNC received investment approval recently for the “Hyosung BDO Project” from the Ba Ria-Vung Tau Provincial Government at the “Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province Vision Declaration and Investment Approval Ceremony” held in Phu My 2 Industrial Park in southern Vietnam. Hyosung TNC plans to proactively respond to the global materials market’s reorganization around […]
United Cooperative buys Marquis’ Necedah, Wisconsin, ethanol facility
In Wisconsin, Marquis and United Cooperative announced the sale of Marquis’ Necedah, Wisconsin, ethanol facility to United Cooperative. The facility will operate under the new name of United Energy Necedah LLC. The asset sale will be effective May 31, 2024, ensuring a seamless transition for grain customers and staff. The Necedah facility, which procures 36,000,000 […]
RICanada concerned by ethanol’s exclusion from Clean Fuels Funding program
In Canada, Renewable Industries Canada (RICanada) notes the announcement in Tuesday’s Federal Budget 2024-2025, which included C$776 million towards a retooled Clean Fuels Funding program to support renewable diesel (RD), sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and renewable natural gas (RNG). However, RICanada is issuing a serious concern over the apparent exclusion of ethanol among the supported […]
VORN Bioenergy launches Italian arm after acquisition
In Italy, VORN Bioenergy GmbH launched VORN Bioenergy Italia srl (VORN Bioenergy Italia). This follows VORN’s acquisition and full integration of Alvus srl (Alvus), a Bolzano-based project developer in the biomethane and biogas sector, in October 2023. As Italy transitions towards greener energy production, biomethane is expected to play a key role in the national […]
R&D News
UIUC researchers apply Xendee’s Small Modular Reactor modeling to campus energy grid
In Illinois, the landscape of the electricity grid is rapidly evolving, driven by expanding electrification initiatives, renewable energy integration, and the decarbonization imperative. University campus microgrids are tackling this paradigm shift with energy transition models. The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) and Xendee Corporation (Xendee) teamed up to lead this transformation. UIUC has a sophisticated […]
South Korean researchers overcome poor catalyst performance for green hydrogen
In South Korea, electrochemical catalysts used in water splitting often show poor performance due to low electrical conductance of (oxy)hydroxide species produced in situ. To overcome this challenge, researchers from Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology in Korea have now designed an electrode with Schottky Junction formed at the interface of metallic Ni-W5N4 and semiconducting […]
FAMU-FSU researchers find new CO2 and lignin process to produce bioplastics
In Florida, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering researchers have created a potential alternative to traditional petroleum-based plastic that is made from carbon dioxide (CO2) and lignin, a component of wood that is a low-cost byproduct of paper manufacturing and biofuel production. Their research was published in Advanced Functional Materials. This study is the first to demonstrate the […]
DOE launches $18.8M funding opportunity for algae-basaed research
In Washington, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) and Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) announced the MACRO: Mixed Algae Conversion Research Opportunity funding opportunity announcement (FOA). The FOA will award up to $18.8 million to address research and development (R&D) challenges in converting algae, such as seaweeds and other wet waste feedstocks, to biofuels […]
U.S. Department of Energy Announces $18.8m to advance mixed algae development for biofuels and bioproducts
In Washington DC, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) and Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) announced the MACRO: Mixed Algae Conversion Research Opportunity funding opportunity announcement (FOA). The FOA will award up to $18.8 million to address research and development challenges in converting algae, such as seaweeds and other […]
Policy & Policymakers
Brazil keeps tariffs on US-based ethanol but could lower them for SAF access
In Brazil, Bloomberg reports that despite presure from the Biden Administration, Brazil will continue to apply tariffs on US origin ethanol to protect its ethanol producers. Brazil would be open to lower tariffs, however, if tariffs into the US market allowed for more Brazilian sugarcane-based ethanol for Sustainable Aviation Fuel. By “growing the pie”, there […]
Bipartisan senators asking Biden for summertime E15
In Washington, a bipartisan group of senators urged President Biden to permit the summertime sale of E15 fuel. The senators note that American biofuels are a clean and reliable energy solution that will help drive down fuel costs for consumers. This letter was also signed by U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), John Thune (R-SD), Dick […]
European Biogas Association slams EU Parliament for overlooking biomethane in decarbonization
In Belgium, the European Biogas Association (EBA) welcomed Wednesday’s adoption of the European Parliament Report on the CountEmissions EU proposal, which is based on a well-to-wheel approach, but regrets the decision not to include a mechanism to account for renewable fuels in the scope of the CO2 Emission Performance Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles (HDVs) Regulation, […]
Commission approves $2.4 billion German state aid scheme to support the decarbonization of industrial processes
In Belgium, the European Commission has approved a $2.4 billion German scheme to support investments in the decarbonisation of industrial production processes to foster the transition to a net-zero economy. Under this measure, the aid will take the form of direct grants. The measure will be open to companies relying on the use of fossil […]
US coalition files comments within Brazilian Chamber of Foreign Trade over ethanol tariff
In Washington, the Renewable Fuels Association, U.S. Grains Council and Growth Energy jointly submitted comments within the Brazilian Chamber of Foreign Trade (CAMEX) regarding the Brazilian tariff on imported U.S. ethanol. In October 2023, ABICOM (the Brazil association of fuel importers) formally requested to drop the ethanol duties because data showed the tariff raised fuel costs for […]
Other Recent Articles
YSA Design unveiles sail-powered catamaran cruise ship to run on wind and biomethane
In Norway, YSA Design has unveiled a concept for a new type of sail-powered catamaran cruise ship, whose flexibility, sustainability and sea-focused attractions can satisfy guest appetites to experience sensitive and hard to reach waters at close quarters. Codenamed Seabreeze, the design includes a host of features to attract premium-end cruise guests while combining the […]
Gaia Biomaterials announces $5M rights issue
In Sweden, Gaia Biomaterials has successfully concluded a $5 million rights issue. The rights issue is backed by the Swedish state owned greentech venture capital fund Almi Invest Greentech, and private international and domestic investors. Funds will be used to expand market penetration in the United States, India, and other targeted markets. Gaia Biomaterials is […]
Methanol Institute (MI) and SEA-LNG deeply concerned by EU’s shift in biomethane rules
In Belgium, the Methanol Institute (MI) and SEA-LNG, key representatives of the methanol and liquefied natural gas (LNG) industries respectively, express their deep concerns following the recent announcement by the European Commission impacting the trade of biomethane and biomethane-based biofuels such as biomethanol. The Commission has noted the intention to exclude the automatic certification of […]
Brazilian sugarcane producers at the ready to pentrate US SAF market
In Brazil, Bloomberg reports Sao Martinho expects it will beat domestically-grown corn-based ethanol as the first Sustainable Aviation Fuel feedstock in the US, thanks to landing required certifications, including the one from Corsia as well as EPA registration. The company expects to produce between 3.4 million and 4 million gallons of sugarcane ethanol for export […]
Topsoe to supply tech to Cepsa’s 2G SAF and renewable diesel plant in Spain
In Spain, Topsoe has signed an agreement with Cepsa, a leading international company committed to sustainable mobility. According to the agreement, Topsoe will provide its HydroFlex technology for the production of SAF and renewable diesel at Cepsa’s and Bio-Oils’ new second-generation biofuels plant in Palos de la Frontera, Spain. The plant, which began construction in […]
GoodShipping launches its new Decarb Desk platform
In the Netherlands, GoodShipping launched its new Decarb Desk platform, the next step forward to allow cargo owners and freight forwarders to efficiently manage their carbon insetting efforts. Decarb Desk enables cargo owners and freight forwarders to calculate transportation emissions, track the creation and journey of each inset reduction, ensuring each claim is backed by […]
