Archive for October, 2007

BioCentric Energy acquired by Nano Chemical in reverse-merger

Nano Chemical Systems has acquired BioCentric Energy in a reverse merger. BCEI shareholders will own 66% of the merged entity.

BCEI previously announced plans to bulld a plant in Caruthersville, Missouri to produce 30Mgy of ethanol, 20 Mgy of biodiesel, a R&D facility for algae-based biodiesel and other products.

Thailand reduces B5 price to stimulate demand

In Thailand, the government reduced the price of B5 biodiesel to stimulate demand. The price of B5 biodiesel has been reduced as part of a government-backed plan to encourage more motorists to use the alternative fuel. B5, a mixture of 5% biofuel and 95% high-speed diesel, will now cost 3.18 per gallon, 3 cents less [...]

Mali Biocarburant aims to be first African jatropha biodiesel venture to reach production stage

Mali Biocarburant is intending to be the first jatropha biodiesel company to commence production in Africa. The company buys jatropha nuts from farmers who have planted 20,000 km of jatropha fences in Mali that protect crops and limit soil erosion. The company did not release details on the volume of jatropha nuts it planned to [...]

More detail emerge on Mozambique’s CAMEC project: 32 Mgy ethanol from $510 million investment

In Mozambique, more details emerged regarding the launch of the Central African Mining and Exploration Company (CAMEC) biofuel project. CAMEC will invest US$510 million, and in produce 32 Mgy of ethanol from 30,000 hectares of sugar cane. The venture is expected to create 7,000 jobs.
The plant is expected to commence operation in 2010. The financing [...]

Singapore touts its “second generation biofuels leadership” potential

In Singapore, the Singapore’s Economic Development Board is aiming for a leading position in second-generation biofuels. Julian Ho, executive director for energy, chemical and engineering services at Singapore’s Economic Development Board, told the International Herald Tribune “We feel that if we’re going to focus on a sustainable type of activity we need to look beyond [...]

Ethanol policy becomes Australian election issue

In Australia, ethanol has become an issue in the upcoming national election. A group representing feed grains users and livestock owners opposed ethanol mandates, while the Deputy Prime Minister, Mark Vaile, have campaigned for expansion of a sustainable ethanol industry.
This month, New South Wales state premier Morris Iemma has ordered all state employees to use [...]

Pioneer Distilleries doubles ethanol capacity as Indian E5 mandate takes effect

In India, Pioneer Distilleries will increase production capacity to 12.5 Mgy, double its previous capacity, as demand from petroleum companies has increased in the wake of the E5 mandate and the proosed E10 mandate for next year.
The E10 mandate proposed for October 2008 has been championed by the Agricultural ministry as a means of handling [...]

Angola-based Biocom to launch in 2010, reach full ethanol capacity in 2012

In Angola, more details emerged regarding Biocom. The plant, which is projected to open in 2010, will operate at 30 percent of capacity in its first year and will reach full capacity in 2012. The sugar, ethanol and power produced by the project are expected to be used domestically rather than for export, due to [...]

ND conference: US Energy Secretary says ethanol mandates might be necessary; Sen Dorgan touts E85 tax incentives; ND fuel marketers ask for E85 pump conversion grants

Speaking in North Dakota, US Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman said that government mandates are less than ideal but might be necessary to boost the use of alternative fuels. “Sure, I’d like to get things done without mandates,” Bodman was quoted in chron.com as saying, adding that mandates are “proven to be a requirement in order [...]

Standard Ethanol plant in Nebraska commences production

Standard Ethanol Madrid, a unit of Mid America Bio Energy and Commodities, commenced production Monday at its Nebraska plant.
Nebraska has remained on track with several major plants despite closures and delays elsewhere. Construction is underway on a 226 Mgy ethanol plant in Aurora. The Aurora Co-Op project with Aventine Renewables has a price tag of [...]