CAZYmes from Trichoderma harzianum have potential for cellulosic biofuels production [Full subscriber]
Researchers at the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) in Brazil have found an enzyme from the Amazon fungus Trichoderma harzianum to be capable of breaking down biomass into sugars for subsequent fermentation into biofuels and chemicals.
Brazil – Cerradinho Bioenergia engages ICM to build 500 million litres corn ethanol plant in Mato Grosso [Full subscriber]
The proprietary process technologies provider ICM has signed an agreement with Neomille, a subsidiary of the sugar-ethanol producer Cerradinho Bioenergia, to design a corn-ethanol plant in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul. Construction will take place in Maracaju, 160 km southwest of the state capital, according to a press release.
Eni and BASF partner to develop process conversion technology for biopropanol production [Full subscriber]
The energy major Eni and chemical giant BASF have signed a strategic agreement on a joint R&D initiative to reduce CO2 emissions in the transport sector.
Colombia – Lower blend mandate forecast reduce ethanol production by over 6% in 2021 [Full subscriber]
In 2021, Colombia’s fuel ethanol production is estimated to decrease by 6.3% to 370 million litres in response to a lower blend mandate despite the partial recovery in the fuel pool, according to a recent USDA attaché report.
Argentina – Lawmakers approve biofuel blend cuts [Full subscriber]
Argentina’s senate approved controversial biofuels legislation that would slash blending requirements for biodiesel and ethanol.
Feedstock costs stem ethanol production in the US and Brazil [Full subscriber]
The top ethanol producers United States and Brazil are expected to reduce output in the coming months because of the surging cost of corn and sugarcane, reported Reuters.
Converting CO2 into butanol using phosphorous-rich copper cathodes [Full subscriber]
Researchers at the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, South Korea have discovered a new conversion method that turns carbon dioxide into 1-butanol on a phosphorus-rich copper cathode, based on a combination of faradaic and autonomous nonfaradaic reactions.
Brazil – Raizen to build 2nd cellulosic ethanol plant [Full subscriber]
Raízen, a joint venture between Cosan and Shell, is going to invest in the construction of its second cellulosic ethanol unit, with the capacity to produce 82 million litres per year, twice the capacity of its first plant, reported Reuters, citing a securities filing.
Engineered yeast converts toxin aldehydes from hydrolysed lignocellulosic feedstock into alcohol [Full subscriber]
In the production of cellulosic biofuels, breaking down lignocellulosic feedstock to produce fermentable sugars releases numerous by-products that are toxic to yeast most commonly used to produce biofuels. Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have engineered yeast to convert toxic cellulosic by-product aldehydes into alcohols.
USA – Louisiana likely to secure new US$70 million cane bagasse-based pellet plant [Full subscriber]
Renewable fuel firm Delta Biofuel is considering building a US$70 million cane bagasse-based pellet plant in Iberia Parish, Louisiana. The state is offering tax breaks and other perks to seal the deal.
Monthly Snapshot
Raw sugar for March delivery settled at 19.82 cents/pound on January 18 after reaching a two-and-a-half-week high earlier in the session at 20.25 cents. The white sugar contract expiring in […]
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