ICM, Agribrasil
Date: 2022-03-23
Colwich, Kansas-based ICM Inc. and Sao Paulo Brazil-based Agribrasil have signed an agreement to develop a greenfield dry-mill grain ethanol production facility in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso. The facility will utilise ICM's proprietary process technologies, including Base Tricanter System™ (BTS) for corn oil recovery, patented Selective Milling Technology™(SMT) for milling optimisation, and patented Fiber Separation Technology™ (FST ) for fibre removal before fermentation.

The new plant will grid roughly 1,700 metric tpd of corn to produce more than 260 million lpy of anhydrous ethanol, 9,000 metric tpy of corn distillers oil and over 185,000 metric tpy of standard DDGS, according to the release.

Agribrasil originates soybeans and corn from Brazilian cooperatives, resellers, and large producers then performs the logistics and sells the products for export, according to the company website. (Source: Agribrasil, Website News, Mar., 2022) Contact: Agribrasil, Fred Humberg, CEO, +55 (11) 2714 0800, www.agribrasil.net/en; ICM, 316-796-0900, www.icminc.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News ICM,  Agribrasil ,  Corn Oil,  Corn Ethanol Ethanol,  DDG,  

Growth Energy
Date: 2022-03-18
In Washington, Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor sent a letter to U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Jennifer Granholm calling on the DOE to address the most recent inaccurate and misleading study by Tyler Lark and others that claims to have been partially funded by the department.

The study directly contradicts conclusions from DOE's own Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Technologies (GREET) model, which has been tracking the impacts of corn-ethanol's lifecycle emissions since 1996. Last May, DOE's Argonne National Lab stated that, "for the United States, biofuels like corn ethanol can play a critical role in reducing our carbon footprint."

"Failing to address this research's inconsistencies and departure from mainstream science could have negative consequences in our nation's quest to decarbonize the transportation sector -- both on the ground and in the air. According to recent research by the Rhodium Group, our (ethanol) industry's contributions in reaching net-zero emissions targets and decarbonizing the transportation sector will be necessary," wrote Skor.

"The ethanol industry is continually finding new ways to innovate and reduce emissions throughout its production cycle, including by creating new applications for hard-to-decarbonize industries like aviation. We must rely on the best and most widely accepted science to achieve our climate goals and attain net-zero emissions by 2050."

Download study details www.growthenergy.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/GROW-22014-PNAS-Handout-2022-02-16-R3.pdf] HERE . Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Technologies (GREET), HERE . (Source: Growth Energy, Website, PR, 15 Mar., 2022) Contact: Growth Energy, Emily Skor, CEO, www.growthenergy.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Growth Energy,  Renewable Fuels Standard,  Corn Ethanol,  GHG ,  GREET,  

Oklahoma State University
Date: 2022-02-28
In Stillwater, Oklahoma State University reports it was recently issued a patent that could significantly increase biofuel and chemical yields while reducing CO2 emissions. Hasan Atiyeh, professor of biosystems and agricultural engineering, created a new co-fermentation method that turns sugars into alcohols, organic acids and ketones without the environmental impact.

This co-fermentation process adds naturally occurring microorganisms (bacteria) into the fermentation process of plant substances, such as corn, grass and wood. The process combines sugar-fermenting and gas-fermenting bacteria while capturing carbon dioxide, which is also fermented to create more biofuels.

The technology could potentially increase product yields by more than 15 pct while lowering CO2 emissions compared with conventional processes. The research estimated that using 2,000 dry metric tpd of biomass with this novel co-fermentation process could increase a biorefinery's net revenue by $33 million a year compared with traditional fermentation methods.

The OSU method's economic impact could also extend to the jet fuel (SAF) and fossil fuel industries. Butanol has been produced by traditional acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation using molasses, starches and lignocellulosic biomass, but the ABE process suffers from low conversion yields and higher environmental impact, according to the release. About 16 billion gpy of jet fuel are used in the U.S. and if biobased butanol replaced 25 pct of that amount, it would have an economic impact of more than $800 million, according to the release.

The ODU technology will initially be marketed to the corn and cellulosic ethanol industries. More than 15 billion gpy of corn ethanol are produced in the U.S. and about 45 million tpy of CO2 are emitted from over 200 U.S. biorefineries, according to the OSU release. (Source: Oklahoma State University , PR, 25 Feb., 2022) Contact: Oklahoma State University, Biosystems Prof. Hasan Atiyeh, 405 334 7481, hasan.atiyeh@okstate.edu. www.okstate.edu

More Low-Carbon Energy News Cellulosic Ethanol,  SAF,  Corn Ethanol,  CO2 Emissions,  Butanol,  

Renewable Fuels Association
Date: 2022-02-23
Following a pledge by members of the Renewable Fuels Association to achieve net-zero carbon emissions, on average, by 2050 or sooner, a new report released today shows that new and emerging technologies and practices could help the industry achieve this vision well before mid-century. The new report, Pathways to Net-Zero Ethanol: Scenarios for Ethanol Producers to Achieve Carbon Neutrality by 2050 was prepared by lifecycle analysis expert Isaac Emery, Ph.D., of Informed Sustainability Consulting LLC.

The report identified the following actions that would constitute a 'core pathway' to net-zero emissions; renewable energy use by corn and ethanol producers; expanded adoption of corn kernel fiber fermentation at dry mills; 'better-than-business-as-usual' industry-wide efficiency improvements and ethanol yields; carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) by ethanol facilities; and expansion of conservation tillage and other low-carbon practices by corn growers. (Source: Renewable Fuels Assoc., 21 Feb., 2022) Contact: Renewable Fuels Assoc., Geoff Cooper, CEO, (202) 289-3835, www.EthanolRFA.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Fuels Association,  Corn Ethanol,  Net-Zero Emissions ,  

ICM Inc,, Cardinal Ethanol
Date: 2022-02-18
Colwich, Kansas-based ICM Inc. reports it has contracted with Cardinal Ethanol LLC to implement ICM's proprietary Advanced Processing Package (APP) at Cardinals facility in Union City, Indiana.

APP is a series of four patented and patent-pending technologies -- Selective Milling Technology, Fiber Separation Technology Next Gen, Thin Stillage Solids Separation System, and Feed Optimization Technology -- designed to produce a yeast-enriched 50 pct protein called PROTOMAX and other animal feed products. These processes work by separating corn into clean piles of feed components, which ethanol producers can combine into valuable feed products.

ICM will begin construction of the APP System this summer. Once installation is complete, Cardinal Ethanol, which produces 135 million gpy of ethanol and 320,000 tpy of DDGs, expects to produce over 3 pounds of high protein per bushel of corn in addition to DDGS. (Source: ICM Inc., Website PR, 16 Feb., 2022) Contact: Cardinal Ethanol, Jeff Painter, Pres., CEO, 866-559-6026, info@cardinalethanol.com, www.cardinalethanol.com; ICM, 316-796-0900, www.icminc.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News ICM Inc,  ,  Cardinal Ethanol,  Corn Ethanol,  DDGs,  

Greenfield Global
Date: 2022-02-02
Greenfield Global is reporting an agreement with Truman, Minnesota-headquartered Central Farm Service (CFS) for the supply of corn to its newly acquired 48 million gpy ethanol plant in Winnebago, Minnesota. The deal includes an offtake agreement for the plant's dried distillers grain products (DDGS), a co-product of the ethanol production process.

CFS operates 17 grain locations in southern Minnesota and northern Iowa. (Source: Greenfield Global, Website, Jan., 2022)Contact: Greenfield Global, Winnebago Location, (507) 893-4747, winnebago.info@greenfield.com , www. greenfield.com; Central Farm Service, (507) 776-2831, www.cfscoop.com.

More Low-Carbon Energy News Greenfield Global ,  Ethanol,  Corn,  DDGs,  Corn Ethanol,  

Verbio
Date: 2022-01-10
Leipzig, Germany-based biodiesel producer Verbio reports its VERBIO Nevada Biorefinery, a retooled cellulosic ethanol plant in the city of Nevada, Iowa, is the first industrial scale renewable natural gas (RNG) facility in North America using agricultural residues as its feedstock. The plant is 100 pct owned by VERBIO North America Holdings Corporation.

RNG production from corn stover began in December 2021 with the completion of Phase I, at a capacity of 7 million ethanol gallons equivalent (EGE) per year. Upon completion of Phase II in the 4th quarter of 2022, the site will begin operating as a biorefinery, producing 60 million gallons of corn-based ethanol and an additional 19 million (EGE) of RNG from stillage. The integration of RNG and ethanol production, unique to VERBIO, incorporates advanced operational technology currently practiced at the company's facilities in Germany. The process also yields humus, a soil amendment, and organic fertilizers, according to the company website release.

When fully operational before the year end, the plant will consume roughly 100,000 tpy of locally sourced corn stover to produce 60 million gpy of ethanol. (Source: Verbio, PR, Website, AgInsider, 7 Jan., 2021) Contact: Verbio North America, Claus Sauter, CEO, (866) 306-4777, +49 (0) 3493 747-40, www.verbio.us, www.verbio.de/en

More Low-Carbon Energy News Corn Stover,  Verbio,  Corn Ehanol,   Ethanol,  Cellulosic Ethanol,  

Alto Ingredients
Date: 2021-09-20
Sacramento, California-headquartered specialty alcohols, essential ingredients and ethanol producer Alto Ingredients, Inc. -- fka Pacific Ethanol -- reports it will install Harvesting Technology, LLC's patented CoPromax™ protein system at its 60 million gpy Magic Valley corn ethanol facility in Burley, Idaho.

The CoPromax system will produce over 33,000 tpy of feed with a protein content greater than 50 pct and increase corn oil yields by 50 pct to almost 9 million ppy. According to the release, the company plans to commission the new system in early 2022.

South Dakota-based Harvesting Technology develops innovative technologies to create sustainability in energy and agriculture. These innovative solutions manufacture renewable energy options, create high value feed products and increase facility efficiencies, according to the company website. (Source: Alto Ingredients, Inc., Website PR, 13 Sept., 2021) Contact: Alto, Mike Kandris, CEO, Michael Kramer, 916-403-2755, investorrelations@altoingredients.com, www.altoingredients.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Alto Ingredients,  Pacific Ethanol,  Corn Ethanol,  

Growth Energy
Date: 2021-09-15
Following a virtual discussion on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) with Biden Administration representatives , Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor welcomed the Administration's commitment to produce 3 billion gpy of SAF by 2030.

"Crop-based biofuels are necessary component in achieving the climate goals that we share with the White House and the aviation industry. We are energised by the potential opportunity to expand our role in reducing our nation's carbon emissions.

"With the appropriate investment in critical research and development and the right policy environment, we know our industry can continue to help decarbonise our transportation sector -- from passenger vehicles to our aircraft fleet. Importantly, to deliver game-changing solutions, we must have a healthy and thriving corn ethanol industry to make the long-term investments in research and development.

"To meet this challenge, it important that new tax incentives are guided by technology-neutral life-cycle assessments by scientists who understand the U.S. biofuel sector -- in this case, those at the US Department of Energy. US tax credits must reflect US-based modelling, and we will continue to press for policy that reflects the most up-to-date science available." (Source: Growth Energy, Website PR, 10 Sept., 2021)Contact: Growth Energy, Emily Skor, (202) 545-4000, www.growthenergy.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News SAF,  Growth Energy,  Sustainable Aviation Fuel,  

Summit Agricultural Group,Prairie Horizon Agri-Energy
Date: 2021-08-18
Summit Agricultural Group, through its investment affiliate Summit Ag Investors, is reporting the acquisition of Phillipsburg, Kansas-based corn ethanol producer Prairie Horizon Agri-Energy.

Summit will construct a state-of-the-art wheat protein ingredients facility and retrofit the existing corn-based ethanol plant to produce ethanol from wheat starch. Upon completion of the ingredients plant and final conversion, the company will have invested roughl y $200 million in what will be the largest wheat protein producer in North America and will generate low carbon intensity renewable fuel, according to the Summit release. (Source: Summit Agricultural Group , 13 July, 2021) Contact: Summit Agricultural Group, Bruce Rastetter, CEO, www.summitcarbonsolutions.com; Prairie Horizon, (785) 543-6719, www.prairiehorizon.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Summit Agricultural Group,  Prairie Horizon,  

IGPC Ethanol
Date: 2021-08-11
In Southwester Ontario, Aylmer based IGPC Ethanol Inc. is reporting Woodslee, Ontario-based Synergy Grain Trading Ltd. will become their partner for sourcing corn at the IGPC ethanol facility in Aylmer, Ontario, effective January 1, 2022.

IGPC previously used Cargill and most recently Andersons to procure corn. IGPC produces 380 million lpy of denatured fuel grade ethanol and 340,000 tpy of distillers grains (DDGs) (Source: IGPC Ethanol, Website PR, 9 Aug., 2021) Contact: IGPC Ethanol, 519-765-2575, www.igpc.ca; Synergy Grain Trading Ltd., Ken Whitelaw, Managing Dir., 519-279-1901, ken@synergytrade.ca, www.synergytrade.ca

More Low-Carbon Energy News IGPC Ethanol,  Corn Ethanol,  

CABBI
Date: 2021-05-03
New studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Institute for Sustainability, Energy and Environment Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI) have found the need to adopt more targeted policies that value the environmental and ecosystem benefits of perennial bioenergy crops over cheaper options -- and provide financial incentives for farmers to grow them.

In particular, the study calculated the net economic and environmental costs of the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) mandates and found that maintaining the corn ethanol mandate would lead to a cumulative net cost to society of nearly $200 billion from 2016 to 2030 compared to having no RFS. The social cost of nitrogen damage from corn ethanol production substantially offsets the social benefits from GHG savings, the report notes.On the otherhand, the additional cellulosic mandate could provide substantial economic and environmental benefits with technological innovations that lower the costs of converting biomass to cellulosic ethanol and policies that place a high monetized value for GHG mitigation benefits. The study notes that maintaining the corn ethanol mandate pushes more land into corn production which increases the market price of other agricultural commodities. While producers might benefit from higher market prices.

The study notes the cellulosic ethanol mandate could provide an overall benefit with the right policies. Supporting research and development to lower the cost of converting biomass to cellulosic ethanol would substantially reduce production costs and increase social benefits, and a high monetized value for GHG mitigation could offset all other costs.

CABBI researchers hope performance-based policies -- including the low carbon fuel standard, carbon and nitrogen leakage taxes, or limits on crop-residue harvest -- can be implemented to supplement the RFS mandates after 2022.

CABBI aims to integrate recent advances in agronomics, genomics, and synthetic and computational biology to increase the value of energy crops -- using a "plants as factories" approach to grow fuels and chemicals in plant stems, an automated foundry to convert biomass into valuable chemicals, and ensuring that its products are ecologically and economically sustainable. This holistic approach will help reduce fossil fuels dependence, according to the CABBI website. (Source: CABBI, PR, 27 Apr., 2021) Contact: CABBI, Evan DeLuc1a, (217)244-1586, cabbi-bio@illinois.edu, www.cabbi.bio

More Low-Carbon Energy News CABBI,  Biofuel,  RFS,  Corn Ethanol,  

POET
Date: 2021-04-28
In Indianapolis, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) yesterday vetoed legislation that would have sabotaged sales of E15, a renewable motor fuel blended with 15 pct bioethanol.

The law would have mandated restrictive warning labels on E15 fuel dispensers that would cause unnecessary confusion at the pump, deprive Hoosiers access to significant fuel savings, and destroy future demand for Indiana corn, according to the POET release. (Source: POET, PR, 27 Apr., 2021)

More Low-Carbon Energy News POET,  Ethanol,  Corn Ethanol,  E15,  Ethanol Blend,  

Dakota Ethanol
Date: 2021-03-17
US-based Dakota Ethanol reports it's facility in Wentworth, South Dakota, has produced over one billion gallons of ethanol since it began operation in September 2001.

The Wentworth plant produces 90 million gpy of ethanol from 30 million bpy of locally sourced corn. (Source: Dakota Ethanol, PR, Mar., 2021) Contact: Dakota Ethanol, 888-539-2676, info@dakotaethanol.com, www.dakotaethanol.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Dakota Ethanol news,  Corn Ethanol news,  

Argonne National Laboratory
Date: 2021-03-10
The Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) Systems Assessment Center reports its evaluation of the well-to-wheel (WTW) greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of Fischer-Tropsch (FT) fuels produced via various electrolytic H2 pathways and CO2 sources -- found that using nuclear or solar/wind electricity, the stand-alone FT fuel production (Naphtha, jet, diesel) from various plant designs can reduce WTW GHG emissions by 90–108 pct relative to petroleum fuels.

When integrating the FT fuel production process with corn ethanol production, the WTW GHG emissions of FT fuels are 57--65 pct lower compared to petroleum counterparts.

The report modeled the FT fuel synthesis process using Aspen Plus, which showed that 45 pct of the carbon in CO2 can be fixed in the FT fuel, with a fuel production energy efficiency of 58 pct. (Source: ANL. PR, Mar., 2021)Contact: ANL, 630-252-2000, www.anl.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News Fischer-Tropsch,  Argonne National Laboratory,  

Summit Carbon Solutions,Glacial Lakes Energy
Date: 2021-03-01
Further to our 22nd Feb. report, South Dakota-based Glacial Lakes Energy (GLE) reports its four biorefineries with 360 million gpy total capacity have joined Alden, Iowa-based Summit Agricultural Group's previously announced Summit Carbon Solutions (SCS) carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) project. The project is projected to result in 10 million tpy reduction in CO2 emissions -- the carbon footprint equivalent of 2 million autos.

Glacial Lakes Energy has signed an offtake agreement with Summit to supply the carbon dioxide at its plants located in Huron, Aberdeen, Mina, and Watertown. This partnership will allow more than 1.6 million tpy of CO2 to be captured, transported, and sequestered underground through Summit's transportation and storage platform which originates in Iowa and concludes in North Dakota.

Glacial Lakes Energy is a four-plant biorefinery company operating in central and northeast South Dakota and solely owned by more than 4,000 shareholders of Glacial Lakes Corn Processors. Glacial Lakes Energy process roughly 125 million bpy of locally sources corn into 360 million gpy of ethanol, more than 1 million ypy of livestock feed, and 5,000 tpy of corn oil. (Source: Glacial Lakes Energy, Green Car Congress, 26 Feb., 2021) Contact: Glacial Lakes Energy, 605-882-8480 , www.glaciallakesenergy.com; Summit Carbon Solutions, Summit Ag, Jon Probst, (515) 854-9812, jprobst@summitag.com www.summitag.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Summit Carbon Solutions,  Glacial Lakes Energy ,  Corn Ethanol,  CCS,  

Growth Energy
Date: 2021-02-12
In Washington, in testimony at the EPA virtual hearing on the proposal to extend the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) compliance deadlines for the 2019 and 2020 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs), Growth Energy's Senior VP of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley called on the agency to reject calls to delay RFS compliance and instead take immediate steps to restore integrity to the RFS and restore lost biofuel demand.

"The intent of the RFS is to blend more biofuels into our nation's transportation fuel supply. Period. It is not meant to have oil companies use questionable legal tactics to avoid blending biofuels and then demanding that the agency further delay compliance," Bliley said.

Bliley also reminded EPA about the benefits of biofuels as America works toward its clean climate goals, stating that "With recent research showing that greenhouse gas emissions from corn ethanol are 46 pct lower than gasoline, it makes no sense why EPA should continue to exempt oil companies and further delay them from complying with their blending obligations."

EPA's proposal would extend the RFS compliance deadline for the 2019 compliance year to November 30, 2021 and extend the RFS compliance deadline for the 2020 compliance year to January 31, 2022. (Source: Growth Energy, PR, Website, 9 Feb., 2021) Contact: Growth Energy, Emily Skor, CEO, Chris Bliley, (202) 545-4000, www.growthenergy.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Growth Energy,  RFS,  

POET
Date: 2021-01-18
Sioux Falls S.D.-headquartered ethanol pioneer and producer POET reports its Biorefining-Laddonia corn ethanol facility in Missouri is undergoing a 10-million-gallon expansion that will increase capacity to 80 million gpy from roughly 25 million bushels of locally-sourced per year.

The expansion, which is slated for completion this summer, will add a small building extension for equipment, another fermenter and another mill to grind corn into flour. Most of the expansion will occur inside the existing plant. (Source: POET, PR, Vandalia Leader, 17 Jan., 2021) Contact: POET, Jeff Broin, CEO, (605) 965-2200, www.poet.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News POET,  Ethanol,  Corn Ethanol,  

Sri Lanka
Date: 2020-12-30
In Sri Lanka, the government of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has directed the Director General of Customs, the Inspector General of Police and other agencies to enforce a newly instituted ban on the use of maize (corn), sorghum and other food crops for the production of alcohol and ethanol. (Source: Lanka Business Onine, 28 Dec., 2020)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Corn Ethanol,  

Flint Hills Resources
Date: 2020-12-28
Wichita, Kansas-based Flint Hills Resources reports its Shell Rock, Iowa ethanol plant has added an eight-story dryer developed by Fluid Quip Technologies of Cedar Rapids, for production of maximized stillage co-products (MSC) -- distillers dried grains (DDGs) livestock feed.

That technology extracts protein from the whole stillage that remains after corn ethanol processing and makes a 50 pct protein animal feed. The Shell Rock plant began processing MSC in July, this year. (Source: Flint Hills Resources, PR, Gazette, 24 Dec., 2020) Contact: Flint Hills Resources, 229-522-2822, www.fhr.com; Fluid Quip Technologies, , 319-320-7709www.fluidquiptechnologies.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News DDG,  Fluid Quip Technologies,  Flint Hills Resources,  Ethanol,  

Nebraska Corn Board , Nebraska Corn Growers Association
Date: 2020-09-30
In the Cornhusker State, the Lincoln-headquartered Nebraska Corn Board (NCB) and the Nebraska Corn Growers Association (NCGA) have announced their support of the Next Generation Fuels Act which was recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.

If passed into law, the act would transition country's gasoline supply to a higher octane so greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced by 40 to 43 pct while increasing fuel efficiency, according to the group release.

"When you pull up to the pump you would see a research octane number (RON) that we're advocating for which is 98 RON and it's aimed at increasing efficiency in engines. To increase efficiency in engines you have to have more octane and when you get to E25 and E30, that's really where we see the sweet spot for finding the most efficiencies", NCGA market development director Jeff Wilkerson said. (Source: NCGA, Contact: Nebraska Corn Growers Association, Jeff Wilkerson, Director of Market Development, www.NCGA.Com/Octane; Nebraska Corn Board, Roger Berry, Market Development, (402) 471-2676, www.nebraskacorn.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Nebraska Corn Board ,  Corn Ethanol,  Ethanol,  Ethanol Blend,  Nebraska Corn Growers Association,  

Novozymes
Date: 2020-09-21
Novozymes today announced the launch of Fiberex, a comprehensive platform based on novel enzymes and yeast strains to convert corn fiber into ethanol. Fiberex is specifically aimed at breaking down tough fibers in the corn, providing producers with greater operational flexibility. The technology converts a low-value by-product into high-value, low-carbon fuel while also enabling the production of significantly more corn oil.

According to the release, Novozymes is the technology leader in fiber conversion, enabling new revenue for biofuels producers from low-carbon credits such as in California and EPA's cellulosic RIN credits. Through Fiberex, Novozymes is collaborating with the biofuel industry to further expand the boundaries of corn-based ethanol -- literally breaking down some of the barriers between what is considered conventional biofuels and advanced biofuels.

Novozymes' Fiberex enzymes are specifically designed to break down this complex matrix -- resulting in more corn oil and converting the fiber into simple sugars that are easily converted into ethanol.

As part of the platform announcement, Novozymes is also launching the first Fiberex products: Fiberex R1, a technology specifically designed to provide maximum ethanol in separate fiber-to-ethanol processes, and Fiberex F1, a cellulase enzyme designed to provide fiber conversion for in-process technologies. Additional solutions, to launch in 2021, are in proof-of-concept trials now, according to the release. (Source: Novozymes, Website PR, 16 Sept., 2020) Contact: Novozymes, Brian Brazeau, VP Bioenergy, 646-671-3897 , www.novozymes.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Novozymes ,  Corn Ethanol,  Ethanol,  

POET
Date: 2020-09-14
Previously this month, Sioux Falls S.D.-headquartered ethanol pioneer and producer POET announced its partnership with San Carlos, California-based Farmers Business Network (FBN) to boost profits for farmers while promoting sustainable agricultural practices through the new GRO Network.

The GRO Network creates environmental transparency and matches farmers who use environmentally friendly practices with buyers who pay a premium for low-carbon corn.

The GRO Network connects farmers who utilize measurable sustainable practices with buyers who are willing to pay for verifiable low-carbon grain. The program is groundbreaking in its focus on abatement and using proven science to measure the benefits of conservation practices used by farmers on their land. These measurements result in a farm-level carbon-intensity score that can be used by policymakers to more accurately assess the greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction for low-carbon fuel policies and make smart decisions to meet their sustainability goals, according to the release.

"We are excited about the potential of the GRO Network to promote sustainable agriculture and utilize the resulting low-carbon corn to produce even greener bioethanol and bioproducts," according to POET founder and CEO Jeff Broin. (Source: POET, Website News, Sept., 2020) Contact: POET, Jeff Broin, CEO, (605) 965-2200, www.poet.com; Farmers Business Network , Amol Deshpande, CEO, www.fbn.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News POET,  Ethanol,  Corn Ethanol,  

POET
Date: 2020-08-03
Following up on our 20th April report, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the world's largest biofuels producer reports it plans to scale up production of industrial and beverage-grade alcohol at two of its biorefineries -- Leipsic, Ohio and in Alexandria, Indiana which is expected to come online in early 2021.

POET expedited efforts to produce pharmaceutical-grade, alcohol-based hand sanitizer after COVID-19 created an unprecedented spike in demand for sanitation and cleaning products. POET's all-natural product will grow the volume of cleaner, greener, high-quality alcohol options available to industrial, personal care, and food and beverage consumers.

POET is a leader in biorefining through its efficient, vertically integrated approach to production. Started in 1987, the company today has a network of 28 production facilities across 7 states. At full run rates, POET purchases 5 pct of US corn and produces 2 billion gpy of ethanol, 10 billion ppy of distillers dried grains, and 600 million ppy of corn oil, according to the website release. (Source: POET, Website News, 3 Aug., 2020) Contact: POET, Jeff Broin, CEO, (605) 965-2200, www.poet.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News POET,  Ethanol,  Corn Ethanol,  

Chuck Grassley
Date: 2020-07-31
In Des Moines, Hawkeye State senator Chuck Grassley (R) is calling for the uncertain at best Republican Senate's COVID-19 relief proposal earmarking $20 billion for agriculture, should direct $3 billion to support the state's struggling ethanol industry.

Iowa's ethanol industry can produce more than 4.1 billion gpy from more than 1.3 billion bushels of corn. This comes from the 42 corn ethanol plants and two cellulosic plants operating across the state. (Source: Office of Sen. Chuck Grassley, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 30 July, 2020) Contact: Office of Sen. Chuck Grassley, www.grassley.senate.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News Chuck Grassley,  Ethanol,  

AFPM
Date: 2020-07-08
According to a recent American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) blog posting, National Wildlife Federation (NWF) has become the most recent US EPA petitioner seeking a general waiver to reduce 2020 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) compliance obligations.

In a letter to the EPA' Administrator Andrew Wheeler, NWF President and CEO Collin O'Mara echoed the requests of six state governors and stressed the need for smaller biofuel mandates. In its letter, the AFPM noted:

"The RFS currently requires about 19 billion gal. of fuel derived from plants to be blended into gasoline. The overwhelming majority of that fuel is corn ethanol, and today 40 pct of the corn produced in the U.S. goes into our gas tanks."

"Increasing mandated blending levels increases the potential for further land conversion, presenting a marked threat to the battle against global climate change, with its consequent catastrophic effects on human health and the environment. Higher blends of ethanol necessitated by unrealistic RVOs diminish public health."

"In light of the clear and present danger to the environment, we join with the governors of six states in asking for a waiver to the RVO."

The NWF letter concludes: “"In short, the corn ethanol mandate has led to the loss of important wildlife habitat, particularly in regions critical for monarch butterflies, ducks and other ground-nesting birds, and many other species -- threatening outdoor recreation opportunities as well as the economy. The mandate has also resulted in deteriorated water quality and harmful algal blooms in important surface waters as a result of increased farm runoff. Increasing mandated blending levels increases the potential for further land conversion, presenting a marked threat to the battle against global climate change, with its consequent catastrophic effects on human health and the environment. Higher blends of ethanol necessitated by unrealistic RVOs diminish public health. In light of the clear and present danger to the environment, we join with the Governors of six states in asking for a waiver to the RVO." (Source: National Wildlife Federation, AFPM, Hydrocarbon Engineering, 7 July, 2020) Contact: National Wildlife Federation, Colin O'Mara, CEO, www.nwf.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News RFS,  Renewable Fuel Standard,  Ethanol,  

LucasE3
Date: 2020-05-15
Shawnee, Kansas-based ethanol process engineering services provider LucasE3 is reporting an agreement with Brazil-based Maracaja Bioenergia to construct a new 30 million gpy corn ethanol plant in Mato Grosso State.

Construction is slated to get underway later this year for completion and commissioning within 12-14 months. (Source: LucasE3, PR, 13 May, 2020) Contact: LucasE3, Scott Lucas, (913) 608-3925, scott@LucasE3.com, www.LucasE3.com; Maracaja Bioenergia, www.fsbioenergia.com.br/en

More Low-Carbon Energy News Ethanol,  Brazil Ethanol,  

Bank of ND ,North Dakota Industrial Commission
Date: 2020-05-04
Reporting from Bismark, the North Dakota Industrial Commission has authorized the Bank of North Dakota to provide a financing program to help the state's ethanol secure working capital to maintain operations during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. The state's ethanol producers use 140 million bpy of corn to produce 400 million gpy ethanol and 1.3 million tpy of distiller’s grains (DDGs).

The Industrial Commission will use the Partnership in Community Expansion program which offers buy-downs to to a maximum of $500,000 of a borrower's interest rate, in tandem with the legislatively authorized Fuel Production Loan Guarantee program for biofuels. Under terms of the program, ethanol producers may access up to $15 million or 50 cents per bushel of corn that would have normally been purchased in the first two quarters of 2020, whichever is less.

The Bank of North Dakota is a state-owned, state-run financial institution and the only government-owned general-service bank in the United States. (Source: Bank of ND, Wahpeton Daily News, May, 2020) Contact: Bank of ND, 800.472.2166 , 701.328.5600, bnd@nd.gov, www.bnd.nd.gov; North Dakota Industrial Commission, www.dmr.nd.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News Ethanol,  DDGs,  Corn,  Corn Ethanol,  

Archer Daniels Midland
Date: 2020-04-27
Chicago-headquartered biofuel pioneer and ethanol producer Archer Daniels Midland Co. (ADM) reports the idling of two of its 300 million gpy corn ethanol plants in Columbus, Nebraska, and Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as the demand for ethanol continues to fall. The shutdown is expected to last for 3 or 4 months.

According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), fuel ethanol production is now at 563,000 bpd, the lowest level of production since the EIA began reporting ethanol production statistics in 2010. (Source: Archer Daniels Midland, ICIS, 23 April, 2020) Contact: ADM, Juan Luciano, Pres., CEO, (312) 634-8100, www.adm.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Archer Daniels Midland,  Corn Ethanol,  Ethanol,  Biofuel,  

National Corn Growers Association
Date: 2020-04-24
According to the National Corn Growers Association's (NCGA) Mark Palmer, director of renewable fuels, the corn ethanol industry is presently dealing with some major challenges right now but is working on legislation to establish a federal low carbon, high octane fuel standard for automobiles.

A low carbon, high octane standard would allow sales of 20 pct or higher ethanol blends. Palmer says they hope to have legislation introduced in the House by late summer or early fall. (Source: National Corn Growers Association, Brownfield Ag News, 21 April, 2020) Contact: National Corn Growers Assoc., Mark Palmer, Renewable Fuels Dir., (636) 733-9004, (636) 733-9005 -fax, corninfo@ncga.com, www.ncga.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News National Corn Growers Association,  Low-Carbon Fuel,  Coen,  Corn Ethanol,  

USDA
Date: 2020-04-22
. "We don't have a fundamental way to help that (biofuel) sector," responded USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue to the Trump administration's announced $19 billion aid package to farmers.

Biofuels producers were not included in the aid package, although the sector consumes approximately 40 pct of America's total annual corn crop.

In the 2018/2019 crop marketing year, (Sept. 1- Aug. 31) the U.S. grew more than 14.42 billion bushels (366 million metric tons) of corn. (Source: USDA, nexstar, 21 April, 2020)Contact: USDA, Sonny Perdue, Sec., www.usda.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biofuel,  Sonny Perdue,  USDA,  Corn,  Corn Ethanol,  

Valero
Date: 2020-04-15
San Antonio-headquartere Valero Energy Corp., the second-largest U.S. oil processor by capacity, is reporting the temporary shutdown of 60 pct of its ethanol plant production capacity.

On 8 Nov., 2019, Valero stopped ethanol production at its corn ethanol facilities in Riga, Michigan and Bluffton, Indiana, due to "weak margins" and "market conditions". The plants will resume production "as soon as favorable economic conditions exit", according to the company's website. (Source: Valero, Website, 14 April, 2020) Contact: Valero Renewable Fuels, Joe Gorder, Pres., (800) 324-8464, www.valero.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Valero Energy,  Ethanol,  

POET
Date: 2020-04-08
Sioux Falls, South Dakota-based ethanol producer POET has announced it is idling corn-ethanol production at its Chancellor, Ashton and Coon Rapids plants and delaying the start-up of Shelbyville. The company noted the shutdowns were directly related to the economic fallout from COVID-19.

"Across the board, biofuel producers and our partners in the farm community face an unprecedented challenge. We are working hard to ensure that every biorefinery remains well-positioned to support a strong and swift recovery once daily life returns to normal. That means responding dynamically to shifting conditions and optimizing production, market by market, as the situation evolves over the next few months", Poet founder and CEO Jeff Broin said in a recent press release. (Source: POET, Various Trade Media 1 April, 2020) Contact: POET, Jeff Broin, CEO., (605) 965-2200, www.poet.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News POET,  Ethanol,  Corn Ethanol,  

USDA
Date: 2020-04-01
The USDA recently released its Grain Crushings and Co-Products Production Report for March, reporting that corn use for fuel ethanol production for January was down from the previous month, but up from January 2019.

Total corn consumed for alcohol and other uses in January was 519 million bushels. Total corn consumption was down 2 pct from December 2019, but up 5 pctfrom January 2019. Corn use for fuel alcohol was at 469 million bushels, down 2 pct from the previous month, but up 6 percent from the same month of 2019. Corn consumed in January 2020 for dry milling fuel production and wet milling fuel production was 90 percent and 10 percent, respectively.

Download the full Grain Crushings and Co-Products Production Report HERE. (Source: Grain Crushings and Co-Products Production Report, USDA, Mar., 2020) Contact: USDA, www.usda.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News USDA,  Corn,  Corn Ethanol,  Biofuel,  

POET
Date: 2020-03-25
On Monday, Sioux Falls, South Dakota-based ethanol producer POET reported it is evaluating its production levels and temporarily suspended corn purchases at several of its locations due to weak biofuel demand.

Demand for motor fuels has fallen dramatically due to coronavirus pandemic "stay at home" and limited social interaction policies. (Source: POET, Reuters, 23 Mar., 2020) Contact: POET-DSM Advanced Biofuels, Steve Hartig, General Manager, (630) 780-8171, steve.hartig@dsm.com, www.poetdsm.com; POET, Jeff Broin, CEO., (605) 965-2200, www.poet.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News POET,  Poet-DSM,  Corn Ethanol,  Ethanol,  

Red Trail Energy
Date: 2020-03-13
Following up on our 13th Dec., 2019 report, Richardton, North Dakota-based corn ethanol producer Red Trail Energy LLC reports that with the completion of a drill pad at its Richardton ethanol facility it expects to begin drilling a one-mile or deeper stratigraphic well for carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration in April. (Source: Red Trail Energy, KFGO, 11 Mar., 2020) Contact: Red Trail Energy, Gerald Bachmeier, CEO, (701) 974-3308, www.redtrailenergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Red Trail Energy,  CCS,  Carbon Capture,  

White Dog Labs, Central Minnesota Renewables
Date: 2020-02-07
New Castle, Delaware-headquartered White Dog Labs (WDL) is reporting plans to purchase Central Minnesota Renewables' shuttered former ethanol -- biobutanol plant in Little Falls, Minnesota, and to upgrade the facility to produce ProTyton, a corn-based aquaculture feed product. The upgraded plant will managed by Midwest Renewable Energy, which operates a corn ethanol plant near Sutherland, Nebraska.

The facility was originally constructed as the 21 MMgy Central MN Ethanol Co-op corn ethanol plant. Green Biologics Inc., a wholly owned U.S. subsidiary of U.K.-based biotechnology and renewable chemical company Green Biologics Ltd., purchased the facility in December 2014 through its Central MN Renewables LLC affiliate. The facility was retrofitted to produce biobased butanol and acetone and resumed operations in 2016. In mid-2019, Green Biologics announced it could not secure funding to continue operations and would close the plant.

According to the WDL website, White Dog Labs was established in 2012 on the foundation of harnessing natural microorganism diversity to address global challenges in food sustainability, climate change and general human and animal nutrition. The company goes beyond discovery to also design and scale bioprocesses with end product application in mind.

Core to WDL discovery is its proprietary Protocol B™ process coupled with additional high-throughput selection techniques for the isolation and cultivation of microbiome-derived anaerobic microorganisms. WDL's approaches result in large, diverse and novel strain libraries informed through emerging applications in microbiome science, and yield promising solutions for animal nutrition and health. WDL also invented a novel class of fermentation technology called MixoFerm™ that allows cultivation of previously "unculturable" bacteria while also improving the carbon efficiency of fermentation processes by 50 to 100 pct, according to the WDL website.(Source: White Dog Labs, PR, Ethanol Producer, 4 Feb., 2020) Contact: White Dog Labs., Bryan Tracy, (302) 220-4763, btracy@whitedoglabs.com, www.WhiteDogLabs.com; Central Minnesota Renewables, 320-632-1614, www.centralmnrenewables.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News White Dog Labs ,  Central Minnesota Renewables,  

Badger State Ethanol
Date: 2020-01-22
Monroe, Wisconsin-based Badger State Ethanol LLC reports the recent production of its one-billionth gallon of corn ethanol. That has provided a market for more than 350 million bushels of corn. The company began production in 2002 with a nameplate capacity of 40 million gpy which has grown to 85 million gpy.

Badger State Ethanol is one of nine ethanol plants in Wisconsin that together have a capacity of 585 million gpy. (Source: Badger State Ethanol, Henry Herald, 21 Jan., 2020) Contact: Badger State Ethanol, Erik Huschitt, CEO, www.badgerstateethanol.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Badger State Ethanol,  

Corn LP,Harvestone Group
Date: 2020-01-08
Franklin, Tennessee-based Harvestone Group is reporting Goldfield, Iowa-based ethanol producer Corn LP has joined its marketing and trading platform under the terms of a five-year contract. Corn LP produces roughly 75-million gpy of ethanol.

Harvestone Group, and its affiliated companies, is a global commodity merchant focused in the biofuels sector. By designing innovative service offerings and investing in strategic infrastructure, the company help build bridges and cement alliances between producers and end users, ultimately driving the supply chain to operate more efficiently, according to the company's website. (Source: Harvestone, Biofuel Int. 8 Jan, 2019) Contact: Harvestone Group, www.harvestonegroup.com: Corn LP, Brady Hess, 515-825-3933, www.cornlp.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Corn,  Corn Ethanol,  Ethanol,  Harvestone Group,  

Sao Martinho
Date: 2019-12-18
In Sao Paulo, Braziliam sugar and ethanol producer Sao Martinho SA is reporting a 6.9 pcy increase in ethanol production to 1.172 bln litre for the period Apr/Mar 2019/20.

Sao Martinho SA is one of the country's largest sugar and ethanol producers. In June this year, the company announced plans to construct a 200 million litre -- 140,000 tpy of distillers dried grains (DDGs) corn ethanol plant at a cost of roughly $90 million in the municipality of Quirinopolis, an important grain producing region in Goias State.

Sao Martinho is the latest in a growing number of companies starting to produce ethanol from corn in Brazil, a country where the fuel has always been made from sugarcane. (Source: Sao Martinho Website, FO Licht, 17 Dec., 2019) Contact: Sao Martinho, +55 11 2105 4100, ri@saomartinho.com.br, www.saomartinho.com.br

More Low-Carbon Energy News Sao Martinho,  Ethanol,  Corn Ethanol,  Brazil Ethanol,  Biofuel,  

Red Trail Energy
Date: 2019-12-13
Following on our June 16th coverage, Richardton, North Dakota-based corn ethanol producer Red Trail Energy LLC reports preparations for its carbon dioxide emissions underground storage project are underway with plans to drill a test well within the next few months. Depending on the tests results, Red Trail could start injecting CO2 by fall 2021, according to the company. (Source: Red Trail Energy, Star Tribune, 11 Dec., 2019) Contact: Red Trail Energy, Gerald Bachmeier, CEO, (701) 974-3308, www.redtrailenergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Red Trail Energy,  Ethanol,  CCS,  Carbon Capture & Storage,  

Valero Energy
Date: 2019-11-08
San Antonio-headquartere Valero Energy Corp., the second-largest U.S. oil processor by capacity, is reporting the temporary shutdown of its corn ethanol production facilities in Riga, Michigan and Bluffton, Indiana, due to "weak margins" and "market conditions". The plants will resume production "as soon as favorable economic conditions exit", according to the company's website. (Source: Valero Energy Corp., Bloomberg, 7 Nov., 2019) Contact: Valero Renewable Fuels, Joe Gorder, Pres., (800) 324-8464, www.valero.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Valero Energy,  Ethanol,  

Trump
Date: 2019-09-30
In a recent letter to Pres. Donald Trump, corn grower organizations in 23 states called on the President to direct his administration's EPA to account for projected waivers beginning with the pending 2020 RFS volume rule and to simply uphold the law.

"Dear President Trump,

"We are writing on behalf of the more than 300,000 corn farmers across the country who are being negatively impacted by a perfect storm of challenges in rural America. The 31 new Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) waivers to big oil companies, recently approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and bringing total waivers issued under your Administration to 85, could not have come at a worse time for agriculture.

"Ethanol plants in several states, including Iowa, Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Minnesota and Mississippi have closed or idled. These closures have cost 2,700 rural jobs and impacted demand for more than 300 million bushels of corn. Corn farmers are beginning harvest and continuing to lose markets to deliver their corn. Frustration in the countryside is growing.

"Corn farmers are not asking for a special deal. We are simply asking, as we have been for the past two years, that your EPA uphold the law. To effectively stop the harm caused by RFS waivers, EPA needs to account for projected waivers beginning with the pending 2020 RFS volume rule. Accounting for waivers in the annual RFS volume process restores integrity to the RFS. It also allows your Administration to continue granting waivers, as allowed by the law, while keeping the RFS whole."

"While adding gallons and improving market access for higher blends of ethanol are all policies farmers appreciate and support, future waivers will continue to minimize the RFS, unless your Administration acts to account for waivers beginning this coming year first.

"We were pleased to see press reports indicating that, following a meeting with farm-state lawmakers, an agreement had been reached to address the harm caused by waivers. With more than 4 billion gallons waived out of the RFS, we appreciate you listening to our elected representatives about what is needed to restore meaning to the RFS. Farmers across the country are anxiously awaiting the release of more details about this agreement. Ethanol plants will continue to close if you don't act soon, creating a rippling effect throughout the rural economy.

"Corn farmers are appreciative of your past support for agriculture and ethanol. We especially appreciate your efforts to remove the barrier to year-round sales of E15, but EPA's current use of waivers undermines growth potential for higher blends of ethanol, reduces demand, lowers the value of our crop, and puts the outlook for the rural economy in jeopardy.

"Mr. President, we firmly ask that you uphold your commitment to America's farmers and the RFS." (Source: Ag Ohio, Various Trade Media, Sept., 2019)

Editor's Note: For our reader's convenience, we have underlined the few lines that actually call on Trump to honestly do his job and uphold the RFS. The remaining five paragraph's are, in our opinion, little more than flattery to the White House.

More Low-Carbon Energy News Trump,  "Hardship" Waivers,  Corn Ethanol,  

Ringneck Energy,ICM
Date: 2019-09-20
Following up on our 28th July coverage, Ringneck Energy LLC reports production is well underway at its 80 million mtpy ethanol plant in Onida, South Dakota. The plant, which was designed by ICM, uses primarily locally sourced corn as a feedstock and incorporates ICM's Evap Zero technology. (Source: Ringneck Energy, Sept., 2019) Contact: Ringneck Energy LLC, Walt Wendland, Pres., CEO, (605) 258-2900, walt@ringneckenergy.com, www.ringneckenergy.com; ICM Inc., David VanderGriend, CEO, (316) 796-0900, www.icminc.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Ringneck Energy,  Corn Ethanol,  ICM,  

POET, EPA
Date: 2019-08-30
Sioux Falls, South Dakota-based ethanol producer POET reports it is idling its Clverdale, Indiana bioprocessing facility due the EPA's policies on RFS "hardship" waivers. The shutdown will take several weeks after which time the plant, which normally processes 30 million bpy, will stop processing corn for ethanol production.

POET already has cut production at half of its biorefineries with the biggest impact being felt at its Iowa and Ohio plants where corn processing will drop by an additional 100 million bushels. (Source: POET, The Messenger, 29 Aug., 2019) Contact: POET, Jeff Broin, CEO, (605) 965-2200, www.poet.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News POET,  EPA,  "Hardship" Waivers,  RFS,  

Growth Energy, RFS, EPA
Date: 2019-08-21
In response to the EPA's recent claim -- "There is zero evidence that EPA's congressionally mandated small refinery exemption program has had any negative impact on domestic corn ethanol producers" -- Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor issued the following statement.

"The latest reports say President Trump 'felt misled' about the EPA's most recent batch of small refinery exemptions. That's hardly a surprise. The EPA spent months trying to paper over the devastating impact these refinery (waiver) handouts have had on farm communities and rural workers in America's biofuel sector. They can't hide the simple fact that dozens of biofuel plants have cut production, and ethanol consumption fell for the first time in 20 years in the wake of these exemptions. Closures in Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Florida, Virginia, Texas, Pennsylvania, Missouri and Nebraska are only the beginning.

"Just today, the world's largest ethanol producer closed a major plant in Indiana and cut production across seven states. Hundreds of millions of gallons of production are offline, and hundreds of millions of bushels of grain are falling in value, just as farmers face the worst economic conditions in a generation.

"The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) creates an incentive that opens the market to biofuel blends, including the E15 that President Trump personally embraced. These exemptions destroy that incentive, pure and simple. You cannot carve billions of gallons from America's biofuel targets and still keep this administration's promises to farm families. EPA needs to account for these lost gallons immediately and start repairing the damage before more rural communities lose hope for a comeback."

Growth Energy represents producers and supporters of ethanol working to bring consumers better choices at the fuel pump, grow America's economy and improve the environment. (Source: Growth Energy, 21 Aug., 2019) Contact: Growth Energy, Emily Skor, CEO, Elizabeth Funderburk, (202) 545-4000, EFunderburk@GrowthEnergy.org, www.growthenergy.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Growth Energy,  RFS,  Renewable Fuel Standard,  

Praj Industries,Dedini IndWstrias de Base
Date: 2019-08-14
Brazilian sugar-ethanol mill developer Dedini IndWstrias de Base is reporting a cooperation agreement with India's Praj Industries under which Praj will sell corn ethanol production equipment and technologies. technologies for corn-based biofuel. Details of the agreement have not been announced.

The Brazilian company added that the cooperation agreement is intended to take advantage of a growing demand for ethanol as a result of an upcoming national programme to boost biofuel use, known as RenovaBio, which is scheduled to start in January, 2020. The RenovaBio program will require 30 new ethanol plants in Brazil, the expansion of some existing plants and the rebooting of some previously shuttered facilities. (Source: Dedini IndŴstrias de Base, Hindu Business Line, 13 Aug., 2019) Contact: Dedini IndWstrias de Base, +55 19 3403-5500, www.dedini.com.br; Praj Industries Ltd., +91 20 7180 2000 / 2294 1000, info@praj.net, www.praj.net

More Low-Carbon Energy News Praj Industries,  Brazil Biofuel,  Ethanol,  Corn Ethanol,  

GEVO,International Sustainability and Carbon Certification
Date: 2019-08-12
Englewood, Colorado-headquartered isobutanol producer GEVO Inc. is reporting receipt of International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) under the ISCC PLUS scheme for food, feed, industrial applications, energy, and biofuels outside Europe. In obtaining ISCC certification, Gevo continues to prove its dedication to meeting the highest industry standards by demonstrating the sustainable cultivation of field corn, which Gevo then converts into renewable, sustainable isobutanol (biobutanol).

ISCC PLUS certification validates the responsible nature of GEVO's liquid transportation fuels and highlights the traceability of its biofuel, qualifying that such fuels produced in a sustainable manner. By completing ISCC certification, Gevo has verified that the feedstock, in this case field corn, is being grown in a socially, environmentally, and ethically responsible manner.

ISCC PLUS is a sustainability certification scheme for biobased applications like chemicals, food and feed products and applications in the bioenergy sector. (Source: GEVO, PR, 7 Aug., 2019) Contact: International Sustainability and Carbon Certification, www.sustainabilityxchange.info/en/institutions/iscc-international-sustainability-carbon-certification; GEVO, Patrick Gruber, CEO, 303-858-8358, pgruber@gevo.com, www.gevo.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News GEVO,  Biobutanol,  Corn Ethanol,  International Sustainability and Carbon Certification,  

Plymouth Energy ,Iowa Renewable Fuels Association
Date: 2019-08-02
Merrill, Iowa-based corn ethanol producer Plymouth Energy LLC reports it has ceased production until further notice.

Ten other ethanol plants in the country have also temporarily shut down and three others have reportedly closed due to what Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw described as a "supply-demand imbalance" caused by waivers that federal officials are granting big oil refiners. (Source: Plymouth Energy Business Record, Radio Iowa, 1 Aug., 2019) Contact: Plymouth Energy, 712-938-2373, www.plymouth-energy.com; Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, Monte Shaw, Exec. Dir., info@IowaRFA.org (515) 252-6249, www.iowarfa.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Ethanol,  Iowa Renewable Fuels Association,  

Benson Hill Biosystems
Date: 2019-07-29
St. Louis-based crop improvement specialist Benson Hill Biosystems is reporting a partnership with Wisconsin-based Brownseed Genetics, a seed breeder of new corn hybrids that offer significant added value for growers, livestock, and ethanol and biodiesel producers. The hybrids yield about 9 percent corn oil -- nearly triple the normal production -- and are rich in the amino acids lysine and methionine, according to the release.

Because of their higher calorie and nutrient content, Brownseed hybrids already enjoy steady growth in the livestock industry. Now, with its E+ hybrid, the company is taking aim at the corn-to-ethanol industry. Most ethanol plants require only limited modifications in their line process to accommodate the hybrid, the release added. (Source: Benson Hills Biosystems, PR 29 July, 2019) Contact: Benson Hills Biosystems, 314-222-8218, www.bensonhillbio.com; Brownseed Genetics, Charles Brown, CEO, Brownseed Genetics, ctwww.brownseedgenetics.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Corn Ethanol,