by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, U.S. Department of Energy is seeking input from industry, academia, national laboratories and
lignocellulosic sugars
Back TO HOMEWhat’s New and Important About C5 and C6 Sugars?
by Lorenz Bauer (Lee Enterprises Consulting, Inc./Biofuels Digest) What’s up with C5 and C6 sugars? Given that a significant portion
July 15, 2016 Read Full Article
Closing the Loop: Ionic Liquids from Biomass Waste Could Pretreat Plants Destined for Biofuels
(U.S. Department of Energy) Recycling waste from biofuel production could lower cost for future biorefineries. -- Ionic liquids (ILs) have been
July 01, 2016 Read Full Article
Study Shows Trees with Altered Lignin Are Better for Biofuels
(Brookhaven National Laboratory) Fundamental enzyme study leads to increased access to bioenergy feedstocks and improves ethanol yield by modifying plant
June 29, 2016 Read Full Article
Catalysts and Enzymes in Biofuel Production
by Elizabeth E. Hood and Lorenz Bauer (Lee Enterprises Consulting, Inc./Biofuels Digest) ... Biofuels can be produced by a number of
June 08, 2016 Read Full Article
“EA” Biomass Pretreatment Cuts Enzyme Use, Boosts Biofuel Production
by Krista Eastman (Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center) Less input, more output. That’s the achievement of a new biomass pretreatment
May 11, 2016 Read Full Article
Takin’ Cellulosic to the Mud Spa
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Out of the unlikely bioeconomy hub of West Palm Beach, Florida, Alliance BioEnergy Plus has
May 06, 2016 Read Full Article
The New Sugars: The Digest’s 2016 Multi-Slide Guide to 5C and 6C sugars
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) As part of March Madness, we held a well-attended webinar on the markets and makers
April 19, 2016 Read Full Article
Better Use of Entire Biomass of Willow
(Phys.Org/VTT Technical Research Center of Finland) VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and Aalto University investigated how willow biomass can
March 31, 2016 Read Full Article
AST Increases Scale of Wisconsin Research Facility
by Ann Bailey (Ethanol Producer Magazine) American Science and Technology has completed the scale-up of its biorefinery in Wausau, Wisconsin. The scale-up
March 23, 2016 Read Full Article
Scientists Turn to GMOs in Search of Better Biofuels
by Christina Maza (Christian Science Monitor) ... Now, researchers across the US are pouring resources into discovering whether it’s possible to
March 14, 2016 Read Full Article
Chemical Snapshot Unveils Path to Greener Biofuel
(University of Copenhagen) Vehicle fuels made of plant waste are sustainable and climate friendly. Unfortunately the energy in stems, bark
March 11, 2016 Read Full Article
A New Recipe for Biofuel: Genetic Diversity Can Lead to More Productive Growth
(Phys.Org) ... Today, scientists are exploring how grasses, and switchgrass in particular, can enrich the nation's biofuel supply, which is currently
February 24, 2016 Read Full Article
BETO Announces Notice of Intent (NOI) to Develop Pathways to Biofuels and Bioproducts
(U.S. Department of Energy) The Energy Department announces its intent to issue, on behalf of the Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO),
December 22, 2015 Read Full Article
C5 Is the New C6
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Goodbye glucose, hello xylose. The X-Factor in the advanced bioeconomy might just be a sugar that
December 16, 2015 Read Full Article
NREL's Min Zhang Keeps Her "Bugs" Happy, Leading to Biofuel Breakthroughs
(National Renewable Energy Laboratory) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Senior Scientist Min Zhang has a special relationship with Zymomonas mobilis, a
December 15, 2015 Read Full Article
The YXY Kings: The Digest’s 2015 8-Slide Guide to Avantium
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Avantium is a technology company specialized in the area of advanced catalytic research. From 2005
December 11, 2015 Read Full Article
Are All Processes Made Equally?: The Digest’s 2015 8-Slide Guide to Clariant
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Clariant’s sunliquid technology for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into sugars, followed by fermentation to cellulosic
December 07, 2015 Read Full Article
Hamrick Engineering Granted Patent for Extracting Sugars and Nanocellulose from Biomass
(Hamrick Engineering/Your Oil and Gas News) Hamrick Engineering is pleased to announce the granting of a broad patent for extracting
November 17, 2015 Read Full Article
Hydrolysis of Woody Biomass by a Biomass-Derived Reusable Heterogeneous Catalyst
by Hirokazu Kobayashi, Hiroyuki Kaiki, Abhijit Shrotri, Kota Techikawara and Atsushi Fukuoka (Chemical Science) Biomass is the sole carbon-based
November 11, 2015 Read Full Article
General Relativity, and the Remaking of Sweetwater Energy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Minnesota Awards $26 Million to Fund Sweetwater’s Biochemical Facility --- In Minnesota, Sweetwater Energy has
November 09, 2015 Read Full Article
Seeking Better Biofuels
by Melody M. Bomgardner (Chemical & Engineering News) Researchers at the Joint BioEnergy Institute transform biomass into energy-rich fuel molecules --
October 26, 2015 Read Full Article
Diamond in the Rough: The Digest’s 2015 8-Slide Guide to Cobalt’s Technology
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Cobalt Technologies was commercializing cellulosic biobutanol, a versatile platform molecule for the renewable chemicals and
October 15, 2015 Read Full Article
China! Boeing, Algenol, Inventure Deals Propel Industrial Biotech Momentum
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... As President Xi visits North America, China signs 3 major deals in industrial biotechnology. The
September 28, 2015 Read Full Article
Poplar Trees Are Best Bet for Biofuel in UW-Led Research Project
by Michelle Ma (University of Washington Today) Groves of poplar trees could one day fuel our vehicles and be the
September 08, 2015 Read Full Article
A New Maine Manufacturing Strategy Could Turn Plants into Products
By Charlotte Mace (Bangor Daily News/Sustainable Economy Program at Environmental Health Strategy Center) ... Yes, several Maine mills have closed and
September 04, 2015 Read Full Article
An Integrated Approach to Cellulosic Fuels: The Digest’s 2015 8-Slide Guide to Clariant’s sunliquid process
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Clariant’s sunliquid technology for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into sugars, followed by fermentation to
August 31, 2015 Read Full Article
BIC Project Aims at Commercialization of Cellulosic Sugar Production in Ontario, Canada
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Ontario, Bioindustrial Innovation Canada has completed phase 1 of a project to assess the
July 27, 2015 Read Full Article
Poplar-Based Bioethanol Production Awaits Spike In Price Of Crude
by Bruce Dorminey (Renewable Energy World) As the world’s fastest growing temperate tree species, poplar can add a dozen feet
July 21, 2015 Read Full Article
4 Minutes with… Dr Marc Sabourin, EVP Business Development Americas, Leaf Resources Limited
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Leaf Resources is a process technology company, providing economical biobased solutions for commercial production of
July 20, 2015 Read Full Article
Renmatix Acquires Mascoma Demonstration Plant in New York
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Another step towards commercial scale, aimed at “secure supply” of cellulose-lignin solids for Renmatix’ Georgia
May 06, 2015 Read Full Article
US Poised for Biobased Chemicals Breakout, Says National Research Council
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Though challenges remain, particularly in affordable feedstock, the US National Research Council says “Despite impressive
April 06, 2015 Read Full Article
Energy Group, Total, Makes Investment & Initiates Joint Development Agreement with Renmatix
(Renmatix/Total/PR Newswire) - Total invests in Renmatix – Takes equity and Board seat in Philadelphia based licensor of supercritical hydrolysis
March 03, 2015 Read Full Article
Novel Pretreatment Could Cut Biofuel Costs by 30 Percent or More
(Science Daily/University of California-Riverside) Researchers have invented a novel pretreatment technology that could cut the cost of biofuels production by
February 27, 2015 Read Full Article
BPI Announces Startup of Pilot Plant Featuring LTSD Technology
(Bio-Process Innovation Inc./Ethanol Producer Magazine) Bio-Process Innovation Inc. has announced the completion of the construction of its 1-ton pilot plant
February 16, 2015 Read Full Article
The 41 Weirdest Things Ever Used to Make Biofuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Bunnies, liposuction fat, Prince Charles’ leftover wine, day-old whale, the human poo bus, fire ants
December 31, 2014 Read Full Article
Studies Steadily Advance Cellulosic Ethanol Prospects
by Ann Perry (Phys.Org) At the Agricultural Research Service's Bioenergy Research Unit in Peoria, Illinois, field work and bench investigations
October 31, 2014 Read Full Article
The 8 Habits of Highly Successful Biorefinery Developers: Looking at Alberta’s Look at Advanced Biofuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) As Alberta looks at what might works for them in industrial biotech — Jacobs comes
October 29, 2014 Read Full Article
ZeaChem, Leaf Resources Sign Collaboration Agreement for Leaf Glycell
by Isabel Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Colorado, ZeaChem has signed a Collaboration Agreement with Leaf Resources. The agreement covers ZeaChem’s evaluation
October 20, 2014 Read Full Article
Platts Webinar – European Road Fuels
by Olatomiwa Bifarin* (Advanced Biofuel USA) Tim Worledge, the Associate Editorial Director of Platts Agriculture relayed some of the history
July 09, 2014 Read Full Article
UK Researchers Aim to Convert Oilseed Straw into Biofuels
(Institute of Food Research/Biomass Magazine) Researchers at the Institute of Food Research are looking at how to turn straw from
May 30, 2014 Read Full Article
Purdue Researchers Launch Innovative Biomass Renewable Energy Company
by Phillip Fiorini and Cynthia Sequin (Purdue University) Purdue University researchers are launching a company focusing on an innovative process that could
March 28, 2014 Read Full Article
New Sugar Platform Shows Promise
(Biomass Magazine) Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed a process that uses gamma valerolactone (GVL) to deconstruct plants
March 17, 2014 Read Full Article
Lignocellulose Shown to Have Potential in Bioplastic Production
(Wageningen University/Biomass Magazine) Chemical building blocks from lignocellulosic feedstock form a huge potential for the production of bioplastics. More specifically,
February 28, 2014 Read Full Article
Nonenzymatic Sugar Production from Biomass Using Biomass-Derived γ-Valerolactone
by Jeremy S. Luterbacher, Jacqueline M. Rand, David Martin Alonso, Jeehoon Han, J. Tyler Youngquist, Christos T. Maravelias, Brian F. Pfleger,
January 17, 2014 Read Full Article
BASF, Renmatix Sign Joint Development for Industrial Sugars from Biomass
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... In Pennsylvania and Germany, BASF and Renmatix signed a non-exclusive joint development agreement to scale
December 18, 2013 Read Full Article
Scale-up and Evaluation of High Solid Ionic Liquid Pretreatment and Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Switchgrass
by Chenlin Li, Deepti Tanjore, Wei He, Jessica Wong, James L Gardner, Kenneth L Sale, Blake A Simmons and Seema Singh
December 17, 2013 Read Full Article
Team Uses a Cellulosic Biofuels Byproduct to Increase Ethanol Yield
(University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) Scientists report in Nature Communications that they have engineered yeast to consume acetic acid, a previously unwanted
November 22, 2013 Read Full Article
Unlocking the Universe of Biobased (and Not So Biobased) Materials
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... In Massachusetts, applied mathematicians Markos Katsoulakis and Luc Rey-Bellet of the University of Massachusetts Amherst will share
November 20, 2013 Read Full Article
Crafting a Better Enzyme Cocktail to Turn Plants into Fuel Faster
by Tom Rickey (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory) Scientists looking to create a potent blend of enzymes to transform materials like
November 06, 2013 Read Full Article
Cellulosic Byproduct Increases Ethanol Yield
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) Scientists from the University of Illinois have reported that they have engineered yeast to consume acetic acid, a
October 22, 2013 Read Full Article
Energy as Easy as Waffles
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Long-term, there are numerous opportunities for developing the right kind of renewable feedstocks based on
September 26, 2013 Read Full Article
Flagship VentureLabs Launches Midori Renewables
(Flagship Ventures/PR NewsWire) New Venture is Commercializing a Novel Catalytic Process to Convert Non-Food Biomass Into Sugar Flagship VentureLabs announced today
September 06, 2013 Read Full Article
Researchers Look to Grass to Make Gas
(Clemson University) Clemson University researchers focusing on switchgrass as a renewable fuel source are looking to fungi and bacteria —
September 04, 2013 Read Full Article
More Efficient Production of Biofuels from Waste with the Help of Modified Yeasts
(Phys.Org) ... Researchers from VIB (the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology) who are associated with KU Leuven have developed yeast strains that produce
August 30, 2013 Read Full Article
Biofuels’ 10 Scariest Challenges: Part 2 of 2
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Upstream, downstream, processing, policy, finance – opportunities and challenges abound in the bioeconomy – but
August 21, 2013 Read Full Article
Fast Swimmers: 10 Algae Technologies, Where Are They in the Race for the Summit?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... The Summer of Algae has passed, but dozens of companies have remained hot in pursuit