By Lynn L. Bergeson On March 22, 2018, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) announced that by studying and comparing the cellulose-degrading enzymes of two fungi, NREL researchers have pinpointed regions on these enzymes that can be targeted via genetic engineering to help break down cellulose faster. The article published in Nature Communications, “Engineering enhanced cellobiohydrolase activity,” describes NREL’s...
By Lynn L. Bergeson On March 29, 2018, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced in a Federal Register notice it is seeking public comment on the use of isobutanol in gasoline. EPA specifically seeks comment on issues to consider regarding an application submitted by Butamax Advanced Biofuels, LLC (Butamax), a manufacturer of isobutanol, pursuant to the regulations titled “Registration of Fuels and Fuel Additives” for the registration of isobutanol as a...
March 30, 2018
BioLogiQ Receives USDA BioPreferred Certification
By Lynn L. Bergeson On March 20, 2018, BioLogiQ, Inc. announced that its NuPlastiQ® GP biopolymer received certification under the USDA BioPreferred program. NuPlastiQ is a 100 percent renewably-resourced, plant-based resin that is blended with traditional plastics to reduce fossil-based plastic use and greenhouse gas emissions. The thermoplastic resin is produced using BioLogiQ’s proprietary process for converting high crystalline starch into a low crystalline (mostly...
March 30, 2018
Neste Delivers First Batch Of Renewable Propane
By Lynn L. Bergeson On March 19, 2018, Neste, a member of the Biobased and Renewable Products Advocacy Group (BRAG®), announced the delivery of its first batch of 100 percent renewable propane to SHV Energy. Neste is operating the world’s first large-scale renewable production facility in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. The new facility, that primarily produces Neste MY Renewable Diesel, purifies and separates renewable propane from the sidestream gases. The refinery...
By Lynn L. Bergeson According to documents from the European Union (EU), the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that the EU must remove anti-dumping (AD) duties on biodiesel imports from 13 Argentine and Indonesian producers. Importers will be able to claim back duties that were paid in the past. While the companies that challenged the measures are no longer subject to AD duties, the duties still apply to companies not covered under the legal challenge. The EU initially...
By Lynn L. Bergeson The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its report on the economic impact of the biobased economy. The report, titled “Indicators of the U.S. Biobased Economy,” reviews data from 2011 and 2016 to analyze trends in the agricultural, bioenergy, renewable chemicals, and policy sectors. According to the analysis, the renewable chemicals and biobased products sector contributed 4.22 million jobs and an economic value of $393 billion to the...
By Lynn L. Bergeson On March 12, 2018, Valtra, a leading tractor manufacturer in the Nordic countries, announced that Neste MY Renewable Diesel would be used as the start-up fuel for all new tractors. All new Valtra tractors will be delivered to customers with fuel that is produced from 100 percent renewable waste and residues and produces up to 90 percent less greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil diesel fuel. Furthermore, Neste MY will be used to fuel the forklifts...
March 23, 2018
BIO Accepting Nominations For Annual Rosalind Franklin Award
By Lynn L. Bergeson On March 13, 2018, the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), a member of the Biobased and Renewable Products Advocacy Group (BRAG®), announced that nominations for the fifth annual Rosalind Franklin Award for Leadership in Industrial Biotechnology are being accepted. Each year, the award recognizes an outstanding woman in the industrial biotechnology sector who has made significant contributions to the advancement of the biobased economy and...
March 23, 2018
USDA Solicits REAP Applicants For Fiscal Year 2018
By Lynn L. Bergeson On March 13, 2018, the USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service issued in the Federal Register a notice of solicitation of applications for the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) for fiscal year (FY) 2018. The solicitation is being issued prior to the passage of a final appropriations act to allow time for the submission and review of applications within the current FY. Information on the amount of funding received in any continuing resolution or...
By Lynn L. Bergeson On March 12, 2018, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued in the Federal Register a notice announcing the submission of an information collection request (ICR) on the guidelines for designating biobased products for federal procurement to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Pursuant to Section 9002 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act (FSRIA) of 2002, as amended by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act (FCEA) of 2008, and the Agricultural Act...