VERBIO Vereinigte BioEnergie AG (VERBIO) has just opened the world’s first industrial straw processing plant for the production of biomethane in Zörbig, Saxony-Anhalt. Marketed as verbiogas, the fuel is produced from agricultural residue, with VERBIO consciously refusing to use raw materials which could otherwise be used for food production. “I’m very proud that we’ve managed [...]

Biodiesel Drives Your Energy Further
This is a guest post from Richard Kirk. He is an activist in the green movement and enjoys researching and distributing tips and ideas that will help improve the future well-being of our planet. Biodiesel is a renewable fuel for diesel engines derived from vegetable oils or animal fats. It is made from renewable sources, [...]

The Food vs. Fuel Controversy
A few years ago, the world faced new price highs for a number of food commodities. Generally, increasing biofuel production was blamed responsible for those highs. Although it was proven several times that the growing energy crop production did not and still does not affect food prices, the myth still remains for some reason. It [...]

World’s First Commercial Cellulosic Ethanol Plant
The good news: After developing the technology, improving enzymes and yield and building demonstration plants, it is finally getting serious. The building of the first commercial scale cellulosic ethanol plant has begun. Novozymes partner Mossi & Ghisolfi Group (M&G) started construction of the world’s first commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol plant. The plant will produce 13 million [...]

Biobutanol Enters the Biofuel Stage
According to estimation from DuPont the biofuel industry worldwide will grow from a $50 billion opportunity today to a $75 billion opportunity by 2015. Besides the already well known biodiesel and bioethanol a further promising biofuel is on the rise. Biobutanol! While being currently used as an industrial solvent and mostly produced via petrochemical processing, [...]

Biofuels in the Airline Industry
Just a few years ago, it seemed to be absurd to replace kerosene based aviation fuels with biofuels derived from renewable resources. The cost of producing alternative fuels that meet the high requirements in this industry was the economically restricting factor. What happened? The 2008 spike in oil prices boosted new interest. Today, biofuels offer [...]

Biofuel Investments of Major Oil Companies Part 3
This is the final piece of the 3 part article about biofuel investments of major oil companies. To read the first part, follow this link. To read the second part, follow this link. Shell Royal Dutch Shell claims to be the world’s biggest distributor of biofuels, distributing 9 billion liters in 2009 – mainly ethanol [...]

Biofuel Investments of Major Oil Companies Part 2
Are major oil companies already preparing for the post-fossil-fuel-age? Within recent years, big oil corporations are increasingly involved into research and development of different petroleum alternatives and now, they seem to focus on commercial viable biofuels. The petroleum industry is aware of rising crude oil prices, a rising demand of energy and an increasing environmental pollution. To contribute to these circumstances, a variety of joint ventures with smaller biofuel or biotechnology firms have started to exploit the potential of renewable fuels.

Biofuel Investments of Big Oil Companies Part 1
Is Big Oil going green? Have you ever thought about the involvement of major oil companies in R&D or distribution of biofuels? Yeah… just like me! But I was disabused of the notion that most oil companies are predators who exploit earth’s resources, pollute the environment, rake in money and if they do something that [...]

From Glycerol to Green Chemicals Part 2
Read the first part of this article As promised a few days ago I hereby publish the second part of the article: From Glycerine to Green Chemicals. If you haven’t read the first part, it’s highly recommended to do so. Propylene Glycol Archer Daniels Midland (US), one of the largest agricultural processors in the world, [...]