Biofuels
BlueFire mulls plan for five new US biorefineries
BlueFire Renewables has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with China Huadian Engineering Co. to finance its integrated power plant and biorefinery in Fulton, Miss., and up to 5 additional plants in the US. The deal also contemplates the formation of a joint venture to develop similar projects in China.
Air China completes first sustainable biofuel flight
Air China, in partnership with Boeing, Honeywell UOP, the Civil Aviation Administration of China, PetroChina and Pratt & Whitney, on Friday completed a demonstration flight using a sustainable biofuel derived from biomass grown in China.
Study says isobutanol-gasoline blends are superior to ethanol in small engines
In side by side performance, durability and emissions testing of small engines, gasoline blended with isobutanol performed better than blends using ethanol, according to new research from renewable chemicals and advanced biofuels firm Gevo. The results demonstrated that unlike ethanol, blends incorporating isobutanol do not cause any irregular or unstable engine or performance issues.
Cereplast finalizes purchase of Italy bioplastics site
US-based bioplastics firm Cereplast has completed its purchase of a manufacturing plant in Assisi (Cannara), Italy that will serve as the hub for the company's European bioplastics production. Cereplast management said it estimates the total cost of the purchase and refurbishment of the facility will be approximately €12 million.
Algenol begins construction on Florida bio-refinery
Algenol Biofuels has broken ground on construction of its pilot-scale integrated bio-refinery, which will include the first large-scale deployment of Algenol's patented Direct To Ethanol technology to produce ethanol directly from carbon dioxide, sunlight and salt water using blue-green algae in patented photobioreactors (PBRs).
CB&I to design, engineer sulfuric acid alkylation unit in China
CB&I subsidiary Lummus Technology has been awarded a contract by Ningbo Haiyue New Material Co. for the license and engineering design of a grassroots sulfuric acid alkylation unit to be built near Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, China.
Pacific Ethanol to provide operations, maintenance support for ZeaChem US biorefinery
US-based renewable fuels company Pacific Ethanol has agreed to provide operations, maintenance and accounting services for ZeaChem's 250,000 gal/year cellulosic integrated biorefinery in Boardman, Oregon.
LANXESS, BioAmber to partner on bioplasticizers
European specialty chemicals producer LANXESS and sustainable chemicals firm BioAmber have partnered to develop succinic acid-based plasticizers that are both renewable and phthalate-free, the companies announced on Thursday.
IEA secures energy alliances with India, Russia
Officials with India and Russia each signed deals this week with the International Energy Agency (IEA), pledging to strengthen bilateral co-operation in areas such as oil and gas security, energy efficiency and renewables, and overall dialogue.
Unilever inks renewable oils deal with Solazyme for use in consumer goods
Consumer goods company Unilever has agreed to a multi-year supply deal with US-based Solazyme in which Unilever will purchase commercial quantities of Solazyme’s renewable oils. Specific terms were not disclosed.
- Ineos to invest £150 MM at Grangemouth site 12/17
- KBR’s methanol technology selected by Fikrat Al-Tadweer for the first biomethanol plant in Saudi Arabia 12/17
- Petrobras strike hits eight refineries on second day 12/17
- Shell seeks buyers for stake in Germany's Schwedt refinery 12/17
- Digital Exclusive: Root cause analysis on hydrochloric acid corrosion in a diesel hydrotreater unit 12/16
- Digital Feature: Enabling growth through strategic cost optimization for petrochemical and refining companies 12/16
