Andrew Goodwin
Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has started a public comment period on proposed changes that would allow imports of US corn ethanol for use in the production of bio-Ethyl tert-butyl ether, which is commonly used as an oxygenate gasoline additive.
Malaysian palm oil producers have launched a high-profile media and lobbying campaign – including a pitch to German chancellor Angela Merkel – against EU proposals to exclude the commodity from the bloc's revised Renewable Energy Directive (RED).
The UK ethanol production company Vivergo has announced it is bringing forward maintenance at its Humberside facility citing a cocktail of low ethanol prices on the international market and a perceived lack of clear legislative ambition in the UK’s biofuel policy.
Billionaire investor Carl Icahn, who was a special adviser to President Donald Trump, has been subpoenaed over his role on advising the President on changes to the US Renewable Fuel Standard, according to a disclosure from the US Attorney’s office and published by Icahn’s company – Icahn Enterprises.
Shares in Tesla, the catalyst for change in vehicle powertrains, took a battering this week, as its quarterly results revealed bigger-than-expected losses and the company acknowledged delays in producing its ground-breaking Model 3.
The UK government issued 304 million Road Transport Fuel Certificates in the first 5 months of the year 10 compliance period, according to data released Thursday by the Department of Transport (DfT).
UCO prices could soften further over the next couple of months, according to leading renewable energy broker Greenea.
Finland-based energy company Neste has posted a 38% increase in year-on-year profits at its renewables division on the back of higher sales volumes arising from increased utilization rate.
Sinopec this week opened two refilling stations offering B5 fuels sourced from Chinese gutter oil.
Argentinian exports of SME and Indonesian exports of PME to the US could be looking for another home soon after the US Commerce Department set preliminary import duties of up to 70% on Argentine biodiesel and 50% on Indonesian product.
UK car makers reported a 14.2% slump in production for the domestic market, according to the SMMT, with diesel cars hardest hit. While Brexit was cited as a concern, uncertainty over government air quality initiatives is dissuading diesel buyers.
Any attempt by European parliamentarians to phase out the use of crop-based biofuels over the next 13 years will face an uphill task as the European Council of Ministers is not expected to pass the amendment.
The EU’s efforts to limit crop-based biofuels seems at odds with the UN’s climate change agency, which tied up a deal with crop-based biofuel producer Ethanol Europe Renewables Ltd on October 19.
An influential panel of lawmakers on Monday voted to phase out crop-based biofuels over the next 13 years and to ban biofuels and bioliquids sourced from palm oil by 2021.
Malaysia’s plantation minister lobbied France’s ambassador to end the EU’s palm penalties during a ministry visit. Malaysia wants adoption for its Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification scheme.
EU slashes dumping duties on Argentinian biofuels to 4.5-8.1% following a WTO decision that overruled the 22-25.7% duty that was imposed in 2013, a move that may boost EU soy methl ester supply. A subsidiary of oilseed biofuel producer Avril has said it is cutting biodiesel production following the decision to cut duties on Argentinian biofuels.
Croatian national oil company INA is to collect cooking oil at petrol stations, as it seeks to recycle or sell the fuel, in a move that could boost supply of UCOME.
More than half of EU biodiesel is made from imported crops, a new study by NGO Transport and Environment finds, as it seeks to persuade EU lawmakers to ban crop-based biofuels.
Transport for London has augmented its existing congestion zone with a new charge targeting more polluting vehicles as it ramps up its war on older cars. The toxicity T-Charge of £10 is levied on cars registered prior to 2006, for Euro 4 standards.
Red Standard Tractor – a UK food standards scheme – has been granted a three month extension of its certification scheme from the EU Commission, enabling it to certify UK crops as sustainable fuel.