Are more rubber extraction refineries in our future? In 2004, the History Channel broadcast a Modern Marvels Special on Natural Rubber. My favorite quote from that special is “Our four most important natural resources are…
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Hot Prospects for Chemicals from Biomass
Chemicals from Biomass? A major theme of 21st Century industrial development will be replacement of fossil resources by renewable resources in the production of fuels and chemicals. Due to their massive scale and cost, the…
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Why and When You Need a Project Consultant
In the bioeconomy, the role of project consultant in the bioeconomy is somewhat the same as in any industry, and somewhat unique. It requires first and foremost, a clear understanding of everyone’s duties and limitations….
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Sustainable Aviation Future
Can the sustainable aviation industry respond quickly enough to meet the demand for these alternatives to fossil fuels? With net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, and airlines, airports, manufacturers, producers, and regulators committing to transition away…
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Butanol – A Versatile Renewable
Is butanol a versatile renewable? Despite the common myth, biomass upgrading is a challenging science. Not only do the practitioners have to break down the complex biomass mixtures efficiently, but they must also contend with…
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Isobutanol: Now on the Radar for USA
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has opened a comment period for the registration of the use of Isobutanol in gasoline. Why is this important? Because since the states banning of the use of MTBE and…
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Organic Acids: Key Facilitators of the Bio-economy
Organic Acids: Key Facilitators of the Bio-economy? Recent declines in oil prices and the failure of start-up biofuel processes to meet production cost targets have increased the interest in producing value added chemicals from biomass…
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Early-stage, Breakthrough Technologies: Biofuels, 10 of the Best
The concept of early stage, breakthrough biofuels technologies is a bit of an oxymoron. At an early stage how does one determine if it something is a “breakthrough” biofuels technology? This article, first published in…
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Expert Witness – Biofuels
Introduction Biofuels are part of the renewable energy mix – alternatives to fossil fuels with lower greenhouse gas emissions. Biofuels include ethanol, biodiesel, cellulosic ethanol, sustainable aviation fuels, marine biofuels, biomass power, renewable natural gas…
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Isobutanol: A New Product from Revamped Ethanol Plants
Isobutanol: A New Product from Revamped Ethanol Plants? (The following article was written in 2016. Since the publication date BP and DuPont joint venture, Butamax, has started to produce Isobutanol from the Nesika Energy, LLC…
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