DuPont Launches Synerxia Thrive to Increase Ethanol Yields
November 27, 2017
By DuPont Industrial Biosciences
DuPont Industrial Biosciences has announced the launch of Synerxia Thrive Fermentation System, the newest innovation in the company’s synergistic fermentation system technologies. The new fermentation system will deliver higher ethanol yields, incomparable robustness during thermal excursions and improved performance.
“With the new DuPont Synerxia Thirve Fermentation System, ethanol producers can now expect up to 4 percent higher ethanol yields in dry grind fuel alcohol facilities, when compared to conventional systems,” said Joseph DeSalvo, North America regional industry leader, DuPont Industrial Biosciences. “Synerxia Thrive is the result of a multiyear investment in yeast technologies focused on improving performance in ethanol fermentation to deliver increased value to our customers.”
DuPont Synerxia Thrive Fermentation System consists of a new active dry yeast (ADY), Synerxia Thrive ADY and Synerxia Thrive LC, a glucoamylase liquid complement. The new system blends the right combination of yeast and enzymes to deliver up to 4 percent additional ethanol versus a conventional yeast and glucoamylase combination.
Synerxia Thrive ADY incorporates a patent pending, carbon-efficient pathway that redirects a portion of the carbon that would go into CO2 and glycerol into ethanol production. In lab and plant results, the Synerxia Thrive Fermentation System outperformed conventional yeasts during thermal excursions and demonstrated increased robustness in the presence of organic acids.
“The launch of Synerxia Thrive Fermentation System gives ethanol producers the opportunity to integrate an unparalleled fermentation system into their business,” DeSalvo added. “We are thrilled to bring the technology to commercial scale to revolutionize the industry with our current and future partners.”
Read the original article: DuPont Launches Synerxia Thrive to Increase Ethanol Yields
Winner on Energy Park Drive
2233 Energy Park Dr,
Saint Paul, MN 55108
E15, E30, E85
Saint Paul,Minnesota
United States 55108
Kwik Trip #407
Woodbury,Minnesota
United States 55129
EPA Won’t Change Responsibility for Ensuring Renewable Fuels
November 23, 2017
By James Q. Lynch
The Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to deny attempts to change Renewable Fuel Standard rules is good news for the ethanol industry and fuel retailers who would have had to assume responsibility for blending ethanol with gasoline, according Iowa officials who opposed the changes.
“This is the right policy conclusion and I’m glad to see it happening,” Sen. Chuck Grassley said about the EPA decision announced Wednesday. “This decision puts the issue to bed, and certainty is so important. It’s a decision from the EPA that sides with the integrity of the RFS.”
Moving the point of obligation to blend ethanol with gasoline “from a handful of refiners to hundreds or thousands of small fuel retailers would undermine the integrity and viability” of the Renewable Fuel Standard, Grassley said. Refiners would have little incentive to produce the necessary fuel blends, which would make it difficult for fuel retailers to comply, he said.
Sen. Joni Ernst called it a “win for Iowans” that the administration is keeping President Donald Trump’s “pledge to rural America to advance the full potential of the RFS.”
However, the EPA ruling is not the final word on changes, according to Grassley’s office. A decision on proposed changes in the renewable volume requirements for cellulosic biofuel, biomass-based diesel, advanced biofuel and total renewable fuel renewable volume requirements is to be announced Nov. 30, the EPA said.
In rejecting a petition to shift the responsibility for blending renewable fuels to distributors, the EPA concluded that the change sought by oil interests would not benefit the program and could significantly reduce renewable volume obligations for ethanol and other renewable fuels under the fuel standard, which was implemented in 2005 as a way to support farmers, reduce imports and combat climate change.
That “ensures stability in the biofuels market,” said Gov. Kim Reynolds’ spokeswoman, Brenna Smith. “Gov. Reynolds expressed that to (EPA) Administrator (Scott) Pruitt on multiple occasions, and he genuinely listened to her concerns.”
The change sought by refiners was widely opposed by fuel marketers, retailers, truck stop operators, petroleum producers and renewable fuel producers because of the added complexity and the undermining of investments that businesses have made to comply, Grassley, Ernst and other senators from corn-producing states wrote to Trump.
“The overwhelming majority of transportation fuel market participants oppose any change to the point of obligation because it would cause massive disruptions and could lead to higher prices for consumers,” the letter states.
Changing the standard’s point of obligation would have rewarded “those who haven’t lifted a finger to help the implementation of the RFS and to punish those who have worked hard to make it the most successful energy policy in U.S. history,” Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw said.
An administration official said that in the judgment of the EPA, changing the point of obligation would not result in a net benefit and would be disruptive to the program. Also, it would undermine “long-settled expectations, and the program stability” that are critical to success of the program.
Growth Energy, which represents producers and supporters of ethanol, called the proposed changes a “one-sided handout (that) would have added regulatory red tape, created havoc in the marketplace, and denied consumers access to more affordable fuels with higher blends of biofuels like E15.”
The RFS is America’s “single most successful energy policy,” saving consumers money, protecting the environment and improving U.S. energy independence, Growth Energy said.
Read the original article: EPA Won’t Change Responsibility for Ensuring Renewable Fuels
AURI Names Chippewa Valley Ethanol Co. Ag Innovator of 2017
November 20, 2017
By Erin Voegele
The Agricultural Utilization Research Institute has named The Chippewa Valley Ethanol Co. of Benson, Minnesota, its 2017 Ag Innovator of the Year. The award, which has been given annually for the past 15 years, will be accepted by CVEC Board Chair David Thompson and General Manager Chad Friese at the company’s board meeting on Nov. 20 in Benson.
Each year, the AURI Board of Directors bestows the Ag Innovator of the Year Award, the organization’s highest honor, on a client company or entrepreneur it feels has made a substantial impact in the areas of product innovation, uniqueness and commercialization potential. This year’s award is the culmination of 20 years of cooperative work between AURI and CVEC.
“There were a number of contenders for this year’s award, but the board of directors felt CVEC’s many accomplishments and innovations in the ethanol industry best fit the criteria,” said AURI Executive Director Shannon Schlecht. “CVEC contributes to Minnesota’s economy by purchasing more than 18 million bushels of corn from local farmers and has a capacity to produce tens of millions of gallons of ethanol annually, and is notable in its constant exploration of innovative changes to its products and processes to add value for its members.”
CVEC began as a dream between two Benson men more than 20 years ago. They wanted to make the most of the area’s corn production while also stabilizing electricity rates. From that dream came the Chippewa Valley Agrafuels Cooperative, a group of more than 650 shareholders that included producers, elevators, and local investors.
In 1995, CVAC became the general partner of an ethanol partnership, The Chippewa Valley Ethanol Co., and by early 1996 was in full operation at its own facility. Among its accomplishments, CVEC was the first direct blend E85 facility in the state. However, the innovation didn’t end there. Today its facility produces fuel, as well as high quality alcohols used in food and beverage applications as well as industrial and pharmaceutical applications.
Currently, CVEC has the capacity to produce 50 million gallons of ethanol annually. It is still a small-town, Minnesota company at heart, but has grown to 975 cooperative owners, with the majority living within a 50-mile radius of the plant. CVEC is recognized at both the federal and state levels for efficient production and leadership in shaping ethanol policy.
“CVEC is focused on adding value to its coop members through the continued utilization of corn and ag-based products for fuel, feed and food, which add value to rural America,” Thompson said.
Since beginning operations, CVEC has grown and diversified, counting its culture of innovation as a significant strength that has led to solid returns for its member owners. Currently the company has ownership interest in four other ethanol companies and is a founding owner of the Renewable Products Marketing Group.
RPMG has grown into one of the premier ethanol and co-product marketing firms in North America. With RPMG’s logistical ability and industry contacts, CVEC fulfills customer order and placement needs with product staged in terminals throughout the United States or adjacent to export facilities. RPMG’s motto is also a CVEC guiding principle, “We take care of our customers.”
AURI awarded its first Ag Innovator of the Year in 2003. Previous winners include Kay’s Naturals of Clara City (2016), EarthClean Corp. of South Saint Paul (2015) and Midwest Ag Enterprises of Marshall (2014), among others.
Read the original article: AURI Names Chippewa Valley Ethanol Co. Ag Innovator of 2017
Elk River Coborn's
Elk River, MN55330
763-441-1400
Elk River,Minnesota
United States 55330
Biofuture@COP23: Major Countries Agree to Scale up the Low Carbon Bioeconomy and Develop Sustainable Biofuels Targets
November 16, 2017
Press Release
Countries representing half of the global population and 37% of the global economy today agreed to scale up the low carbon bioeconomy and develop collective targets prescribing the contribution of sustainable bioenergy to final energy demand and as a percentage of transport fuel use.
The decision is set out in a declaration released today by the Biofuture Platform member countries – entitled “Scaling Up the Low Carbon Bioeconomy”.
It is a major breakthrough for sustainable biofuels and the broader bioeconomy, which will now become a key component of the global solution to climate change.
The declaration is the culmination of nine months of negotiations and is the first time countries and other stakeholders have formally agreed to develop targets for biofuels and the bioeconomy, and construct an action plan to achieve them.
The declaration was adopted today at the COP23 Climate Change Conference in Bonn by member countries of the Biofuture Platform: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, India, Indonesia, Italy, Morocco, Mozambique, the Netherlands, Paraguay, the Philippines, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Uruguay.
“What we have just accomplished here with the endorsement of this statement is quite remarkable”, said Brazil’s Minister of the Environment, José Sarney Filho. “The technology and the awareness of the need for bio-based solutions are finally coming together.”
The decisions announced today have been informed by modelling from the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) – both partners in the Biofuture Platform – concluding that the 2030 temperature goals adopted in the Paris Agreement cannot be reached without a major increase in the production and use of sustainable biofuels and bioproducts.
Specifically, the IEA and IRENA conclude that “in order to limit the increase in global average temperature to well below 20C above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to reach 1.5ºC, bioenergy and biofuels share in the global energy matrix must be accelerated to achieve at least a doubling in the next 10 years”. In specific sectors, such as transport, the need is even greater. “Biofuels in transport would need to grow three fold by 2030, most of it coming from advanced technologies using non edible feedstocks, including waste and residues.”, says Fatih Birol, Executive Director of OECD’s International Energy Agency (IEA).
In addition to developing specific targets, participating countries will “devise an action plan outlining detailed actions to support achieving the targets, [and] develop a reporting mechanism to track progress”.
“Because of its abundant, renewable raw materials and its integration with existing fuel systems, biofuels have been instrumental in reducing emissions and replacing existing fuels,” said Special Representative for Climate Change of China, Mr. XIE Zhenhua. “Through problem-oriented work methods, we should strive to form feasible proposals or solutions and promote transformative measures”.
While some progress has been made in growing the bioeconomy, there is an urgent need to drive investments and overcome challenges in scaling up production and use, including oil and feedstock price volatility and policy uncertainty.
To address such challenges, in the declaration member countries agreed that coordinated international action is required to implement policy solutions, many of which have already been adopted by member countries, including specific biofuels mandates, sustainable low-carbon agricultural policies, R&D support, and incentives related to verified carbons savings.
In the declaration, member countries also call for climate and green financing mechanisms and institutions to ramp up resourcing of bioeconomy projects as a top priority.
“It is important that the statement includes key actions, as concrete actions are needed to reach our common goals. All actors need to get involved. With wise policy measures, like streamlining regulation and creating incentives, we can create an encouraging business environment for bio-economy investments”, said Kimmo Tiilikainen, Minister of Environment of Finland.
“While renewables have made rapid progress in the power sector, energy transformation in end use sectors such as industry, heating and transport needs to be accelerated to meet climate objectives. Bioenergy will play a key role in this context. As such, we welcome the vision statement of the Biofuture Platform and will continue to support it as it works to build a sustainable energy future,” said Adnan Z. Amin, Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
The full text of the declaration and more information about the Biofuture Platform – launched at COP22 in Marrakech – can be accessed here: http://biofutureplatform.org/statements .
The declaration was be launched today at an official event convened by the Government of Brazil and the Center for Strategic Studies and Management, entitled the “Biofuture Platform and the contribution of bioenergy to the Paris Agreement”. Details are below. Media and Parties attended the event.
At the event, Brazil provided an update on the RenovaBio Program to create financial incentives for investments in low-carbon biofuels, as part of its commitment to the Biofuture Platform. A bill to implement the program was introduced into the Brazilian Congress this week.
Read the original press release: Biofuture@COP23: Major Countries Agree to Scale up the Low Carbon Bioeconomy and Develop Sustainable Biofuels Targets
USGC: China Reallows Exemption from Value Added Tax for US DDGS
November 15, 2017
By the U.S. Grains Council
An announcement was posted last week on China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs' website that the country would again allow U.S. distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) to be imported without charging an 11 percent value added tax (VAT), potentially impacting global DDGS market dynamics for the better.
The announcement was made in a report of key areas of consensus between the United States and China during President Donald Trump’s official visit this week. Other areas impacted include banking, security and autos.
"We are pleased to see this move, which we've been working toward for months," said Tom Sleight, U.S. Grains Council president and CEO. "This change will immediately improve the competitiveness of U.S. DDGS in what was once our top market, which is a very positive thing."
In January 2016, China’s Ministry of Commerce announced it would begin anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations related to U.S. DDGS exports to its country. Those cases resulted in duties applied to U.S. DDGS and the ending of an ongoing exemption from paying the VAT. The combination of the duties and the VAT made U.S. DDGS exports to China even less competitive, affecting market prices and export flows globally. While the VAT has been removed, the anti-dumping and countervailing duties remain.
China's actions against U.S. DDGS elicited a strong and detailed response from U.S. ethanol and DDGS industries, coordinated by the Council. The Council’s staff members in China and the United States have been working closely with the U.S government at the highest levels for nearly a year to emphasize the importance of this $1.5 billion market to the U.S. grains and ethanol industries.
U.S. DDGS exports to China fell from 5.4 million metric tons in 2015 to 3.3 million metric tons in 2016 and just 739,000 tons so far in 2017.
More on the USGC’s work in China is available here.
Read the original article: USGC: China Reallows Exemption from Value Added Tax for US DDGS
Fill Me Up BP
Winthrop, MN 55396
507-647-5931
Winthrop,Minnesota
United States 55396
RFA Analysis: Automakers Approve E15 in Nearly 90% of New 2018 Vehicles
November 14, 2017
By Rachel Gantz
Nearly 90 percent of new 2018 model year (MY) vehicles are explicitly approved by the manufacturer to use 15 percent ethanol blends (E15), according to the results of an annual analysis of warranty statements and owner’s manuals conducted by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). That is up from last year, when approximately 81 percent of MY2017 vehicles were formally approved by automakers to use E15.
For the first time, Nissan Motor Company has warrantied the use of E15 in most of its MY 2018 vehicles, joining the majority of its competitors. Together, Infiniti and Nissan represent slightly more than 9 percent of the U.S. light-duty automobile market. Language allowing the use of E15 appears in the owner’s manuals for popular Nissan models, including the Altima, Maxima, Pathfinder, Rogue, and Sentra, as well as Infiniti’s QX60, Q60, Q70, and certain Q50 models.
Other key points from RFA’s analysis include:
- The Detroit Three (Chrysler, General Motors and Ford), which collectively represent 44% of U.S. market share, all continue to clearly allow E15 in their vehicles. GM started approving the use of E15 with its MY 2012 vehicles, while Ford joined the following year and Chrysler began E15 approval with its MY 2016 vehicles.
- Other large automakers explicitly offering E15 approval for MY 2018 vehicles include Toyota, Honda, and Hyundai/Kia. Altogether, auto manufacturers with 89.4 percent of 2017 U.S. market share now approve the use of E15 in their MY 2018 vehicles.
- Subaru, Daimler (maker of Mercedes-Benz), and Mazda remain the largest vehicle manufacturers that still exclude E15 from owner’s manual fuel recommendations and warranty statements, together representing about 7.5 percent of U.S. market share. It should be noted, however, that Mercedes-Benz offers three of its most popular models as flex fuel vehicles (FFVs) capable of operating on up to 85 percent ethanol.
- With 1.7 percent of the U.S. market, BMW also continues to exclude E15 from its fuel recommendations. However, BMW Group’s Mini vehicles again allow the use of up to 25 percent ethanol blends.
In 2012, EPA approved the use of E15 in vehicles built in MY 2001 or later. However, auto manufacturers did not retroactively endorse the use of E15 in legacy vehicles that were already on the road. Since 2012, however, the number of major automakers approving the use of E15 has grown from one (General Motors) to 10.
RFA estimates that approximately 34 percent of the estimated 235 million cars, trucks, and SUVs on the road today are clearly approved by the automaker to use E15 (including FFVs). Meanwhile, more than 90 percent of vehicles on the road were built in 2001 or later, meaning they are legally approved by EPA to use E15.
“Automaker acceptance and approval of E15 continues to expand rapidly, and almost all new 2018 vehicles carry the manufacturers’ explicit allowance to use this lower-cost, cleaner-burning, higher octane fuel,” said RFA President and CEO Bob Dinneen. “This analysis should put to rest any myths still being propagated by the American Petroleum Institute and its cronies that automakers don’t allow or warranty the use of E15. We applaud Nissan for joining the ‘E15 Club’ with its model year 2018 vehicles, and we will continue to work with the few remaining automakers who haven’t yet included E15 in their fuel approvals. We’re thrilled to see Mini continuing to blaze the trail toward greater consumer choice. By allowing the use of optimal high-octane fuel blends like E25 in conventional autos, Mini continues to set the pace.
“The oil company explanation for their failure to invest in infrastructure allowing E15 has been there isn’t sufficient demand for E15 because it isn’t warrantied. Well, that narrative has been misleading for years, but now it is completely bankrupt. As this analysis shows, 34% of the cars on the road today have full warranty coverage for E15. That compares to only about 10% of vehicles that require a premium fuel. Oil companies have invested in the infrastructure for premium, but why not for E15? The answer is obvious, they want to preserve their monopoly at the pump. But consumers deserve better. Consumers deserve higher octane fuels at lower prices. That’s what E15 provides. It’s time for the oil industry to stop erecting barriers to higher ethanol blends, and start serving the consumer,” Dinneen added.
Recently E15 has been experiencing incredible growth in the marketplace and it is sold today at more than 1000 retail stations in 29 states.
Fuel up with more E15 Facts on RFA’s webpage here and view the new RFA analysis here.
Read the original release: RFA Analysis: Automakers Approve E15 in Nearly 90% of New 2018 Vehicles