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Biofuels

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.

US grants $5m to Gevo to develop cellulosic jet fuel

Renewable chemicals and advanced biofuels firm Gevo received a $5 million grant from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the development of biojet fuel from woody biomass and forest product residues.

Amyris, Michelin to develop renewable isoprene

US renewable chemicals and fuels firm Amyris has agreed to work with tire company Michelin on the development and commercialization of renewable isoprene, the chemical building block in rubber tires and other products that use synthetic and natural rubbers.

Neste Oil starts Rotterdam renewable diesel plant

Neste Oil has successfully started up Europe's largest renewable diesel plant in Rotterdam in the Netherlands, the company said on Tuesday. Production of NExBTL renewable diesel at the new plant will be ramped up on a phased basis.

Butamax disputes Gevo bio-isobutanol patent suit

Butamax Advanced Biofuels is disputing allegations of patent infringement on bio-based isobutanol from rival producer Gevo. “Gevo’s lawsuit against Butamax is baseless and irresponsible” said Paul Beckwith, CEO of Butamax. “When Butamax makes isobutanol, we do not use the technology claimed in the Gevo patents.

Gevo wins US patents for bio-isobutanol production

Advanced biofuels firm Gevo received two patents from the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on technologies that enable the low-cost, high-yield production of bio-based isobutanol.

Gevo, Mansfield Oil align on isobutanol fuel project

US-based advanced biofuels firm Gevo has entered into a strategic marketing alliance with Mansfield Oil to distribute isobutanol-based fuel into the petroleum market.