Ethanol Week - January 21, 2013

McDermott sees mergers ahead in ethanol finance outlook McDermott described the current situation as a margin compression, which unlike the 2008-'09 or 1995 ethanol industry downturns, is not as steep, though longer lasting. Many producers learned from those downturns, and have improved performance. READ MORE SHARE
Scientists develop tailor "nanobowl" inorganic catalysts In a case of the Goldilocks story retold at the molecular level, scientists at the U.S. DOE's Argonne National Laboratory and Northwestern University have discovered a new path to the development of more stable and efficient catalysts. READ MORE SHARE
	Vilscak to keynote National Ethanol Conference Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will be the keynote speaker at the 18th Annual National Ethanol Conference of the Renewable Fuels Association in Las Vegas, Nev. Vilsack will address the crowd of over 1,000 attendees at 8 a.m. Pacific on Feb. 7. READ MORE SHARE
BIO, cellulosic producers call for EPA to issue 2013 RFS volumes The Biotechnology Industry Organization hosted a conference call on Jan. 17 that addressed the need for the U.S. EPA to finalize 2013 volumetric mandates under the renewable fuel standard (RFS). The rulemaking is expected to be issued soon. READ MORE SHARE
Report highlights economic impact of ethanol in N.D. A report published by the North Dakota Alliance for Renewable Energy Inc. estimates that the renewable energy industry contributes more than $1 billion per year to the state's economy, with $643.5 million resulting from ethanol production. READ MORE SHARE
	Professors revise RFS advanced biofuel estimates University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign professors Scott Irwin and Darrel Good have revised a prediction posted to the university's farmdoc daily website on Jan. 10 regarding the use of Brazilian ethanol and biodiesel to meet 2013 mandates. READ MORE SHARE
Patriot Renewables to continue under current ownership After six months of deliberations and a short time on the market, the board of Patriot Holdings LLC, owner of the 110 MMgy Patriot Renewable Fuels LLC plant in Annawan, Ill., has taken down the "for sale" sign. READ MORE SHARE
Texas researcher looks into biodiesel production from lignin A two-year research project aims to crack the lignin question by engineering a microbe to break down the byproduct into a lipid, or fat, and then into biodiesel. The research has the potential to make cellulosic ethanol refineries more profitable. READ MORE SHARE
BP: Renewables to be the fastest growing energy class though 2030 BP expects renewables to continue to be the fastest growing class of energy over the next several years. According to the BP Energy Outlook 2030, renewables will increase at an average of 7.6 percent a year through 2030. READ MORE SHARE
Maple Energy expands its sugarcane plantation Peru-based sugarcane ethanol producer Maple Energy plc is expanding its operations. In an update released Jan. 15, the company noted it has received government approval to begin expanding its plantation by 877 hectares (2,167 acres). READ MORE SHARE
GRFA: Biofuels key to a strong economy and clean energy future The Global Renewable Fuels Alliance has called on the policy development, business and technology sector leaders attending the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi, to commit to increasing biofuels' share of the future global energy mix. READ MORE SHARE
Court denies rehearing challenge to EPA's E15 waiver The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia will not rehear a case filed by the Grocery Manufacturers Association against the U.S. EPA. The case challenged the EPA's decision to permit the commercial use of E15 in certain vehicles. READ MORE SHARE
BNDES approves grant for sugarcane ethanol plant The Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) approved the grant funding for Adecoagro Valley Ivinhema of R $488.6 million. The funds will be used in the implementation of a new sugar mill and ethanol in the municipality of Ivinhema, Mato Grosso do Sul. READ MORE SHARE
Idled ethanol plant has new majority owner, working on restart The Scoular Co. announced Jan. 14 that it had sold a portion of its ownership interest in Pratt Energy LLC to a new majority owner. The 55 MMgy ethanol plant in Pratt, Kan., has been idled more than three years. READ MORE SHARE
Vilsack announces he will remain Agriculture Secretary "As we look ahead to a promising future in our small towns and rural communities, I am pleased to continue working alongside President Obama to grow more opportunity in rural America," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. READ MORE SHARE
Ethanol, distillers grains exports hit lowest level of 2012 Exports of U.S. ethanol and distillers grains hit the lowest level of the year in November, down 25 percent and 16 percent respectively, compared to October. Shipments of exported fuel ethanol totaled 40.4 million gallons in November. READ MORE SHARE
EPA publishes RIN data for Nov. 2012 The U.S. EPA has published data on the renewable fuel standard (RFS) for Nov. 2012. No D3 renewable identification numbers (RINs) were generated during the month for cellulosic biofuels. However, I,741 D7 RINs were generated for cellulosic diesel. READ MORE SHARE