Ethanol Week - January 30, 2018

Summit Agricultural Group to expand Brazilian corn ethanol plant Summit Agricultural Group recently announced a $100 million expansion of FS Bioenergia, a corn ethanol plant in Brazil. The expansion is expected to be complete by the first quarter of 2019 and will increase capacity from 60 MMgy to 140 MMgy. READ MORE SHARE
Mercuria plans improvements for South Bend ethanol plant An ethanol plant in South Bend, Indiana, was recently purchased by Mercuria Investments US Inc. and changed its name to South Bend Ethanol LLC. The facility was formerly known as Noble Americas South Bend Ethanol LLC. READ MORE SHARE
	Cargill to produce ethanol at Germany plant Cargill recently announced plans to expand its portfolio at its starches and sweeteners plant in Krefeld, Germany, with advanced biofuels, vegetable wheat protein and industrial wheat starches. The transformation is expected to be complete by 2020. READ MORE SHARE
Philadelphia Energy Solutions blames RFS for bankruptcy Philadelphia Energy Solutions, the largest refinery on the East Coast, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, blaming its financial struggles on costs involved with complying with the EPA’s Renewable Fuel Standard. READ MORE SHARE
Comment period on distillers sorghum oil NPRM closes Jan. 26 The comment period on U.S. EPA’s proposed rule to qualify distillers sorghum oil as an advanced biofuel feedstock is set to close Jan. 26. The EPA first published the proposed rule in late December. READ MORE SHARE
RFA sponsors 2018 Crappie Masters Tournament Trail The 2018 season of the Crappie Masters Tournament Trail kicks off later this week, with the Renewable Fuels Association signed on as a co-title sponsor for the second consecutive year. The first of 18 tournaments begins Jan. 26 in Deland, Florida. READ MORE SHARE
ACE presents on ethanol markets at MN Ag Expo Ron Lamberty, senior vice president of the American Coalition for Ethanol, updated attendees at the MN Ag EXPO in Mankato, Minnesota, on the changing landscape that allows retailers to offer ethanol-blended fuels at lower prices. READ MORE SHARE
Lack of transparency over small refiner exemptions undermines RFS There is a troubling “lack of transparency” in EPA’s management of the Renewable Fuel Standard’s small refinery exemption provisions, according to a letter sent this week to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt by the Renewable Fuels Association. READ MORE SHARE
USGC welcomes new member Conestoga Energy Partners The U.S. Grains Council recently announced Conestoga Energy Partners LLC as a new member. Established in 2006 and located in Liberal, Kansas, Conestoga Energy operates three ethanol plants with a total production capacity of 205 MMgy. READ MORE SHARE
Newly discovered cellulose could have applications for ethanol Stanford scientists have found a new type of cellulose in bacteria with properties that could make it an improvement over traditional cellulose for fuels and other materials, or for better understanding and treating bacterial infections. READ MORE SHARE
Researchers explore economic potential for sweet sorghum ethanol A team at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln is exploring sweet sorghum ethanol as a future income source for dryland agriculture in western Nebraska. Sweet sorghum is a cultivar of sorghum primarily developed for the harvest of juice. READ MORE SHARE
RFA develops ‘Ethanol in the Classroom’ program for students Consumers are never too young to learn about the benefits of ethanol. The Renewable Fuels Association has developed an “Ethanol in the Classroom” course, providing a fun and interactive way for students to learn about the renewable fuel. READ MORE SHARE
USGC: DDGS exports set new record to Southeast Asia The U.S. Grains Council has announced U.S. distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) exports to Southeast Asia set a new record of 2.3 million metric tons in 2016/2017, despite an adverse trade policy decision by Vietnam. READ MORE SHARE