US GM and DOE to study bringing jathropha to biodiesel
30 March 2010 22:17 [Source: ICIS news]
HOUSTON (ICIS news)--US automaker General Motors (GM) and the US Department of Energy (DOE) announced on Tuesday they will establish two jatropha plantations in India to bring the next-generation biofuels feedstock to fruition.
The biofuels industry for years has shown interest in developing jatropha into a major source of feedstock. But while the plant could yield more vegetable oil than such conventional biofuels crops as soybeans and canola, it takes years to mature for harvest and has thus far resisted commercialisation.
The inedible plant is drought-resistant and requires minimal care, making it suitable for marginal farmland in the US. Its toxic nature also removes it from the “food vs. fuel” debate, in which biofuels critics allege that using edible products for fuel consumption drives up food prices.
“The expertise of this team can help speed the pace for the development of jatropha as a biofuels crop,” DOE secretary Steven Chu said in a statement.
Under the five-year project, the two organizations would develop 54ha (133 acres) of new jatropha crops in India, as well as manage an existing 30ha jatropha farm in the country.
Working with India’s government-run Central Salt & Marine Chemicals Research Institute, GM and the DOE would make a lifecycle analysis of raising jatropha. They would also try to develop high-yield and frost-resistent strains of the crop.
GM and the DOE did not immediately respond to questions about the cost of the project.
Doris de Guzman examines alternative processing, new technology, R&D and other sustainability initiatives in Green Chemistry
To discuss issues facing the chemical industry go to ICIS connect
By: Ben Lefebvre
+1 713 525 2653
For the latest chemical news, data and analysis that directly impacts your business sign up for a free trial to ICIS news - the breaking online news service for the global chemical industry.
Get the facts and analysis behind the headlines from our market leading weekly magazine: sign up to a free trial to ICIS Chemical Business.
| China Market Intelligence |
|
|
| Free White Paper (Jan 2011) |
|
Understand the key issues facing the industry in 2011 and 2012 to help you plan and budget effectively. Download it now >> |
Related Articles
- 10 Nov 10 13:59 Bunge, partner to explore jatropha as biofuel feedstock
- 27 May 10 15:57 Bayer expands Brazil sugarcane research for ethanol
- 01 Apr 10 16:15 REG announces more layoffs, blames US biodiesel tax credit stall
- 31 Mar 10 19:56 Italian customs seize North American biodiesel shipment - EBB
- 31 Mar 10 22:52 Healthcare blurs fate of US tax credit, says biodiesel board
- 30 Mar 10 17:49 INSIGHT: New lessons learned from ancient algae
- 04 Nov 09 20:20 US will need Brazil ethanol to meet biofuels goal - analyst
- 23 Mar 10 19:40 Brazil ethanol demand increases on lower prices
- 23 Mar 10 18:25 Unica sees slow rebound for Brazil ethanol industry – VIDEO
- 23 Mar 10 16:22 US Shell, Virent start up demonstration biogasoline plant
Latest News
- 21 May 12 13:54 US Cytec to sell coating resins business by end of 2012
- 21 May 12 13:00 VIDEO – ICIS Europe Lunchtime Bulletin 21 May 2012
- 21 May 12 12:00 NOON SNAPSHOT – Europe Markets Summary
- 21 May 12 11:51 Romanian gas price deregulation to push up feedstock costs – bank
- 21 May 12 11:46 EVENING SNAPSHOT - Asia Markets Summary