ICIS Blogs : corn

The relationship between corn, ethanol and autofuel replacement US-style

The Big Biofuels Blog — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 16:20:30 GMT

There is a direct relationship between the volume of corn converted to ethanol with the % of gasoline replaced in the US. Its shown more clearly if you click the line which contains the mysterious word Thi at the bottom of this poor thumbnail. I've...(read more)

Antibiotics at heart of corn ethanol

The Big Biofuels Blog — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 09:09:34 GMT

Some US corn ethanol producers are using penicillin and three other antibiotics in corn fermentation process says Minnesota Public Radio . /* Why? To ensure that the yeast they use in fermentation does not have to compete with naturally-occurring bacteria...(read more)

Not farming is better for carbon emissions than corn-ethanol

The Big Biofuels Blog — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:00:27 GMT

Tree Hugger has one of those articles which show that doing nothing produces fewer carbon emissions than growing corn for ethanol. Well Duh. Let's turn this on its head. If we stopped using oil-powered vehicles then we would not need to use any gasoline...(read more)

The corn-ethanol carbon balance argument again

The Big Biofuels Blog — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 09:57:31 GMT

There is an interesting video on Climate Central about the amount of carbon dioxide produced when ethanol is made from corn grown in the mid-West of the US. Hard to tell who is right in this debate (if any one is) the different premises are all important...(read more)

How is corn plastic made?

Green Chemicals — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 20:22:16 GMT

Here's a very nice video from Discovery Channel's "How Stuff Works" (love the show!) featuring corn-based plastic and how it is made. Bioplastic producer Cereplast is featured in this show. (Pls. bear the few seconds advertising) addthis_pub...(read more)

Wes Clark to lobby for ethanol?

The Big Biofuels Blog — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 14:34:17 GMT

General Wes Clark may be joining a pro corn ethanol lobby group to take on the mighty American grocery lobby, according to Politico a blog by Ben Smith. I can't imagine that you'd get a General (retired or not) doing that sort of thing anywhere...(read more)

US ethanol overview

The Big Biofuels Blog — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 10:55:58 GMT

There's an overview of the US market for ethanol, the state of plant building and possible directions for the corn price, over at the Agrilife Extension of the Texas A&M University website. The credit crunch might have been a good thing for the...(read more)

Too much corn could be bad for ladybugs (ladybirds)

The Big Biofuels Blog — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 11:13:23 GMT

Interesting piece on the effects of corn monoculture in the mid-west. Looks like too much corn is bad for ladybugs (ladybirds) , but probably good news for people who make pesticide... Hattip to Biofuelwatch Read More......(read more)

Biofuels and the innovation ecosystem

The Big Biofuels Blog — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 10:55:22 GMT

Krisztina Holly has an interesting article on biofuels, the automotive bail out, evolution and the innovation ecosystem over on the Huffington Post. Part of her post is particularly resonant for the biofuels industry Big companies play an important role...(read more)

VeraSun outlines process for farmers to sell corn elsewhere

The Big Biofuels Blog — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:54:05 GMT

VeraSun has outlined a process for farmers to be able to tell if their corn will be available for sale elsewhere, according to the Des Moines Register. Read More......(read more)

Verasun goes to court today to cancel corn purchse contracts

The Big Biofuels Blog — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 09:47:33 GMT

VeraSun, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection recently is planning to go to court in Delaware to cancel a number of corn purchase contracts. Much to the chagrin of farmers in Iowa who planned to sell the corn to the firm. Read More......(read more)

Verasun tries to exit corn purchase contracts

The Big Biofuels Blog — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 11:55:51 GMT

Verasun which has filed for bankruptcy protection has asked the courts to terminate a number of its corn contracts, says ICIS news. (Disclosure: I work for ICIS. About ICIS) While the move would help Verasun get back on its feet, if the court agrees,...(read more)

Biofuels: is the cure worse than the disease?

The Big Biofuels Blog — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 11:29:39 GMT

Biofuels: is the cure worse than the disease? That is the question posed by Ron Steenblick, and Richard Doornbosch in a recent online publication. Read More......(read more)

Corn is the foundation of US fast food.

The Big Biofuels Blog — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 09:51:47 GMT

Interesting, if off topic, Maribo has piece on the way that the US fast food industry is built on corn. I'll have the corn with a side of corn , too. Read More......(read more)

EPA may investigage corn ethanol's environmental credentials

The Big Biofuels Blog — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 09:54:30 GMT

The US Environmental Protection Agency, may start investigating the environmental benefits of corn ethanol processes, according to a post on Chemically Green , which quotes a letter from Friends of the Earth and others to the EPA. The thrust of the letter...(read more)