Showing posts with label Biofuels. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Biofuels. Show all posts

Monday, January 21, 2013

GraalBio Gets $294 Million from BNDES

GraalBio cellulose ethanol plant, to be based in Brazil, has reportedly received investment capital from BNDES, the state development bank of Brazil, garnering $294 million. The plant is scheduled to open in the early part of 2014.

The investment arm of the bank, BNDESPar, will provide the financing for the project. BNDES will receive
15 percent of the company and one seat on the board of directors of the company.

Ethanol production on an annual basis will be able to reach 22 million gallons, and would be the first second generation ethanol facility located in the southern hemisphere. Second generation ethanol refers to the use of plant material not used for food in producing fuel, otherwise known as cellulose ethanol.

Many believe, as far as ethanol goes, that cellulose will be more widely adopted as a biofuel because it doesn't interfere with the food supply.

Early in 2012 Novozymes said it'll be providing enzymes to GraalBio.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Grassley Rightly Say Cut Budget and Ethanol Subsidies

Cutting the deficit is more important than protecting the ethanol industry if it comes to that, says Sen. Chuck Grassley, long the biofuel industry's most powerful ally in Congress.

Grassley said Tuesday that he would vote for a deficit-cutting bill even it includes two House-passed provisions that are intended to slow the ethanol industry's growth.

"As significant as it is to me because I'm a great ethanol fan, if in fact those things were in the bill to cut the deficit ... I'd have to bite the bullet," Grassley said.

A House-passed bill would cut federal spending by $60 billion this year. It includes a measure that would block the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from increasing the amount of ethanol that can be added to gasoline from 10 percent to 15 percent. A second measure would bar subsidies for retrofitting service stations to sell higher amounts of ethanol.





Full Story

Friday, October 8, 2010

Low Corn Yields Drive Ethanol Futures to Highest Levels in Five Years

Ethanol futures soared the most in over than five years in Chicago after a government report estimated corn supplies will be lower than a prior forecast, signaling higher costs for plants that produce the biofuel.

Futures increased after the U.S. Agriculture Department estimated the domestic corn crop will drop 3.4 percent from last year, the second reduction to its projection in as many months.

Denatured ethanol for November delivery added 19.6 cents, or 9.9 percent, to settle at $2.184 a gallon on the Chicago Board of Trade, the highest price since Sept. 30, 2008. The percentage gain was the largest gain for one day since September 2005.

Corn production will total close to 12.664 billion bushels, lower than the 13.16 billion estimated a month ago and less than 2009’s record 13.11 billion, the U.S. Agriculture Department said.

Corn for December delivery reached the exchange limit 30 cents, or 6 percent, to $5.2825 a bushel in Chicago.

Advice is with ethanol at these prices, producers should acquire corn right away to lock in margins and hedge against corn prices soaring higher over the next few days.

Unpredictable corn prices and poor bets on the grain added to the bankruptcy of at least a dozen ethanol producers over a period of a year and a half, starting in October 2008.

Other major ethanol producers are Poet LLC, the largest U.S. ethanol maker, Archer Daniels Midland (NYSE:ADM) and Valero Energy Corp. (NYSE:VLO).

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Ethanol | Greater Ohio Ethanol

Greater Ohio Ethanol - Another Reason to Abandon the Ethanol Debacle

The failure of the ethanol initiative is again unveiled as the Greater Ohio Ethanol company can't find a buyer that could justify the price and debt the company is attempting to command and owes.

Costs for the ethanol plant were an astronomical $150 million, without anything but a pathetic government mandate to force ethanol as a biofuel on the public. Even with taxpayer subsidies the biofuel can't even come close to producing a profit.

Unless Greater Ohio Ethanol is basically given away, it's not even worth the trouble. Even then it's doubtful it would be worth the headache of an inevitable shutdown. If someone takes this responsibility on, they deserve what they get, as it's been a losing proposition from the beginning.

While the ethanol plants' creditors are obviously trying to patch up as much damage to their investment as they can, they have absolutely no foundation to stand on, the reason deal after deal has been turned down.

So far two companies have made bids for Greater Ohio Ethanol, but they've both been rejected. Both companies have stakes in Greater Ohio Ethanol, as Paladin Capital Group of Washington, D.C. provided the equity to build the Lima plant, and NextGen Ethanol owns two of the ethanol plants currently operating.

Bills continue to mount in spite of the failed bids, and it'll keep getting worse the longer the bankruptcy proceedings last, as they're costly as well. There are still operational costs at the ethanol plant, along with construction bills that have yet to be paid. What a mess the misguided ethanol industry has become, and Greater Ohio Ethanol is a cover story to emphasize the debacle.

With creditors anxiously looking on, they've filed a motion to convert the Chapter 11 bankruptcy to a Chapter 7, as those unsecured debtors are in a secondary position, and probably will receive nothing under the Chapter 11. At this time a sale of the company would only benefit the senior, secured lenders. Of course the unsecured debtors knew this when they signed on, so it's nothing but their own fault for taking the risk.

Lima, Ohio is finding out the hard way, along with much of the midwest, that ethanol as a business is basically fools gold, and it's going to remain that way. The Greater Ohio Ethanol company, along with the numerous other ethanol companies, is a narrative showing ethanol as a biofuel needs to be abandoned as a viable alternative. The numbers just don't add up, and it's a waste of billions in taxpayer dollars.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Ethanol Gas Destroying Snowmobile Engines


In more grim news concerning the ethanol industry, snowmobilers are reporting a new gas, E10, which is a mixture including 10 percent ethanol, is ruining engines of their machines.

Snowmobiles and ethanol simply do not mix, and it's best to just get rid of the combination before the machine is destroyed completely.

"There's a major issue with ethanol in that in as little as ten days ethanol will separate from gas and if you burn straight ethanol in a snowmobile or a lawnmower or something like that you're going to cook the engine on it," said Lt. Pat Dorian with the Maine Warden Service.
If that's not enough, condensation can be a huge problem too, as water can absorb ethanol, which can also destroy the snowmobile engines.

Now the solution to the problem of condensation is to put an additive in with your gas which prevents the ethanol from separating from the gasoline.

I have a better idea: get rid of ethanol permanently. This is getting more ludicrous by the moment. You put ethanol in your machines, although they'll get ruined, then you have to go out and get an additive to prevent the engine from getting ruined by putting ethanol in in the first place. Just use the normal gasoline you have always used, that will keep all this nonsense from happening.

This just shows the corn-based ethanol isn't the only issue, it's ethanol itself that's the issue.

Ethanol Fix continues to call for the complete abandonment of the pursuit of ethanol as a viable biofuel.

It doesn't matter which piece of power equipment run by small engines you have, it's going to end up being ruined by the use of ethanol mixed gas in it.

When you consider you're riding a snowmobile in many cases far away from home, it can become a potential danger and hazard to run it with ethanol, similar to running an outboard motor in the summer far away from where you put it in the water. It's becoming dangerous to use the mixed fuel, as it could result in harm to the user.

Now with calls for a higher mixture of ethanol in gas used for snowmobiles and other power equipment, it's going to get worse if this outrage continues, as not only is it unsafe, but it's getting costly to owners as small engine mechanics confirm they've never seen so many small engine equipment in their shops.

To me, snowmobiles, generators, chainsaws, boat motors, among many, can pose a danger to those using them with ethanol when the chances of them malfunctioning or not functioning could end up being a physical danger to the user.

Taking everything into consideration, snowmobiles aren't a good fit for ethanol, and neither are chainsaws, generators and boat motors. It's time to drop the usage, as the current bitterly cold winter shows, it could be a matter of life and death if your snowmobile malfunctions far away from safety because ethanaol messed up the engine.

We need to communicate with our lawmakers and let them know the damage and safety hazard ethanol is when used in snowmobiles and other power equipment we own. That way we can get rid of the misguided strategy and drill for more oil that already exists and put our research money into something that works.

Snowmobiles using ethanol isn't one of those areas that we should be even thinking about considering, as experience has proven.

Friday, November 14, 2008

BioFuel Energy Reports Huge Third Quarter Losses

DENVER, Nov 13, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- BIOFUEL ENERGY CORP. (BIOF), an ethanol production company, today announced third quarter results. For the three months ended September 30, 2008, revenues totaled $90.5 million. A net loss to common shareholders of $33.1 million or $2.18 a share was recorded. The aggregate loss during the period was $70.6 million, including $50.0 million of losses on corn hedging. In calculating the net loss to common shareholders, $37.5 million in minority interest was eliminated.

Revenues totaled $90.5 million, including $77.5 million of ethanol sales and $13.0 million from distillers grain. An operating loss of $17.0 million was recorded during the quarter. This resulted from $103.8 million in cost of goods sold, including $74.4 million for corn, $11.5 million for natural gas, $2.1 million for denaturant, $2.8 million for electricity, $4.9 million spent on chemicals and enzymes, along with $5.8 million of general operating expense and $2.3 million of depreciation. Finally, $2.5 million of selling, general and administrative expenses and $1.3 million on other operating expenses were incurred. In addition, $1.1 million representing all remaining site development costs associated with prospective plants was written off and that loss was included in operating expenses. During the quarter, the Company had $1.6 million in interest expense and $2.1 million in other non-operating expenses, offset by $100,000 in interest income. In summary, a net loss of $20.6 million before minority interest would have been recorded in the absence of hedging losses.

As previously reported, the sharp decline in corn prices between July 1, 2008 and August 11, 2008 resulted in $46.0 million in realized and unrealized hedging losses as of that date. Once the last of the hedging contracts were terminated in September, the realized loss totaled $39.9 million. Including reversal of $10.1 million of unrealized hedging gains at June 30th, hedging losses in the quarter totaled $50.0 million. As of the date of this release, $17.5 million relating to these losses remain payable to Cargill. The Company is exploring with Cargill how the matter might be resolved.

The Company's plants in Wood River, Nebraska and Fairmont, Minnesota commenced operation in June. Consequently, the third quarter represented the plants' first full quarter of commercial operations. The plants each have an annual nameplate capacity of 115 million gallons of fuel grade ethanol. During the quarter, the plants ran at an average of 62.5% of capacity. In October, 75% of capacity was achieved and average run rates continue to improve. While a number of construction and reliability issues remain challenging, the Company expects to reach full capacity operation by year-end. Cargill supplies the plants' corn requirements and markets their ethanol and distillers grain output.

Through September 30, 2008, a total of $320.4 million had been spent on construction of the Wood River and Fairmont facilities, excluding capitalized interest. Of the total, $272.0 million had been incurred under turnkey construction contracts with TIC. Of this amount, $13.5 million or 5% is being retained until completion. A further $48.4 million has been spent directly by the Company. Based on remaining amounts due TIC and the estimated cost to complete construction being performed by the Company, a further $6 to $8 million is expected to be expended on the plants subsequent to quarter-end.

In the third quarter, the Company borrowed $7.5 million under its construction loan and $10.0 million under its working capital facility. At September 30, 2008, amounts outstanding included $179.5 million drawn under the construction loan, $10.0 million borrowed on the working capital facility and $20.0 million of subordinated debt. Of the $30.5 million still available under the construction loan facility, $13.0 million is reserved to fund a debt service reserve and $13.5 million to pay retainage. At of September 30, 2008, the Company held $19.6 million of cash and equivalents, stockholders' equity totaled $86.7 million and minority interest totaled $30.6 million.

Given the open issues relating to amounts due Cargill, the Company did not make the $767,000 scheduled interest payment on its subordinated debt on September 30th. Because that interest was not paid, the interest rate on the subordinated debt increased from 15% to 17% effective October 1st.

Commenting on the quarter's results, Scott H. Pearce, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "We were extremely disappointed with third quarter results. Despite the exceptional decline in the corn market during the period, we should never have allowed the Company to be exposed to that degree of hedging loss. In addition, our operating losses resulted largely from the continuing delay in having our plants up and running at capacity. During the quarter, we made considerable headway, but progress has been much slower than expected. At this stage, we are single mindedly focused on getting the plants commissioned and operating at full capacity on a reliable basis."

Remarking on the production issues at both plants, Daniel J. Simon, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, said, "Despite being well behind our original schedule, our operations teams have made good progress toward reaching reliable commercial production rates at both sites. We hope to reach full capacity by year-end. The largest remaining obstacle is ensuring efficient and consistent operation of the dryers which handle much of our output of distillers grain. Our contractors, vendors, and production staff are all working around the clock to complete a long list of improvements and repairs required to reach our goal. All parties are confident we will reach nameplate capacity by year-end despite continuing obstacles."

The Company plans to host a conference call on Friday, November 14, 2008 beginning at 11:00 a.m. (EST) to discuss the results. To participate, please dial (800) 944-8766. The participant code for the call is 42537. Approximately 90 minutes following the call, a phone playback will be available for 30 days by dialing (866) 281-6782. The access code for the replay is 159564.

This release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Federal securities laws. Such statements are based on management's current expectations, estimates and projections, which are subject to a wide range of uncertainties and business risks. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether, or the times by which, our performance or results may be achieved. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those anticipated are discussed in our Exchange Act filings and our Annual Report on Form 10-K.
BioFuel Energy currently has two 115 million gallons per year ethanol plants in the Midwestern corn belt. The Company's goal is to become a leading ethanol producer in the United States by acquiring, developing, owning and operating ethanol production facilities.

Contact: Kelly G. Maguire For more information:
Vice President - Finance & http://www.bfenergy.com
Chief Financial Officer
(303) 640-6500
kmaguire@bfenergy.com



BioFuel Energy Corp.
(in thousands, except per share amounts)

Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
Summary Income Statement September 30, September 30,
(unaudited) 2008 2007 2008 2007
Net sales $90,549 $- $90,841 $-
Cost of goods sold 103,765 - 104,021 -
Gross profit (loss) (13,216) - (13,180) -
Selling, general and
administrative expenses:
Compensation expense 1,115 1,395 6,560 4,011
Other 1,353 1,249 8,408 2,558
Other operating expense 1,345 - 1,345 -
Operating loss (17,029) (2,644) (29,493) (6,569)
Interest income 135 855 987 1,068
Interest expense (1,632) - (1,632) -
Other non-operating
expense (2,123) - (1,785) -
Loss on derivative
financial instruments (49,992) - (39,912) -
Loss before minority
interest (70,641) (1,789) (71,835) (5,501)
Minority interest 37,493 821 37,856 4,092
Net loss (33,148) (968) (33,979) (1,409)
Beneficial conversion
charge - - - (1,327)
Net loss to common
shareholders $(33,148) $(968) $(33,979) $(2,736)

Loss per share - basic $(2.18) $(0.06) $(2.23) $(0.30)
Loss per share - diluted $(2.18) $(0.06) $(2.23) $(0.30)

Weighted average shares
outstanding
Basic 15,210 15,235 15,250 9,069
Diluted (a) 15,210 15,235 15,250 9,069


Additional operational
data (unaudited)
Ethanol sold (gallons, in
thousands) 35,599 35,599
Dry distillers grain sold
(tons, in thousands) 68.7 68.7
Wet distillers grain sold
(tons, in thousands) 83.4 89.9
Average price of ethanol
sold (per gallon) $2.20 $2.20
Average price of dry
distillers grain sold (per
ton) $149.22 $149.22
Average price of wet
distillers grain sold (per
ton) $38.99 $39.63
Average corn cost (per
bushel) $5.36 $5.45


September December
Summary Balance Sheet 30, 31,
(unaudited) 2008 2007

Cash and equivalents $19,641 $55,987
Accounts receivable 18,727 -
Inventories 17,066 -
Prepaid expenses 1,415 194
Other current assets 953 -
Property, plant and
equipment, net 321,491 276,785
Certificates of deposit 4,002 2,155
Debt issuance costs, net 8,205 8,852
Other assets 683 126
Total assets $392,183 $344,099

Total current liabilities $68,627 $24,814
Senior debt, net of
current portion 181,022 102,440
Subordinated debt, net of
current portion 20,000 20,000
Tax financing, net of
current portion 5,121 5,823
Derivative financial
instrument, net of
current portion - 525
Other liabilities 102 27
Total liabilities 274,872 153,629

Minority interest 30,583 68,799
Stockholders' equity 86,728 121,671
Total liabilities and
stockholders' equity $392,183 $344,099


Total shares outstanding
at November 12, 2008 (b) 32,601,204

(a) Diluted shares are not utilized in the GAAP loss per share
calculation as they are anti-dilutive.
(b) Includes common shares and class B common shares, net of 809,606
shares held in treasury.


SOURCE BioFuel Energy Corp.


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