VERBIO North America to Purchase Nevada, Iowa Cellulosic Ethanol Facility from DuPont Industrial Biosciences

VERBIO intends to use the facility to produce cellulosic renewable natural gas

NEVADA, Iowa, November 8, 2018 — It was announced jointly today that DuPont Industrial Biosciences (DuPont) and VERBIO North America Corporation (VNA), the U.S. subsidiary of leading German bioenergy producer VERBIO Vereinigte BioEnergie AG (VERBIO), have reached terms for VNA to acquire DuPont’s Nevada, Iowa-based cellulosic ethanol plant and a portion of its corn stover inventory. Completion of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to occur in November. VNA intends to install facilities to produce renewable natural gas (RNG) made from corn stover and other cellulosic crop residues at the site. This would be VERBIO’s third production facility devoted to this cellulosic technology – in 2014, the company commissioned its first facility in Schwedt, Germany, and its second facility in Pinnow, Germany is currently being commissioned.

VERBIO is a leading manufacturer in the German biomethane and biofuels market running four production facilities producing around 27 million gallons of RNG, 140 million gallons of biodiesel and 87 million gallons of ethanol per year. The company focuses on developing and installing new technologies to produce first and second generation biofuels from biomass and crop residues.

“The DuPont facility in Nevada, Iowa offers excellent infrastructure to construct our first RNG facility outside Germany. We can use part of the installed equipment for our production and there is a solid base of local farmers from whom to procure the raw materials. Once the plant is in operation, it offers the Nevada, IA community new agricultural revenue streams, new employment opportunities and new sources of tax revenues,” said Claus Sauter, CEO of VERBIO.

“We’re very confident in VNA’s ability to take over operations of the Nevada plant.” said Jan Koninckx, Global Business Director of Biofuels, DuPont. “This community has been very supportive during our time in Story County. We thank the many people who were instrumental to our operations, and we wish VNA well.”

Following its merger with Dow in 2017, DuPont announced a strategic shift within the cellulosic biofuels market and began to seek a buyer for the biorefinery. DuPont continues to participate in the overall biofuels market through specialty offerings, including both first- and second-generation biofuel enzymes and engineered yeast solutions that improve yield and productivity for biofuel producers.

VNA is working on plans to start construction of the RNG plant in spring 2019 and begin commercial production of renewable transportation fuel by summer 2020.

Washington state carbon tax poised to fail after Big Oil campaign

By Nichola Groom, CNBC.

Nov 7 (Reuters) - Washington state was heading towards rejecting a ballot initiative to create the first carbon tax in the United States, a tally of about 80 percent of votes showed early on Wednesday, after an oil industry campaign argued it would hurt the economy.

The Carbon Emissions Fee and Revenue Allocation Initiative, known as Initiative 1631, would have imposed a $15 fee on each metric ton of carbon emissions, rising $2 a year until the state's 2035 emissions target is met.

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Hexagon Composites to Acquire Agility Fuel Solutions

Costa Mesa, California, Nov. 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hexagon Composites ASA (OSE:HEX) (“Hexagon”) has signed an agreement to acquire the remaining 50% of Agility Fuel Solutions Holdings Inc. (“Agility”).  By bringing together two leading players in clean energy, the two companies will become an even stronger force in driving energy transformation globally by promoting the alternatives of natural gas, biogas, hydrogen, propane and electrification.  The combined business will provide clean energy solutions to a wide range of end markets around the world, including household, industrial, gas transportation, marine, rail, and light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.

The transaction values Agility’s equity at USD 250 million (NOK 2.1 billion) on a 100% basis. The signing of the agreement took place on November 8, 2018 with closing expected in January 2019.

Hexagon is the world leading provider of composite pressure vessel technology for a wide range of mobility and storage applications. Hexagon promotes the energy transition towards a low-carbon society.  Hexagon, headquartered in Aalesund, Norway, has production facilities in Raufoss, Norway; Kassel, Germany; Heath, Ohio; and Lincoln, Nebraska. In addition, Hexagon has sales offices in Europe, North America and Asia.

Agility Fuel Systems and Hexagon’s medium and heavy duty CNG automotive businesses merged in 2016 to create Agility Fuel Solutions, resulting in Hexagon owning 50% of Agility. The companies have delivered more than half a million cylinders and over forty thousand fuel systems to customers around the globe.

Agility has production facilities in Salisbury, North Carolina; Lincoln, Nebraska; Fontana, California; and Raufoss, Norway with technology centers in Lincoln, Nebraska; Wixom, Michigan; and Kelowna, British Columbia, and maintains sales offices in North America, South America, India, the UK and Norway.

“We are really happy to have reached this milestone”, says Jon Erik Engeset, CEO and President of Hexagon. We believe the timing to be optimal. Fuel price spreads are back at attractive levels, payback times are favorable, and the global focus on the environment has never been stronger. Our combined solutions portfolio and expert teams represent a unique value proposition to the markets.”

The increasing alignment of economic and environmental benefits is driving market adoption of cleaner drivetrain alternatives in commercial vehicle markets. Heavy- and medium-duty truck, transit bus and refuse truck fleet owners are acting on their emissions reduction strategies with greater investment in alternative fuel vehicles and infrastructure. In turn, vehicle manufacturers are motivated to provide more offerings, including bio- and natural gas, propane, battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles.   

“Hexagon has been a strong, supportive investor in Agility for the last two years.  We share a common vision, values and strategic goals and look forward to an exciting future together,” stated Kathleen Ligocki, CEO of Agility.  “For our customers, this will provide Agility access to greater global resources and scale across a broad portfolio of sustainable energy technologies.”

About Agility Fuel Solutions 

Agility Fuel Solutions is a leading global provider of clean fuel solutions for medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles. Its product offerings include natural gas, hydrogen, and battery electric energy storage and delivery systems, Type 4 composite natural gas cylinders, propane and natural gas fuel systems, and propane dispensers.  Agility offers solutions for a variety of vehicle types, including Class 8 trucks, refuse trucks, transit buses, school buses, concrete mixers, and delivery trucks.  Agility has been manufacturing and servicing safe and reliable clean fuel solutions for commercial vehicle fleets and OEMs for more than 20 years, logging billions of miles on the road per year. 

About Hexagon Composites ASA 

Hexagon Composites delivers safe and innovative solutions for a cleaner energy future. We are adapting our leading composite pressure vessel technology for a wide range of mobility and storage applications.

Hexagon Composites is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange (OSE:HEX). Based in Aalesund, Norway, the Group has around 400 employees and generated approximately USD 173 million in revenue in 2017.  

California Green-Lights $483 Million for Clean Transportation

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) recently approved a $483 million plan to fund clean car rebates, zero-emission transit and school buses, clean trucks, and other clean transportation and mobility pilot projects.

The Fiscal Year 2018-19 Funding Plan for Clean Transportation Incentives, largely funded with cap-and-trade proceeds, is part of California’s comprehensive strategy for improving air quality and reducing greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions in the transportation sector, the state’s largest source of air pollution and climate-changing gases, according to CARB.

By Betsy Lillian, NGT News.

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Montauk Energy Acquires Pico Energy

Pittsburgh-based Montauk Energy has acquired 100% of the membership interests of Pico Energy, LLC for approximately $13 million.  As a result of that transaction, Montauk Energy owns a large manure digester and electric generation facility located at the Bettencourt B6 Dairy in Jerome, Idaho and plans to design, build and operate a Biogas refining facility to convert the digester gas into pipeline-quality renewable natural gas (RNG) to be used as Compressed Natural Gas or Liquified Natural Gas dispensed as vehicular fuel in California.  This facility will be substantially closed-loop, with byproducts either being recycled into the process, or serving a useful purpose, such as agricultural ameliorants or bedding for the cows. 

Montauk Energy is one of the most experienced developers and operators of RNG and landfill gas to electricity facilities in the U.S., with 14 plants in 6 states.  This is the second dairy digester RNG development project that Montauk Energy has announced this year.  Marty Ryan, President & CEO of Montauk Energy commented, “We are tremendously excited by the addition of this new dairy digester RNG development project to our growing portfolio of renewable energy assets and will continue to pursue opportunities converting biogas from landfills and animal manure to low carbon, renewable fuels.”

About Montauk Energy:

Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Montauk Energy Holdings, LLC is a subsidiary of Montauk Holdings Limited, a publicly traded company listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (Ticker: MNK). Montauk has over 25 years of experience in the development, operation and management of large-scale renewable energy projects which utilize organically-derived methane (“Biogas”). Montauk Energy captures methane, preventing it from being released into the atmosphere, converts it into either renewable electricity or renewable natural gas (“RNG”) and sells the renewable electric and RNG, benefiting from environmental attribute premiums available under federal and state policies that incentivizes their use. For more information, please visit www.montaukenergy.com.

Montauk Holdings Announces Plans to Spin-Off and List its Subsidiary on NASDAQ

Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Montauk Energy Holdings is a subsidiary of Montauk Holdings Limited, a publicly traded company listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (Ticker: MNK).

Montauk Holdings Limited (“MNK”) (JSE:MNK) announced its plans to effect a corporate restructuring that will result in a listing of its wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary on The NASDAQ Stock Market with a secondary, inward listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (the “Listing”). MNK is a holding company and all of its operations, assets, employees and customer relationships are held in the U.S. through its U.S. operating subsidiary Montauk Energy.

MNK has received approval from the South African Reserve Bank to pursue the Listing. The Listing is subject to shareholder and further regulatory approval both in South Africa and in the U.S. Upon receipt of such approvals, MNK will begin pursuing steps to effectuate the Listing with a target date of April 2019. The current executive management team of the Company is expected to continue to serve in the same capacities.

Montauk Energy is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and is one of the most experienced developers and operators of RNG and landfill gas to electricity facilities in the U.S., with 14 plants in 6 states.   Marty Ryan, President & CEO of Montauk Energy commented, “We believe that the proposed NASDAQ listing will more strategically align Montauk Energy with our asset and employee base and the U.S. programs and policies we participate in that incentivize the use of clean, low carbon, renewable fuels.”

About Montauk Energy:

Montauk Energy Holdings has over 25 years of experience in the development, operation and management of large-scale renewable energy projects which utilize organically-derived methane (“Biogas”). The Company captures methane, preventing it from being released into the atmosphere, converts it into either renewable electricity or renewable natural gas (“RNG”) and sells the renewable electric and RNG, benefiting from environmental attribute premiums available under federal and state policies that incentivizes their use. For more information, please visit www.montaukenergy.com.

Smithfield renewables effort with Roeslein Alternative Energy marks first year

Smithfield Foods Inc. is observing the one-year anniversary of the national expansion of Smithfield Renewables, which includes projects that seek to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by 2025.

The company owns hog-finishing spaces in Missouri, which will feature the implementation of “manure-to-energy” projects across the entire operation for the next 10 years.

Smithfield and Roeslein Alternative Energy have embarked on a joint venture to launch the second phase of a project that converts manure collected from company-owned farms into renewable natural gas, producing enough to power 15,400 homes per year.

By Ray Scherer, NewsPressNow.com.

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EDF Welcomes New Measures to Improve Resilience, Reduce Methane Emissions

Smithfield Addresses the Hog Industry’s Vulnerability to Climate Change

(NEW YORK, NY) With North Carolina still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Florence, Smithfield Foods, the world’s largest pork producer, today committed to invest in infrastructure and provide farmer incentives to install manure lagoon covers and digesters on 90 percent of the total hog finishing capacity in North Carolina, Missouri and Utah over the next 10 years. These technologies protect manure lagoons from excessive rainfall, capture methane emissions and generate renewable energy from biogas.

The commitment includes Smithfield’s own operations and contract farms, as well as opportunities for other integrators to join. Meeting this goal would help Smithfield exceed its industry-leading commitment to reduce supply chain greenhouse gas emissions 25 percent by 2025.

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Smithfield Foods Announces Landmark Investment to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Global Food Company Expands “Manure-To-Energy” and Other Renewables Projects in North Carolina, Missouri, and Utah

SMITHFIELD, Va., Oct. 25, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Smithfield Foods, Inc. is pleased to announce, through the nationwide expansion of Smithfield Renewables, innovative projects designed to help meet its goal to reduce the company’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 25 percent by 2025, which it set in concert with the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). This month marks the one-year anniversary of Smithfield Renewables.

As part of the expansion of Smithfield Renewables, Smithfield is:

• Setting the ambitious goal to implement “manure-to-energy” projects across 90 percent of Smithfield’s hog finishing spaces in North Carolina and Utah, and nearly all Smithfield’s hog finishing spaces in Missouri over the next ten years. This timeline will aid the company in achieving—and exceeding—its 25 by ’25 commitment.

• Converting existing anaerobic treatment lagoons to covered digesters or constructing new covered digesters to capture biogas, which will be transported to central processing facilities to be converted into renewable natural gas (RNG) in North Carolina, Missouri, and Utah.

• Launching new programs that target GHG reductions and bolster Smithfield’s sustainability efforts at farms, plants, and throughout the company’s transportation network.

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PHL Airport Shuttle Fleet Goes Green With Clean Energy CNG; Valley Vista Services Signs Redeem™ RNG Deal

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. – Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (Nasdaq: CLNE) announced that Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) has switched from diesel to Clean Energy’s compressed natural gas (CNG) as part of a sustainability initiative to reduce toxic emissions, decrease noise volume, and lower fuel costs.

First Transit, the largest private-sector provider of mobility solutions in North America and provider of shuttle bus services at PHL, signed a 7-year contract with Clean Energy for an expected volume of 2.5 million GGEs to power its 38 natural gas transit buses. The shuttle fleet accommodates three main routes at PHL—employee, cargo, and long-term economy parking—that traverse a total 3.5 million trips per year.

“Airport transit vehicles operate in confined areas, primarily parking lots, so carbon emissions and noise pollution have a greater impact on the passenger experience,” said Raymond Blethen, Northeast director of operations, First Transit. “The airport was seeking to adopt alternative fuels and environmentally-friendly vehicles, so it converted 100 percent of its fleet to natural gas.  The CNG-fueled shuttle buses run 90 percent quieter than diesel, lower CO2 emissions by 20 percent, and have no fumes.”

“With CNG our fuel costs are more stable than diesel, the maintenance is a lot cleaner, and it improves the reliability of vehicles in the winter,” said Blethen. “From a safety standpoint there is no spillage, so unlike diesel we never have to shut down.”

Waste Vehicles to Run on Redeem™

Clean Energy executed a supply agreement with Valley Vista Services to power 100 waste vehicles with its Redeem brand renewable natural gas (RNG) for an anticipated total of 1.3 million GGEs of Redeem annually.

Redeem is the first commercially available RNG vehicle fuel. It is derived from capturing biogenic methane that is naturally generated by the decomposition of organic landfill and agricultural waste. Redeem enables at least 70 percent reduction in carbon emissions when displacing diesel or gasoline, according to California Air Resources Board (CARB) estimates.

Valley Vista Services will offer Redeem at two facilities, a private/public CNG station at its headquarters located in City of Industry, Calif. that will dispense an anticipated 1 million GGEs of Redeem annually.  Valley Vista also built a state-of-the-art transfer station earlier this year in Pomona, Calif. that has a new public access fast fill CNG station and will dispense an anticipated 300,000 GGEs of Redeem annually.  Both contracts are for three years.

Clean Energy commissioned a newly constructed private liquified natural gas (LNG) fueling station for Burrtec Waste Industries. The station build project, located at Burrtec’s San Bernardino facility, was completed by Clean Energy within 10 months and will fuel upwards of 50 LNG refuse trucks. Prior to the commissioning of the site, Burrtec signed a three-year repair and maintenance (R&M) agreement with Clean Energy. The station is expected to consume 600,000 LNG gallons annually.

Other refuse contracts include the City of Ontario, which signed a one-year R&M and RNG renewal and extended its option for an expected 600,000 GGEs annually. The City of Sacramento opted for a one-year R&M renewal and extended its option for an expected 450,000 GGEs annually.

Growing Demand for Near-Zero Trucks

South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) staff is recommending a total of 148 port trucks receive incentive funding under the Year 20 Carl Moyer Program.  The Carl Moyer Program focuses on improving air quality by replacing older heavy-duty diesel trucks with cleaner fuel technologies, including near-zero engines powered by Clean Energy’s Redeem. The Year 20 Carl Moyer grant program is oversubscribed and SCAQMD has a backup funding list of additional projects awaiting funding.

The SCAQMD Board will consider approval of staff recommendations at an upcoming board meeting.

SQAQMD staff is also recommending that 10 port trucks receive funding under the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2017 Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) program, which provides support for projects that protect human health and improve air quality by reducing harmful emissions from diesel engines.

“It’s encouraging to see a strong demand for near-zero trucks in the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach,” said Greg Roche, vice president, Clean Energy. “These grant programs will go a long way to reduce air pollution in this busy transportation corridor by deploying the cleanest truck technology that can be easily and economically adopted today.”

Mountain Valley Express, the less than truckload (LTL) and general freight company with locations in California, Nevada and Arizona is expanding its LNG fleet as part of an initiative to reduce emissions. With support from Prop 1B grants, the freight company is adding eight Freightliner M2 tractors equipped with the Near-Zero ISL-G engines, which will consume an expected 60,000 GGEs annually at Clean Energy public stations in Northern California, including West Sacramento, Lathrop and Tulare.

About Clean Energy
Clean Energy Fuels Corp. is the leading provider of natural gas fuel and renewable natural gas (RNG) fuel for transportation in the United States and Canada, with a network of approximately 530 stations across North America that we own or operate. We build and operate compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas stations (LNG) stations and deliver more CNG, LNG and RNG vehicle fuel than any other company in the United States. Clean Energy sells Redeem™ RNG fuel and believes it is the cleanest transportation fuel commercially available, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 70%. Clean Energy owns natural gas liquification facilities in California and Texas which produces LNG for the transportation and other markets. For more information, visit www.CleanEnergyFuels.com.