Inquiries relating to a catalyst technology which can convert biomass into ethanol and other alcohols have risen sharply over recent months, says the developer, Syntec Biofuel. Michael Jackson, President and Chairman of Syntec Biofuel Inc., "We are experiencing an unusual level of inquiries concerning our proprietary catalyst technology. We are attributing it to increasing interest in thermo-chemical Fischer-Tropsch based biomass to biofuel technologies over corn ethanol processes due to the rapidly changing economics of corn as a feedstock."

NexGen Biofuels Ltd announced today that on February 26, 2008, the company received a letter from the Nasdaq Listing Qualification Panel, informing it that the panel had determined to delist the company's ordinary shares from The Nasdaq Stock Market. The decision followed a determination by the Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Department that the company had failed to meet the Nasdaq listing standards for a reverse merger in connection with the company's Plan of Arrangement with NexGen Biofuels Inc. Nasdaq will suspend trading of the company's ordinary shares effective at the open of business today, Thursday, February 28, 2008.

However, the company believes that, following the recent filing of a Form 211 by a market maker, its ordinary shares will be eligible for trading on the OTC Bulletin Board.

Vic Shelton has been appointed managing director of UK based ABS Biodiesel. The company has recently been awarded planning permission to develop its production facility at Avonmouth Docks. “This is a fantastic opportunity", said Shelton. “Having already pre-sold its first and second year capacity, even before the development of the plant commences, I’m looking forward to using my experience to deliver ABS’s ambitious goals going forward.”

The US Department of Energy (DOE) Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Andy Karsner has announced (26th February) that DOE will invest up to $33.8 million, over four years, (Fiscal Years 2008-2011) for four projects that will focus on developing improved enzyme systems to convert cellulosic material into sugars suitable for production of biofuels. 

Building on President Bush’s goal of making cellulosic ethanol cost-competitive by 2012, these projects aim to address key technical hurdles associated with mass production of clean, renewable fuels, such as cellulosic ethanol.  Combined with industry cost share, up to $70 million will be invested in these projects, with a minimum 50 percent cost share from industry.  Assistant Secretary Karsner made today’s announcement while delivering keynote remarks at the Renewable Fuels Association National Ethanol Conference in Orlando, Florida.

AE Biofuels, Inc. (OTCBB: AEBF) has begun construction of an integrated cellulose and starch ethanol commercial demonstration facility in Butte, Montana. The plant, says the company, will use patent-pending Ambient Temperature Cellulose Starch Hydrolysis (ATCSH) enzyme technology to optimize process conditions for multiple feedstocks. Non-food ethanol feedstocks used by the facility are expected to include switch grass, grass seed straw, small grain straw, and corn stalks alone and in combination with a variety of traditional starch and sugar sources. The 9,000 square foot pilot plant facility is expected to be fully operational in the second quarter of 2008.

BP is expecting to spend some $1.5 billion in Alternative Energy this year, said BP chief executive Tony Hayward yesterday (26th February) during the company's annual strategy presentation to financial analysts. The figure, he explained, is a front-end acceleration of BP's longer-term $8 billion plan to build a new business, based chiefly on solar, wind and biofuels and offering significant growth potential as world demand rose dramatically for low- or non-carbon energy.

PetroSun BioFuels, Inc., has entered an agreement to buy a fifty percent interest in Fleet Biodiesel, Inc., an Alabama corporation. Fleet Biodiesel is currently completing the acquisition of an 82.5% interest in Eagle Biodiesel located in Bridgeport, Alabama.

Virgin Atlantic yesterday (24th February) successfuly completed a biofuel test flight using one of its Boeing 747 jumbo jets from London Heathrow to Amsterdam. The aircraft, flight number VS811P, used a biofuel composed of babassu oil and coconut oil. According to the company, no modifications were made to either the aircraft or its engines to enable the flight to take place.