NAFTC file photo

Novozymes in Development Agreement for Bagasse Ethanol in Brazil
Novozymes has concluded a development agreement with Centro de Tecnologia Canavieira, the Brazilian sugar cane industry's technical center, to contribute enzyme technology for developing bioethanol from bagasse, the residual cellulosic product of sugar production from sugar cane. The agreement is a research collaboration between CTC and Novozymes, aided by Novozymes' R&D centers in the United States and Denmark.

PHEV2007 Conference Coming to Canada
The PHEV2007 Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle Conference will be held in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, on November 1 and 2. The event is organized by the Plug-in Highway Network and is expected to attract 350 attendees to the technical portion and up to 5,000 to the showcase and public forum.

Canadian Renewable Fuel Fund Receives $500-Million Boost
The Canadian government launched a $500-million fund last week to drive the advancement of renewable fuels derived from non-traditional renewable sources. Applications are now being accepted for The NextGen Biofuels Fund, which will pay up to 40 percent of the costs for original demonstration-scale facilities for mass renewable fuel production. Eligible projects must be located in Canada and use feedstocks that are or could be representative of Canadian biomass.

China Launches ‘Green Traffic Week' and ‘No Car Day' in 108 Cities
The government of China is urging people in 108 cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, and Tianjin, to walk, ride bicycles, and use public transport instead of driving cars for the week ending September 22. The campaign will be repeated during the same week every year, according to the Ministry of Construction. MoC Vice-Minister Qiu Baoxing told reporters the campaign could save 33 million liters of gas and cut emissions by 3,000 tons on the No Car Day.

India May Double Ethanol Requirement to 10 Percent
A group of ministers in the Indian government has recommended that India adopt a mandatory blending of 10 percent ethanol with gasoline. India is the world's second-largest sugar producer behind Brazil, and the government wants to encourage the direct production of ethanol from sugar cane juice, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Japan and EU Discuss Vehicle Emissions Reduction Strategy
At a workshop held in Brussels, Belgium, on September 18, different options and strategies to mitigate climate impact from European and Japanese automotive industries were presented. The workshop, Reducing CO2 Emissions in the Automobile Sector- Japan and EU, was organized by the EU-Japan Center for Industrial Cooperation and the Japanese Automobile Manufacturers Association.

South Korea Sets Standards for Manufacture of LNG Vehicles
The Korean government Wednesday established manufacturing standards that open the door for the commercial production of vehicles powered by liquefied natural gas. The lack of any state guidelines on safety and quality standards for fuel containers, fuel systems, and special filling stations have prevented automakers from making such vehicles even though there is domestic demand, said the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy.

Sweden, Brazil Sign Biofuels Deal
Sweden agreed Tuesday to abolish a tax on ethanol that it currently purchases from Brazil, under a biofuels accord signed during a visit of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, officials said. "We have signed an agreement regarding science and cooperation concerning bioenergy," Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt told a press conference.

Ellectrica Lithium Battery-Powered Car To Launch in UK
The Ellectrica, the first production electric car on the UK market with the option of a lithium power supply, is being launched this month according to exclusive distributor Future Vehicles. The Ellettrica can run for 70 miles on a single charge. It will be exempt from the London congestion charge and road tax and will enjoy free parking in many parts of London.

UK Government To Provide $40.4 Million for Low-Carbon Vehicle Research
The United Kingdom government will provide $40.4 million to support UK-based research to develop new low-carbon vehicles that could be on the road within five to seven years. The investment, equally provided by the Technology Strategy Board and the Department for Transport, is intended to assist innovative companies advancing low-carbon vehicle research, development, and demonstration projects.