October 2019

Mining.com

A team of US-based scientists came up with the strongest silver ever -42% stronger than the previous world record- after discovering a new mechanism that allowed them to strengthen metals while not losing any electrical conductivity. By mixing a trace amount of copper into silver, the team showed it can transform two types of inherent nanoscale defects into a powerful internal structure because impurities are directly attracted to these defects.

Biofuels Digest

In Washington, DTN reports that Energy Information Administration data shows ethanol production rose by 5,000 barrels per day last week to 963,000 bpd but even so, stocks fell to two year lows of 21.2 million barrels, down 2 million barrels on the week. The Gulf Coast region where most exports leave from fell by 800,000 barrels while the key Midwest producing region saw stocks fall by half a million barrels. Stocks fell in all regions except for the Rocky Mountain region that held flat.

Biofuels Digest

“In Washington, over the past three years Playmaker Strategies, based in Washington, D.C., and Rock House Advisors of Jefferson City, Missouri, have teamed up to write and produce “Biodiesel and Renewable Diesel Policy, Regulatory and Market Perspectives.”
This document, the first of its kind, gives readers a comprehensive, unbiased look at the biomass-based diesel market. It breaks down the good, the bad and the ugly through the scope of the trio’s combined 60 years of experience.”

BusinessWorld

The United States on Thursday said nine countries have joined its initiative to help discover and develop reserves of minerals used to make electric vehicles, part of an effort to cut the world’s reliance on China for the high-tech materials. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday met with foreign ministers from the nine countries on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Thailand 4

In a joint project, BASF and STR Automotive have brought components for premium vehicles into serial production for the first time using the new material Elastolit(R) R 8819 Lightweight.

Biofuels Digest

In Indonesia, the Jakarta Post newspaper reports that biodiesel consumption is expected to climb 54.8% next year on the back of B30 blending to 9.4 billion liters but that the minister for energy and mineral resources has yet to sign off on the figures. Blending is set to increase to 30% from 20% on January 1 after the blend was increased to 20% earlier this year. So far through September, biodiesel consumption reached 4.5 billion liters.

Biofuels Digest

In Thailand, the Bangkok Post newspaper reports that the government has implemented subsidies on B10 and B20 as of October 1 in an effort to encourage more demand at the pump before B10 takes over B7 as the mandatory blend on January 1. The subsidies will be sourced from the Oil Fuel Fund Administration Office.

Channel NewsAsia

BANGKOK: Thailand’s energy ministry said on Tuesday (Oct 8) it had set a March target to resolve a US$2 billion dispute with US oil and gas major Chevron Corp and would make the “utmost effort” to reach a deal after the company halted arbitration. 

Biofuels Digest

In Malaysia, Reuters reports that the head of LMC sees Malaysian biodiesel production reaching 1.3 million metric tons this year while he expects Indonesia to produce 7 million tons. With palm oil stocks seen falling by Q2 as two years of low inputs begins to take its toll on palm oil yields, he expects European CPO prices to be $570/mt FOB basis by mid-year 2020. He doesn’t expect prices to move much until the start of the New Year.