by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The East is Green. Asia is confirmed as “the new Brazil” as project developers head en masse to the friendly receptions in Asian countries — based on energy diversification and rural development opportunities.
Whether you look at financing, mandates or project announcements, there’s no question that the hottest region is Asia — which started slowly in terms of deploying biofuels capacity in some cases over food-vs-fuel or feedstock shortage concerns, but has begun to accelerate strongly as waste-based and aquaculture technologies arrived. In particular we’ve seen algae on the rise, but from crop residues to mallee trees and wine waste, we’ve seen opportunities abound, governments and strategics stepping in, offtakers showing great interest (especially among airlines). In general, a great year for travel agents setting up extended Asian tours in the bioeconomy sector.
Here are the Top 10 developments of the year.
1. Asia is the new Brazil …
2. Strategic and sovereign financing …
3. Algae’s rise and rise …
4. Mandates up, down and all around …
5. Aviation continues to build momentum …
6. The Switcheroo – shifting feedstocks and technology bolt-ons …
7. Sustainability …
8. Waste feedstock projects …
9. Oil price impact …
10. Australia’s Carbon tax, bye bye …