by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The migration from first-gen to next-gen biofuels is becoming less ‘Invisible’ — and the new landscape is not, by anyone’s estimation, an ‘Ordinary World’. If Aemetis’ latest earnings hadn’t rocked your world quite enough, here are 10 hot strategies being pursued right now to morph the old into new.
…
Earnings exploding, business models morphing at the speed of light. The distinction between first-gen and second-gen technologies disappearing faster than the polar ice sheets.
There used to be them first-gen guys or next-gen guys; them fuel technologies, or chems. Now there appears to only be an “us”.
…
We’ve noted before that another factor driving Aemetis’ forward is a migration towards next-gen strategy. In this case, the company has switched to biogas (in place of natural gas) and to grain sorghum as a feedstock, thereby accessing advanced biofuels (D5) RINs of higher value.
It’s become a common-tale, though no two companies are going about their migration in exactly the same manner. Because of the proliferation of strategies, no one company or model has been standing out in the mad rush to new platforms and opportunities. Hiding in plain sight, as it were.
…
The Top 10 Strategies in the Race for Change
Their strategies? Migration to advanced feedstocks, technologies, distribution strategies and product mixes. Here’s are the top 10 models being pursued by ethanol producers now in the race for change (in no particular rank of order):
1. The sorghum-biogas route to advanced biofuels …
2. Get deeper into biobased chemicals and advanced fermentation. …
3. Invest in Algae as a CO2 monetization strategy. …
4. Get acquired by an isobutanol producer, or join an isobutanol Early Adopters group …
5. Opt for n-butanol instead of isobutanol, and sign an LOI to be acquired …
6. Get into direct distribution of E85 …
7. Invest in a portfolio of next-gen technologies …
8. Head directly for add-on cellulosic ethanol …
9. Add on cellulosic sugar streams …
10. Head for the biojet market … READ MORE