The plant, funded by the department of science and technology, Government of India, will be the first government-funded bio-diesel plant in Uttar Pradesh.

Established in the Biotech Networking Facility Center, run by the state’s department of science and technology near Bakshi Ka Talab area of Lucknow, the basic aim of the plant will be to train farmers by giving them first hand-experience in bio-diesel production. The facility can also be used by farmers who do large-scale jatropha farming to extract diesel from the oil.

“The plant is not a production unit, but rather a demonstration unit, which will enable farmers to know how to extract jatropha oil and then convert it into diesel for their usage,” said BL Meena, Principal Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Uttar Pradesh.

The Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, has granted Rs 24 lakh for the one-time establishment of the plant. The state government has agreed to bear the expenses of running the establishment, including manpower and other infrastructure, she said.

(Source: Indian Express, March 20, 2011)

Jatropha’s rise in Asia as a promising source for bio-diesel has been given a boost in countries such as India. With increased emphasis on sustainability alongside recent innovations for optimizing jatropha yields quality & mechanical harvests, more governments are recognizing the potential of jatropha as a viable alternative feedstock option.

What are the latest developments in effective large-scale jatropha commercialization and cultivation methods? How will the global industry be shaped by new sustainability standards? Experts at the JatrophaWorld Asia 2011 will provide answers to these issues and more. Due to convene in Hainan Island, China, on 27-28 June 2011, the conference is the 7^th in the industry-setting series.

The program is being finalized & will be uploaded online shortly. For more information, click here to submit enquiries or contact Ms. Hafizah at hafizah@cmtsp.com.sg to pre-register your interest now.

This protocol has been tested on a small scale at KFB and other international tissue culture facilities, and the new project will be the first commercial production of Jatropha curcas using tissue culture technology.

Source: http://biofuelsdigest.com/bdigest/2010/08/23/1-million-tissue-cultured-jatropha-plants-joil-kf-bioplants/, 23 Aug 2010

For more information on JOil’s Jatropha projects, listen to Joil’s Dr Hong Yan’s  presentation on Breeding and Producing Elite Seedlings for Jatropha Plantation, at JatrophaWorld 2010 in Rotterdam on 6-7 October 2010.

Click here for latest agenda.

SG Biofuels is a plant oil company specializing in the development of jatropha as a low-cost, sustainable source of oil and has the largest library of jatropha genetic materials in the world. JMax 100 is the first elite cultivar developed through the company’s JMax Jatropha Optimization Platform, which provides growers and plantation developers with access to the highest-yielding and most profitable jatropha, the sequenced genome and advanced biotech and synthetic biology tools to develop cultivars specifically optimized for their unique growing conditions, according to SG Biofuels.

JMax 100 increases the profitability of jatropha to greater than $400 per acre, more than 300 percent above existing commercial varieties. That equates to more than 350 gallons per acre at $1.39 per gallon, according to SG Biofuels. “JMax 100 is the tip of the iceberg in the development of jatropha as a renewable energy crop,” said Kirk Haney, SG Biofuels president and CEO. He added that Guatemala has a head start, but the company anticipates advancements through the JMax platform that will further enhance the profitability and productivity of jatropha for growers around the world.

Source: http://www.biomassmagazine.com/article.jsp?article_id=3540, 23 February 2010

For more information on SG Biofuels’ jatropha breeding activities, join them at JatrophaWorld 2010 on 6 October in Rotterdam as they discuss on;

Jatropha 2.0 – Breeding, Biotech and Molecular Agronomics: How an Integrated Platform is Bringing the Opportunities of Jatropha to Reality

• Major strategic partnerships that drives advancements
• The role of breeding, biotechnology and molecular agronomics in accelerating crop improvements
• Community farming initiative in Guatemala
• JMax 100 – elite cultivar of Jatropha
  Presented by: Mr. Kirk Haney, President & CEO, SG Biofuels

Click here for the latest agenda

The Jatropha project aims to alleviate poverty in third world countries by the most sustainable means possible. This fits seamlessly within TNT’s efforts to fight the root causes of hunger. And by the cultivation of Jatropha trees, TNT can compensate for its own CO2 emissions which will help TNT reach its goal to be carbon neutral in the year 2015. The Jatropha project is also completely aligned with WFP’s goal to support long term solutions to the hunger challenges.

The cultivation of Jatropha tackles several challenges in one go:

• The alleviation of poverty and protection from food shortages. By growing and selling the Jatropha nuts, farmers’ income levels will improve in a more sustainable way, providing food security.
• It fights the financial problems in Malawi with the creation of an additional income for farmers, and the replacement of fossil-fuel import with bio-energy production.
• Growing Jatropha trees has positive effects on the environment as it produces ‘green’ fuels, compensates for CO2 emissions an prevents deforestation.
• It combats the energy crisis in Malawi as Jatropha produces sources of energy (e.g. candles and firewood)

Source: http://www.movingtheworld.org/the_jatropha_project

For more information on TNT’s Jatropha project, join them at JatrophaWorld 2010 on 6 October in Rotterdam, as they further discuss on;

• Challenges of Building an Integrated Sustainable Biofuels Business Supported by Small Scale Farmers in Malawi
  Presented by Mr. Willem Jan van Wijk, Managing Director, TNT N.V.

Click here for the latest agenda.

Max Lint of BEI reports, “It is feasible to grow and harvest Jatropha on a commercial scale. We are working with many Jatropha growers around the world that have a need for our Jatropha harvester. We are currently working on a Jatropha harvester sale in Hawaii and another in Brazil.”

Source: http://biofuelsdigest.com/bdigest/2010/04/21/mechanical-jatropha-harvester-successfully-trialed-in-honduras/

For more information on A-Z of Jatropha Production, hear from our speakers at JatrophaWorld 2010 on 6 – 7 October 2010 in Rotterdam.

Global Jatropha Practitioners’ Roundtable (on Honduras’ jatropha industry)

Presented by: Mr. David Erazo, General Manager, Agroipsa

Advances in Mechanical Harvesting

• Results from field trials
• Plantation design to suit mechanical harvesting
• Costs and economics

Presented by: Mr. Max Lint, President/CEO, BEI International LLC

Advances in Mechanical Harvesting

• Harvesting in Africa, experiences and results
• Different harvesting methods
• Future challenges with mechanization

Presented by: Mr. Toni Sandholm, Sales Manager, Rakennustempo Oy

Click here for the latest agenda.

SAB srl, a joint venture between, Api Nova Energia Srl and Seci Energia SpA, had in November last year acquired the Jatropha plantations business of ESV Group PLC, a London-based provider of transportation and logistics services. They have also have started a pilot plantation in Ghana with the option to further develop 105,000 hectares.

On the other hand, Api Nova Energia is on their own, developing greenfield projects in Brazil. They have an out-farming project of 25,000 hectares in Brazil, of which 1000 hectares have already been planted.

JatrophaWorld 2010 is privileged to have Mr. Alessandro Berti, Business Development Manager of Api Nova and Business Development Manager – Bioenergy division of SAB join us in Rotterdam on the 6-7 October to tell us more about the progress of their three projects and share underlying factors which drove the Italian energy giants to invest in Jatropha.

Click here to view full event schedule or email hafizah@cmtsp.com.sg for more information.

The UOP process produces Green Jet Fuel which requires no changes to the aircraft engine technology when used at a 50 percent blend with petroleum-based jet fuel and meets or exceeds all specifications for flight. Green Jet Fuel made from second-generation, non-food sources such as camelina and jatropha plants offers up to an 80 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions over petroleum-based fuels.

Source:http://www.marketwatch.com/story/honeywells-uop-working-with-aviation-and-refining-leaders-in-china-to-create-sustainable-aviation-biofuels-industry-2010-05-27?reflink=MW_news_stmp, May 27, 2010

With the acceptance of biofuels by major airlines and Jatropha being the key feedstock candidate, JatrophaWorld 2010 in Rotterdam on 06-07 October has enlisted KLM’s senior representative, Mr. Dirk Kronemeijer, Managing Director SkyNRG to share on the topic “Perspective of an Airline on Bio-Jet Fuel”.

KLM is one of the many distinguished companies speaking at JatrophaWorld 2010, for more information on the conference agenda, please click here.

Source: http://biofuelsdigest.com/bdigest/2010/04/21/mechanical-jatropha-harvester-successfully-trialed-in-honduras/, 21 April 2010

JatrophaWorld 2010 meeting on 6 – 7 October2010 in Rotterdam is slated to offer more information on A-Z of Jatropha Production. Some of the topics & speakers at this event include:

• Global Jatropha Practitioners’ Roundtable (on Honduras’ jatropha industry)
  Presented by: Mr. David Erazo, General Manager, Agroipsa
• Advances in Mechanical Harvesting
  - Results from field trials
  - Plantation design to suit mechanical harvesting
  - Costs and economics
  Presented by: Mr. Max Lint, President/CEO, BEI International LLC
• Advances in Mechanical Harvesting
  - Harvesting in Africa, experiences and results
  - Different harvesting methods
  - Future challenges with mechanization
  Presented by: Mr. Toni Sandholm, Sales Manager, Rakennustempo Oy

Click here for the latest agenda.

Jim hit the nail in the head with his comment! Within a few weeks of this prediction, General Motors announced a 5-year partnership with the US Department of Energy, and India’s Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSMCRI) to demonstrate the commercial viability of Jatropha as biofuel feedstock. Jatropha was also blasted into Space as part of NASA’s “Alternative Energy Crops in Space” study, which aims to study if microgravity can help Jatropha Curcas plant cells grow faster.

With such high profile headlines, it is clear that Jatropha is back for 2010! And the time is ripe to tackle unanswered questions spanning the Propagation, Cultivation, Pruning, Harvesting, Oil Extraction, Processing and Marketing of Jatropha, to speed up the commercialization of Jatropha Cultivation.

JatrophaWorld 2010, meeting in Rotterdam from 6-7 October offers much-needed clarity!

The JatrophaWorld conference is back for 2010, to take up the mantle as the global meeting point for the Jatropha community to interact and exchange ideas on charting the right way forward to meet the Jatropha Commercialization challenge. In a nutshell, JatrophaWorld 2010 will provide a true depiction of Jatropha’s potential, with insights and updates on the latest developments in Jatropha cultivation, processing, R&D and marketing. Conference highlights include:

• Experiences of Jatropha Growers in: Africa, North & South America, Asia
• A-Z of Jatropha Production: Propagation, Cultivation, Pruning, Harvesting, Oil Extraction
• Sustainable Jatropha Production – Environmentally and Socially Responsible Business Model
• Optimized Project Development to maximize ROI for shareholders
• R&D Advancements in Breeding & Yield Improvement
• Application Technologies, including utilization of Jatropha Crude Oil, Biomass, Seedcake

Since 2008, JatrophaWorld conferences have benefitted over 1800 Jatropha stakeholders from over 100 countries. To be a part of this elite group, send in your registrations for JatrophaWorld 2010 today. Click on the link below to access our online registration form.

But if you see yourself in Jatropha for the long-haul, you should take 2 days off to attend 2nd JatrophaWorld Americas in Miami on 3-4 December, because here is a platform where you can fill in the gaps in your experience and knowledge of the jatropha business.

In short, we throw out the hype and ‘wishful thinking’, to present the scientific findings and valuable data you can use to take your Jatropha business to the next level.

In 2 days, you can get facts and valuable information on:

• Improving the Productivity and Economics of Jatropha Projects
• The Ideal Production Model for Commercial Jatropha Production
• Securing Project Funding and Raising Capital during the Recession
• Carbon Credits Potential for Jatropha Projects
• Tapping Mechanized Harvesting, Tissue Culture Breeding & Jatropha Genomics research to improve your overall Jatropha productivity.
• Effectively Expelling and Purifying your Jatropha oil for sale.
• The primary buyers of Jatropha oil and their expectations.

>>Find out more here<<

And of course, if you need a little extra help, you’ll really benefit from our “MINI Workshop”, a highly interactive session conducted by 3 leading Jatropha experts, which we have integrated into the 2nd JatrophaWorld Americas program.

The seminar style workshop on 4th December will take you through the entire Jatropha Biodiesel Value Chain Model, an approach designed to help you procure financing effectively, establish the principal Drivers of your business and enhance shareholder value. >>Find out more here<<

So what are you waiting for? Confirm your attendance at 2nd JatrophaWorld Americas, the best investment you will ever make for your Jatropha business. >>CLICK here to sign up<<