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Air Liquide, CEA Partner On Biofuel Production Pilot In France
April 29, 2013 By PennEnergy Editorial Staff Source: Air Liquide Air Liquide has just signed a partnership agreement with the CEA (Commission for atomic energy and alternative energies in France) aiming to develop a second generation biofuel production pilot unit in France. As part of this partnership, the CEA will develop a chain of processes – on the Bure (Meuse) – Saudron (Haute-Marne) site, and in the CEA-Grenoble centre – for grinding, pressurising, measuring, and transporting solid biomass (wood in particular) in order to inject it into a burner, with a view to minimising the energy used for this pre-processing. For this project, Air Liquide will develop a new combustion technology that uses a burner running on oxygen instead of air. This pressurised, high-temperature oxygen combustion will make it possible to transform solid biomass directly into synthesis gas. The synthesis gas made by this process can then be processed to ultimately produce an extremely pure and energy-efficient synthesis fuel. All of the R&D work related to pressurised combustion with oxygen will be carried out in Air Liquide’s Research Centres in Paris Saclay (France), Frankfurt (Germany), and Newark (USA, Delaware), as well as in partnership with international research institutes. This work will contribute to the eventual emergence of a new sector for creating value from this biomass through second generation biofuels. As part of its policy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Europe, the European Union has set an objective of 20 % of renewable energies used within the EC by 2020. Unlike first generation biofuels, second generation biofuels use agricultural and forestry waste, without competing with food usage. François Darchis, Senior Vice-President and a member of Air Liquide’s Executive Committee, commented: “We are delighted about this research partnership with the CEA, which is a leading French player in the field of energy. Air Liquide is involved in concrete projects that aim to develop cleaner energies: second generation biofuels and hydrogen energy will help to reduce CO2 emissions in the coming years. Innovation is at the core of Air Liquide’s strategy.” Continue reading
Palm Stockpiles Dropping to Nine-Month Low Seen Boost for Prices
By Ranjeetha Pakiam – May 5, 2013 Palm oil inventories in Malaysia , the world’s second-largest producer, probably declined in April to the lowest level in nine months as exports held above production, boosting optimism that prices will rebound. Reserves decreased 5.1 percent to 2.06 million metric tons, the least since July, from 2.17 million tons in March, the median of estimates from three plantation companies and four analysts showed in a Bloomberg survey. While exports fell 6.5 percent to 1.44 million tons, they were higher than the output that gained 5.3 percent to 1.4 million tons, according to the survey. Official data are due for release on May 10. A drop in stockpiles for a fourth month from a record 2.63 million tons in December may help stem a 33 percent price slump in the past year as supply outpaced demand for the commodity used in everything from biofuels to noodles. Futures in Kuala Lumpur may recover as much as 20 percent by the end of this quarter as stockpiles fall and demand rebounds, according to a Maybank Investment Bank Bhd. report dated May 2. “There is still potential for stocks to go down,” said Ivy Ng, an analyst at CIMB Investment Bank Bhd. “There’s still room over the next few months for exports to improve” as we head into the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, she said. Consumption usually increases during Ramadan, which begins in July this year, boosting imports from Middle East to South Asia including India , the biggest buyer. Exports will pick up in May and June because of the festival, Rabobank International analysts led by Luke Chandler said in a report last month. Worst Streak Palm oil for delivery in July dropped 0.7 percent to 2,246 ringgit ($740) a ton on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives at 5:45 p.m. Kuala Lumpur time on May 3. Futures, which entered a bear market in June 2012, are poised for third year of losses. That would be the worst run since at least 1996. Prices may recover by end of June to 2,600 ringgit to 2,700 ringgit a ton, a level last traded in September, Maybank analysts including Ong Chee Ting wrote in a report dated May 2. Rabobank forecasts prices climbing to 2,500 ringgit in the second quarter before dropping to 2,450 ringgit in the third and to 2,400 in the fourth quarter as Malaysia enters the high- output season and global vegetable oil supplies increase. Output usually surges from July to October in the country. World production of seven major oilseeds in the 2012-2013 season may be 456.1 million tons, 1.3 million tons more than the estimate in March and 5.8 percent larger than last season, because of bigger-than-expected supplies of soybeans and rapeseed, Oil World said April 30. In March, the Hamburg-based researcher said that palm oil production may reach a record 55.7 million tons in 2012-2013, with 27.9 million tons coming from Indonesia , the world’s biggest supplier, and 19.7 million tons from Malaysia. If prices decline further Malaysia’s export will become duty free from the 4.5 percent tariff this month, CIMB’s Ng said. That should boost demand from importers, she said. Malaysia announced tax changes last year to reduce palm inventories and compete with Indonesia. The reform resulted in a zero tariff for January and February as the reference price fell below the minimum threshold of 2,250 ringgit. Indonesia has set its duty for May at 9 percent, down from 10.5 percent. To contact the reporter on this story: Ranjeetha Pakiam in Kuala Lumpur at rpakiam@bloomberg.net To contact the editor responsible for this story: James Poole at jpoole4@bloomberg.net Continue reading
Dubai Chamber Report Confirms Sub-Saharan Africa’s Business Potential For Middle East
The Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry announced findings of a recently commissioned research report conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) that highlight the significant potential Sub-Saharan Africa represents for companies in the Middle East. The research findings have been released prior to the Africa Global Business Forum 2013, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, on May 1st and 2nd. Sub-Saharan Africa is now competing with Asia to become the world’s fastest growing region. This growth is being driven by rising urbanisation, a young population and the emerging middle class. For certain countries, crucial economic reforms, combined with rising government spending and strengthening ties with fast-growing economies in Asia, will help drive future growth, the report claims. H.E. Hamad Buamim, Director General, Dubai Chamber, said: “The Economist Intelligence Unit report highlights the growth potential of Africa for companies here in the Middle East. Africa offers the highest return on direct foreign investment in the world, according to the UN trade agency, UNCTAD. “Therefore, the Dubai Chamber is extremely pleased to be organising the Africa Global Business Forum 2013, in partnership with COMESA Regional Investment Agency, where regional companies will hear from leading dignitaries both from Africa and the Middle East as to how to address the challenges of doing business in Africa in order to maximise the region’s business growth potential.” Pratibha Thaker, Regional Director, Economist Intelligence Unit Middle East & Africa, said: “Business perceptions of Sub-Saharan Africa are changing. Structural changes over the past decade have brought more political stability and economic growth to the continent, despite some marked exceptions. A new business mentality and an increasing consensus on economic policy have both helped. Companies can see that not all emerging markets will grow rapidly forever, and that some markets that are still growing – like China – will slow and be overtaken by others – like India – in a few years. Africa is part of this picture. But, successful investment in Africa requires a complex view of the continent, given the diversity of markets, business environments, legal systems, social groups and political systems.” Findings of the EIU report confirm both the growth opportunities and associated challenges in key sectors of the sub-Saharan Africa region’s economy: • Agriculture: Africa’s agriculture has the potential to become a global “bread basket” with over 60% of the world’s uncultivated arable land located in the region. However, the sector remains troubled by some problems, notably underinvestment, a lack of clear policy, poor regulations, inefficient supply chains and inadequate fertilisation. • Banking: The banking market is potentially vast and virtually untapped. Technology, such as mobile banking, is trying (and often succeeding) to fill the gap. • Infrastructure: The scale of Africa’s infrastructure needs is difficult to comprehend. For example, an estimated US$ 100 billion a year is needed for investments in the power sector alone. • Retail: With the emergence of the middle class, formal retail is finally starting to develop. South African retailers are expanding rapidly across the content, often with newly-designed “value” products, aimed at lower-income customers. • Telecommunications: The number of mobile subscribers exceeded the 500 million mark in 2010, with most countries still far off saturation. Internet access remains almost non-existent in most countries. It is against this exciting and yet challenging economic backdrop in Africa that leading African and Middle Eastern dignitaries will meet at the Africa Global Business Forum 2013, to examine and debate how the public and private sector can come together to address the barriers to growth and strengthen the path to economic prosperity. According to the report, major challenges remain for companies wishing to do business in Africa. Most countries from the region continue to suffer from limited infrastructure, a shortage of skills, poor governance and inconsistent policy making. However, certain countries, notably Ghana, have made consistent improvements. The report examines the challenges and opportunities that can be found in six key Sub-Saharan countries – Angola, South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, and Kenya. • Angola: Cooperation with the UAE has strengthened recently, led by construction and energy deals. UAEimports from Angola are dominated by diamonds, while its exports are led by re-exports of vehicles. Oil exports will continue to support strong growth, but the economy remains largely undiversified. • South Africa: The relationship with the UAE is well-developed and bilateral trade and FDI flows are strong. The business environment is among the most advanced in Sub-Saharan Africa and the private sector is well-established. However, mining and agriculture are undergoing productivity crises. • Nigeria: Several UAE companies have made sizeable investments in Nigeria, while Nigerian real estate investors are investing in Dubai. UAE exports to Nigeria have recovered after falling in 2009. The government is keen to increase the role of the private sector, but opposition to privatisation and deregulation from vested interests remains formidable. • Ghana: UAE investment into Ghana is starting to pick up, with a major power plant deal announced in 2012. UAE imports from Ghana are led by gold. Ghana offers a relatively business-friendly environment and red tape is gradually being removed. Poor infrastructure remains a major obstacle however. • Tanzania: Political relations are warm and past UAE investment into Tanzania has included copper plants, luxury resorts and retail outlets. Businesses benefit from the relative political and economic stability, but infrastructure and skills shortages remain critical weaknesses. • Kenya: UAE FDI into Kenya is relatively well-developed in retail, telecoms and banking. The UAE is also one of Kenya’s largest import suppliers (primarily crude oil). The business environment is challenging. The unstable political environment and poor infrastructure pose the biggest challenges. The Africa Global Business Forum 2013 seeks to address some of these issues and explore the opportunities for further cooperation between UAE and African businesses. The following themes and topics and more will be discussed: • Government initiatives and business prospects in Africa • Breaking down barriers and connecting businesses in a sustainable way for successful trade • Commercialising agriculture – food security and investment • Islamic Finance – Africa the new Frontier • Private equity – lessons learnt from Dubai for Africa The Africa Global Business Forum 2013 will be held on May 1st and 2nd at the Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai. Continue reading
