Jatrodiesel currently operates a Miamisburg Ohio biodiesel plant and is producing product. Currently ‘they say’ they are working on 9 plants … two of which are under construction. They also release a news brief in February that indicates they are making ground on oil extraction from algae.

“JatroDiesel unveiled a fully integrated Algae oil extraction technology. The system will be commercially available in August, 2008. The system will take the wet Algae and will extract Oil using chemicals. The extraction efficiency is 90% (*depending on the strain).”

Area renewable fuel users might see more biodiesel and E85 supplied by the latest Lykins Companies aquisition. They have aquired Paul R. Wilson Oil Company which operates in the Kentucky market and the combined operation will make biodiesel and E85 available to existing Wilson customers. (see article in the Business Courier for entire article)

In the article "Here Comes Pond Scum Power," Businessweek commented on algae based biodiesel attracting both startup venture capitalist as well as big business. (and government -- ie. military application)

CBOT Soybean Oil Futures Chart

The EPA has issued plans to ensure Biodiesel standards are met.

An interesting agreement is in the works for trading biofuels between the EU and the U.S. The New Transatlantic Economic Council looks to be adopting international standards for trading fuels like jatropha based biodiesel grown in Africa, India and the Caribbean. One of the issues being dealt with is the $1 per gallon tax credit U.S. blenders receive for using biodiesel in their fuels, especially biodiesel being exported to Europe. Below is part of an article found in The Guardian. 

Susanne Retka Schill in the October 2007 issue of Biodiesel Magazine wrote and outstanding article, "Soybeans, Wheat and Corn compete for acres," that reviews 2007 biodiesel economics this past year. It is helpful in understanding the confusing biofuel industry and the challenges biodiesel faces to stay competitive. It is well worth reading.