Following the UN Rio+20 summit, Richard Branson announced Virgin Airlines has begun to invest heavily in biofuels. He claims that the airline is “close” to having clean fuels to use in their fleet. Algae-based and Isobutanol-based fuels are the main focus for the company.
They have recently founded an organization called the Carbon War Room. Their goal is to reduce 70 gigatons of carbon out of industries worldwide. They hired former president of Costa Rica, Jose Maria Figueres, to run the group.
Boeing (BA) has also been testing out biofuels for their planes. They have reportedly done multiple flights with different airlines using these fuels. Recently they paired with Air China to test an international flight from the US. Many airlines are looking to invest in biofuels to avoid costs which hamper their profits.
Over 1,500 commercial flights have reportedly used biofuels already.
It was also reported that the US Navy is looking for ways to use diesel biofuel, a project currently being worked on at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Business Section: Investment Ideas
Biofuel companies have not been doing well in recent months, but that is most likely due to decreases in oil prices. If oil comes back, it’s possible that biofuel companies could rally from renewed demand.
If airlines are continuously looking to use biofuel, it could mean big things for these firms.
With that in mind we put together a list below of major biofuel companies trading on the US exchanges. How do you think these changes will affect these names?
1. Amyris, Inc. (AMRS, Earnings, Analysts, Financials): An integrated renewable products company, offers renewable compounds for a variety of markets. Market cap at $146.43M, most recent closing price at $2.60.
2. BioFuel Energy Corp. (BIOF, Earnings, Analysts, Financials): Produces and sells ethanol and its co-products, primarily distillers grain and corn oil. Market cap at $ 26M, most recent closing price at $4.70.
3. Ceres, Inc. (CERE, Earnings, Analysts, Financials): Market cap at $232.52M, most recent closing price at $9.51.
4. FutureFuel Corp. (FF, Earnings, Analysts, Financials): Engages in the manufacture and sale of specialty chemicals and bio-based products primarily in the United States. Market cap at $408.24M, most recent closing price at $9.88.
5. Gevo, Inc. (GEVO, Earnings, Analysts, Financials): Focuses on the development and commercialization of alternatives to petroleum-based products based on isobutanol produced from renewable feedstocks. Market cap at $160.29M, most recent closing price at $5.99.
6. GreenHunter Energy, Inc. (GRH, Earnings, Analysts, Financials): Market cap at $58.41M, most recent closing price at $2.08.
7. Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc. (GPRE, Earnings, Analysts, Financials): Engages in the production, marketing, and distribution of ethanol and related distillers grains in the United States. Market cap at $204.99M, most recent closing price at $6.93.
8. Gushan Environmental Energy Limited (GU, Earnings, Analysts, Financials): Engages in the production and distribution of biodiesel and biodiesel by-products in the People’s Republic of China. Market cap at $29.1M, most recent closing price at $1.50.
9. KiOR, Inc. (KIOR, Earnings, Analysts, Financials): Focuses on operating as a renewable fuels company. Market cap at $731.28M, most recent closing price at $7.01.
10. Renewable Energy Group, Inc. (REGI, Earnings, Analysts, Financials): A producer of biodiesel in the United States. Market cap at $205.34M, most recent closing price at $7.13.
11. Rentech, Inc. (RTK, Earnings, Analysts, Financials): Provides alternative and clean energy solutions; and manufactures and sells nitrogen fertilizer products. Market cap at $390.6M, most recent closing price at $1.71.
12. Solazyme, Inc. (SZYM, Earnings, Analysts, Financials): Engages in the production of renewable oil. Market cap at $739.66M, most recent closing price at $12.25.
13. Syntroleum Corp. (SYNM, Earnings, Analysts, Financials): Engage in the commercialization and licensing of Syntroleum technologies to produce synthetic liquid hydrocarbons. Market cap at $65.98M, most recent closing price at $0.67.
Written by Ryan Horch
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Dig Deeper: Access Company Snapshots, Charts, Filings
- Amyris, Inc. (AMRS, Chart, Download SEC Filings)
- BioFuel Energy Corp. (BIOF, Chart, Download SEC Filings)
- Ceres, Inc. (CERE, Chart, Download SEC Filings)
- FutureFuel Corp. (FF, Chart, Download SEC Filings)
- Gevo, Inc. (GEVO, Chart, Download SEC Filings)
- GreenHunter Energy, Inc. (GRH, Chart, Download SEC Filings)
- Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc. (GPRE, Chart, Download SEC Filings)
- Gushan Environmental Energy Limited (GU, Chart, Download SEC Filings)
- KiOR, Inc. (KIOR, Chart, Download SEC Filings)
- Renewable Energy Group, Inc. (REGI, Chart, Download SEC Filings)
- Rentech, Inc. (RTK, Chart, Download SEC Filings)
- Solazyme, Inc. (SZYM, Chart, Download SEC Filings)
- Syntroleum Corp. (SYNM, Chart, Download SEC Filings)
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