Welcome to the Biofuels Center
The Biofuels Center of North Carolina has the long-term task of developing a large-scale biofuels industry sector to reduce the state's dependence on imported petroleum. North Carolina’s Strategic Plan for Biofuels Leadership sets the goal of replacing 10 percent of the petroleum imported into North Carolina with biofuels locally grown and produced. The Biofuels Center was created in 2007 and is permanently funded by the North Carolina General Assembly to implement the strategic plan so the state's farmers, biofuels manufacturers, biofuels workers, and consumers benefit from this emerging multimillion-dollar, locally grown industry.
More about the Biofuels Center here.
The scale of the challenge
North Carolina buys 5.6 billion gallons of liquid fuels every year. Almost all of this massive volume is imported and adds no value to the state's agriculture, forestry, or manufacturing economy. North Carolina's goal is to produce 560-600 million gallons of biofuels a year (MGY) from local, renewable resources. To sustainably replace 10 percent of the state's petroleum imports will require millions of tons of biomass from cellulosic sources such as energy grasses and wood, providing new opportunities and income to farmers and landowners. Filling up with locally grown and manufactured biofuels blends will allow citizens to empower not just their vehicles, but also the North Carolina economy.
Biofuels Center News
Biofuels Center featured in bioeconomy case study
A new case study, part of the SAFER Bioeconomy Case Study Series, focuses on the development of the Biofuels Center of North Carolina and lessons learned to date.
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Biofuels Center boosts renewable fuels industry in western NC with $600K investment
The Biofuels Center of North Carolina recently awarded $684,058 for six projects to accelerate the renewable fuels industry in western North Carolina.
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Biofuels Center announces 2012-2013 targeted biofuels development funding program, strengthening western NC
The Biofuels Center of North Carolina announced Monday, 4 February 2013, it will award up to $1.1 million for projects that address identified areas of critical need related to the acceleration of the renewable fuels industry in western North Carolina.
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Biofuels Center expands sector development capabilities with $1.14M investment in western NC, enhances innovative opportunities
As a chief component of its 2012-2013 grants award process targeting biofuels development in the western part of the state, the Biofuels Center of North Carolina will award $766,256 to a consortium of partners led by AdvantageWest Economic Development Group to fortify the biofuels sector and trigger its expansion in the region.
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NC Biofuels Community News
BlackGold Biofuels opens Charlotte trap grease recycling facility
BlackGold Biofuels of Charlotte has opened an innovative recycling facility for area restaurant kitchens’ wastewater, cleaning up the water and recovering a biofuel in the process.
Novozymes wins $2.5M award to study advanced biofuels process
Novozymes, which operates its North American headquarters in Franklinton, N.C., recently landed a federal award to research ways to convert stover into advanced biofuels for vehicles.
Triangle Biofuels, Brunswick County team up to recycle cooking oil into biodiesel
With the help of Wilson-based Triangle Biofuels Industries, Brunswick County now offers a recycling option for used cooking oil dropped off at the county's landfill.
Biofuels Buzz
Site Updates
- State committee’s ruling on Switchgrass advances biofuels in NC
- North Carolina's Growing Strengths: The Biofuels Center's Statewide Woody Biomass Project
- Triangle Biofuels president Zack Hamm discusses his Wilson-based biodiesel facility
- Biofuels Center awards $1.4 million in grants for biofuels sector development (25 June 2012)
- Biofuels Headline - May 2013


