Suzano Papel e Celulose SA (PINK: SUZBY), a Brazilian pulp and paper product maker founded with the goal of becoming the leader in the global wood pellets market, plans to sink US$1.3 billion into the formation of a renewable energy unit to help reach that objective.
Hundreds of companies are pursuing different technologies and strategies they believe will yield a winning next-generation biofuel. To increase its odds of backing a winner, Khosla Ventures has made no less than nine investments in this sector.
Following the 2009 Sustainable Energy Expo in Washington D.C., the Sustainable Energy Coalition put forward the latest statistics regarding American consumption of renewable energy in 2008.
The oil industry has backed off alternative energy investments in recent months. BP, for instance, made news in April when it cut 620 jobs of an original 4,400 in its solar business. Last October it killed a $67 million expansion of its solar manufacturing operation in Maryland.
Re:char is the brainchild of Jason Aramburu, a recent Princeton University graduate and now self-styled biochar entrepreneur and researcher.