Rentech Inc. on Tuesday said that it has acquired a majority of the equity of fellow biofuels developer ClearFuels Technology Inc., with existing ClearFuels investors retaining a minority interest.

Rentech, the Los Angeles developer of bio-based synthetic fuels for jetliners and other uses, said the deal enables it to add the Aiea, Hawaii-based ClearFuels biomass gasifier to its suite of energy conversion technologies. Neither the percentage of the equity nor other financial terms were disclosed.

The Hawaii plant is to produce certified renewable synthetic jet and diesel fuels from feedstocks such as bagasse, which is the fibrous matter remaining after sugarcane or sorghum stalks are crushed to extract their juice.

Rentech last week received a setback to plans for a proposed renewable energy center in Port St. Joe, Fla., when the U.S. Energy Department said it did not have enough money to fund a loan guarantee that was crucial for financing.

Rentech shares were up 4 cents, or nearly 5 percent, to 88 cents on the New York Alternet.