Shell has become the first retailer to begin selling cellulosic ethanol in Ottawa, Ontario made from wheat straw. The E10 blend will be available for one month, beginning today, at all Shell stations across the city. The advanced biofuel is produced locally from non-food raw materials at Iogen Energy Corporation’s demonstration plant, using advanced conversion processes. Iogen and Shell are partners in the plant, which now produces 40,000 liters of fuel per month.

While all ethanol reduces carbon dioxide, cellulosic ethanol can reduce CO2 tailpipe emissions by up to 90 percent as compared to gasoline. Shell has been working for several years, in conjunction with Iogen, to develop and bring to market advanced biofuels.

“I am excited we are leading the pack in cellulosic ethanol production technology and, with this event, showing what is possible in the future,” said Dr. Graeme Sweeney, Shell Executive Vice President Future Fuels and CO2. “While it will be some time before general customers can buy this product at local service stations, we are working with governments to make large-scale production economic.”

Iogen’s CEO, Brian Foody noted that, “With the volumes we’re producing today, we’re confident about the future.”