Verenium Corporation has been awarded an additional $4.9 million from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to fund ongoing activities at its demonstration-scale cellulosic ethanol facility in Jennings, Louisiana.

“We are very pleased to receive this additional funding from the DOE, particularly given the critical work currently being performed at Jennings to optimize our cellulosic process,” said Carlos A. Riva, President and Chief Executive Officer at Verenium. “I believe this award demonstrates further the DOE’s support for our technology and commitment to developing a cellulosic ethanol supply industry.”

The funding is an extension of the grant previously awarded to Verenium in 2008 under a DOE program supporting the development of demonstration-scale cellulosic ethanol biorefinery plants. The company plans to use the additional funds to support on-going cellulosic technology and process optimization at the Louisiana facility.