The largest ethanol producer in the world intends to be directly or indirectly responsible for the production of 3.5 billion gallons of cellulosic ethanol by 2022. Speaking at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., POET CEO Jeff Broin said they have made enough progress on technology and feedstock development to break ground on their first cellulosic ethanol plant in …
ZeaChem Moves Closer to Cellulosic Ethanol
Just in time for Earth Day last week, Colorado-based ZeaChem announced it had successfully produced commercial-grade ethyl acetate, a commercial grade “green chemical,” from woody biomass instead of oil. The ethyl acetate can either be sold to chemical manufacturers or converted into ethanol through hydrogenation. “These results demonstrate ZeaChem’s ability to produce another valuable bio-based intermediate chemical on the road …
Dyadic Resolves Lawsuit
Biotech firm Dyadic International announced today an agreement to resolve a class action lawsuit initially filed in October 2007. The litigation, Miller v. Dyadic International, Inc. et al, pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, asserted class action claims under federal securities laws based on allegations of misstatements and omissions by Dyadic and certain …
Ethanol Company Posts a Profit
Investors in California’s BlueFire Ethanol should be pleased to see that the company posted a profit in 2009. The company, which is focused on the production of ethanol and other biofuels from non-food cellulosic wastes, reported 2009 revenue of $4,318,213 – which amounts to a four cent profit per share. According to BlueFire CEO Arnold Klann, “Through BlueFire’s continued progress …
Cellulosic Ethanol Fuel in 12 Hours of Sebring
Cellulosic ethanol from Iogen Energy was part of the 58th running of Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring earlier this month. It was the first time Iogen Energy’s cellulosic ethanol was blended into an E85 fuel for the demanding American Le Mans Series (ALMS) presented by Tequila Patrón. The 500 gallons of cellulosic ethanol supplied were produced from wheat straw …
Wisconsin Researchers Unlock Biomass Sugars for Fuel
A team of researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison have figured out how to get the the sugar molecules trapped inside inedible plant biomass, a key step in the creation of cellulosic biofuels. This press release from the school says the process, featured in the latest issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, converts up to three-quarters …
Novozymes Achieves Cellulosic Enzyme Breakthrough
Each day, cellulosic gets closer to becoming commercially viable in the marketplace. Two weeks ago, a major hurdle was overcome with the announcement that Novozymes’ enzyme Cellic® CTec2, used for cellulosic ethanol production with feedstocks such as corn stover and corn cobs, is now 50 cents per gallon. I had the opportunity to learn more about this breakthrough when I …
USDA Guarantees Loan for GA Wood Ethanol Plant
A Colorado-based firm with a planned biorefinery located near Soperton, Georgia is the recipient of a loan guaranteed by USDA Rural Development to make cellulosic biofuel from wood chips, according to a USDA announcement. The finalized deal with Range Fuels was first announced last year and represents the first ever loan guarantee by USDA to a commercial-scale cellulosic biofuel plant. …
University of Florida Ethanol Plant Breaks Ground
Representatives from the University of Florida, Buckeye Technologies Inc. and the Florida Legislature broke ground for a new pilot plant to produce ethanol from cellulosic biomass. Funded by a $20 million appropriation from the Florida Legislature, the plant will be built at the Perry, Fla. facility of Buckeye Technologies Inc., a manufacturer and worldwide distributor of cellulose-based specialty products made …
Verenium and BP Extend Agreement Again
Verenium and BP are continuing to work on a month to month basis toward the development and commercialization of cellulosic ethanol. The two companies today announced another month long extension to the initial 18-month joint development program established in August 2008. The previous extension to the agreement ended today, now it will continue until April 1, 2010 as the parties …