by Luke Upton (BioMarket Insights) … So we are happy to report a major update to an alliance between three major companies focused on advancing cellulosic biofuels, and speak exclusively to one of its key figures, Fernando Sanchez-Riera, Vice President Research And Development at Renewable Energy Group (REG) Life Sciences.
Fernando’s company, REG, is best known for providing cleaner, lower carbon intensity products and services, in particular biomass-based diesel, renewable chemicals and advanced biofuels. In January 2016, they signed an agreement with energy giant, ExxonMobil, to study the production of biodiesel through fermentation of renewable cellulosic sugars from sources such as agricultural waste. Fast forward three years: they have now been joined by one of the world’s leading speciality chemicals companies, Clariant, to further optimise this bio-conversion process.
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Previously we had developed a process to produce biodiesel from pure sugars and done some research into the feasibility of our fermentation technology in the use of cellulosic sugars.
In the first phase of our work with ExxonMobil we tested sugars from various non-edible biomass sources including agricultural waste, provided to us by several companies working in the area of hydrolysis of cellulosic biomass with different technologies. This research not only confirmed the feasibility of applying our fermentation technology to these sugars, but also that the technology is capable of achieving substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.”
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A main objective of the project is to develop a process that can use different biomasses as feedstock, so it can be deployed around the world, and that those cellulosic sugars can be fermented into renewable diesel fuel in large quantities.
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The new agreement will allow ExxonMobil and REG to further optimise their work by using Clariant’s sunliquid process.
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Their sunliquid process features chemical free pre-treatment, the integrated production of feedstock, and process-specific enzymes that delivers high yields of fermentable sugars.
Clariant will conduct trials at its pre-commercial plant in Straubing, Germany using different types of cellulosic feedstock that will be converted into sugars. These sugars will be the raw material in the fermentation process used by REG and ExxonMobil to produce a high-quality, low-carbon biodiesel.
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“I think it’s key to have a common vision from the very start. And this vision being a long term one. Developments in our industry don’t happen overnight, so I’d also recommend patience and the setting of realistic and honest targets. And of course, it is about the people. Here at REG, it’s great to be surrounded by young scientists coming into work every day, excited about what they are doing and wanting to make a difference to the world and its future.” READ MORE