The jury is still out on cellulosic ethanol, which is made out of grass, wood and non-edible parts of plants, as to how green and even viable it is.

One of the main challenges is to find the right enzyme that breaks down the cellulosic wall that lodges the sugar that can be converted to alcohol.

There is a lot of research in the field and one of the latest breakthroughs was announced by scientists at the University of York in the UK, wrote Biofuels Daily. Professor Paul Walton and Professor Gideon Davies, of the University’s Department of Chemistry identified the molecular mechanism behind an enzyme found in fungi, which can degrade the cellulose chains of plant cell walls to release shorter sugars for biofuels.

The scientists were part of an international team that has found a method to overcome the chemical intractability of cellulose, thus allowing it to be converted efficiently into bioethanol. They were working with scientists in Novozymes laboratories at Davis, California, and Bagsvaerd, Denmark, as well as researchers at the University of Copenhagen and the University of Cambridge.

The researchers found a way of initiating effective oxidative degeneration of cellulose using the copper-dependent TaGH61 enzyme to overcome the chemical inertness of the material, a major obstacle to make use of it for biofuels. They have published their findings in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). They said the research removes the major constraint on the production of bioethanol from cellulose.

Earlier this week, Renmatix, a producer of cellulosic sugars, unveiled its PlantroseTM process, which takes a different approach to producing sugars more cost-effectively.

The company said that at its demonstration facility in Kennesaw, Georgia, it has already scaled its process to convert three dry tons of woody biomass to sugars daily. To further support the company’s growth plans, Renmatix is commencing technical and business operations in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.

PlantroseTM process is the first to break down cellulose at industrial scale through supercritical hydrolysis, which utilizes water at elevated temperatures and pressures to quickly solubilize cellulose. The supercritical state of matter has long been utilized in industrial processes including coffee decaffeination and pharmaceutical applications.

Up to this point, supercritical water had never successfully yielded sugar from biomass at significant scale. The process breaks down a wide range of non-food biomass in seconds, uses no significant consumables and produces much of its own process energy, the company said.

It added that with its water-based approach, it is possible to provide cellulosic sugar affordably and on large-scale with no need of expensive enzymes or harsh chemicals.

“Sugar has game-changing potential for the bio-based fuels and chemicals market,” said John Doerr, a partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers and Renmatix board member. “The Renmatix breakthrough enables access to affordable non-food based sugar on an industrial scale.”

Article by Antonio Pasolini, a Brazilian writer and video art curator based in London, UK. He holds a BA in journalism and an MA in film and television.

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Brazil, the world leader in sugar cane ethanol production and consumption, has announced that its national Development Bank (BNDES) and the Brazilian Innovation Agency (FINEP) have signed a Technical Cooperation Agreement, pledging R$1 billion between 2011 and 2014 for a Joint Plan to Support Industrial Technological Innovation in the sugar-based Energy and Chemical Sectors (PAISS).

According to a statement released last week, the objective of the deal is to stimulate the development, production and commercialization of new technologies to process sugarcane biomass. The hope is to bring this type of biofuel, also known as second generation or cellulosic ethanol, to the same level as Brazil’s established technologies for the production of conventional biofuels.

Another aspect of the deal is to obtain sugarcane biomass products, such as energy-rich fuels including diesel, gasoline and aviation kerosene, or chemical intermediates, with application in several different industries.

The approval of the PAISS more than doubles the number of currently available resources in the sector and brings Brazil near the investment levels of the U.S. and the EU, officials said. Currently, the joint innovation portfolios of BNDES and FINEP in ethanol and derivates production totals R$ 413.5 million.

Funding Process
The PAISS will focus on three key areas: Second Generation Bioethanol, New Sugarcane Products (including development from sugarcane biomass through biotechnological processes) and Gasification (with an emphasis on technology, equipment and processes).With the support of the PAISS and Brazil’s massive supply of low-priced biomass, the country hopes to become a pioneer in the production of cellulose-ethanol and other advanced biofuels in order to keep its leadership in the sector.

As new technology projects arise from the initiative, they will also be supported by BNDES and FINEP, based on existing lines of financing, programs and funds. Investors will have the opportunity to obtain financing from BNDES and FINEP according to project features and equity interest through the equity arm of the national development bank, BNDESPar.

The joint innovation portfolios of BNDES and FINEP in ethanol and derivates production totals R$413.5 million. BNDES is responsible for R$169.1 million through financing and FINEP for R$244.4 million. The approval of the PAISS more than doubles the number of currently available resources in the sector and brings Brazil near the investment levels of the U.S. and the EU.

In order to qualify for the PAISS, companies need to specialize in the research, development and innovation of the sugar-based energy and chemical market. Their proposals should tie in with company’s overall business strategy, with an introduction of their respective products in the market and technological outlook. More detailed information about the business plan selection process and PAISS will be made available on the BNDES and FINEP websites soon.

Article by Antonio Pasolini, appearing courtesy Justmeans.

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Iraqi officials have endorsed a plan to convert dates into biofuel, an innovative project they hope will boost a once-thriving agriculture economy burdened by years of drought, government sanctions and war.

A United Arab Emirates-based company will produce bioethanol from the dates that farmers can no longer use because they are rotting, said Faroun Ahmed Hussein, head of Iraq’s date palm board.

The nation produces about 350,000 tons of dates annually, but consumes only about 150,000 tons.

While Iraq once was a major date exporter, farmers now feed much of the rest to animals rather than export them because of the poor quality, Hussein said. Government sanctions and war have exacerbated entrenched problems such as high soil salinity and inefficient irrigation to ravage Iraq’s farming sector, the nation’s largest employer.

“Farmers will be happy to sell their rotten dates instead of throwing them away,” Hussein said. He would not identify the company, how much bioethanol it would be able to produce, or how much it would cost.

Appearing courtesy of Yale Environment 360.

[photo credit: Flickr]

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