Three-component blend of ethanol-biobutanol-gasoline "has significant advantages": DuPont
In New York, DuPont Applied BioSciences President Craig F. Binetti, speaking at the Jeffries 11th Annual Clean Technology Conference, talked about Dupont’s intentions regarding biotechnology and biofuels. Dupont currently estimates the biofuels industry worldwide will grow from a $50 billion opportunity today to a $75 billion opportunity by 2015. The company has ongoing efforts to develop both fuels from renewable non-food biomass, cellulosic ethanol, and a drop-in biofuel, biobutanol, that behaves similar to gasoline.
“Globally, approximately 600 new plants will be required in the next decade to meet the anticipated global demand for cellulosic biofuel, and we expect a significant share of these will use DDCE technology,” Binetti said.
DDCE is focused on a commercialization model that includes licensing and selective participation in production of cellulosic ethanol. The licensing program includes a comprehensive package for cellulosic ethanol production that includes licensed technology, plant design, start-up, training and ongoing technical support. This joint venture is in the final preparations for site selection for its first commercial facility, which will be located in Iowa.
Speaking about biobutanol Binetti stated, “Biobutanol is a unique fuel that can be made from renewable resources as efficiently as ethanol and has advantages in refining, blending and distribution. Biobutanol is a retrofit technology which can be applied to existing grain and sugarcane ethanol facilities to upgrade the value of their output.” Binetti added, “The Butamax joint venture has focused initial commercial development on corn and sugarcane based ethanol plants. There are more than 200 grain based ethanol plants and more than 400 sugarcane ethanol plants globally.
While ethanol and biobutanol each have the potential to add value to the global biofuels market, a three-component blend of ethanol-biobutanol-gasoline has significant advantages as well,” Binetti said. “We are positioning ourselves so we are advantaged when the rapid growth occurs in advanced renewable fuels over the next decade.”
Category: Fuels
