Mascoma readies commercial strategy for Mascoma Grain Technology

In New Hampshire, Mascoma says that it has implemented key components of the commercialization strategy for its Mascoma Grain Technology, or MGT, yeast product, which is the first commercial application of Mascoma’s proprietary consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) technology platform.

The MGT product is a genetically-modified yeast designed as a drop-in substitute for conventional fermenting yeast that lowers costs for corn ethanol producers by alleviating the need to purchase most of the expensive enzymes currently used in corn ethanol production.

Mascoma is pursuing additional commercial applications of its proprietary CBP technology platform, including its recently announced joint venture with Valero Energy Corporation to develop a 20 million gallon per year commercial-scale facility in Kinross, Michigan to convert hardwood pulpwood to cellulosic ethanol. Since last quarter, the company has signed agreements with ICM, Valero Renewable Fuels, and Lallemand Specialties.