Live Blog from ABM: Adapting markets and technologies

9:08 am: Jim Lane, Editor of Biofuels Digest, steps up to the podium to moderate.

9:11 am: Douglas Rivers, Director of R&D for ICM, takes the stage.

9:13 am: You can mix food and fuel.

9:14 am: If first generation ethanol fails, second generation will not be able to pick up the slack and mission will fail.

9:17 am: Front end of technology will be the key to making processes more cost-effective.

9:20 am: Fine-grind technology means higher ethanol yield, additional oil recovery, lower DDGs recovery, and lower residual starch.

9:22 am: We have a DOE contract for a pilot plant; fully integrated 10 tons per day facility. Goes from receiving feedstock to distillation.

9:24 am: “Generation 1.5 fuels” means integrating a cellulosic plant into a first generation plant to take advantage of cellulosic potential. “Bolt-on” addition.

9: 27 am: Additional cellulosic ethanol, lower capital requirements to produce gallons.

9:29 am: Co-located designs allow synergy to benefit both 1st gen and 2nd gen.

9:32 am: Operation costs were $1.95/ gallon. Now, $1.65/ gallon.

9:33 am: Currently running 1000 hour runs, because these are what qualifies for federal loan guarantee programs. Open for partnerships.

9:34 am: Mian Li, Biomass Applications Group for DuPont, takes the stage.

9:36 am: 3 bio-based sectors at DuPont: Bioactives produce enzymes, proteins, peptides; Biomaterials produce biochemicals and biomaterials; Biorefineries produce ethanol, biobutanol, etc

9:49 am: Bill Roe, President and CEO, Coskata takes the stage.

9:52 am: Coal, garbage, biomass can all be gasified to create synthesis gas, which is the raw material. Reforming transforms natural gas into syngas.

9:55 am: Gap between natural gas price and gasoline price is at historic high. This was opportunity to enter marketplace.

9:59 am: In order to derisk and benefit from economics, building plants to produce ethanol on natural gas feedstock. Introduced technology as early as possible.

10:01 am: Praxair is partner to convert natural gas to syngas, IMC is partner for distillation of ethanol.

10:03 am: Extremely cost competitive, even in projected markets.

10:11 am: Alan Shaw, Chairman, President & CEO of Calysta, takes the stage.

10:15 am: Diesel has huge potential, natural gas has great process for it.

10:16 am: Sugar is a carbohydrate, which breaks down into oxygen. When you get rid of oxygen, you also lose a carbon. You will never be able to make diesel fuel economically from carbohydrates.

10:18 am: 80% of conversion is feedstock. Reducing yield loss will be the key to success, therefore choosing the right feedstock is critical.

11:21 am: Directed evolution technology is what Codexis relied on; huge potential

10:23 am: Gas to liquids technology: gas is difficult to transport, expensive, and flammable.

10:24 am: Carbon capture is a great program

10:26 am: Natural gas with biology can go straight to fuels because of engineering capabilities.

10:28 am:

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