Gevo’s Luverne plant hits isobutanol co-production goal of 50,000 gallons/ month
In Colorado, Gevo has met its isobutanol production goal at its Luverne, Minnesota plant using the the Side-by-Side operation mode. The company had hoped to reach production levels of 50-100 thousand gallons per month by the end of 2014. The plant commenced the co-production of isobutanol and ethanol in June of 2014, with one fermenter dedicated to isobutanol production and three fermenters dedicated to ethanol production.
Also announced in fourth quarter remarks were several highlights:
• Implementation of a second-generation yeast isobutanol biocatalyst at Luverne that significantly improves plant operability.
◦ Increased the isobutanol fermentation rate by approximately 20% versus the best performing batch using the first-generation yeast.
◦ Can produce in operating conditions that enable further mitigation of potential infections, as well as the improved management of the iDGs™ animal feed co-product.
◦ This second-generation yeast platform, which is a product of a new yeast modification capability developed by Gevo, speeds up the development and implementation of new traits in Gevo’s yeast through high-speed combinatorial techniques.
• NAPA Myers Auto Parts began selling off-road fuel developed by Gulf Racing Fuels containing blends of up to 16% of Gevo’s renewable isobutanol in North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, and Minnesota for use in boats, ATVs, motorcycles and snowmobiles.
Category: Fuels
