DuPont to launch UK biobutanol in UK this fall; cites breakthrough in energy density, compatability with gasoline infrastructure as keys to success

DuPont profiled its butanol prospects, in advance of the Washington Major Economies Meeting on Energy Security and Climate Change, called by President Bush for September 27-28.

DuPont’s biobutanol is expected to have 85% of the enrgy output of gasoline, versus 65% for ethanol, and can be used in existing vehicles without modification, can be transmitted via existing fuel pipelines. DuPont’s biobutanol will debut in the UK this fall, but it is not certain when it will be introduced in other countries. DuPont expects a Bu16 mix to be optimal at the time of the launch.

With ethanol pipelines expected to cost up to $1 million per mile, the ability of biobutanol to use existing pipelines is a key advantage for the fuel, in addition to the higher energy density that will make loss in performance negligible when used in a Bu16 blend.

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