Dow Chemical signs DOE partnership to explore mixed alcohol catalysts for ethanol production

In New York, Dow Chemical announced a research partnership with the Department of Energy to pursue new methods for converting biomass into ethanol, using a mixed alcohol catalyst developed by Dow.

Dow background

Dow Chemical said that it would commence land acquisition efforts in August for a sugarcane-to-ethanol-to-polyethylene plastics business unit. The company’s process will use renewable sources to make polyethylene, which traditionally is made from petroleum and natural gas. A venture owned by Dow and Crystalsev will grow 8 million tons of sugarcane and turn that into 350,000 tons of Dowlex.

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