KL Process designs becomes publicly-traded KL Energy; first commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol producer sets sights on second plant

In South Dakota, cellulosic ethanol producer KL Process Designs completed a reverse merger, and emerged as the public company KL Energy (KLEG.OB) as the first commercial producer of cellulosic ethanol aims for expansion. The company completed a $6.1 million private placement with the merger; funds that are earmarked for development of the company’s second commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol plant.

KL Energy is currently producing commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol from wood waste at a commercial-scale facility in Upton, Wyoming. The company received investments from Fair Energy and The Green Fund in the transaction, and Fair Energy executive Alain Vignon joined the board. Also joining the KL Energy board is Alan Rae of O2 Diesel.

In a Biofuels Digest interview published today, CEO Randy Kramer said that the company has developed both a unique strategy and a pool of process engineers and project leaders to fuel the company’s growth. The company credits a six-year partnership with the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology as a key factor in their rapid development. Commenting on KL’s first-mover advantage in cellulosic ethanol, USDA ARS scientist Stephen Hughes said “Others are talking, planning, or building. KL is doing it.”

Free Subscription to the Daily Biofuels Digest e-newsletter

Related Stories

KL Energy receives 2008 Biofuels Digest Achievement Award in Cellulosic Ethanol

[BIOFUELS DIGEST NEWSWIRE] MIAMI, FL -- Biofuels Digest announced this morning that KL Energy received the 2008 Biofuels Digest Achievement Award for Cellulosic Ethanol. The award was given in reco...

Range Fuels closes $130 million equity round to fund commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol plant

In Colorado, Range Fuels closed a $130 round of equity funding for its cellulosic ethanol production using a thermochemical process acting on wood waste. The funds will be used for construction of its...

Lignol commences production of woodchip cellulosic ethanol in British Columbia

In Canada, Lignol Energy has commenced production of cellulosic ethanol from wood chips at its pilot plant in Burnaby, British Columbia. The plant completed construction in April and has been in start...

Lignol loss widens as cellulosic ethanol pioneer sets 2010 goal to evaulate opportunities for commercial-scale plant

In Canada, Lignol Energy reported a full-year loss of $6.2 million compared to a loss of $4.6 million for the previous year, and said that the wider losses reflected an increase in R&D spending to...

Verenium to commission 1.4 Mgy cellulosic ethanol demonstration plant in Louisiana

In Louisiana, Verenium said that it was in the process of commissioning its 1.4 Mgy demonstration-scale cellulosic ethanol plant in Jennings. The company said that it would commence construction of a ...

Brazil to open first commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol plant by 2011

In Brazil, Sugar Cane Technology Center research leaders said that Brazil would enter the cellulosic ethanol industry at the commercial-scale with a first plant opened as soon as 2011. The proposed pl...