Genomatica develops process to convert shutdown ethanol plants to production of high-margin methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) solvents

In California, Genomatica said that it has developed a process to convert sugars to the solvent methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), and said that shut-down ethanol plants could use the process to restart operations serving the paint remover, lacquer and varnish markets instead of fuel production. MEK sells for $4.50 to $6 a gallon, according to Genomatica, compared to a price around $1.50 for ethanol.

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