Myriant partners with University of Florida, Buckeye in biochemicals venture

In Florida, the newly formed Myriant Technologies will partner with Buckeye Technologies and the University of Florida to develop a pilot-scale bio-based chemicals plant in Perry, adjacent to an existing wood cellulose plant.

Buckeye will supply power and 5 dry tons of biomass per day, including sugarcane bagasse, rice hulls, wood and other feedstock. Myriant would utilize genetically modified E. coli bacteria developed by the University of Florida to produce sugars from biomass that can be converted into bioplastics.

Myriant holds a license to produce chemicals from the process that Verenium licensed for cellulosic ethanol production. Myriant will receive a $20 million grant from the state of Florida that will cover the entire cost of the project – by contract, Verenium received a $7 million grant from the state towards the total $250 million project cost of its 36 Mgy cellulosic ethanol plant.

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