SEKAB: 50 Hottest Companies in Bioenergy candidate profile
SEKAB
Based in: Sweden
2008-09 ranking: 39
Business: Development of a Cellulose to Ethanol process based on Enzymatic Cellulose Hydrolysis after dilute acid pre-treatment and fermentation of C5 and C6 sugars. The technology is verified in the unique pilot plant operated on 24/7 basis since 2004, accumulated running time now exceeds 19 000 hours. Technology is ready to be scaled up to the first commercial ethanol plant integrated with sugarcane based ethanol and/or heat and power generation plant for soft wood.
Model: Technology provider in a consortium with licensing of protected technology and supplier of design package.
Past milestones:
1. The commercial part of the company (Biofuels and Chemicals) developed and launched a system for the first Verified Sustainable Ethanol together with Brazilian ethanol producers and the first part owned grain based plant in Poland successfully started up in spring 2009 .
2. Glucose yields from cellulose comparable to best lab results have been reached in the pilot for two stage dilute acid hydrolysis and more than 60 % of theoretical glucose yield has so far been reached for enzymatic cellulose hydrolysis of soft wood.
3. In a trial during spring 2009 the plant was run for 21 consecutive days without interruption and pentose fermenting yeast was successfully produced at a close to theoretical yield within the EU-project NILE.
Future milestones:
1. The international commercial breakthrough for ethanol ED95 in modified diesel engines.
2. Secure finance for the development, pre-project and pre-commercialization phase of cellulose ethanol.
3. First contract for a commercial scale plant
Metrics: Revenues: 2009 (projected), € 0,19 billion, 2008 = € 0,22 billion, 2007 = € 0,19 billion. The estimated cost based on bagasse in tropical countries integrated with sugar based ethanol production is $2 per gallon comparable to sugar based ethanol. For softwood in Scandinavia with high feedstock cost it is, in an integrated plant with heat and power, about $3 per gallon comparable to agrobased production in the region.
SEKAB quotable quotes:
“SEKAB is one of the most experienced suppliers of ethanol based fuels with a broad portfolio of solutions from feedstock to vehicle, including how to meet standards and regulations, overcome barriers etc. Combined with the development of the cellulose based technology the company is well prepared for the continued expansion and future challenges.”
“SEKAB has experience to build distribution network together with other stakeholders like oil companies. The network for development includes major heavy vehicles producers, flexifuel vehicle manufacturers in Europe, universities active in the field of cellulose ethanol, research enzyme companies for development and pilot evaluation of enzymes, equipment/reactor suppliers etc.”
The Hot 50 for 2009-10 will be released Tuesday, 12/1. Between now and then, you’ll see profiles of potential candidates in the Digest, and you’ll have a chance to vote for your favorites. Reader response will count for 50 percent of a company’s overall score in the preparation of the rankings. The remaining 50 percent is voted by a panel of experts.
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