Iogen: 50 Hottest Companies in Bioenergy candidate profile
Based in: Canada
2008-09 rank: 18
Business: Cellulosic ethanol production
Model: Owner-operator.
Past milestones:
In 2009, a Shell station in Ottawa became the first in the country to serve cars with cellulosic ethanol, offering a 10 percent blend of gasoline and wheat straw ethanol manufactured at a demonstration-scale cellulosic ethanol plan jointly owned by Shell and Iogen.
A representative of the joint venture said that a decision on expansion would be reached within 12 months, and did not rule out the possibility of constructing a commercial-scale facility in Idaho, where the company abandoned an effort to build a demonstration-scale plant.
Last October, Iogen announced that it had commenced shipments of a 47,000 gallon cellulosic ethanol order from venture partner Royal Dutch Shell. The companies first partnered in cellulosic ethanol in 2002 when Shell invested in Iogen. Shell subsequently increased its ownership stake in Iogen’s technology to 50 percent in 2007.
Under an expanded agreement with Shell, Codexis will optimize the efficiency of Iogen Energy’s cellulosic ethanol catalysts, as well as developing new to convert biomass directly into green gasoline or green diesel.
Future milestones:
The Saskatchewan provincial government signed an agreement with Iogen to support development the province’s first cellulosic ethanol plant at a former pulp mill at Prince Albert owned by Domtar. Iogen will operate the plant, which will be a commercial-scale expansion of its wheat straw ethanol demonstration plant in Ontario. The Canadian government has pledged up to 40 percent of the cost of the project in the form of development grants. The plant will also feature power generation from forest residues.
In 2008, the Canadian federal government approved a $500 million cellulosic ethanol project plan by Iogen Corp for construction in Saskatchewan. Iogen execs said that they hoped to launch the 23 Mgy plant north of Saskatoon by 2011, using wheat straw and other cellulose as feedstock. Iogen is backed in the venture by Shell, Goldman Sachs and Petro Canada.
Metrics: The Iogen technology has been operating at a 480,000 gallon per year capacity since 2004, and is currently evaluating options to construct an 18 Mgy plant in Saskatchewan, near Prince Albert.
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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