LS9: “We’re ready to move on scale…about to lock down our demonstration scale plant.”

In California, the Digest visited with 50 Hottest Companies in Bioenergy candidate company— and microbial fermentation pioneer — LS9 (ranked #25 in last year’s poll). CEO Bill Haywood offered an update on activities.

“We’re ready to move on scale,” Haywood said. “We’re about to lock down a distressed asset as our demonstration scale plant. In a couple of weeks we should have an official announcement.  It would require a little replumbing, but it has the utilities, is close to feedstocks we need, and would be ready by Q2 2010. We’re now at 1000 l — this is 50-100,000 liter.”

On LS9’s programs, Haywood said, “we’re still gung ho on our esters (fuels) program, we’re just crossing a threshold now where we are now competitive with $100 oil, and are continuing to drive that towards $50, our maximum theoretical yield. Our fuel passed ASTM spec, and also ANS spec for Brazilian biodiesel”

On partners, Haywood added, “We’re just closing out our financing round, and picked up two outstanding partners in P&G and Chevron. We’re on a strict stage-gate schedule, but hitting all our milestones.”

Feedstocks?  For now, we’re using what is ready — energy cane – cheapest source of sugars right now – with its 9 to 1 net energy return. Later, perhaps sugar beets sweet sorghum. Cheap sugar is very important, really there are no miracles. Our technology works with woods and grasses, corn stover – both C5 and C6 sugars. The beauty of the e.coli bacteria is that it is such a solid, proven platform.”

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