Novozymes, Petrobras partner on cellulosic ethanol enzymes, process

In Brazil, Novozymes and Petrobras announced a partnership to develop enzymes and production processes to produce second generation lignocellulosic ethanol from bagasse in an enzymatic process.

It is estimated that bagasse-to-ethanol technology can increase Brazil’s ethanol production by some 2.8 billion gallons without having to increase the crop area. Novozymes is already carrying out research on enzymes to convert bagasse to cellulosic ethanol in order to make the process commercially viable. Enzymes break down plant waste such as corn stover, wheat straw, wood chips, and sugarcane bagasse, which is then fermented to produce ethanol.

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