University of Wisconsin–Madison researchers develop new process for three-in-one productions from biomass

In Wisconsin, by developing a new process for obtaining not one, but three high-value products from biomass in one fell swoop, University of Wisconsin–Madison engineers and their collaborators have now made that leap towards economic viability.

The researchers, led by James Dumesic, professor of chemical and biological engineering, published their results May 19 in the journal Science Advances. Their new process tripled the fraction of biomass converted to high-value products to nearly 80 percent, also tripling the expected rate of return for an investment in the technology from roughly 10 percent (for one end product) to 30 percent.