Nov 20 2009
The Kalundborg, Denmark-based cellulosic ethanol plant of DONG Energy and Inbicon was inaugurated by Danish Prince Joachim on 18 November 2009.
The world’s largest plant for the biorefinery demonstration of second generation ethanol employs Genencor's Accellerase enzymes to convert straw into fuel.
Capitalizing on the DONG/Inbicon technology, the 1.5 million-gallon facility will generate ethanol for 85% ethanol fuel - E85. The E85 supply will meet the fuel needs of VIP cars heading to the UNFCCC Global Climate Summit, scheduled for 7 - 18 December in Copenhagen.
Tom Knutzen, Danisco's CEO, expressed pleasure at the progress made by the project during its construction phase and stated that Danisco is playing a key role in developing the market for second-generation biofuels through sales to DONG and the Danisco joint venture company, DuPont Danisco Cellulosic Ethanol (DDCE).
According to Inbicon’s VP Finance & Corporate Affairs, Michael Persson, years of testing, patenting biomass conversion process, and perfecting has borne fruits in the form of the success of this current large-scale commercial demonstration. Persson believes that the collaboration will play a vital role in the evolution to cost-effective renewable fuels, creation of growth opportunities with the help of advanced biorefineries and building a low-carbon economy.
Expected to scale up the process for achieving commercialization, the Kalundborg facility is equipped with an annual production capacity of 5.4 million liters of biofuel, in addition to molasses and lignin pellets.
Danisco’s Genencor division was the first to roll out commercial enzymes to convert cellulosic materials such as bioenergy crops as well as agricultural and forestry wastes into biofuel. In addition to three accessory products, Genencor launched Accellerase 1500 in April 2009, and has slated the introduction of a new generation of Accellerase for 2010.
Source: www.genencor.com