BIO Says Small-Scale Biorefinery Projects Will Move Forward Advanced Biofuel Technology, Benefit Climate

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Thursday, February 21, 2008) - The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) today held a news briefing to discuss newly funded small-scale biorefinery projects that will demonstrate advanced technologies for converting cellulosic biomass to biofuels and biobased chemicals and products. The U.S. Department of Energy recently announced cost-sharing grants worth $114 million for four small-scale biorefinery projects, located throughout the United States. Experts from biotechnology companies discussed the rapid advances in technology making cellulosic ethanol and biobased products economical, energy efficient and environmentally beneficial.

Brent Erickson, executive vice president of BIO’s Industrial & Environmental Section, stated, “The recently passed Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 calls for production of 21 billion gallons of advanced biofuels by 2022. These small-scale biorefinery projects backed by Department of Energy grants are important for furthering the research and development in advanced biofuel production technology necessary to help meet U.S. goals.

“Biorefineries producing not just fuel, but also chemicals and energy can be built throughout the United States, utilizing locally available cellulosic biomass feedstocks. These small-scale projects will use a wide variety of feedstocks and test many different technologies for fuel and coproducts, providing experience and data that can be transferred to full-size, commercial-scale biorefineries.

“Further, new advanced biofuels will be required to meet aggressive greenhouse gas reduction targets. Recent research demonstrates that bioenergy crops, such as switchgrass, can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 90 percent compared to petroleum fuels. Ongoing advances in industrial biotechnology make possible the use of agricultural residues and dedicated energy crops for producing advanced biofuels.

“A recent BIO report, ‘Achieving Sustainable Production of Agricultural Biomass for Biorefinery Feedstock,’ showed that through increased use of no-till agriculture farmers can produce and collect crop residues in an economically and environmentally sustainable way. The report identifies available techniques for sustainable harvesting of agricultural residues – such as corn stover and cereal straws – for use as feedstocks for advance biofuel biorefineries. The report is available at http://bio.org/ind/biofuel/SustainableBiomassReport.pdf.

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About BIO

BIO represents more than 1,150 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology technologies. BIO also produces the annual BIO International Convention, the world’s largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world.

 

 

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