Aemetis Granted Fifth U.S. Patent for Cellulosic Biochemical and Biofuel Technology

Aemetis, Inc. (OTCPK: AMTX), an advanced fuels and renewable chemicals company, announced today that the company was awarded a patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) titled “Hydrolytic Enzyme Mixtures For Saccharification of Lignocellulosic Polysaccharides”, and issued U.S. Patent No. 8,273,557. This patent relates to advanced plant cell wall degradative systems, specifically enzymes that bind to and/or depolymerize cellulose.

These cell wall degrading systems have a number of applications, including a method of producing cellulosic ethanol.  With this new patent award, Aemetis holds 5 awarded patents, 6 filed patents, and 4 licensed patents.  In addition, Aemetis recently announced signing the first global license for the Chevron Lummus Global catalytic hydrolysis refining process, which produces 100% replacement jet and diesel fuel from plant and algal oils.

“The saccharophagus degradans microbe contains more than 90 enzymes that break down plant material,” stated Dr. Steven Hutcheson, a board member of Aemetis.  “Cell wall degradation is a foundational attribute of the Z-microbe enzymes, enabling the release of a new source of less expensive cellulosic sugar for use in fuels and chemicals production.”

“The patented Z-microbe technology is being developed to reduce feedstock costs, carbon intensity and energy use while enabling the synergistic, integrated production of advanced fuels and industrial biochemicals from renewable feedstocks,” explained Eric McAfee, Chairman and CEO of Aemetis.  “We use these Aemetis technologies to convert and expand existing biofuels and oil refining facilities to produce high value renewable fuels and biochemicals at a lower cost than petroleum products.”

Source: www.aemetis.com