Gevo and Beta Renewables (Chemtex/TPG) Sign Agreement to Develop Integrated Process for Cellulosic Isobutano
Gevo, Inc. (NASDAQ: GEVO), a leading renewable chemicals and next-generation biofuels company, signed a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) with Beta Renewables, a joint venture between Chemtex and TPG, to develop an integrated process for the production of bio-based isobutanol from cellulosic, non-food biomass.
The project would integrate Beta’s PROESATM technology and Gevo’s GIFT® and ATJ technologies, with anticipated production plants to be located where cellulosic feedstocks such as switchgrass, miscanthus, agriculture residues and other biomass will be readily available. The agreement also anticipates commercialization of the technology upon project success, which could enable renewably sourced, competitively priced jet fuel as well as other chemicals and fuels made from isobutanol.
“Gevo has always said that we are feedstock agnostic and, when the technology and feedstock supply chain are ready, we would use our isobutanol process with cellulosic feedstocks. This allows us to access a larger carbohydrate pool as feedstock for isobutanol production, which help keep costs down and enables production facilities in regions of the world rich in biomass resources,” said Gevo COO and President Chris Ryan in a presentation at the U.S. Department of Energy’s BIOMASS 2012 conference. “With the success of our Luverne, Minn. plant startup and Beta Renewables’ cellulosic sugar technology, we’re ready to position Gevo to be on the forefront of cellulosic isobutanol and isobutanol derivatives, such as jet fuel, through the integration of the companies’ respective technology platforms. Beta Renewables is a leader in cellulosic conversion technology and we look forward to a range of collaborations, including partnering with Beta to meet the requirements of the U.S. government’s Defense Production Act Title III project.”
“This is the latest example of Beta Renewables’ PROESA technology enabling lower-cost delivery of bio products – whether cellulosic ethanol from our first-in-the-world, commercial-scale plant in Crescentino, or from GraalBio’s multiple plants; from jet fuel produced in partnership with Gevo or from other bio-based chemicals. Gevo is a leader in the fermentation of sugar into isobutanol and a great partner for this effort,” said Dario Giordano, Chief Technology Officer of Beta Renewables and M&G Corporate Director.
The companies are evaluating future opportunities to partner on other U.S. and international projects with a long-term goal of developing a licensable package for future interested third parties.
Beta Renewables is currently building a 60,000 metric ton (approximately 20 million gallon) per year bio-refinery in Crescentino, Italy that will produce cellulosic ethanol using its PROESA™ process as well as ‘green’ electricity. Construction has begun and plant startup is targeted for the end of 2012.
About Gevo
Gevo is converting existing ethanol plants into biorefineries to make renewable building block products for the chemical and fuel industries. The Company plans to convert renewable raw materials into isobutanol and renewable hydrocarbons that can be directly integrated on a “drop in” basis into existing chemical and fuel products to deliver environmental and economic benefits. Gevo is committed to a sustainable biobased economy that meets society’s needs for plentiful food and clean air and water. For more information, visit www.gevo.com
About Beta Renewables
Beta Renewables is the leader in making non-food cellulosic biomass practical and cost-competitive for the production of advanced biofuels and biochemicals. Beta Renewables is a unique $350 million (€250M) joint venture formed from the Chemtex division of Gruppo Mossi & Ghisolfi and TPG. The company benefits from over 60 years of success in process development and commercializing hundreds of plants worldwide. Beta Renewables has invested over $200 million (€140M) in the development of the PROESA™ process. The company is currently building the world’s first commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol facility in Crescentino, Italy, expected to start operations by the end of 2012.
Source: gevo.com
Gevo Announces Successful Startup of World’s First Commercial Biobased Isobutanol Plant
“At 1 p.m. MDT yesterday we made history by initiating production of biobased isobutanol at commercial scale,” said Dr. Patrick Gruber, CEO of Gevo. “One year ago, we broke ground with a startup goal of less than 12 months and we’ve succeeded. It’s an extremely proud moment for Gevo and a tribute to the drive and ambition of our scientists, chemical engineers and production team.”
“The startup of our Luverne plant represents a major milestone for the industry and validation of our commitment to commercially produce biobased isobutanol in the first half of 2012,” said Gruber. “The next milestone will be to successfully ship product to our customers.”
Gevo retrofitted the Luverne plant to incorporate its proprietary yeast and Gevo Integrated Fermentation Technology® (GIFT®) system to produce biobased isobutanol. Through initial operation of the Luverne plant, Gevo expects to advance its learning of large-scale production of renewable isobutanol at the site maintaining a goal of producing isobutanol at a run rate of approximately 1 million gallons per month by yearend 2012. Per its previous guidance, Gevo expects to reach full-capacity run rates by yearend 2013. “This ramp up in production is actually fast for a new technology,” said Gruber. “It would be much longer and present more execution risk if this were a greenfield plant. I like this retrofit approach.”
“This is only the beginning for Gevo as we work toward our first shipment to Sasol and increasing production over the coming months,” added Gruber. “As with all plant startups we will face challenges. However, we have an outstanding team, many of whom have been through similar startups before, to address and meet these challenges. We look forward to growing into a very large business.”
Source: www.gevo.com
Gevo Begins Retrofit of World's First Commercial-Scale Biobased Isobutonal Plant
Gevo, Inc. (NASDAQ: GEVO), a renewable chemicals and advanced biofuels company, announced today that it has begun the retrofit of its ethanol facility in Luverne, Minnesota, to produce biobased isobutanol. This milestone brings the company one step closer to commercial-scale production. The retrofit, which is expected to be complete by next summer, will make this facility the world's first commercial-scale biobased isobutanol plant.
"Isobutanol made from renewable raw materials can be used to make a variety of everyday products such as rubber, plastics and fuel, and is a versatile solution to help displace our country's dependency on petroleum and create a biobased economy," said Patrick Gruber, Ph.D., CEO of Gevo. "Through this retrofit, Gevo is providing a high-value product that supports our nation's agriculture industry."
Biobased isobutanol has emerged as a frontrunner in the race to end the United States' dependency on petroleum because it is a drop in replacement for a variety of products. It can be sold in the marketplace as both a solvent chemical and a fuel blendstock, or it can be converted into four carbon building blocks called butenes, which can be used to make 40 percent of all petrochemicals and a 100 percent of all hydrocarbon fuels.
Gevo acquired the Luverne, Minnesota plant, which has an isobutanol production capacity of 18 million gallons per year, from Agri-Energy LLC in September 2010. Currently, the plant has 27 employees.
The official groundbreaking ceremony will take place today at 12:00 pm CDT at Gevo's ethanol facility, located at 502 South Walnut Avenue in Luverne, Minnesota. The ceremony will be attended by Gevo executives, employees and elected officials including U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota State Senator Doug Magnus and Minnesota State Representative Joe Schomacker.
About Gevo
Gevo is developing capital efficient biorefinery systems to provide renewable, cost-effective building block products to the chemical and fuel industries. The Company seeks to convert renewable raw materials into isobutanol and renewable hydrocarbons that can be directly integrated on a "drop in" basis into existing chemical and fuel products to deliver environmental and economic benefits. Gevo is committed to a sustainable biobased economy that meets society's needs for plentiful food and clean air and water. For more information, visit www.gevo.com.
SOURCE: Gevo, Inc.
