Industry News


Joint research agreement signed to advance Cellulosic Biofuel research


REA launches bioenergy review


The Renewable Energy Association (REA) has launched a far-reaching review into the future of bioenergy in the UK. Bioenergy is energy generated from bio-based fuels, such as wood pellets and biodiesel. The review comes shortly after


the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) estimated bioenergy’s contribution to UK total energy could more than double by 2050. The International Energy Agency (IEA) described bioenergy as ‘the overlooked giant of renewables’. The review is expected to form a


C


lariant, a leading speciality chemicals company, has announced that it has signed a joint research agreement


with ExxonMobil and Renewable Energy Group (REG) to evaluate the potential use of cellulosic sugars from sources such as agricultural waste and residues to produce biofuel, which has the potential to play a role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The new partnership expands a


previously announced agreement[1] for joint research between ExxonMobil and REG, in which the companies successfully validated the ability of REG Life Sciences bio-conversion technology to convert sugars from cellulosic biomass into biodiesel through a single-step process. The new agreement with Clariant


allows ExxonMobil and REG to further optimize REG’s bio-conversion process using previously tested and benchmarked cellulosic sugars created through Clariant’s sunliquid process. The companies’ ultimate objective is to combine Clariant’s and REG’s processes into a seamless cellulosic biomass-to-biodiesel technology. “Over the past three years, our


work with REG has led to important advances in genetically improving REG’s proprietary microbes for a beneficial use in facilitating the


conversion of cellulosic sugars into biodiesel,” said Vijay Swarup, vice president of research and development at ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company. “Applying Clariant’s expertise and knowledge will help us better understand and advance a key stage in the overall cellulosic conversion process, and hopefully lead to the development of scalable biodiesel technology.” Clariant is a leading company


offering integrated technologies and solutions for converting agricultural residues such as wheat straw, rice straw, corn stover and sugar cane bagasse. Clariant‘s sunliquid process features chemical-free pretreatment, the integrated production of feedstock and process-specific enzymes and thus high yields of fermentable C5 and C6 sugars. Clariant will conduct trials at its pre-commercial plant in Straubing, Germany using different types of cellulosic feedstock that will be converted into sugars for conversion by REG and ExxonMobil into high- quality, low-carbon biodiesel. “We are committed to innovation and R&D, together with a focus on sustainability, as main pillars of Clariant’s strategy. Our sunliquid technology platform is a key outcome of this commitment. We are proud that two strong allies in the biofuels


industry have selected Clariant as their partner and are excited to work with them on further leveraging this unique technology for converting cellulosic biomass to fuels and chemicals, including biodiesel,” said Christian Kohlpaintner, member of Clariant’s executive committee. REG Life Sciences technology


has proven its broad applicability to industries as diverse as flavor and fragrance, specialty chemicals and transportation fuels. Through its partnership with ExxonMobil, REG has developed proprietary technology that utilizes industrial microbes to convert complex cellulosic sugars into low-carbon biodiesel in a one-step fermentation process. “ExxonMobil has been an


exceptional partner in developing this promising technology. We are delighted to be able to add Clariant to the team with its market leading sunliquid technology. We believe we have assembled a dream team for conversion of cellulosic biomass to low carbon biofuels and are excited about the promise of this collaboration,” said Eric Bowen, vice president of REG Life Sciences.” The partners will also work on


a conceptual engineering study to validate the feasibility of the integrated process comprising the technologies of all parties.


new policy strategy for government and industry, outlining how bioenergy can fulfil its long-term potential in a low-carbon energy mix.


It will provide a comprehensive


up-to-date assessment of the current role of bioenergy and the potential it has in meeting carbon targets by the year 2032, when the UK’s final carbon budget will draw to a close. The Strategy will also look at bioenergy’s role in meeting the UK’s 2050 targets for decarbonisation. The publication of the REA’s


Bioenergy Strategy will come two years after the long-awaited first review of the Government’s 2012 Bioenergy Strategy was expected. To launch the review, the REA


is seeking stakeholder and expert views on the future and potential of bioenergy through their Call for Evidence, hosted at https://www. bioenergy-strategy.com/. Industry, academic specialists, NGOs and political stakeholders – as well as the wider public – are invited to submit evidence to the review. Adam Brown, independent


author for the Bioenergy Strategy report, commented: “Many of the policies which


have helped spur the growth of bioenergy are now coming to an end and the energy markets and technologies have advanced significantly. So it’s time for an update of the UK’s strategy.


Spring 2019 Forest Bioenergy Review 5


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