Chemtex (and its parent Gruppo M&G) considers the development of the biofuels industry a strategic goal and a real opportunity for the technological development in the Italian territory and worldwide, providing a real solution to GHG reduction.
Since 2007 M&G has invested over $200MM in research and development of a sustainable, scalable and simplified technology for the transformation of virtually any kind of lignocellulosic feedstock into low-cost, fermentable sugars for the production of second generation bioethanol and biochemicals.
This facility is the largest in the world of its kind using 180,000 tons of biomass producing 40,000 tons of bioethanol and 15MW of “green power” from lignin exported to the grid.
The main feedstocks chosen for the Crescentino facility are wheat straw and purpose-grown Giant reed (Arundo donax). The feedstock supply chain, including sowing/planting, harvest mechanisation, as well as storage and logistics solutions have been demonstrated in the local area. The cash cost for ethanol is <$1.50/USG ($0.40/L) and fermentable sugar of ~$0.10/lb
In accordance with recent EU directives on CO2 and other greenhouse gases sequestration capacity, product from M&G Plant will exceed 70% sequestration capacity.