S72: Re-commercialisation of butanol fermentation

Numerous commercial biofuel ventures for ethanol and biodiesel have been established over the past decade complementing the more established sugar ethanol industry in Brazil. The major challenges are high production costs (largely linked to high feedstock costs) and/or the use of non-sustainable feedstocks. The next decade promises significant reduction in cost and improved sustainability from the use of cellulosic feedstocks and from the production of advanced biofuels with improved properties.

Bio-butanol is a superior “next generation” biofuel that fits neatly into the existing transportation fuel infrastructure.  Bio-butanol offers greater sustainability and environmental benefits than “first generation” biofuels. The fermentation route also has the potential to replace petro-derived butanol, acetone and hydrogen with cheaper, renewable chemicals (butanol is an important chemical for solvents, paints and polymers with an existing market worth $4.3 billion). Global demand for bio-butanol has been stimulated by investment in new plant in China. Over $200m has been invested to date, resulting in 0.3M t/yr of installed solvent capacity with plans to expand to 1M t/yr.

Green Biologics Ltd. delivers technical improvements in the Clostridia ABE fermentation process that transform the economics of butanol production.  The company delivers improved microbes and an advanced fermentation process for feedstocks based on wastes and agricultural by-products.