The organic biopulp recovered from MSW fractionation is the key material for the sugar platform and biofuel production. It is this biopulp fraction, making up about 45% of the MSW, which is used today to produce cellulosic ethanol, as in the case of Fiberight. The core process really focuses on creating a washed homogeneous lignocellulosic feedstock from a heterogeneous stream. The washed MSW biopulp can be treated at mild conditions and low energy input for optimized enzymatic hydrolysis into sugars, which can be used for production of chemicals or further fermentation into cellulosic ethanol.
The partnership between Fiberight, one of the first U.S. based companies to successfully produce biofuel from waste on an industrial scale, and Novozymes, the world leader on bio solutions and bio innovation, are using biotechnology to produce bioethanol from MSW as an economical viable reality. Producers such as Fiberight will continue to rely on higher-performing enzymes.