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24.12.10
Green Biologics announces landmark deals for biobutanol production in China
GBL has announced the completion of landmark agreements with the China – UK Low Carbon Enterprise Co Ltd (the joint venture company of the China Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection Group and the UK’s Carbon Trust) and two of China’s major biochemical firms, Guangxi Jinyuan Biochemical Company Ltd and Lianyungang Union of Chemicals Company Ltd.
GBL will collaborate with its partners to scale up and roll out its advanced biobutanol technology in a deal designed to boost China’s strategy of investment in renewable energy.
Under the agreements, GBL will provide its advanced fermentation technology to existing production facilities to enable biobutanol production using lower cost sustainable feedstock.
GBL’s advanced fermentation technology enables the production of renewable butanol and other chemicals from waste and agricultural by-products. GBL’s biobutanol is a substitute for petroleum-based n-butanol, an important chemical used in the production of polymers and plastics and as a solvent in paint. The worldwide n-butanol market is worth over $4 billion per annum with China the fastest growing market.
The global market for biofuels is around $50 billion and growing at 7.5% per annum. GBL’s biobutanol offers a biofuels option for the future that will be lower cost than the existing petroleum-based biofuels of ethanol and biodiesel, is made from a wide range of sustainable waste and cellulosic feedstocks and has superior technical performance.
Sean Sutcliffe, GBL’s chief executive, said: ‘We are delighted to be collaborating with China’s leading low carbon energy organisation and major biochemical firms.
‘These agreements build on GBL’s successful business development programme in China, where over the last three years our focus has been on introducing advanced technology to allow the profitable operation of existing biobutanol facilities for the chemical market. The relationship with leading Chinese biochemical companies and China – UK Low Carbon Enterprise Co Ltd will allow us to significantly accelerate this process. In addition, these companies can provide a platform for the introduction of the next generation of GBL technology, which will see the roll-out of biobutanol as a low cost advanced biofuel derived from sustainable feedstocks.
‘The business approach in China complements our global strategy of offering technology for the retrofit of ethanol production plants so they can be turned into more profitable biobutanol facilities, and of offering advanced biobutanol plant designs and technology.’
‘This deal is a resounding endorsement of GBL’s leading position in the commercialisation of biobutanol for the fast growing renewable chemicals and biofuels markets in China.’