Etanol.nu

Novozymes in Chinese Ethanol Deal

The Danish company Novozymes and its Chinese partner, China National Cereals, Oil & Foodstuff Corporation (COFCO) entered a partnership with major Chinese oil company, Sinopec, to develop bioethanol from agricultural wastes.
Together, the three companies cover the entire chain of bioethanol production and distribution. The venture aims develop a commercial-scale process which will focus on a single type of crop waste: corn stover.

Second-generation bioethanol is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 90% compared to its fossil fuel counterparts. Cellulosic refineries will require little or no fossil inputs and are likely to return power to the grid.

Currently, biofuel is the only available option in limiting carbon dioxide emissions from transport. The transport sector is currently responsible for about 25%, and still rising, of the total emissions.

Novozymes expects to be the first company which will have enzymes ready for large-scale production by 2010.