The funding is expected to enhance Virent’s on-going efforts to break down cellulosic biomass into sugars that can be further processed into biofuels. Virent’s BioForming conversion process utilizes both conventional and non-food plant sugars.
Lee Edwards, CEO of Virent, said: “Virent is pleased to be the recipient of this grant from the Department of Energy as part of the NABC and we are looking to enhance the competitiveness of cellulosic biomass as a biofuel feedstock because of its considerable potential as a high-impact energy source.
“Combining inexpensive sugars from plentiful cellulosic biomass, such as agricultural or forestry residues, with already substantial quantities of conventional sugar feedstocks, could dramatically increase the volume of renewable fuels produced globally without impacting food, feed or export demands.”
Virent’s work in cellulosic pre-treatment and deconstruction initially began in 2007 with a two million dollar advanced technology program grant from the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
