Early in 2008, SBI formed a JV with Xylitol Canada with the goal of researching and co-developing a proprietary technology to produce xylitol using co-product streams from the production of cellulosic ethanol. These efforts resulted in the development of a viable xylitol production technology for use in tandem with cellulosic ethanol production.
SBI and its partners have developed an integrated process that will produce both food grade xylitol – a healthy sugar substitute – and fuel grade cellulosic ethanol, increasing the economic and environmental sustainability of cellulosic ethanol production. Using wood chips as feedstock, the technology is projected to decrease process water consumption by up to 75% compared to producing corn ethanol while retaining all of the life-cycle carbon benefits inherent to cellulosic ethanol, SunOpta said.
The project involves the construction of a demonstration facility at a total cost of approximately CAD17m, to be funded approximately 67% by the partners and 33% by the SDTC grant. The construction of the demonstration facility is not expected to have an impact on projected 2010 operating results. The facility is anticipated to produce up to a rated capacity of 620 tonnes of xylitol and two million litres of cellulosic ethanol per year.
Operation of the facility is expected to commence in December 2010 with process validation complete by December 2011. Thereafter the facility may be operated for process optimization, continuous improvement and to test new innovations. Upon completion of the SDTC project, construction of a 10,000 metric tonne commercial xylitol facility in connection with a minimum 40 million litre cellulosic ethanol facility is contemplated to commence in September 2011, with first xylitol production from this facility expected by December 2012.
Murray Burke, president of SunOpta BioProcess, said: “SunOpta is delighted to receive support from SDTC to assist in building and operating a cellulosic ethanol and xylitol production facility that will demonstrate the commercial viability of the cellulosic ethanol and xylitol co-product technology.
“We believe this will be the first operation of its kind in the world. This is a valuable step leading to rapid deployment of our biorefinery technology, culminating in economically viable commercial facilities that are expected to advance production of sustainable bioproducts, stimulate local economies and meet significant environmental objectives through water conservation and GHG reduction.”
