To be called as Carolina Cellulosic Biofuels in North Carolina, the new plant will create around 65 new jobs, significantly boosting the local economy.
The company has formed Carolina Cellulosic Biofuels as a special purpose vehicle to deliver the first commercial-scale cellulosic bio-refinery utilizing purpose grown energy crops in North America.
Biochemtex CEO and owner Guido Ghisolfi said the company will bring its PROESA technology platform and its partners to eastern North Carolina.
"We’ve already engaged with regional farms and farmers for the supply of energy crops and we see great opportunity for growth and additional projects where regional infrastructure matches need," added Ghisolfi.
Backed by a performance-based grant from the One North Carolina Fund of up to $300,000, the new plant will produce 20 million gallons per year of cellulosic biofuel from locally grown energy crops, agricultural residues, and woody biomass.
The other participants in the project include the North Carolina Department of Commerce, North Carolina Community Colleges, Sampson County Economic Development Corporation, City of Clinton, North Carolina Department of Agriculture, NCSU – N.C. Cooperative Extension and the Biofuels Center of North Carolina.
