Catchlight Energy will research and develop technology for converting cellulose-based biomass into economical, low-carbon biofuels. The companies said that the formation of Catchlight Energy is the first milestone of a biofuels alliance announced by them in April 2007 and reflects their shared view that nonfood biofuels will play an important role in diversifying the energy supply of US.
Michael Burnside of Chevron has been appointed as CEO of Catchlight. During his 33-year career with Chevron, Mr Burnside has held a variety of positions in manufacturing, planning and analysis and finance, and has been involved with a number of joint ventures. Densmore Hunter of Weyerhaeuser has been named Catchlight’s chief technology officer.
Mike Wirth, executive vice president of global downstream for Chevron, said: Catchlight Energy brings together two leaders in their industries and leverages their strengths – from feedstocks to fuel manufacturing to marketing – to create a sustainable, economic, nonfood biofuels business at commercial scale.
