Sud-Chemie AG (Sud-Chemie), manufacturers of catalysts and adsorbents, and The Linde Group (Linde), a company in the sector of gases and engineering, have launched the production of biofuels based on lignocellulosic biomass in Munich. Both the companies have together opened a pilot plant at Sud-Chemie's research centre in Munich. This pilot plant will be using cereal straw to manufacture up to two tons of bioethanol fuel annually.
The process developed by Sud-Chemie and Linde allows biofuels, such as ethanol, to be extracted from plant matter containing cellulose, for instance wheat straw or maize straw, with the aid of enzymes created using biotechnological methods. The partners in this currently unique alliance offer excellent mutual benefits. Whereas Süd-Chemie’s expertise lies in the sectors of biocatalysis and bioprocess engineering, Linde’s subsidiary, Linde-KCA-Dresden, offers extensive experience in implementing chemical and biotechnological processes on a commercial scale. Compared with the first-generation biofuels already in use today, such as biodiesel made from rapeseed oil, these second-generation biofuels according to experts offer a significant improvement in terms of climate and energy balances, including higher potential for reducing CO2 emissions. In addition, second-generation biofuels do not compete with the cultivation of either food or animal feed.
The EC Commission is expecting second-generation biofuels to make a key contribution to its sustainable energy policy. These biofuels represent a form of renewable energy that can be used to reduce our high dependence on oil on a lasting basis, especially in the transport sector. The new legislation package to implement the EC’s climate and energy policy therefore specifically promotes second-generation biofuels.
The pilot plant now opened represents a scaled-down version of the entire integrated manufacturing process required to convert straw into bioethanol. Construction of a larger demonstration plant producing several thousand tons of bioethanol each year is due to commence in the near future. Bavarian Economics Minister Zeil said: Biofuels are a topic of enormous future significance. The pilot plant is an important step forward toward a ,biorefinery’, in which renewable plant-based raw materials are being converted to valuable base chemicals using modern biotechnological methods. Ideally, the whole plant may be utilized in these processes. I would appreciate it very much, if Süd-Chemie and Linde would decide for a Bavarian location for their demonstration plant.
Following this step, marketable large-scale plants for the commercial production of second-generation biofuels from cereal straw and other cellulosic residue will be within reach. A competent partnership will be available to assist potential customers, including ethanol manufacturers, companies active in the petroleum industry, or other enterprises in the industrial and agricultural sectors, as well as investors, in planning and constructing these plants on a worldwide scale.
Edgar Binnemann, member of the managing board and chief financial officer of Sud-Chemie, said: The start-up of this pilot plant demonstrates the systematic implementation of Süd-Chemie’s strategy of developing sustainable and ecological manufacturing processes for climate-friendly biofuels to market maturity in an economically efficient manner, based on our considerable expertise in the fields of biocatalysis and bioprocess engineering.
Dr Aldo Belloni, member of the executive board of Linde AG, confirmed: Based on our know-how and long experience in the production of climate-friendly fuels, we are making a significant contribution to the creation of low-emission energy supplies for the future. We are delighted that with the start-up of this innovative pilot plant, we are now able to produce biofuel on a sustainable and economically viable basis.