Allotrope Partners LLC, Axens North America and Sumitomo Corporation of Americas (SCOA) have signed an agreement to develop a Joint Study for a commercial plant producing cellulosic bioethanol, utilizing the Axens Futurol process. In this process the fuel is produced from woody biomass through Allotrope Cellulosic Development Company.
The project will use feedstock based on local Californian forest thinning materials and agricultural residues. These feedstocks in part come from the waste generated in large forest fire prevention activities to reduce risk of wildfires that have become a critical challenge in California in recent years. This project will produce a commercial grade bioethanol, while contributing to the reduction of carbon released into the atmosphere from the massive wildfires that have severely impacted the environment and residents in California.
"Allotrope is excited to continue its efforts to develop a series of advanced biofuels projects in California in partnership with Sumitomo and Axens," commented Marc Stuart, chief executive, Allotrope Partners. "Axen's Futurol technology is ready for commercial scale roll out and Sumitomo will be a valuable partner across the entire project development process, from feedstock sourcing to the sale of final products into the markets."
Bioethanol is can be served as feedstock for biofuels such as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)
Accordingly, the three companies will be studying the possibility of an initial plant to produce about 60,000 tons of bioethanol derived from local feedstocks.