POET-DSM Advanced Biofuels.
Two innovative companies. One shared vision.
What forces will shape the world to come? How can technology fuel the future, when the economy clings to ideas of the past? Where is the next advancement in renewable, yet accessible energy coming from?
Cellulosic bio-ethanol -- renewable fuel made from agricultural residue -- can provide the answer to many of these questions.
And with the goal of making cellulosic bio-ethanol a viable commercial reality, two innovative companies have come together to form one visionary partnership:
Introducing POET-DSM Advanced Biofuels.
Based in the United States, POET-DSM Advanced Biofuels LLC will have its first commercial demonstration plant co-located within POET's Emmetsburg, Iowa biorefinery, with the goal of globally licensing an integrated technology package for the conversion of corn crop residue to cellulosic bio-ethanol.
A formal groundbreaking was held in March 2012.
About POET/DSM
A transformative idea with global potential.
POET-DSM Advanced Biofuels. It's a cooperative effort that offers the key to unlocking the cellulosic bio-ethanol opportunity for the world.
POET, based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is one of the world's largest ethanol producers, with a 25-year history as an American renewable fuel pioneer. The company, with 27 grain ethanol plants, has expertise in organizing feedstock availability, conditioning and storage.
Royal DSM, a global science-based company active in health, nutrition and materials, has a decades-long legacy of driving environmental progress and technological advancement. DSM has a proven track record in scaling up industrial and biotechnological operations and has a leadership position in conversion technologies (yeast and enzymes) for cellulosic biomass to ethanol. DSM is the only company that can co-ferment all C6 and C5 sugars (xylose & arabinose).
POET-DSM Advanced Biofuels builds on the strengths of both companies to create a joint venture with a critical mission –- making cellulosic bio-ethanol competitive with grain ethanol, the most competitive renewable liquid transportation fuel on the market today.
It all starts with Project LIBERTY, POET's ongoing cellulosic bio-ethanol effort taking place right now in Emmetsburg, Iowa. POET-DSM Advanced Biofuels intends to globally license an integrated technology package that converts corn crop residue to cellulosic bio-ethanol to third parties, as well as the other 26 existing corn ethanol plants in POET's network.
It's a partnership that will boost renewable fuels to a new level of commercialization.
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POET-DSM Advanced Biofuels builds on the strengths of POET's ethanol expertise in the Midwest, and DSM's global presence, technological position and experience across multiple industries.
Advanced Biofuels
At the forefront of the biofuels field.
It is estimated that in the U.S. alone, as many as 350 to 400 new bio-refineries will have to be created by 2022 to meet the volume requirements (16 billion gallons per year) under the Renewable Fuel Standard.
The United States EPA modeled 7.8 billion gallons of cellulosic ethanol coming from corn crop residue by 2022. The U.S.Departments of Energy and Agriculture have estimated that more than one billion tons of biomass is available in America that could produce enough cellulosic bio-ethanol to replace a third of the country's gasoline use.
POET and DSM are well positioned to lead commercial development in this area with the combined capabilities to handle supply chain; from acquiring corn crop residue, efficiently handling bioconversion with world class processes, to the ability to move cellulosic bio-ethanol into the fuel market.
POET-DSM Advanced Biofuels will focus on cellulosic bio–ethanol from corn crop residue that is left in the field after the harvest. Up to 25% of corn crop residue left in the field will be collected; the rest will be left behind to fertilize the soil and prevent soil erosion. Independent studies as well as Iowa State University research sponsored by POET, have shown that this amount of residue removal will not cause significant nutrient loss.
A third party study commissioned by POET has shown that fuel from Project LIBERTY has greenhouse-gas intensity 111% below gasoline.
Project Liberty
The potential of renewable energy is all around us.
Looking to the future of renewable energy, it's clear that the world's most abundant organic compound, cellulose, offers the most promise. It provides the cellular structure for trees, grass and all things organic. It can also provide the energy to fuel our cars.
Cellulosic ethanol's potential is enormous. With over 1.3 billion tons of biomass available for ethanol production, it's possible to replace millions of gallons of gasoline. The environmental and economic benefits will be equally impressive.
POET-DSM Advanced Biofuels will make use of corncobs, leaves, husk, and some stalk that passes through the combine during harvest. Our process uses about 25% of the material, leaving 75% on the ground for erosion control, nutrient replacement and other important farm management practices.
Project LIBERTY is expected to be POET-DSM Advanced Biofuel's first commercial–scale, cellulosic ethanol plant. Scheduled to begin operations in Iowa in 2013, the plant is expected to be 20 million gallons growing to approximately 25 million gallon per year.
The plant will share infrastructure with the adjacent POET Biorefining - Emmetsburg. Roads, land and other features will be shared, and the co-product from the cellulosic ethanol process will be biogas, enough to power both ethanol plants.
An important partner in Project LIBERTY is the U.S. Department of Energy. The DOE has awarded up to $100 million in grants to support the costs of engineering and construction, as well as biomass collection and infrastructure. The state of Iowa has also taken a lead role in helping make this process a reality by contributing $20 million in grant money to the work.
POET-DSM Advanced Biofuels plans to expand cellulosic ethanol production within the POET network and license the technology to other ethanol producers in America and around the world.
News & Events
Please check back often for press releases, announcements and updates on press events.
POET-DSM Advanced Biofuels hold formal groundbreaking for cellulosic ethanol plant
PRESS RELEASE - Tuesday, March 13th, 2012
POET and DSM to make advanced biofuels a reality by 2013
PRESS RELEASE - Monday, January 23rd, 2012
Contact Us
Please contact us using the form to the left.
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www.poet.com 4615 North Lewis Avenue Sioux Falls, SD 57104 Tel. 605.965.2200 |
www.dsm.com 1122 St. Charles Street Elgin, Illinois 60120 info.biofuels@dsm.com |