1st and 2nd generation biofuels

First-generation bioethanol is produced from crops such as sugar cane/beet, corn, wheat, barley, rye, sorghum, and cassava. This technology is in place and all commercial production of bioethanol is currently first generation.

Second-generation bioethanol is produced from feedstock containing cellulosic biomass such as the stalks, leaves, and husks of corn plants, wood chips, and sawdust. Second-generation bioethanol may also be produced from energy crops such as switch grass. The advantages of energy crops include their need for less fertilizer and the fact that they can be harvested several times a year. Enzyme technology is constantly developing, and Novozymes expects that the enzyme technology for commercially viable production of second-generation bioethanol will be on the market in 2010.

Biofuel is currently offering the only immediately available alternative to fossil fuels within transportation. Our technology opens the door to new thinking, about where to find resources and how to use them.

1st generation builds bridge to 2nd generation
1st generation is far better than the only other alternative right now which is oil. We can realize the benefits of 1st generation bioethanol now – and on top of that use it as a bridge to the next generation. By investing in 1st generation today we help build the industry and the infrastructure needed to make 2nd generation commercially viable; by:

• Giving biofuel producers time to further reduce production costs
• Giving investors and retailers the confidence needed for them to make the investments into production capacity and the build the infrastructure needed for a well-functioning biofuel market. A predictable and stable biofuel market significantly reduces the risk faced by potential investors in 2g bioethanol – and will speed up the investments needed today if we are to have 2g in 2010
• Encouraging consumers to invest in flexfuel vehicles able to run on high biofuel blends like for example E85