The diverse properties of the feedstocks and process conditions support many different business models, and companies representing all parts of the value chain are working to bring cellulosic ethanol to market. U.S. federal mandates require 16 billion gallons of cellulosic ethanol production by 2022.
The cellulosic challenge
Key technical and economic challenges exist in the quest to produce cellulosic ethanol. Traditional sugar and starch-based processes rely on a few key crops and standard technology, but cellulosic ethanol production is much more complex. As a result, it is critical to focus on process integration and optimization while balancing costs.
Despite the abundance of feedstocks, the substrates can be difficult to break down into usable components. Because of this, high enzyme costs have historically been one of the biggest challenges to a commercially viable cellulosic ethanol process.
The reality of enzymes
Enzymes are biological catalysts which activate reactions in the cells of living organisms. They can speed up production processes, usually at a lower cost than chemicals. In 2000, the US Department of Energy (DoE) funded an intensive project for enzymatic cellulosic ethanol conversion. At the time, the cost of enzyme application for cellulosic feedstocks was too expensive, and few thought it possible to reach a commercial viability.
Since then, continued R&D efforts have dramatically reduced enzyme costs, but that is just one piece of the puzzle. To achieve truly significant cost reductions, a more holistic approach is required. All aspects of the cellulosic ethanol production process – from feedstock transport to pretreatment, to capital and operating expenses – must be examined and improved. The need for better enzymes and process efficiencies has led to an unprecedented endeavor for internal research and valuable partnerships around the globe.
Enzyme of choice for the first commercial ethanol plants
Novozymes made a promise to deliver commercially viable enzymes by 2010, and Cellic® CTec2 made good on that promise. Now we have launched Cellic CTec3 – the most cost-efficient enzyme solution available on the market today and the enzyme of choice for the first commercial cellulosic ethanol plants.
Not only is Cellic CTec3 a superior enzyme product – it is also an enzyme product that unlocks new opportunities for optimizing conversion processes and for further driving down total cost per gallon of cellulosic ethanol to approach the level of corn ethanol and gasoline.
Partnering to develop integrated processes
It is not enough to develop better performing, lower cost enzymes; it is also about bringing our internal research to our partner collaborations in order to develop a process that performs. We recognize that it will take many different feedstocks and production processes for cellulosic ethanol to reach its full potential. Therefore, we have developed a broad partnership strategy in order to enable as many technologies as possible. This has allowed us greater insight into the cellulosic conversion work currently underway across the globe.
Several of these partnerships have begun to realize success through the reduction of their process capital and operating costs. These have led to accelerated technical and commercial developments, and when process improvements and new enzyme technology are incorporated, have shown that the commercial viability of cellulosic ethanol is becoming a reality with a cellulosic ethanol industry emerging now.