Advanced biorefinery project commences in China

China New Energy (CNE) has been awarded a contract by Jilin-based New Tian Long Alcohol (NTLA) to provide technology and services for a new second generation biorefinery.

The multi-phase contract, with phase one expected to last two years, is said to be worth CNY10 million (€1.2 million). The biorefinery is expected to have a capacity of 50,000 tonnes a year.

Phase one of the project commenced at the start of this year and NTLA is expected to issue contracts for phase two in the second quarter of 2014, for which CNE will also tender.

‘In a global context, this is the first commercial-scale second generation biorefinery to be constructed in China,’ says CNE chairman Yu.

According to the company, first generation biorefineries will continue to be developed in areas such as south east Asia and Africa, while second generation ones are expected to be built in nations like China, Brazil, Europe and the US.