Bioethanol end goal for Australian research partnership

Australia-based research company Actinogen, which works with a group of environmental bacteria known as actinomycetes, is to collaborate with Leaf Energy on its glycerol pre-treatment process.

Leaf will spend up to AU$100,000 (€65,800) to further fund studies on bioethanol with Actinogen, as certain strains of actinomycetes produce enzymes which can break down cellulose from industrial waste, plant material and paper waste biomass.

There is an option for extension if the work progresses to Leaf’s satisfaction, as well as an option to request exclusive license to the background IP and the IP developed through the collaboration in return for a royalty on profits.

Actinogen has progressed work on three strains and/or areas of interest: the strain that produces cellulases has been tested externally by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation at a 10 litre volume ‘with encouraging results’, while work on the production of lignases and shikimic acid is progressing but still ‘at a very early stage’.

Initial trials will be conducted by Actinogen’s scientific team in a laboratory facility located at Murdoch University.

The Actinomycetes strains relevant to Leaf’s interests are protected by the Budapest Treaty, which prevents anyone else from using the same strains without consent for a minimum of 30 years from lodgement.