Certification reached by Clariant’s cellulosic ethanol

Clariant, a chemical producing company, has received International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) for its Sunliquid-brand demonstration plant in Germany.

The certificate confirms that the cellulosic ethanol from agricultural residues produced at the facility, which celebrated its first birthday this July, is compliant with the sustainability criteria set out in the European Renewable Energy Directive (RED).

‘The certification of our plant in Straubing is a further milestone in the commercialisation of our technology,‘ says Clariant CEO Hariolf Kottmann. ‘The biofuel produced here fulfills and exceeds the sustainability criteria defined in the RED and can be counted toward climate targets –an important prerequisite for establishing the process in the European market.‘

ISCC is one of two certification procedures for the sustainability of biofuels that are recognised in Germany. ISCC focuses on cutting greenhouse gas emissions, sustainable use of land, the protection of natural habitats and social sustainability.

‘Thanks to the 95% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions enabled by our technology, we can offer an almost carbon-neutral process solution,‘ adds Markus Rarbach, head of Biofuels and Derivatives.

European laws on biofuels are based mainly on the RED. This directive sets a target for 10% of the energy used in the transport sector to come from renewable sources by the year 2020.

Particular importance is attached to advanced biofuels such as cellulosic ethanol, which are not based on foodstuffs and do not cause competition for crop land. These fuels also generate great reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.