DSM fermentation demo yields positive results

Global science-based company Royal DSM has announced that together with Denmark-based DONG Energy it has demonstrated the combined fermentation of C6 and C5 sugars from wheat straw on an industrial scale.

DONG Energy, through its subsidiary Inbicon, develops technology for conversion and refining of soft ligno-cellulosic biomass into fuel, feed, and green chemistry products.

DSM says the combined fermentation results in a 40% increase in ethanol yield per tonne of straw, which in turn can result in significant cost cuts in the production of bioethanol from cellulosic feedstock.

The demonstration took place in DONG Energy's Inbicon demonstration plant in Kalundborg, Denmark, the longest-running demonstration facility for cellulosic bioethanol production in the world. The facility was reconstructed in 2013 in order to be able to conduct mixed fermentation of C6 and C5 sugars. In a two-month fermentation test, mixed C6 and C5 fermentation using DSM's advanced yeast was found to yield 40% more ethanol per tonne of straw than traditional C6 fermentation.

With the supply of yeast product to Inbicon through the demonstration, DSM has successfully established a supply chain framework for C5/C6 dry yeast and shown its ability to produce and transport this advanced yeast for use on an industrial scale, according to the company.

DSM has other major bioenergy activities in Elgin, Illinois, US, São Paulo, Brazil, and Delft, the
Netherlands.