Enerkem looks to future with new ethanol plants and licensing deals

Canadian biofuels producer Enerkem is to consider licensing its trash-to-ethanol technology following production at a demonstration plant.

In a statement Enerkem has claimed it expects the plant to validate its manufacturing process which will be used at three commercial-scale plants that are currently under construction in the US and Canada.

VP of government affairs and communications Marie-Helene Labrie was quoted as saying the trash-to-fuel technology ‘may be another growth strategy in the future alongside our previous build, own and operate models’.

Alongside new commercial plants in Mississippi and Quebec, Enerkem’s first facility will be completed in Edmonton, Canada next year. All three will be able to produce 38 million litres of ethanol a year.

The company is backed by trash hauler Waste Management Inc. and oil refiner Valero Energy.