Epec boost second generation ethanol platform with new investment

US-based champions of second generation ethanol Epec Biofuels announce a supply chain partner agreement with Biodimensions Delta Biorenewables (BDB).

Epec provides an industry integration platform to realise the commercial reality, from production to utilisation, of second generation ethanol from sweet sorghum feedstock. BDB is a joint venture company that assesses the potential of sweet sorghum as a domestic industrial sugar crop.

"After our first visit to BDB, it was obvious that its work and people are on the cutting edge of developing sweet sorghum as the feedstock for a new sugar platform,’ says Epec CEO Ron Miller. ‘Since effective ethanol production begins by fermenting sugars, BDB's developing capabilities to produce domestic industrial sugar feedstocks is the cornerstone of what will become the foundation for future ethanol production.’

"Epec's investment will move our programme from the R&D stage to commercial demonstration,’ says BDB technology manager Randy Powell. ‘Their core competencies are a natural complement to our own, making it an attractive investment partner. Both companies are now better positioned to develop new products, deploy sweet sorghum production and processing technology and advance the interest of an emerging sweet sorghum industry.’

The total amount of Epec’s investment had not been disclosed at time of writing.