New deal announced to produce cellulosic ethanol

Two US-based companies are to collaborate and supply customised industrial sugars for the production of cellulosic ethanol.

Cellulosic sugar producer Sweetwater Energy  and Pacific Ethanol, a marketer and producer of low carbon renewable fuels, will construct a cellulosic biorefinery at the Pacific Ethanol Stockton facility capable of producing up to 3.6 million gallons, contingent upon obtaining the necessary financing and permits.

Sweetwater will use its decentralised process to convert local cellulosic material, such as crop residues, energy crops and wood waste, into a sugar solution which Pacific Ethanol will then ferment at its refinery in Stockton.

‘We are going to start by supplying up to 6% of Stockton’s feedstock requirements and, as our partnership grows, we will evaluate increasing the amount,’ says Arunas Chesonis, CEO of Sweetwater Energy.