New partnership formed to develop isooctane for speciality fuels

French renewable energy company Global Bioenergies, IBN-One and Lantmännen Aspen, a global specialist in alkylate gasoline for two and four stroke small engines, have entered into a partnership on renewable isooctane for specialty fuel applications.

IBN-One is a joint venture between Global Bioenergies and French ethanol producer Cristol Union. They aim to build and operate a plant in France that converts renewable resources into isobutene.

 Aspen is part of the Swedish Lantmännen group, an agricultural cooperative and Northern Europe’s leader in agriculture, machinery, bioenergy and food products with annual revenues of €3.4bn.

In particular, Lantmännen Aspen’s commercial activities include specialty fuels for usage in two and four stroke small engines like the ones used in chainsaw and lawn mower engines, for example.

Renewable isooctane is a highly valued gasoline hydrocarbon suitable in several of Lantmännen Aspen specialty fuel ranges, according to Global Bioenergies.

In this context, Global Bioenergies, IBN-One and Lantmännen Aspen have signed an agreement conferring Lantmännen Aspen access rights to renewable isooctane for specialty fuel applications, both from Global Bioenergies’ sugar-waste to jet fuel Leuna demonstration plant and from the future IBN-One commercial plant.

Lantmännen Aspen will financially contribute to the progress of commercialisation of renewable isooctane by a partnership with both Global Bioenergies and IBN-One.

‘Speciality fuels’

Claes Alin, CEO at Lantmännen Aspen, said: “We are pleased to secure future access to renewable isooctane, a gasoline component with excellent fuel properties appropriate for specialty fuels. As the original and the key player on the alkylate gasoline market we take our responsibility in striving towards enhanced use of forefront renewables among specialty fuel users.”

Bernard Chaud, CEO at IBN-One, added: “IBN-One, the first bio-isobutene commercial plant project, is moving forward. We recently announced the completion of the conceptual design phase and are now moving to detailed engineering.

“Renewable isooctane can easily be derived from bio-isobutene. We are also presently building the business ecosystem: Receiving an off-take intention from an established player in a high-value market segment clearly adds a stone to the building.”

‘Biofuel story’

Thomas Buhl, head of business development at Global Bioenergies, said: “A significant part of the isobutene to be produced in our Leuna demo-plant will be converted into isooctane, allowing us to provide batches to Lantmännen Aspen before start of the commercial size plant IBN-One.  

“We are proud to have a major Swedish actor on board of our biofuel story, since Sweden is known to be among the pioneering countries regarding biofuels.”