Raizen and Iogen collaborate for cellulosic ethanol production

Raizen Group, the largest producer of sugarcane-based ethanol, and Iogen, operator of the world's longest running second generation ethanol plant, have partnered to create commercial-scale volumes of cellulosic ethanol in Brazil.

Raizen will invest an undisclosed amount in Iogen. Following a thorough review of cellulosic technologies, Raizen concluded that Iogen has the most advanced technology ready for commercialisation at Raizen's sugarcane ethanol facilities.

'We believe Iogen has one of the most robust, well proven and competitive technologies in the cellulosic ethanol business,' says Vasco Dias, CEO of Raizen. 'This is a first step in our strategy to make cellulosic ethanol in association with sugarcane production operations. We see tremendous potential for this technology in meeting the world's growing demand for cleaner and more sustainable fuels.'

The investment will cover development and engineering costs associated with the front-end design of the biomass-to-ethanol facility that will be co-located with Raizen's Costa Pinto facility in Piracicaba, São Paulo.

Iogen chairman Brian Foody comments: 'Large-scale commercialisation in Brazil will open the door for broader commercialisation of our technology.'