Süd-Chemie and Linde launch production of climate-friendly biofuels
Süd-Chemie, a leading manufacturer of catalysts and adsorbents, and a leading global company in the sector of gases and engineering, the Linde Group, have launched the production of climate-friendly biofuels based on lignocellulosic biomass in Munich.
The process developed by Süd-Chemie and Linde allows biofuels, such as ethanol, to be extracted from plant matter containing cellulose, such as wheat straw or maize straw, with the aid of enzymes created using biotechnological methods. The newly opened pilot plant will be using these cereal straws to manufacture up to two tonnes of bioethanol fuel annually.
Süd-Chemie specialize in the sectors of biocatalysis and bioprocess engineering, whilst Linde’s subsidiary, Linde-KCA-Dresden, offer extensive experience in implementing chemical and biotechnological processes on a commercial scale.
Compared with the first-generation biofuels already in use today, such as biodiesel made from rapeseed oil, second-generation biofuels offer an improvement in terms of climate and energy balances, including higher potential for reducing CO2 emissions. In addition, second-generation biofuels do not compete with the cultivation of either food or animal feed.
The EC Commission is expecting second-generation biofuels to make a key contribution to its sustainable energy policy. These biofuels represent a form of renewable energy that can be used to reduce our high dependence on oil on a lasting basis, especially in the transport sector. The new legislation package to implement the EC’s climate and energy policy therefore specifically promotes second-generation biofuels.
The process developed by Süd-Chemie and Linde allows biofuels, such as ethanol, to be extracted from plant matter containing cellulose, such as wheat straw or maize straw, with the aid of enzymes created using biotechnological methods. The newly opened pilot plant will be using these cereal straws to manufacture up to two tonnes of bioethanol fuel annually.
Süd-Chemie specialize in the sectors of biocatalysis and bioprocess engineering, whilst Linde’s subsidiary, Linde-KCA-Dresden, offer extensive experience in implementing chemical and biotechnological processes on a commercial scale.
Compared with the first-generation biofuels already in use today, such as biodiesel made from rapeseed oil, second-generation biofuels offer an improvement in terms of climate and energy balances, including higher potential for reducing CO2 emissions. In addition, second-generation biofuels do not compete with the cultivation of either food or animal feed.
The EC Commission is expecting second-generation biofuels to make a key contribution to its sustainable energy policy. These biofuels represent a form of renewable energy that can be used to reduce our high dependence on oil on a lasting basis, especially in the transport sector. The new legislation package to implement the EC’s climate and energy policy therefore specifically promotes second-generation biofuels.
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