Toyota to launch yeast strains for US cellulosic ethanol

Lallemand Biofuels & Distilled Spirits (LBDS), the renewables division of Canadian firm Lallemand, announced that it has signed an agreement with car manufacturer Toyota.

The agreement regards the production and marketing of Toyota’s XyloAce yeast strains for cellulosic ethanol production in the US.

Lallemand describes XyloAce as ‘highly efficient’ at fermenting xylose and arabinose, whilst also being highly resistant to fermentation-inhibiting substances such as acetic acid. Lallemand continues to claim that the strains have achieved some of the highest ethanol fermentation density levels in the world.

“Adding the Toyota XyloAce product line to our portfolio will allow our customers to choose from the very best cellulosic yeast strains available,” said LBDS president Angus Ballard.

“We are proud to be working with Toyota and look forward to driving increased profitability for cellulosic ethanol producers throughout North America.”