Dedini and Novozymes sign MOU on cellulosic ethanol

Novozymes, the world leader in biofuel enzymes, recently introduced the first commercially viable enzymes for production of cellulosic ethanol. The enzymes break down agricultural waste such as corn stover, wheat straw, wood chips and bagasse, enabling fermentation to ethanol.

Dedini, the world leader in supplying equipment and complete plants to the sugar-ethanol market, developed a chemical process with diluted acid and a lignin solvent.

The two have signed a memorandum of understanding aiming at continuing to develop a technological route to produce cellulosic ethanol in Brazil. The objective of this partnership is to develop a process using the enzymatic hydrolysis route from sugarcane residues. This would result in the implementation of a demonstration plant, integrated into sugarcane mill refineries.

José Luiz Olivério, Vice President of Technology and development from Dedini, said this is a major step in making cellulosic ethanol a reality. “We already had great advancements with the DHR (Dedini’s Rapid Hydrolysis) – a technology that used the diluted acid process. For two years, Dedini has searched for partners to enable a solution on an industrial scale, based on the combination of experiences and technologies which would result in the sustainable production of cellulosic ethanol in Brazil,” says Olivério. “The partnership with Novozymes will contribute significantly to reaching this objective,” he completes.

source: feedstuffs