Qteros gets positive nod on cost-reduction drive for cellulosic ethanol

In Massachusetts, Qteros received a positive review from Raymond James energy analyst Pavel Molchanov, in which the advanced biofuels company was compared to three newly-public advanced bhifuels companies, Amyris, Codexis, and Gevo.

“Qteros, for example, achieved a total cash production cost of $2.40/gal last year,” writes Molchanov, “and is targeting $1.50/gal by mid-2011 and $1.00/gal by 2013. By comparison, at current corn prices of ~$7.00/bushel, just the corn itself equates to $2.50/gal (before netting out co-product revenue)…Qteros has a capital-light commercialization strategy, aimed at technology licensing.

“In addition to gaining access to CBP technology, licensees get a comprehensive, turnkey Process Design Package (PDP) – comprising all the know-how required to construct and operate a commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol plant. In January, Qteros announced a strategic partnership with Praj Industries, a leading Indian-based engineering firm that designs and builds biofuel plants, mainly in Asia and South America.

The two companies are currently focusing their efforts on developing PDPs for feedstocks that include sugarcane, corn, and wheat residuals, with the goal of achieving commercial readiness by year-end 2012.”

source: biofueldigest