Comet to Build 30K Ton Biomass Sugar Plant in Ontario

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, Comet Biorefining announced at ABLC 2016 the location of its commercial-scale biomass-derived sugar facility in the TransAlta Energy Park in Sarnia, Ontario. The 60 million pounds per year plant will come online in 2018 producing dextrose sugar from locally-sourced corn stover and wheat straw. Corn stover consists of residues left in the field after harvest including stalks, leaves, husks and cobs.

Last July, Bioindustrial Innovation Canada confirmed that it had completed phase 1 of a project to assess the economic viability of the agricultural biomass to cellulosic sugar value chain in Canada.

Earlier this month, Bioindustrial Innovation Canada concluded a Phase 2 assessment that “there is sufficient economic value with available technologies to support the development of a commercial plant to produce cellulosic sugar and co-products in southwestern Ontario utilizing locally-harvested corn stover. “

The evaluation process managed by BIC included the participation of farm organizations, industries currently using agricultural biomass, and technology providers. The study focused on agricultural biomass supply, the economics of biomass conversion technology, and the market acceptance of cellulosic sugar and co-products.

Using its proprietary patented process, Comet converts non-food agricultural and forest residues into high-purity dextrose sugars that will be transformed into bio-based products including organic acids, amino acids and bioplastics. These low-carbon bio-based products replace traditional petroleum-based materials, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help contribute to Canada’s efforts on climate change. Comet dextrose is cost- and performance-competitive with commercial dextrose sugars, the benchmark raw material for today’s biochemical production.

Comet has developed a proprietary technology for the conversion of wood, wheat straw, bagasse, corn stover and similar agricultural wastes into high purity glucose syrup. Due to its high yield and short production times the process allows for smaller facilities closer to biomass sources with lower overall production costs. Comet has proven its technology at 5 dry tons per day demonstration scale and describes itself, after a number of years in stealth mode as “well positioned for commercial scale.” READ MORE