DuPont Exec: Company to Become Renewables 'Powerhouse' by 2015

by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) DuPont Applied BioSciences President Craig Binetti told attendees of a recent clean technology conference that DuPont expects the biofuels industry worldwide to grow by $25 billion in the next five years and it plans to contribute to the expansion through its cellulosic ethanol and biobutanol ventures.
“While ethanol and biobutanol each have the potential to add value to the global biofuels market, a three-component blend of ethanol-biobutanol-gasoline has significant advantages as well,” Binetti said. “We are positioning ourselves so we are advantaged when the rapid growth occurs in advanced renewable fuels over the next decade.”
...Binetti said DDCE’s commercialization model includes a comprehensive licensing program which will include licensed technology, plant design, start-up, training and ongoing technical support. The company has ambitious plans to take a leadership role in the build-out of the cellulosic ethanol industry. “Globally, approximately 600 new plants will be required in the next decade to meet the anticipated global demand for cellulosic biofuel, and we expect a significant share of these will use DDCE technology,” he said.
DuPont is also focusing on commercializing biobutanol production technology as a retrofit to existing grain-based plants through a joint venture with BP known as Butamax Advanced Biofuels LLC. Binetti said biobutanol is an advantageous fuel because it can be produced from renewable resources as easily as ethanol, but can also be transported through existing infrastructure. READ MORE