Advanced BioFuels USA

by Lisa Gibson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Novozymes has released a platform to convert more fiber to ethanol, giving producers an attractive ‘D3 lift.’ The company is also helping its customers navigate the low-carbon fuels marketplace, streamlining certification and assisting where it can.

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Novozymes has released its Fiberex platform, for in-situ and separate corn fiber processing: Fiberex F1 and Fiberex R1. The Fiberex platform reimagines ethanol, Parekh (Kalpesh Parekh, senior manager in business development for Novozymes) says. “This goes back to our customers’ needs. They’re looking to diversify their business and make it more sustainable.

“Fiberex is not a product, it’s a platform,” Parekh says. “And the idea is to consistently launch breakthrough solutions for new products, be it enzymes, be it organisms like yeast, or process pieces to work together to then convert fiber into ethanol.”

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The Platform
Fiberex R1 is an enzyme for separate conversion. Because the product focuses specifically on conversion of pretreated fiber into ethanol, and uses the appropriate high dose of enzyme, the fiber conversion is near 6%. “It’s a cocktail of enzymes that works really well with pretreated corn fiber,” Parekh says.

Fiberex F1, for in-situ processing, reaches more than 2% fiber conversion.

Both iterations allow producers to do more with less, Parekh emphasizes. “The same kernel of corn—create more ethanol, create more corn oil, reduce energy consumption and create maybe a little bit more sustainable future for us.”

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“The Novozymes enzyme will work better in our equipment,” says Mark Yancey, chief technology officer for D3MAX. “We expect better performance and are waiting on the data to confirm that.”

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In-Situ R&D
Fiberex F1 is in use at a few plants, but Parekh is eager to continue releasing new iterations.

“We have heavily invested and continue to invest in in-situ fiber conversion because we realize that not everybody is able to invest in the capex,” he says. “So in-situ fiber conversion is a big piece of what we do here.”

Novozymes is working to include hemicellulases with its traditional cellulase products to open up the fiber matrix even more, boosting fiber conversion another 1.5%, Parekh says. The process also bumps corn oil production by up to 20%, he says. “That’s an immediate revenue gain for customers.”

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Navigating Certification
A vital piece of fiber solutions is proving cellulosic conversion to regulatory agencies like CARB (California Air Resources Board). Parekh says Novozymes helps producers navigate that process, as well. “We know that the biology is only a piece of the puzzle. So we work really hard and seamlessly with engineering companies … and bring everybody at the table for the customer to make sure the process is as seamless as possible in moving forward with CARB.

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“One of the things I’m grateful for is the work of CARB, who have provided a great environment for fiber-based ethanol driving diversification in business and for our planet’s sustainability.

“We’re really thankful for California and Oregon’s carbon programs. Going forward hopefully it’ll happen in Washington, New York, Minnesota and other places as well. We’re thankful to these states and these regulatory bodies for creating an environment where we can create these new solutions and innovations.”  READ MORE