Thursday, September 24, 2009

Efforts Underway for Cellulosic Ethanol Commercialization in Minnesota

Cellulosic ethanol is not yet widely commercialized, but many states, including Minnesota are researching this newer manufacturing process which makes ethanol from cellulosic feedstocks.

Cellulose is the main component of the cell walls of plants and cellulosic materials that can be made into ethanol include corn stover (leaves, stalks, cobs), wood products, trees and grass. One advantage to using the cellulosic process is the feedstocks can be used to produce the ethanol as well as burned to fuel the ethanol plant, thereby reducing costs and the amount of fossil fuels consumed in production.

The next generation biofuel is expected to be Cellulose ethanol and the Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty supports an increase in the amount of ethanol blended into gasoline to at least 15 percent. The governor is very hopeful that cellulose ethanol has got excellent prospects to be used in fuel grade applications.

The Minnesota government is also looking forward to increase the production of cellulosic ethanol and is hoping to see many more growing companies such as Syngenta. The governor is proud of the ethanol industry in Minnesota and the work is being carried out by companies like Syngenta Seeds to increase corn yields to meet the demand for food, feed and fuel.The Governor is also planning to increase yields and is expecting more breakthroughs in these fields.

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