- Clariant's sunliquid® technology now processes corn stover and sugarcane bagasse.
- The first commercial facility will have a capacity of 50,000-150,000 tonnes per year.
- Corn stover generates 570 million tonnes of residue annually in North America.
- Cellulosic ethanol reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 95% compared to fossil fuels.
Expansion of sunliquid® Technology
Clariant has expanded its sunliquid® technology to process additional agricultural residues, including corn stover and sugarcane bagasse. This follows the successful operation of Germany’s largest demonstration plant for ethanol production from agricultural residues, which opened in July 2012. Previously, the technology primarily used European wheat straw, yielding results that exceeded expectations.
Global Commercialization
The expansion to other raw materials is a significant step towards the global commercialization of the sunliquid® process. The technology's flexibility allows it to be used in key markets such as North America, Latin America, and Asia. The process's high efficiency is largely due to the use of raw material-specific, highly-optimized enzymes.
Environmental and Economic Benefits
Using plant residues like corn stover and sugarcane bagasse avoids competition with food production and agricultural land. Cellulosic ethanol produced through the sunliquid® process reduces greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 95% compared to fossil fuels. Additionally, domestic production of this biofuel can reduce dependence on oil imports and stimulate economic growth in local markets.
Future Developments
The next step involves constructing the first commercial production facility, with a planned capacity of 50,000-150,000 tonnes per year, compared to the current pilot plant's 1,000 tonnes. Clariant is currently evaluating potential partners and locations for this facility. The business model includes issuing license packages for the full process. Long-term stable political conditions are essential for the project's success.
