DuPont-Danisco in Tennessee cellulosic ethanol project

DuPont Danisco Cellulosic Ethanol has partnered with the University of Tennessee to build a pilot-scale biorefinery and research and development facility in the state, putting Boston's Mascoma in the back seat on the project.

DuPont Danisco Cellulosic Ethanol is a joint venture of Wilmington, Del.-based DuPont (NYSE: DD) and Rochester, N.Y.'s Genencor, a division of Denmark-based Danisco. The companies formed the $140 million venture in May to initially target corn stover and sugar cane bagasse for next generation biofuels (see Another cellulosic powerhouse formed).

"The technical breadth and execution capabilities of DuPont Danisco, along with the backing of their parent companies, raise the national and international profile of the Tennessee Biofuels Initiative and confirm the state of Tennessee as a leader in the development of cellulosic ethanol," said John Petersen, president of the university.

Last September, the university said it was partnering with Mascoma to construct the $40 million refinery in Monroe County (see Univ. of Tenn. to build cellulosic ethanol plant). Mascoma is still expected to be involved in the project, but in a smaller role.

The project will work with Tennessee farmers to develop a dedicated cellulosic energy crop supply chain for cellulosic biorefineries using switchgrass. The facility design will be able to operate on two different non-food biomass feedstocks – corn stover, cobs and fiber; and switchgrass.

The plant capacity will be 250,000 gallons of cellulosic ethanol annually. Preparations for the site are expected to begin this fall, and the ethanol should start flowing by December 2009.

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