Canada Supports Next Generation Biofuels Project

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Monday, 08 February 2010 17:39

Waterdown, Ontario, Canada, February 2010 – A technology that could allow biofuels producers to increase both their profitability and competitiveness has been given a boost. Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) has awarded a project led by SunOpta BioProcess Inc. up to $5.5 million in funding for the construction of a facility to demonstrate its integrated process that aims to produce both food grade xylitol - a sugar substitute - and fuel grade cellulosic ethanol. "Next-generation biofuel technologies are generating even greater environmental benefits and are also providing new economic opportunities through innovative co-products," said Lisa Raitt, Canada’s minister of natural resources. "The Government of Canada is pleased to support companies like SunOpta that are helping advance clean energy technology and provide a healthier environment for Canadians." "The generation of valuable co-products advances the economic opportunity created by the production of biofuels," said SDTC President and CEO Vicky Sharpe. "Technologies like SunOpta's that have both environmental and economic benefits help Canada achieve its biofuels objectives and build a bio-based economic sector, adding value to the agriculture and forestry industries." Using wood chips as feedstock, SunOpta's technology is projected to decrease process water consumption by up to 75% compared to producing corn ethanol, while retaining all of the life-cycle carbon benefits inherent to cellulosic ethanol. The proposed project involves the construction of a demonstration plant with a capacity to produce up to 620 tons of xylitol and two million liters of cellulosic ethanol per year. The SDTC funding for SunOpta's project will be leveraged with funding from members of its consortium, including Xylitol Canada and Emerald Forest Sugars Inc. Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) is an arm's-length foundation created by the Government of Canada which has received $1.05 billion as part of the Government's commitment to create a healthy environment and a high quality of life for all Canadians. For more information, please visit www.sdtc.ca. SunOpta BioProcess Inc. (SBI) is a leader in the design, construction and optimization of biomass conversion process technologies, equipment and facilities. SunOpta combines its applications expertise with patented and proprietary technologies to design and build equipment and processes to produce cellulosic ethanol, cellulosic butanol, xylitol, and other value-added products derived from lignocellulosic biomass. SBI is an 86% owned subsidiary of SunOpta Inc. SOURCE: SunOpta < Prev   Next >