Cellulosic biofuel plant opens in Munich

Süd-Chemie AG and The Linde Group have launched the production of climate-friendly biofuels based on lignocellulosic biomass in Munich.

The two firm’s recently opened their pilot plant at Süd-Chemie’s research centre. The facility will use cereal straw to manufacture up to two tons of bioethanol fuel per year.

Compared with first-generation biofuels such as corn-based ethanol or biodiesel made from rapeseed oil, second-generation cellulosic biofuels offer improved climate and energy benefits, including higher potential for reducing carbon dioxide emissions. In addition, second-generation biofuels do not compete with the cultivation of either food or animal feed.

The European Commission expects second-generation biofuels to make a key contribution to its sustainable energy policy. In fact, new legislation specifically promotes second-generation biofuels.

In the near future, Süd-Chemie AG and The Linde Group expect to begin construction of a larger demonstration plant that will be able to produce several thousand tons of bioethanol each year.