Renewable fuels and chemical manufacturer Gevo Inc. announced Sept. 4 that it has developed proprietary, breakthrough processes that convert either low-carbon isobutanol or low-value “fusel oils,” a mixture of alcohols that are byproducts from fermentation processes such as alcohol production, into renewable diesel. This renewable diesel is expected to compete head-to-head on price with natural and petroleum-based equivalents, while reducing particulates and CO2 emissions.

Low-carbon renewable diesel is biomass-derived transportation fuel suitable for use in diesel engines and has increased in demand since the Renewable Fuels Standard and California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard went into effect. Additionally, the marine sector will have to reduce sulfur emissions to meet new international water regulations beginning in 2020. Gevo expects this to open yet another door for its products.  

“Not only are we going after the whole gallon to replace fossil-based fuels, we are going after the whole slate of renewable, low-carbon liquid fuel products,” said Patrick Gruber, Gevo CEO. “In addition to being a low-carbon intensity fuel, our product has no sulfur or particulates. This technology leverages off our platform of low-carbon alcohols and I give credit to our catalytic chemistry team, led by Jonathan Smith, for this breakthrough.”