Web exclusive posted March 3, 2009, at 4:39 p.m. CST

Lakewood, Colo.-based cellulosic ethanol developer and specialty chemicals producer ZeaChem Inc. has selected CH2M HILL as its engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor for its planned 1.5 MMgy cellulosic ethanol plant in Boardman, Ore. Ground breaking is slated for later this year.

"CH2M HILL delivers the horsepower to manage the EPC of ZeaChem's first biorefinery as we progress toward the deployment of commercial-scale facilities," said James Imbler, president and chief executive officer of ZeaChem.

ZeaChem intends to leverage CH2M HILL's proven track record as an EPC provider across other industries such as in the chemicals, energy and renewable energy sectors.

"CH2M HILL provides sustainable solutions to a wide variety of projects and is committed to advancing the alternative fuels industry," said Wayne Wajciechowski, vice president of biofuels operations at CH2M HILL. "CH2M HILL's biofuel operations team offers ZeaChem its wealth of biofuels industry experience and project execution skills, which consistently deliver innovative and cost-effective technical solutions."

ZeaChem has developed a "third-generation" cellulosic ethanol process that utilizes a hybrid thermochemical/biochemical process. The company also uses an acetogen— a bacterium that generates acetate as a product of anaerobic respiration commonly found in termite underbellies. Utilizing this method enables ZeaChem to yield 40 percent more ethanol output.

In February, Ethanol Producer Magazine reported that ZeaChem was partnering with Portland, Ore.-based GreenWood Resources, the owner and operator of a 17,000-per-acre tree farm near Boardman. (Read "ZeaChem signs feedstock agreement.")

In January, EPM reported that ZeaChem raised $34 million in a Series B round of financing for the construction of the project in Boardman, Ore. (Read "ZeaChem raises $34 million for cellulosic ethanol biorefinery.")