Web exclusive posted March 10, 2008 at 4:58 p.m. CST 
 
 At the National Ethanol Conference in Orlando, Fla., on Feb. 26, the U.S. DOE's Andy Karsner announced the department's plans to invest up to $33.8 million for four projects focusing on improved enzyme systems for the conversion of cellulosic material into sugars suitable for ethanol production. Funding will be dispersed through 2011 and, combined with industry cost share, could result in more than $70 million in project investments. 
 
 The four companies receiving federal funding for enzyme research include: DSM Innovation Center Inc., headquartered in the Netherlands; Palo Alto, Calif.-based Genencor, a division of Danisco USA Inc.; Novozymes Inc., based in Davis, Calif.; and newly formed Verenium Corp., based in San Diego.
 

 "Success of these projects will play a pivotal role in the rapid development and deployment of renewable fuels to reduce emissions and dependence on foreign oil, and fundamentally change how we power our vehicles," Karsner said. "In the interest of the environment-and energy, economic and national security-biofuels must continue to play a significant role as we work to diversify our nation's energy sources, and provide a balanced portfolio of science and technology solutions to help meet the rapidly growing demand for energy worldwide."
 
 The four projects were selected based on their demonstrated ability to reduce the cost of enzymes per gallon of ethanol by improving an enzyme's performance. Selected projects must demonstrate the ability to produce enzymes at a commercial scale and have a sound business strategy to market the enzymes or production systems in biorefinery operations.
 
 DSM Innovation Center will use the DOE grant money for an extensive enzyme development program focusing on finding applications in cellulose-based biorefineries for the production of biobased products, including biofuels. Most of the work on this four-year project will take place in the United States and will include participation from Nebraska-based Abengoa Bioenergy New Technologies Inc., and DOE's Los Alamos National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratory, both located in New Mexico.
 
 This was the second time in a decade that Genencor was selected for DOE funding. Genencor received funding in 2000 as part of an enzyme improvement contract. This second round of funding will be used to improve the biomass enzymes, further using advanced tools of protein engineering. Genencor is one of the largest biotechnology companies in the world, as well as one of the largest developers and manufacturers of industrial enzymes. The company will collaborate with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colo., and others on the project.
 
 Novozymes, the world's largest supplier of enzymes for the ethanol industry, will use the DOE funding for Project DECREASE (DEvelopment of a Commercial-Ready Enzyme Application System for Ethanol). In 2001, the company received DOE funding to work on enzyme development for cellulosic ethanol. "We are very happy to receive this support and excited to again work with the Department of Energy in enabling the development of a cellulosic ethanol industry," said Joel Cherry, senior director of biofuels biotechnology for Novozymes. "This funding will be used to bolster our ongoing research effort to develop cost-effective enzymes for the conversion of cellulose-rich biomass into ethanol or other renewable fuels."
 
 Verenium, which was formed in 2007 through a merger of Diversa Corp. and Celunol Corp., plans to use the DOE funding to further efforts for the commercialization of customized cellulose solutions for biomass saccharification. "This award validates the advanced enzyme research we've been doing through both our previous grant work with the DOE and over the past 10 years with our leading [research and development] team, and is welcome news as we move toward completing mechanical construction of the nation's first cellulosic ethanol demonstration plant," said Verenium President Carlos Riva.
 
 The selected companies and the DOE have begun negotiations to determine final project plans and funding levels, which are subject to appropriations from Congress.

DOE announces biomass investments

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Upcoming Events

2024 International Biomass Conference & Expo

2024 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo

Biodiesel Summit: Sustainable Aviation Fuel & Renewable Diesel

Carbon Capture & Storage Summit

North American SAF Conference & Expo

DOE announces biomass investments