In the exhibition hall, a flex-fuel Ford F150, also fuelled with the wastepaper-based biofuel will be on display throughout the week. Both vehicles run on E85, a blend of 85% biofuel and 15% gasoline.
Novozymes claims that its research and development efforts have resulted in an enzyme cocktail that can now be used to make biofuel from agricultural residues, municipal waste and energy crops.
The biofuel demonstrated at the show is produced by Fiberight. After a sequence of pulping, pre-treatment and wash, enzymes from Novozymes turn the paper and cardboard waste into sugars that are then fermented into biofuel. A sample of the paper feedstock will also be on display throughout the show.
Adam Monroe, president of Novozymes North America, said: ”The advanced biofuels showcased here today demonstrate that the enzyme technology is ready for market. What we need now is commercialization and deployment of advanced biofuels in order to help meet our country’s most pressing energy and environment challenges.”
Novozymes also received two contracts from the DOE for its research efforts to bring down the cost of enzymes and improve their efficiency in converting cellulose to biofuels. The first contract for $2.2m was given in 2002, and the second for $12.3m was given in 2008.
As a result of this work, Novozymes said that it has been able to achieve reductions in enzyme costs over the years, notably the 50% reduction in 2009.
The company received a $28.4m tax credit toward the construction of its enzyme manufacturing facility in Blair, Nebraska which will create 100 new green jobs.
Advanced biofuels are said to deliver up to 90% CO2 emission reduction compared to gasoline. The company claimed that in 2009, the deployment of Novozymes’ technologies in all industries resulted in the reduction of CO2 emissions totaling approximately 27 million tons.
