Lignol plans to construct large-scale biorefineries for the production of cellulosic biofuel from wood chips and forestry residues. Novozymes supplies enzymes that convert cellulosic biomass into sugars that can then be fermented into ethanol.
The parties plan to use Lignol’s integrated industrial-scale pilot plant in Burnaby, British Columbia, to optimize enzyme performance across a range of cellulosic feedstocks.
Ross MacLachlan, president and CEO of Lignol, said: “We are excited with the opportunity to collaborate with the world’s leading enzyme producer to optimize their latest technology for Lignol’s unique substrate. In so doing, we are removing a critical cost barrier to the commercialization of cellulosic ethanol. This marks a major step for our industry in achieving the cellulosic biofuel objectives set out by various governments throughout the world.
“Our integrated plant is perfectly suited for this type of collaboration in which our industrial process is coupled with Novozymes’ biological technology to make cellulosic ethanol a commercial reality.”
