Allotrope, Axens and SCOA to study biofuel production

 Allotrope Partners LLC, Oakland, California, Axens North America, Houston, and Sumitomo Corp. of Americas (SCOA), New York, have signed an agreement to develop a joint study for a commercial plant producing cellulosic bioethanol using the Axens Futurol process through Allotrope Cellulosic Development Co. LLC (ACDC).

The project will use feedstocks including wood and brush from California forest thinning and agricultural residues.

This project will produce commercial-grade bioethanol, which will reduce carbon released into the atmosphere from the massive wildfires that have severely impacted the environment and residents in California, the companies say.

Allotrope, Axens and SCOA say they plan to expand their cellulosic ethanol footprint within California and in other locations across North America, using local woody biomass materials to supply low-carbon biofuels to the North American market.

“Allotrope is excited to continue its efforts to develop a series of advanced biofuels projects in California in partnership with Sumitomo and Axens,” Allotrope CEO Marc Stuart says. “Axens Futurol technology is ready for commercial scale rollout, and Sumitomo will be a valuable partner across the entire project development process, from feedstock sourcing to the sale of final products into the markets.”

According to the companies, they will study the possibility of building a plant to produce approximately 60,000 tons of bioethanol derived from local feedstock. Carbon recycling initiatives will be considered, such as carbon capture and utilization (CCU), internal energy production and effective use of residues from the fermentation process, including renewable natural gas (RNG) production.

“SCOA is pleased to partner with Axens and Allotrope in this landmark project and will contribute to this study by consolidating and applying the knowledge and skills of the Sumitomo Corporation Group acquired through various businesses,” SCOA General Manager Sandro Hasegawa says. “This includes the development and deployment of carbon-free energy using hydrogen, ammonia and next-generation biomass, raw fuel gas and by promoting the use of green chemicals to construct a circular economy.”

Bioethanol is attracting attention in countries seeking carbon-neutral renewable energy sources and feedstock for biofuels such as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and biochemicals. Classified as “advanced bioethanol” by the European Union Renewable Energy Directive (RED) and “cellulosic fuel” by the U.S. EPA Renewable Fuel Standard, cellulosic bioethanol made from woody biomass has the potential to scale sustainably and with low-carbon intensity compared with other fuels and blending components, the companies say.

“The commitment from the Allotrope and Sumitomo teams to deploy Axens Futurol technology at multiple U.S. plants and to utilize a wide variety of woody biomass feedstocks is another great example that the low-carbon marketplace values both the flexibility of the Futurol technology and Axens’ significant technology derisking achievements,” says Frédéric Balligand, vice president of Axens Renewables Product Line. “We believe each organization brings complementary strengths to this relationship, and together we can make meaningful contributions to reduce the carbon intensity of the transportation sector, utilizing ethanol as a renewable energy carrier for gasoline blending and potentially SAF and biochemicals production.”