General Motors Corp. and Mascoma Corp. today announced a strategic relationship to develop cellulosic ethanol focused on Mascoma's single-step biochemical conversion of non-grain biomass into low-carbon alternative fuels to help address increasing energy demand.
Mascoma's single-step cellulose-to-ethanol method, called Consolidated Bioprocessing, or CBP, lowers costs by limiting additives and enzymes used in other biochemical processes.
The relationship, which includes an undisclosed equity investment by GM, complements an earlier investment in cellulosic ethanol startup Coskata that uses a thermo-chemical process to make ethanol from non-grain sources.
"Taken together, these technologies represent what we see as the best in the cellulosic ethanol future and cover the spectrum in science and commercialization. Demonstrating the viability of sustainable non-grain based ethanol is critical to developing the infrastructure to support the flex-fuel vehicle market. One of the things that attracted us to Mascoma was its R&D team. Their development of best-in-class microorganisms and enzymes could lead a transformation to a new era of biofuels."
-- GM President Fritz Henderson
Mascoma is testing its CBP technology and expects to begin producing ethanol later this year at its demonstration plant under construction in Rome, NY. Mascoma also has partnered with The University of Tennessee to develop a switchgrass-to-ethanol pilot facility near Knoxville, TN, and is pursuing opportunities in the state of Michigan.
Mascoma was founded in 2005 based on technology developed by Drs. Lee Lynd and Charles Wyman in Dartmouth's Thayer School of Engineering. Together, the two have more than 50 years of research into biofuels derived from wood chips, switchgrass and other naturally occurring feedstocks known as cellulosic biomass.
This press release implies that Mascoma's CPB process may be further along than I had been led to believe. This process potentially reduces the cost of cellulose ethanol significantly by using fermenting microbes, in a single step, to both hydrolyze and ferment all the sugars in a biomass, resulting in a simpler process. A startup called Zymetis recently claimed to have a similar process. It seems that cellulosic ethanol made from non-food sources is starting to take hold and it will not be too many years before ethanol can be produced at a cost less than that of gasoline. The U.S. will never be able to produce enough ethanol to replace gasoline as presently used, but through imports from friendly nations, combined with the development of plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles, by 2050 or possibly earlier, we may able to wean ourselves off the dependence on oil from the Mideast and Africa, along with a significant reduction in emissions.
While it does not really matter in the long run, I wonder why the oil and chemical companies, with exception of BP, which could offer some technical assistance, are not getting involved in the ethanol business. BP has a half share in a billion-dollar venture to produce ethanol from Brazilian sugar cane. Dupont and BP also have a partnership to develop biobutanol, which could well be a better fuel, if they can get the cost down to a reasonable level.
It is good to see GM make some moves, they are a huge part of our economy and history. I would like to see them more profitable here in the near future.
Posted by: gn netcom wireless headset | May 26, 2011 at 11:38 AM
And how exactly did this turn out for GM? Would love to see the results.
Posted by: OptimizePress | June 26, 2011 at 10:33 PM
Nice one, there is actually some good points on this blog some of my readers may find this useful, I must send a link, many thanks.
Posted by: website optimization | July 20, 2011 at 01:37 PM
I would like to pay a heartly tribute to the author of this article for sharing such innovative ideas.
Thanks !
Posted by: buy codeine online | August 10, 2011 at 05:40 PM
I really enjoy simply reading all of your weblogs. Simply wanted to inform you that you have people like me who appreciate your work. Definitely a great post. Hats off to you! The information that you have provided is very helpful.
Posted by: buy percocet online | August 11, 2011 at 03:10 PM
Just discovered this article.
I wonder what the up to date situation is?
Posted by: Generac 5875 | August 16, 2011 at 12:12 PM
"Mascoma is testing its CBP technology and expects to begin producing ethanol later this year at its demonstration plant under construction in Rome, NY. Mascoma also has partnered with The University of Tennessee to develop a switchgrass-to-ethanol pilot facility near Knoxville, TN, and is pursuing opportunities in the state of Michigan."
wow!~
Posted by: lv handabgs | August 29, 2011 at 05:48 AM
Another way to green living is by using Solar Panels in your home. This taps the sun's solar energy and converts it into electricity, freeing up harmful gases that destroy the environment. This should be widely supported by everyone so we can have a cleaner Earth.
Posted by: Solar Panels | September 13, 2011 at 07:25 PM
Thanks to a brilliant effort in publishing your article. One can be more informative as this. There are many things I can know only after reading your wonderful article.
Posted by: organic seo service | September 22, 2011 at 01:11 PM
If you need more traffic to your website check out the website in my name. It really helped me and i think it can help your website.
Posted by: best online pharmacy | October 04, 2011 at 04:37 PM
I'm still learning from you, but I'm trying to achieve my goals. I certainly enjoy reading all that is posted on your blog.Keep the information coming. I loved it!
Posted by: buy hydrocodone online | October 25, 2011 at 02:02 PM
You are great! But I still did good! Hey!
Posted by: Microsoft Office 2007 | October 26, 2011 at 09:54 PM
I can see the future on the area. Investors would grab it immediately.
Posted by: african mango | November 16, 2011 at 12:31 AM
Glad GM had good intentions, but they are now out of business, aren't they? Or am I thinking of another car company.
Posted by: Rug Cleaning Los Angeles | November 16, 2011 at 04:37 PM
It'd be great to be able to wean ourselves off the oil from the Mideast and Africa.
Posted by: Auto Lease Broker Los Angeles | November 16, 2011 at 04:53 PM
I like BP, glad to hear they're doing good things.
Posted by: Dentist Los Angeles | November 16, 2011 at 05:15 PM
That's a good point you bring up, why aren't other companies trying to get involved with ethanol??
Posted by: Therapist New York | November 16, 2011 at 05:22 PM
That's good that they can limit additives and enzymes in biochemical processes, if you can't come up with an original idea take one that's already in effect and make it better!
Posted by: Tours in Venice | November 16, 2011 at 06:00 PM
Your blog is definitely worth a read if anyone comes across it. I m lucky I did because now I have got a whole new view of this
Posted by: doctor reviews by patients | November 23, 2011 at 07:56 AM
This one is your one of the nice blog dude I like it very much so I want to keep in touch with your blogs therefore post more blogs and thank you dear for sharing with us such nice information
Posted by: doctor ratings and reviews | January 10, 2012 at 03:38 AM
Good that GM is getting involved, I like that company.
Posted by: beverage manufacture | January 13, 2012 at 04:24 PM