Europe pioneers in fuel production from agricultural residues

flagship facility Processes locally sourced agricultural waste (straw) to produce approximately 50,000 tons of cellulosic ethanol each year with the help of sunliquid technology.

The initiative of the chemical specialty company Clariant, support for two European projects what you like The goal of reducing dependence on fossil fuels for a more sustainable future and Transitioning to a net-zero emissions future.

Extraction of all cellulosic ethanol production has been contracted with Shell, the world’s leading energy company, following the signing of a multi-year agreement.

In the first half of this year, the factory underwent a comprehensive commissioning processThe European Commission’s Community Research and Development Information Service (CORDIS) has revealed that it has resulted in a successful start to production.

“Preserving the climate is a central part of our ‘Greater Chemistry Between People and Planet’ cause,” Clariant CEO Conrad Keijzer said in June. Said.

50,000 tons of biofuel per year

“Biofuels and biochemicals from agricultural waste play a crucial role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.. Its commercial production and availability must be rapidly increased to make its use more widespread, so the successful launch of our sunliquid plant in Podari, Romania is vital.” company (www.clariant.com).

Clariant guesses that 250,000 tons of straw will be processed to produce 50,000 tons of biofuel second generation per year.

The resulting cellulosic ethanol can be applied as a “direct solution” for “fuel blending,” but it also “offers more application opportunities for fuel blending.” sustainable aviation fuel and bio-based chemicals”.

Production of biofuels from edible crops such as canola, corn and grain is already a reality all over the world. This fact is a debate over whether arable land should be used to produce food or to make fuel.

The EC-backed project offers a solution to this problem as Clariant’s sunliquid process. uses only local agricultural waste and converts sugar from straw into biofuels efficiently and economically.

The company has already signed contracts with more than 300 local farmers to guarantee the supply of the necessary raw materials.

this advantage This process includes Reducing CO2 emissions50% more bioethanol production and energy self-sufficiencyaccording to community officials and the company.

alternative fuel to fossils

“Biofuel produced by the solar liquid process Supports the decarbonisation of the transport sectorBy saving up to 120% CO2 compared to fossil fuel,” underlines Clariant director Christian Librera.

Ethanol, also known as ethyl alcohol or simply alcohol, is used as an additive in gasoline and, among other things, alternative fuel.

Depending on its origin, it can also be classified as. renewable (bioethanol)Renewable biological sources (agricultural raw materials, agricultural residues, organic residues, biomass, microorganisms) or syntheticProduced using raw materials of fossil origin.

In contrast, renewable ethanol can be classified as: traditional (produced from simple starches or sugars) or cellulosic (produced from agricultural and forest residues or lignocellulosic crops).

Cellulose is an important structural material for plants, their “skeletons” and the most abundant biological molecule in the world. The process of producing ethanol from cellulosic raw materials requires the degradation of the raw material into fermentable sugars.

Cellulosic ethanol performs better in terms of lower risk of direct and indirect effects of land use change. Since many cellulosic crops are perennial and roots are always present, protection against soil erosion and better retention of nitrogen fertilizer.

this climate benefits of cellulosic biofuels because of Avoiding the use of fossil-based raw materials, reducing greenhouse gas emissions during production Y prefers to ‘capture’ the carbon.