Clariant Produced Commercial Cellulosic Ethanol
Clariant produces first commercial sunliquid® cellulosic ethanol at new plant in Podari, Romania.
Clariant, a focused, sustainable, and innovative specialty chemical company, announced today that its sunliquid® production plant in Podari, Romania1, has produced the first commercial cellulosic ethanol. Shell, a leading global energy company, has a multi-year contract for the entire offtake.
The plant underwent a thorough commissioning process over the last six months, resulting in a successful start of production. From 250,000 tons of locally sourced agricultural residues, approximately 50,000 tons of second-generation biofuels will be produced. This plant’s cellulosic ethanol can be used as a drop-in replacement for ethanol in fuel blends, but it also has downstream applications in sustainable aviation fuel and bio-based chemicals.
“Protecting the climate is a central part of our purpose ‘Greater chemistry – between people and planet’,” said Conrad Keijzer, Chief Executive Officer at Clariant. “Biofuels and biochemicals made from agricultural waste play a crucial role, since they reduce greenhouse gas emissions. To establish their use more widely, their commercial production and availability must be increased rapidly, which is why the successful start of our sunliquid® plant in Podari is so vital.”
Building a more sustainable future is at the core of what drives Clariant to develop innovative solutions. Christian Librera, Head of Business Line Biofuels & Derivatives added: “The advanced biofuel produced by the sunliquid® technology process supports the decarbonization of the transport sector by providing up to 120 % CO2 savings compared to fossil fuel.
It is particularly encouraging to see that despite the global pandemic, we have successfully managed to start production in our flagship sunliquid® cellulosic ethanol plant on schedule. This proves that Clariant’s technology is commercially deployable and accelerates our licensing business strategy. I would like to express my sincere thanks to all colleagues and partners involved.”
Shell aims to be a material, profitable supplier of sustainable advanced low-carbon fuels as part of its wider work to become a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050.
“Low-carbon fuels are essential for helping our customers to decarbonize their businesses,” said Geoff Mansfield, General Manager for Low-Carbon Fuels at Shell Trading and Supply.
The plant in Podari, Romania, is built on a 10-hectare plot of land and employs about 100 people. More than 300 local farmers have signed contracts to ensure that the necessary feedstock is available.
¹The project receives funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Program for research, technological development and demonstration under Grant Agreement no. 322386 (SUNLIQUID) and from the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under Grant Agreement no. 709606 (LIGNOFLAG).
Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
