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Vogelbusch applies for bioethanol production patent |
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Written by Giles Clark, London
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Wednesday, 26 March 2008 |
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Austrian company Vogelbusch GmbH, today (26th March) announced that it has applied for a patent for an efficient fermentation process for the high-yield extraction of bioethanol from materials containing hemicellulose. Working in partnership with the Institute of Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering at Graz University of Technology, the company has succeeded, it says, in extracting significantly more ethanol from this raw material than other processes.
Dr. Gottfried Sodeck, CEO of Vogelbusch GmbH, comments on the importance of the patent: "Our research department has been working closely with Graz University of Technology for a number of years. The process for which we have now submitted a patent application is the direct result of this cooperation. It enables wood waste to be converted into ethanol far more efficiently and, as a result, it will significantly boost the development of biofuels made from lignocellulose. Thanks to our extensive experience in the production of bioethanol from sugary and starchy raw materials and our outstanding track record in this area, Vogelbusch has succeeded in taking an important step forward in expanding the raw material base for its bioethanol production process."
The company continued: "This increase in yields is an important step that has come at just the right time. Although the first pilot plants for bioethanol production based on raw materials containing hemicellulose are already in place, efficiency levels fall short of what will be possible in the future. Vogelbusch GmbH is carrying out ongoing research and development to ensure that we can meet our customers' expectations regarding the efficiency of our plants, and are able to satisfy the growing demands that society is placing on the environmental benefits of biofuels."
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