Chevron and Weyerhaeuser create biofuels alliance

Chevron Corporation and Weyerhaeuser Company have signed a letter of intent (LOI) to jointly assess the feasibility of commercializing the production of biofuels from cellulose-based sources. The companies will focus on researching and developing technology that can transform wood fiber and other non-food sources of cellulose into economical, clean-burning biofuels for cars and trucks. Feedstock options include a wide range of materials from Weyerhaeuser’s existing forest and mill system and cellulosic crops planted on Weyerhaeuser’s managed forest plantations. Both Chevron and Weyerhaeuser already have separate research partnerships under way to accelerate the development of cellulosic biofuels. Chevron has forged alliances with the Georgia Institute of Technology, the University of California at Davis, the Colorado Center for Biorefining and Biofuels, and the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Weyerhaeuser has research collaborations with several universities, national laboratories and technology-based companies as well to convert forest products into ethanol and other biofuels. (April 12, 2007)