Japan’s NEDO to launch bioethanol project in Thailand

To demonstrate the efficiency of thermo-tolerant yeast developed in Japan, the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization of Japan (NEDO) will launch in Thailand a project for bioethanol production from cassava residue.
A memorandum of understanding to implement the project was signed by the NEDO and the National Innovation Agency of Thailand. The NEDO said the project is expected to cost some ¥700 million (US$8.4 million), and that it will shoulder ¥500 million (US$5.65 million) of the total cost.
The first of its kind, the bioethanol plant will use bioethanol production technologies using Japanese thermo-tolerant yeast and cassava pulp. NEDO said it also plans to provide follow-up activities, including seminars to disseminate the technologies throughout Thailand, as well as within member-countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). (December 17, 2012)