MHI to start operation of demonstration plant

A cellulosic bioethanol demonstration plant constructed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. (MHI), Hakutsuru Sake Brewing Co. Ltd. and Kansai Chemical Engineering Co. Ltd. is about to launch continuous operation at a new facility located at the Futami Plant of MHI’s Kobe Shipyard & Machinery Works in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. It will produce ethanol for transporation fuel from soft cellulose, such as rice straw and wheat straw. It will be Japan’s first biofuel production facility capable of continuous pre-processing. (December 1, 2009)