Primus Green Energy commissions alternative fuel plant

Primus Green Energy, Inc., an alternative fuel company headquartered in Hillsborough, N.J., announced on September 30 that it had commissioned a pre-commercial demonstration plant capable of producing up to 100,000 gallons-per-year of natural gas-to-gasoline at its Hillsborough facility. Primus celebrated the new plant at a ceremony held on October 2, which was attended by New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno, Israel Corp. President and CEO Nir Gilad, Israel Corp. Green Energy (ICG) President and CEO Yom-Tov Samia, among others.
“As one of the first plants in the nation to make gasoline directly from natural gas, the completion of our facility is of monumental significance for Primus, for the nation and for the world,” said Robert Johnsen, CEO of Primus Green Energy. “Our syngas-to-gasoline plus (STG+) process is much more cost effective and efficient than competing alternative fuel technologies, enabling us to build commercial plants at a fraction of the cost of traditional gas-to-liquids (GTL) and alternative fuel plants.”
“New Jersey ranks seventh in the nation for clean energy jobs, and the Christie Administration is dedicated to developing an infrastructure that employs more efficient, cleaner, sustainable and homegrown energy sources,” said New Jersey Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno.
The demonstration plant utilizes Primus’ proprietary STG+ technology, which is a four-reactor catalytic process that converts syngas derived from natural gas or other feedstocks to gasoline, jet fuel, diesel, or aromatic chemicals directly, without the need for further treatment.
The process produces drop-in fuels that are ready for immediate distribution, sale, and consumption using existing fuel distribution infrastructures. STG+ offers broader alternative fuels and GTL industries a unique opportunity. Primus’ groundbreaking technology advances the use of low-cost, abundant natural gas in the production of transportation fuels while decreasing the United States’ dependence on crude oil.
So far, Primus’ primary investor has been IC Green Energy, the renewable energy arm of Israel Corp., Israel’s largest holding company. Gilad said that the Primus investment is a key part of a company-wide prioritization of building a cleaner, more environmentally sound business.
IC Green Energy has invested approximately USD60 million in Primus Green Energy since 2007. “The commissioning of Primus’ demonstration plant represents the fruits of our investment and further proof of Primus’ ability to fulfill its promise,” said Samia.
(October 2, 2013)