Sinopec in deal to build cellulosic ethanol demo plant

An agreement was reached by Sinopec and two biofuels-related companies to build a cellulosic biofuel demonstration plant in China by 2011. A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed by Sinopec, biofuels enzyme specialist Novozymes and COFCO, a producer and supplier of processed agricultural products, Novozymes announced. The MOU covers construction of a cellulosic ethanol demonstration plant by COFCO and Sinopec that will be supplied with enzymes from Novozymes. Plans call for the new plant to be online in the third quarter of 2011 and produce 3 million gallons per year of ethanol from corn stover. “The new plant will be the largest demonstration facility converting agricultural waste into biofuel in China,” said Novozymes. (May 27, 2010)