Novozymes looking to scale up biofuel enzyme production in Brazil

May 24, 2012 - Danish biotech company Novozymes A/S (CPH:NZYM B) said today it will supply enzyme technology for the first commercial cellulosic ethanol plant of Brazilian GraalBio and will expand its production capacity in the country.

GraalBio's facility will be located in the Brazilian state of Alagoas and will have an annual capacity of 82 million litres (22 million gallons) of cellulosic ethanol, produced from sugarcane bagasse and straw. Production start is scheduled for December 2013. Enzymes are a key element in cellulosic ethanol production as they turn the biomass into sugar that can be fermented into ethanol.

The biofuel industry in Brazil is scaling up, with expected doubled ethanol production by 2020, so Novozymes is considering to set up new enzyme manufacturing plants in the country to meet increased future demand. The company has already started searching for suitable locations.

Earlier this year, Novozymes launched Cellic CTec3, a new enzyme that helps cellulosic ethanol producers cut costs, while increasing yields. On the occasion of the introduction of Cellic Ctec3 in Latin America, Novozymes will organise a seminar on advanced biofuels in Sao Paolo on May 29.

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