New butanol process unveiled by Washington University research team

In Missouri, researchers have developed a new process for butanol production. The research team at Washington University, led by Lars Angenent, assistant professor of energy, environmental and chemical engineering, uses fiber by-products of ethanol production from the USDA research facility in Peoria, Illinois as feedstock. A culture of thousands of different microbes are used to convert the biomass into butyrate, which is then fermented into butanol.

Earlier this week, Gevo announced it has acquired an exclusive license for use of UCLA’s method for modifying E.coli bacteria, that will improve its ability to mass produce next-gen biofuels such as butanol.

Gevo said that the technology will allow it potentially to retrofit existing ethanol plants to produce butanol, at a low capital cost, and will speed up the commercialization of butanol by several years.

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