Pure Power to set up “Brains Trust” for lignocellulosic R&D

June 19, 2008

In New Zealand, Pure Power announced that it is increasing its R&D effort by setting up a “Brains Trust” in lignocellulose. Under the leadership of one of Dr Jim Watson, Pure Power’s Energy Evangelist, Pure Power will focus on conversion of lignocellulosic feedstocks and other biomass into bioethanol, biodiesel, biocrude and a large range of bioproducts such as bioplastics and biochemicals.

Pure Power’s washing processes preserve and recover lignin, converting the biomass into three product streams: bioethanol, xylose and natural lignin, which can then be used to make hundreds of different bioproducts including paints, glues, resins and chemicals such as phenol, which are currently derived from petroleum. In addition the process also yields xylose, from which xylitol (a sugar substitute) can be made.

Pure Power background

Pure Power said last week that it would establish corporate headquarters in Singapore for its renewable energy business. Pure Power recently acquired a stake in Aquaflow Bionomic, a New Zealand company which is harvesting wild microalgae and is supporting the Air New Zealand biodiesel trail scheduled for later this year. Pure Power also acquired BioJoule Limited, a cellulosic ethanol concern. In a statement, management said that the International Energy Agency forecasts a 57 percent increase in energy needs by 2030, and that two-thirds would come from developing countries, led by China and India.

New Zealand’s Aquaflow Bionomic has achieved commercial-scale algae harvest levels at its plant in Marlborough, and said that its new bioreactor installations are expected to bring the company to c0mmercial-scale production of biocrude “within the next few months”.

Aquaflow is rumored to be the fuel supplier for the upcoming Air New Zealand biodiesel test flight.

nbr.co.nz reported that the company has appointed aviation engineering consultant Des Ashton to lead operation development related to aviation projects. Last month, Virgin CEO Sir Richard Branson said that the Air New Zealand flight would use algae-based biodiesel, after the initial Virgin Atlantic flight using a mix babassu palm and coconut oils.

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Written by Jim Lane · Filed Under International, News & Financial Analysis, The Daily Biofuel Summary