DuPont Danisco, U of Tenessee break ground on pilot cellulosic ethanol “grassoline” plant

In Tennessee, DuPont Danisco Cellulosic Ethanol and the University of Tennessee Research Foundation (through its strategic partnership arm Genera Energy), broke ground on their 250,000 gallons per year cellulosic ethanol plant in Vonore.

The pilot plant, which will utilize corn stover as a feedstock and produce “grassoline”, has received $70.5 million in support from the state of Tennessee, and Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen and Sen. Bob Corker were on hand for the opening.

The plant is expected to commence operations in 2009, and will begin to utilize switchgrass from a sponsored switchgrass growing scheme in the state. The plant and switchgrass operations are the outcomes of the UT Biofuels Initiative, which aims to replace 30 percent of Tennessee’s petroleum use with energy from locally grown energy crops.

Free Subscription to the Daily Biofuels Digest e-newsletter

Related Stories

DuPont Danisco to construct pilot-scale cellulosic ethanol plant in Tennessee; partnering with UT on feedstocks

In Tennessee, DuPont Danisco and the University of Tennessee will partner on the construction of a pilot-scale, 250,000 gallon cellulosic ethanol plant in Vonore. The partnership will make use of the ...

DuPont confirms pilot biobutanol, cellulosic ethanol plants in ‘09; “commercial biotechnology package” by ‘10

DuPont confirmed that its two DuPont BioFuels projects, in cellulosic ethanol and biobutanol, are on track towards commercialization. Last May, DuPont partnered with Danisco to form DuPont Danisco ...

European Commission green-lights DuPont, Danisco cellulosic ethanol joint venture

In Belgium, the proposed DuPont Danisco Cellulosic Ethanol joint venture has received approval from the European Commission, and the companies can now advance in their plans to develop a pilot-scale s...

DuPont, Genecor launch $140 million cellulosic ethanol venture based on new enzymes

DuPont and biotech firm Genencor announced a $140 million joint venture to produce cellulosic ethanol. Each company will contribute $70 million to form DuPont Danisco Cellulosic Ethanol, and the new c...

Groundbreaking looms for DuPont Danisco, UT cellulosic ethanol pilot project; corn cobs for first year, then switching to switchgrass

In Tennessee, groundbreaking for the pilot-scale, 250,000 gallons per year Genera Energy cellulosic ethanol plant in Vonore has been scheduled for next week. The Genera project is jointly developed by...

DuPont Danisco: 50 Hottest Companies in Bioenergy candidate profile

DuPont Danisco Based in: Illinois 2008-09 ranking: 9 Business: Cellulosic ethanol production, now in demonstration stage, constructing a facility in Vonore, TN, and a switchgrass feedstock suppli...