KL Energy receives 2008 Biofuels Digest Achievement Award in Cellulosic Ethanol

[BIOFUELS DIGEST NEWSWIRE] MIAMI, FL — Biofuels Digest announced this morning that KL Energy received the 2008 Biofuels Digest Achievement Award for Cellulosic Ethanol.

The award was given in recognition of achieving the largest actual production volume for an advanced biofuel, increases in glucose recovery rate and reduction in enzyme use.

“In the field of cellulosic ethanol, KL has been getting it done all year with the first commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol plant,” said Biofuels Digest editor Jim Lane. “The Digest established the Achievement Awards to recognize concrete achievements, rather than promise or potential. KL totally fits the bill,” Lane added.

Last month, KL Energy announced that it has been able to increase its overall glucose recovery rate by 56% per dry ton of wood while simultaneously reducing its enzyme rate by 22%. Testing for glucose recovery rate and enzyme levels was successfully completed at KL Energy’s feedstock testing facility.  KL Energy has since made the necessary equipment upgrades at its commercial facility to scale up these process improvements.

This fall, KL Process Designs completed a reverse merger, and emerged as the public company KL Energy (KLEG.OB) as the first commercial producer of cellulosic ethanol aims for expansion. The company completed a $6.1 million private placement with the merger; funds that are earmarked for development of the company’s second commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol plant.

KL Energy is currently producing commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol from wood waste at a commercial-scale facility in Upton, Wyoming. The company received investments from Fair Energy and The Green Fund in the transaction, and Fair Energy executive Alain Vignon joined the board. Also recently joining the KL Energy board was Alan Rae of O2 Diesel.

In a Biofuels Digest interview, CEO Randy Kramer said that the company has developed both a unique strategy and a pool of process engineers and project leaders to fuel the company’s growth. The company credits a six-year partnership with the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology as a key factor in their rapid development.

Commenting on KL’s first-mover advantage in cellulosic ethanol, USDA ARS scientist Stephen Hughes said “Others are talking, planning, or building. KL is doing it.”

Free Subscription to the Daily Biofuels Digest e-newsletter

Related Stories

POET, KL Energy, GreenShift and Primafuel among winners of 2008 Biofuels Digest Achievement Awards

[BIOFUELS DIGEST NEWSWIRE] MIAMI, FL -- Biofuels Digest announced this morning that POET, KL Energy, GreenShift and Primafuel were among the winners of the 2008 Biofuels Digest Achievement Awards. ...

2nd annual Biofuels Digest Achievement Awards

The 2nd annual Biofuels Digest Achievement Awards (the "BeeDees") are the Digest's annual industry awards. You can nominate people for this award, or volunteer to serve on the selection panel. The ...

Solazyme, FUEL documentary filmmaker Josh Tickell receive awards

Biofuels Digest announced that Solazyme and film director and author Josh Tickell were among the winners of the 2008 Biofuels Digest Achievement Awards. The awards recognize companies and individuals ...

Biofuels Digest annual awards open for subscriber nominations

Nominations are now open for the 2008 Biofuels Digest awards. The 2nd annual Biofuels Personality of the Year is reader-voted, and open to all at BiofuelsDigest.com. You can nominate, as well as vo...

Solazyme receives Biofuels Digest Award for Achievement in Advanced Biofuels & Feedstocks

[BIOFUELS DIGEST NEWSWIRE] MIAMI, FL -- Biofuels Digest announced this morning that algae-to-energy pioneer Solazyme received the Biofuels Digest Award for Achievement in Advanced Biofuels & Feeds...

Primafuel receives 2008 Biofuels Digest Achievement Award in Biodiesel

[BIOFUELS DIGEST NEWSWIRE] MIAMI, FL -- Biofuels Digest announced this morning that Primafuel and Greenshift shared the 2008 Biofuels Digest Achievement Award for Biodiesel. The companies received ...