Ineos Bio: 50 Hottest Companies in Bioenergy candidate profile

INEOS Bio
Based in: Illinois
2008-09 ranking: #22

Business: The INEOS Bio process is a combined thermochemical and biochemical technology for ethanol and power production. It is comprised of four main steps: (1) feedstock gasification, (2) synthesis gas fermentation (3) ethanol recovery and (4) power generation. The process utilizes a patented fermentation process, where cleaned, cooled synthesis gas is converted selectively into ethanol by a naturally occurring anaerobic bacteria. The process has been under development for 18 years.

Model: INEOS Bio will be an owner/operator of the first commercial-scale plant via a joint
venture with New Planet Energy. INEOS Technologies (also part of the INEOS Group) is the leading licensor of chemical process technology in the world. INEOS Bio will adopt a similar business model to Technologies and it expects to monetize the technology through owner projects, joint ventures and licensing of the technology. This approach will leverage the skills, experience and resources of INEOS and its Technologies business.

Past milestones:

1. Complete the basic engineering and design package for the first demonstration of the technology in a commercial-scale unit.
2. Continue testing of additional sustainable feedstocks in the pilot plant. The feedstocks successfully tested include: wood waste, MSW, sugar cane bagasse, corn stover, and auto shredder residue.
3. Continued successful pilot plant testing to support the engineering design. The pilot plant has been in operation for 6 years (2003-2009). The unit is now generating emissions data in support of permitting of the first commercial-scale unit.

Future milestones:

1. Issue the EPC bid package for the first 8myg/yr commercial-scale unit. Begin construction in 1Q 2010.
2. Execute additional licenses with licensees in the Americas and Europe.
3. Commission and startup the first commercial unit in 3Q 2011.

Metrics: With a zero or negative cost feedstock, INEOS’ forecasts the ability to produce for
$1.00 per gallon (or less). The technology has been successfully demonstrated at lab scale for 18 years and at large (1.5 te/day) pilot scale for six years utilizing a wide range of feedstocks. Engineering and permitting now to demonstrate the technology in a commercial-scale facility (8mgy/yr) with startup expected 3Q 2011.

INEOS Bio quotable quotes: “INEOS Bio is uniquely positioned to commercialize this next generation
technology. We have an experienced team of engineers, scientists, IP Legal, business development, logistics, and marketing professionals who have developed and commercialized new chemical process technologies and who have designed, built, commissioned and operated world-scale facilities.”

“The INEOS Bio technology can be located near both the feedstock and distribution centers, thus
providing an advantage for logistics intake as well as fuel off take and generation of renewable power. The use of zero or negative cost feedstocks provide an advantage in producing a lower cost and competitive biofuel. The plant has the ability to switch feedstocks based on their availability and relative cost to ensure that we are always using the most economically and environmentally sustainable feedstock at all times.”

The Hot 50 for 2009-10 will be released Tuesday, 12/1. Between now and then, you’ll see profiles of potential candidates in the Digest, and you’ll have a chance to vote for your favorites. Reader response will count for 50 percent of a company’s overall score in the preparation of the rankings. The remaining 50 percent is voted by a panel of experts.

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Ineos Bio: 50 Hottest Companies in Bioenergy candidate profile

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