The Digest’s 2024 Multi-Slide Guide to Iogen

This presentation deck, given by Iogen CEO Brian Foody at the ABLC Next 2024 conference, focused on the future of second-generation biofuels. The presentation begins by highlighting Iogen’s pioneering role in developing and commercializing cellulosic ethanol technology. The text then explores the evolution of biofuel technologies and the emergence of Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) as a dominant player in the market. Despite its initial promise, cellulosic ethanol faced challenges in achieving cost-effectiveness, while RNG gained traction due to its simplicity. The author argues that while RNG currently holds a significant market share, achieving net-zero emissions requires a shift towards more sustainable and scalable solutions that emphasize carbon reduction. The presentation deck emphasizes the need for biofuel technologies to deliver “deep carbon reductions” and highlights the potential of cellulosic biofuels in this regard. The author concludes that cellulosic biofuels will dominate in markets that value carbon abatement, such as the German GHG Quota system, and outlines the cost trends associated with these technologies. He believes that the potential of cellulosic biofuels to capture and store CO2 makes them a key player in achieving net zero, and that their ability to generate a three times greater CO2 reduction per unit of energy compared to RNG is a significant advantage. The presentation concludes by identifying three major platform technologies for the hard-to-abate sectors, including biomass to syngas, cellulosic ethanol, and biomass to RNG, highlighting the importance of scalability, sustainability, and cost-competitiveness in achieving a net-zero future.