In New York, Anellotech has extended the catalyst lifetime of its Bio-TCat process for converting biomass into aromatics and fuels. The new technology, dubbed MiniFree, is a biomass pretreatment that reduces mineral content in biomass.
The development makes new, low-cost biomass feedstocks with high levels of “catalyst poisons” available for use with the Bio-TCat process.
“MiniFree is an important development needed to advance our Bio-TCat process toward commercialization, as it contributes to our ability to achieve attractive returns even in a low oil price environment, whether licensees opt for using Bio-TCat products as renewable fuels or chemicals,” says David Sudolsky, Anellotech president and CEO.
Anellotech has partnered with IFPEN for process development and scale-up, and Johnson Matthey for catalyst development. IFPEN subsidiary Axens is Anellotech’s partner for industrialization, commercialization, global licensing, and technical support. The Bio-TCat process can produce aromatic chemicals benzene, toluene, and xylenes, as well as coproducts that can be used to make cellulosic jet and ethanol biofuels via third party technology.