As the world’s largest producer of second-generation ethanol, Raízen generates substantial amounts of lignin as a by-product from its ethanol operations. Under the terms of the Joint Development Agreement, Vertoro will focus on upgrading lignin into a form that dissolves and blends more easily with other materials, thereby simplifying its transformation and making it suitable for a variety of applications.
The collaboration will initially focus on producing large-scale samples of Raízen’s lignin products at Vertoro’s running demo plant, which are derived using Vertoro’s Goldilocks biotechnology process, at Vertoro’s demonstration plant in the Netherlands. These samples will be distributed to selected producers in the fuel, chemical, and materials sectors for application testing. The ultimate goal is to secure offtake agreements for a commercial-scale production site, which will be integrated into Raizen’s second-generation ethanol facilities. Initial testing is to commence in summer 2024.