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Companies to Join on Cellulose-based Project
US - Two Canadian companies plan to build an 80 million dollar cellulosic ethanol plant in Grand Junction.CANADA – Lignol Energy Corporation, a specialist in the lignocellulosic biorefining sector, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Weyerhaeuser Company to explore the development of commercial applications of biochemical outputs from Lignol’s proprietary biorefining technology.
The companies have also agreed to evaluate the development of a commercial-scale Lignol biorefinery plant at or near a Weyerhaeuser mill site.
Lignol has developed novel methods to produce different lignins from each of the non- food cellulosic feedstocks it has processed.
Materials with novel properties can be developed from HP-LTM Lignin. For example, HP- LTM Lignin can be blended with industrial adhesives such as phenol formaldehyde, isocyanates and epoxy resins that can be used in coatings, and as a precursor for carbon fiber production, thereby reducing the use of and dependency on petrochemicals.
The initial scope of the memorandum involves the testing of certain biomass feedstocks within Lignol’s facilities, including Lignol’s integrated industrial-scale biorefinery pilot plant located in Burnaby, British Columbia.
As part of the MOU, the two companies will assess yields and qualities of the biorefinery process outputs, which include cellulose fibers and HP-LTM High Purity Lignin, for commercial potential and evaluate the development of a commercial-scale Lignol biorefinery plant at or near a Weyerhaeuser mill site.
"Lignol and Weyerhaeuser share a vision of developing markets and manufacturing plants that utilize technology for converting abundant cellulose-based, non-food biomass into economical and environmentally sustainable cellulose fiber and biochemicals," said Ross MacLachlan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lignol.
"We are delighted to work with Weyerhaeuser on this exciting business initiative. Lignol’s technology and know-how coupled with Weyerhaeuser's access to significant biomass feedstock reserves, infrastructure and markets for our products, makes for a compelling collaboration.
"While we continue to move forward with the planning and development of our cellulosic ethanol commercial demonstration plant in Colorado, recent developments have provided near-term commercial opportunities to exploit and broaden our market opportunities for a range of cellulosic derivatives and environmentally sustainable biochemicals.
"We intend to aggressively pursue these opportunities with strategic partners," Mr. MacLachlan added.
Lignol is also reported to be planning to join forces with Suncor Energy to build an 80 million dollar cellulosic ethanol plant in Grand Junction.
A partnership between Lignol and Suncor plans to produce 85 hundred gallons of ethanol a day and employ between 30 and 45 permanent workers according to KJCT8 News. The plant could open within the next two or three years.
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