POET-DSM Advanced Biofuels, a 50:50 joint venture between Dutch chemical producer DSM and major ethanol producer POET, will build an enzyme manufacturing plant in Emmetsburg, Iowa, USA. The facility, which is subject to state and local approvals, will be integrated into Project Liberty’s production process and be part of the future technology package.

Project Liberty is a cellulosic ethanol plant that uses corn cobs, leaves, husk and some stalk to produce renewable biofuel. The joint venture’s first commercial-scale plant is currently ramping up production after an 18-month program of design improvements and investments to make the process more consistent and reliable.

Atul Thakrar, president of DSM Bio-based Products & Services, said the partners have reached important production thresholds in recent months, giving them the confidence to move to the next level of technology development. “The start-up and ramp-up of Project Liberty have provided valuable experience for developing a cost-effective process than can be replicated across the US and world,” he commented. Current output is 70 gallons per bone-try ton of biomass, near the target conversion rate. The plant’s full capacity will be 20 million gallons per year.

US group CRB has won the contract for the design, engineering and construction management of the new facility, which will directly pipe enzymes into the Liberty production process. Basic engineering is complete and construction is expected to start in late spring or early summer.

The new enzymes developed by DSM are also expected to improve the effectiveness of the enzyme mix, further reducing the costs of the process. POET president and chief operating officer, Jeff Lautt, said the enzymes will be a valuable addition to the integrated technology package, which the joint venture plans to license worldwide.

POET-DSM Advanced Biofuels’ mission is to make cellulosic bioethanol competitive with corn bio-ethanol, which it said is the most competitive renewable liquid transportation fuel currently available on the US market.