Diversity key to alternative fuels - US DuPont

02 October 2007 23:40  [Source: ICIS news]

HOUSTON (ICIS news)--US chemical major DuPont said on Tuesday that a diversified approach to making alternative fuels will be needed to meet growing demand for energy around the world.

The need for alternative fuels is clear, but it will take many different technologies to meet the anticipated demand, said DuPont official Russ Sanders during an ethanol conference in New York.

DuPont is investing in technology to improve corn yield and convert cellulosic feedstock into biofuel, the executive said, adding that DuPont and the federal government are jointly funding research to convert corn stover, stalks and cobs into ethanol.

Sanders also touted biobutanol as one of DuPont’s strategies to bring advanced biofuels into the motor fuel market.

Biobutanol improves blend flexibility and fuel efficiency when compared with biofuels now available in the market, Sanders said.

It also resolves fuel stability issues because biobutanol-gasoline blends can be distributed through the existing fuel supply infrastructure, he noted.

Sanders said DuPont has a partnership with BP for the development of biobutanol production.

By: William Lemos
+1 713 525 2653

For the latest chemical news, data and analysis that directly impacts your business sign up for a free trial to ICIS news - the breaking online news service for the global chemical industry.

Get the facts and analysis behind the headlines from our market leading weekly magazine: sign up to a free trial to ICIS Chemical Business.

Printer Friendly