Byproducts challenge future biorefineries - DSM

30 April 2008 20:42  [Source: ICIS news]

CHICAGO (ICIS News)--Second-generation biorefineries using lignocellulosic feedstock could have problems getting rid of their by products, an executive from life science and chemical company DSM said on Wednesday.

First-generation sugar and starch-based biorefineries produce dried distillers grains and other by products, which are used mostly as animal feed, said Marcel Wubbolts, program director for DSM’s white biotechnology business.

Wubbolts spoke at the World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology & Bioprocessing conference in Chicago.

The by products from second-generation biorefineries will be mostly solid, and no applications have been found for them, he said.

Aside from by products, other challenges facing second-generation biorefineries include logistics and technologies which are still very much in the development stage, Wubbolts said.

“Transition to new processes is not easy,” he said. “We first have to find solutions in a lot of these issues.”

The 3-day industrial biotechnology conference ends on Wednesday.

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Author: Doris de Guzman
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