Green Biologics starts the construction of its n-butanol and acetone biorefinery in Minnesota
Green Biologics Ltd (GBL) announced
on 2nd December that the construction of its biobased n-butanol and
acetone manufacturing facility in Little Falls (MN, USA) is moving forward (press release). The
existing manufacturing site, formerly known as The Central MN Ethanol
Cooperative (CMEC), was acquired by Green Biologics in December 2014 and
re-named Central MN Renewables (CMR). Permitting was completed in late August
and the construction began on September 1.
Figure 1. Central
MN Renewables (Extracted from Central MN Ethanol Cooperative web page)
Since 2012, GBL
has been producing renewable n-butanol through a collaboration in China utilizing
corn cobs and corn stover as a feedstock. In 2016, its first plant will come on
line in Little Falls utilizing corn as a feedstock. Currently, the facility is running
in full ethanol production mode. In early 2016, it is expected that the plant shuts
down while the new technology is tied in to the existing equipment. By the end
of the year, the plant should be in full production of n-butanol and acetone.
GBL is a renewable
chemicals company based in Abingdon (England) with a wholly owned US operating
company, Green Biologics Inc., based in Gahanna (Ohio). Green Biologics’ Clostridium fermentation platform
converts a wide range of sustainable feedstocks into n-butanol (Butachem™)
and acetone. This platform is fruit of the development of the original ABE (Acetone
– Butanol – Ethanol) fermentation process. n-Butanol is a building block chemical
that finds applications as production intermediate for polymers (butyl
acrylate, butyl acetate, dibutyl phthalate), extracting agent, perfume and
cleaner ingredient,... In the petrochemical industry, it is produced from propylene.
Acetone is used extensively as a solvent in paints, coatings, adhesives, inks,
pharmaceutical and food applications. It is also used as an intermediate in the
production of monomers, polymers, aldol chemicals and cellulose acetate. Its petroleum
based counterpart is also produced directly or indirectly from propylene.
Figure 2. Acetone and
n-butanol downstream derivative products (extracted from Green Biologics web
page)