Economic production of 100% renewable chemicals and second-generation advanced biofuels from any cellulosic waste stream. This company converts lignocellulose to levulinic acid. The cellulosic waste feedstock consists of woody biomass, municipal solid waste, cellulosic crops, and recycled paper and cardboard. Levulinic acid is versatile and has the potential for downstream derivative production, such as biofuels and renewable chemicals. The biofine technology unlocks the platform potential of levulinic acid in the development of biofuels, fuel additives, polymers and plastics, resins and coating, agrochemicals, flavors and fragrances, personal care products, and solvents. The Biofine process is a high temperature, dilute acid-catalyzed, rapid hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass. The reactor refines biomass into levulinic acid, formic acid, furfural, and a biochar that can be used in energy production. This technology can run as a completely self-contained, closed-loop process by transforming non-food, cellulosic waste into value products and biochar to power the plant.
EPA Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge: 1999 Small Business Award
