News

June 02, 2009

TMO Renewables Sees Significant Interest From US Ethanol Producers

By Rue Swabey

Last June UK-based TMO Renewables commissioned an £8 million demonstration plant in Surrey with the capacity to produce 1.4 million gallons of alcohol or “beer” a year. The plant uses proprietary technology that consists of thermophillic micro-organisms, known as thermophiles, which ferment sugars. Thermophiles live at high temperatures and digest a wide range of feedstocks quickly. This means that the technology can produce ethanol using less energy and using low value biomass waste rather than edible feedstocks such as corn. The demonstration plant has been running smoothly and in line with expectations. TMO has trialled materials for 23 prospective clients, the majority of which are US ethanol producers.

In fact the US is likely to be the company’s first important market given its commitment to wean itself off gasoline. The US energy mandate targets 36 billion gallons of bioethanol fuel by 2022 of which 16 billion must be cellulosic. The desire to achieve energy security is now partnered by the need to stimulate the economy and create jobs. The crisis in the ethanol industry - there have been several high profile failures including Vera Sun - has provided TMO with an opportunity to market its...