One-step biomass-to-ethanol conversion tech advances

New Hampshire-based startup Terragia Biofuel has secured funding to proceed with commercializing its comparatively low-cost technology for the conversion of cellulosic biomass into ethanol and other products.

The Terragia Biofuel approach uses engineered anaerobic thermophilic bacteria to break down cellulosic biomass and convert it into ethanol. The high costs incurred in conventional cellulosic biofuel production processes are eliminated by one-step consolidated bioprocessing without added enzymes. Mechanical disruption via milling during fermentation replaces thermochemical pretreatment. This approach offers aSource: Terragia Biofuel shorter payback period and yields a low-carbon biofuel that is cost-competitive with fossil fuels.

According to the company, “Conversion of ethanol to fuels for planes, ships and trucks is a leading option for approximately half of future global transportation energy demand, for which electrification is likely impractical, corresponding to a trillion dollar market. With full penetration of this market, Terragia’s technology is projected to displace 3 gigatons of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions annually and enable capture of a yet larger amount of CO₂.”

In partnership with Dartmouth College and the University of Campinas, Brazil, the ongoing development of Terragia’s technology is supported by funding from the U.S. Department of Energy Center for Bioenergy Innovation and the São Paulo Research Foundation, Brazil, by grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and National Science Foundation, as well as private capital.

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