Funds bioethanol project

"We regard the support from Innovation Norway as recognition of the research and development work we have carried out so far. This support is decisive in the further development of our new technology for production of second generation biofuel and other green chemicals. If we are successful with this project we will be able to establish full-scale production of biofuel with a very good climate account," says managing director Per A. Sørlie.
Borregaard has developed new technology for production of bioethanol and green chemicals from biomass such as straw and other agricultural and forestry waste. The newly developed technology changes the cellulose fibres in the biomass into sugar that is used for the production of bioethanol, while other components in the biomass are made into advanced biochemicals. The technology consists of a multi-stage process, and has given good results at laboratory scale. Borregaard will now upscale the processes in the planned pilot plant that will be built at the company's industrial facility in Sarpsborg.
While Norway has so far been most concerned with biodiesel, bioethanol has been the clear biofuel leader on a global basis. Bioethanol is a clean and well-tested fuel that is suitable for replacing petrol in both cars and heavy vehicles. The bus company Ruter has around 20 busses and Asko has several lorries that run on a fuel consisting of 95 percent bioethanol.
The pilot plant will cost around NOK 130 million, and the public funding will amount to NOK 58 million. Building is expected to commence in the first half of 2011.