Biochemtex and Beta Renewables have signed a definitive agreement with ENERGOCHEMICA SE for the construction of a second-generation ethanol plant and the annexed Energy Block for the generation of power and steam. The plant, which will be built in Strazske, Slovak Republic, will deliver 55,000 metric tons per year of cost-competitive cellulosic ethanol while using non-food biomass as its feedstock.
The plant will apply Beta’s PROESA™ technology.1 Biochemtex will provide basic engineering, key equipment and technical field services. The project begins immediately and the start-up of the plant is expected in the first half of 2017.
Guido Ghisolfi, CEO and president of Beta Renewables and Biochemtex, views the deal with ENERGOCHEMICA SE — a holding company established in Prague in 2011 — as an important step to develop second-generation bioethanol activities in Europe.
“We believe that PROESATM technology will let producers see superior returns on their investments, while meeting the EU targets of 10% renewable energy in transport by 2020,” he explained. “The Strazske plant will be the third in the world based on PROESATM technology, following Crescentino, Italy, and Alagoas, Brazil.”
The new enthanol plant will use enzymes from Novozymes and yeast from Leaf Technologies.
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1. The Proesa™ process is a second-generation cellulosic biomass technology. It takes non-food biomass, such as energy crops or agricultural waste, and turns it into high-quality, fermentable C5 and C6 sugars. These sugars can then be used to produce biofuels and other petrochemical replacements with a smaller environmental footprint than fuels and chemicals made from oil or natural gas.