The research and development projects that received the funding from the Department of Energy (DoE) will focus on developing integrated processes for the production of advanced biofuels and chemicals. These products not only will help reduce carbon emissions, but also advance the DoE's work to enable the production of clean, renewable and cost-competitive drop-in biofuel at $3 per gallon by 2022.


The biofuel research projects, which span five US states, are as follows:

• The University of Wisconsin of Madison, Wisconsin, will receive up to $3.3 million to develop a process to produce high-value chemicals from biomass, which can be used as plasticizers (an additive in certain plastics) and in the production of industrial chemicals and resins.
• American Process, Inc. of Atlanta, Georgia, will receive up to $3.1 million to develop and demonstrate processes to upgrade cellulosic sugars to solvents in their demonstration facility.
• The National Renewable Energy Laboratory of Golden, Colorado, will receive up to $2.5 million to develop a conversion process demonstrating the production of muconic acid from biogas. This acid can be converted into an array of bioproducts, including fuel, plasticizers, and lubricants.
• Natureworks, LLC of Minnetonka, Minnesota, will receive up to $2.5 million to develop a fermentation process, using biogas and bacteria, for the production of lactic acid. This process could be used for the commercialization of biomethane to fuels.
• Vertimass LLC of Irvine, California, will receive up to $2 million to commercialize technology to convert ethanol into diesel fuel, gasoline, and jet fuel blend stocks compatible with the current transportation fuel infrastructure.