The new funds will be used to support Enerkem’s growth plan, including initiating the construction of its second waste to biofuels plant.

Enerkem’s technology converts waste materials into biofuels such as ethanol and can process diverse carbon-based feedstocks, including sorted municipal solid waste, construction and demolition wood, as well as agricultural and forest residues.

Tim Cesarek, Managing Director of Organic Growth at Waste Management, says: “Combining Waste Management’s industry leadership and expertise in the collection and management of a wide range of segmented waste streams with Enerkem’s leading clean technology solutions, we are broadening our portfolio of conversion technologies in the waste-to-biofuels market which is key to developing new, higher value added end markets for materials.”

Enerkem was awarded US$50m in funding by the US Department of Energy (DoE) in December 2009 for development of its planned Mississippi biofuels plant.