Cellulosic Ethanol

As the transportation fuel and chemical markets require urgent shifts to meet future demands while lowering average carbon intensity of fuels and products, the use of renewable & alternative feedstocks will play an important role in the game tomorrow.

Today, the main substitute to gasoline is first generation bio-ethanol produced from food crops (sugar beet, sugar cane or starchy crops such as corn, wheat...) via fermentation process.

Axens Offer

Novel route for bio-ethanol production aims to convert lignocellulosic biomass which refers to non-food feedstocks (forestry residues, energy crops) or non-edible parts of food crops (rice straw, wheat straw, corn stover, bagasse, etc.). Main product is cellulosic ethanol also known as second generation (2G) or advanced bio-ethanol. Many other products can be obtained from such process for fuel/energy and chemical applications alike.

Cellulosic ethanol is strongly promoted as one of the most promising solution for companies and governments to succeed in their transitions and achieve their climate targets as well as other sustainable development goals.

Futurol™

Futurol™ Technology aims at producing advanced biofuel (2G bioethanol) and biobased monomers from lignocellulosic biomass (forest and agricultural residues, energy crops).

Futurol™ process

As the outcome of a 10 years R&D project, with extensive operation of our pre-commercial and industrial scale plants, Futurol™ offers a unique and reliable 4-step conversion process:

Biomass Pretreatment: Lignocellulosic biomass is deconstructed into its three major components: cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. It produces a standardized and homogeneous substrate with excellent properties.
Biocatalysts production: Required biocatalysts (microorganisms) are produced on site using a fraction of the substrate from Pretreatment: enzymes (secreted from fungi cultures) and yeasts (propagated from dried yeast).
Hydrolysis & Fermentation: Two different operations are performed simultaneously using biocatalysts: enzymatic hydrolysis of the pretreated biomass into sugar monomers and fermentation of these sugars into ethanol by yeasts.
Products Recovery: Fermented mash from Hydrolysis & Fermentation is treated to separate and recover the different products: fuel grade ethanol, lignin, clarified stillage and CO₂.

Futurol™ and the Bioeconomy

Futurol™ is not only a breakthrough technology for cellulosic ethanol production from local bio-resources, it is also an efficient and flexible platform for next-generation bio-chemicals synthesis. A myriad of molecules can be derived from Futurol™ and that is the key to striving towards a sustainable environment:

Bio-ethylene,
Bio-butadiene,
2G sugars

Moreover, all effluents from Futurol™ process can be reused as valuable co-products in accordance with the circular economy concept:

Lignin and stillage: in-situ bio-energy generation, agricultural fertilizer, bio-material for construction…
Biogenic CO₂: food and beverage industry, building block for chemicals, Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)...

Robust biomass pretreatment proven at industrial scale

Maximum feedstock-flexibility from straw to wood

Competitive in-situ production of biocatalysts

Commercial Bulletin

Consulting

Axens offers a customized approach, including tailored studies, audits and consulting services, covering technical and operational challenges in the refining and petrochemical industries.

Unit Revamps & Retrofits

As a refining and petrochemical operator, you face many challenges, which include operating in a safe, reliable and environmentally sound manner while responding to changing markets dynamics.

Customer Training

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Technical Support & Performance Management

Axens is fully committed to be your partner and provide assistance and support during your project lifecycle, from conception to start-up & running operations.

Events

All events

Event passed ⁰² Jun

Online - CDT

2 days

Conference

Renewable + 6

Cellulosic Ethanol Renewable Diesel and Jet Lipid Feedstock Lignocellulosic Biomass Process Technologies Americas

IRPC Process

IRPC PROCESS TECHNOLOGY, an innovative virtual conference designed with current needs in mind. Held 2-3 June 2021, IRPC Process Technology will provide a platform for knowledge-sharing, networking and making business connections with downstream leaders—all from the safety and comfort of your home or office.

Learn more