Novozymes and Ceres partner on biofuel crops

Energy crop company Ceres, Inc. and Novozymes, the world’s largest enzyme provider, have entered a research collaboration to co-develop customized plant varieties and enzyme cocktails for the production of cellulosic biofuel. The companies expect to improve the process of converting biomass to fuel through more effective enzymes and higher quality energy crops in a joint optimization project that will lead to greater fuel yields, as well as lower capital and operating costs.

Energy crops such as switchgrass, miscanthus and sorghum are high-yielding crops planted specifically for their energy content. They thrive with less water and fertilizer than other crops, and will often also grow on marginal lands where other crops cannot. They therefore represent a very promising addition to traditional biofuel crops. Energy crops also have huge environmental benefits. The US Environmental Protection Agency estimates that biofuel from switchgrass reduces CO2 emissions by 110 percent compared to gasoline (source: Environmental Protection Agency: “Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: Changes to Renewable Fuel Standard Program; Final Rule”, p. 124, March 26, 2010).