DSM Bio-based Products & Services
Recent DSM breakthroughs will enable the competitive, viable manufacture of biofuels and, over time, of bio-based chemicals and materials from cellulosic raw materials (a.k.a. ‘second generation’). Furthermore, our efforts to develop technological solutions for bio-based manufacturing processes are set to optimize the output of the biorefinery.
These breakthroughs include a cocktail of thermostable enzymes to break down agricultural side streams or energy crops - such as corn crop or sugarcane residue and wood chips – and open up the sugars in the broth for further processing. Secondly, DSM developed a multi-purpose advanced yeast that is capable of efficient co-fermentation of C6 and C5 sugars. The production processes from cellulosic biomass are characterized by improved carbon footprints and do not have a negative effect on food production resources.
DSM intends to collaborate with strategic partners along the value chain to implement solutions for the bio-based economy, offering customers a reduced carbon footprint for their products.
Most recently, in January 2012 DSM announced a joint venture with US-based POET, LLC, one of the world’s largest bio-ethanol producers, to commercially demonstrate and license cellulosic bio-ethanol. This is derived from corn crop residue (biomass) by way of a biological process using enzymatic hydrolysis followed by fermentation.
This is an important next step in the development of biofuels; quite simply the potential is enormous. The U.S. Departments of Energy and Agriculture have estimated that more than one billion tons of biomass is available in America that could produce enough cellulosic bio-ethanol to replace a third of the country’s gasoline use. And all that from waste!
The joint venture, POET-DSM Advanced Biofuels, LLC, will be headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, US. The initial capacity of the commercial demonstration plant is expected to be 20 million gallons in the first year, growing to approximately 25 million gallons per year and is expected to be profitable in its first full year of production (2014).
Previously, in May 2011 DSM and the French starch and starch derivatives company Roquette Frères announced that they would build a commercial scale plant for the production of bio-based succinic acid, the first non-fossil feedstock derived chemical building block that allows customers in the chemical industry to choose a bio-based alternative with a lower eco-footprint for a broad range of applications, from packaging to footwear.
Based in Cassano, Italy, and with a capacity of about 10 kilotons per year, the plant is Europe’s largest bio-based succinic acid facility.
This commercial scale bio-based succinic acid plant is another important step in the successful cooperation between DSM and Roquette that started in 2008. Early 2010 DSM and Roquette opened a demonstration plant in Lestrem (France), which has been running at full capacity. In 2010 DSM and Roquette also announced their intention to establish a joint venture (which will be carrying out business under the name Reverdia) for their cooperation, subject to regulatory approval. Bio-succinic acid from Reverdia is sold under the name Biosuccinium™.
It is DSM’s ambition to further strengthen its portfolio in bio-based chemicals and materials. DSM is currently exploring multiple routes using its competencies in both chemistry and biotechnology. The exciting technology being developed can be used as a platform for the development of other high potential bio-based building blocks and/or platform molecules.
With the effects of climate change and the adverse consequences of the world’s dependency on fossil fuels becoming increasingly apparent, alternative renewable energy sources such as biogas are needed to respond to the ever-increasing need for energy. This demand for renewable energy is set to increase significantly further as fossil fuels become scarcer and more expensive.
Biogas is produced by anaerobic fermentation of organic matter such as biomass, manure, sewage or municipal waste using enzymatic catalysis. Biogas consists of 55% methane and creates two relatively equal-sized outputs, electricity and heat. Biogas can also be upgraded to bio-methane (95% methane), which has similar composition and applications as natural gas.
Compared to other biofuels, the production of biogas from dedicated biomass yields more energy per hectare than any other process. Better still, compressed biogas is the most climate friendly of more than 70 different fuels and is considered to be CO2 neutral.
DSM Biogas used DSM’s more than 100 years of experience working with enzymes to create an ‘enzyme & service toolkit’ that improves the efficiency and reliability of biogas plants. Enzymes are employed firstly to optimize the conversion rate of the substrate, or raw materials. This increases the amount of gas generated and improves productivity. Secondly, enzymes are also employed to lower the viscosity and if necessary the acidity of the substrate.
Where DSM’s enzyme leadership comes in is its ability to optimize conversion regardless of the specifics of the substrate.