Verenium Begins Commissioning Phase of Pilot Cellulosic Ethanol Plant

Cellulosic ethanol producer Verenium has begun the commissioning phase at its demonstration-scale cellulosic ethanol facility in Jennings, in the US state of Louisiana.

Verenium’s demonstration-scale plant in Jennings is rated to produce 1.4 million-gallons-per-year of next-generation ethanol that uses specialty enzymes and the company’s proprietary technology to convert non-food biomass.

Start-up activities will continue as the facility transitions into a comprehensive commissioning phase allowing the company to evaluate its process for making ethanol at scale and validate cost and performance assumptions to prepare for the development of its first series of commercial plants.

This phase reportedly puts Verenium on track for its goal of beginning construction in the middle of next year on a 30 million-gallon-per-year commercial plant, which will be the first of its kind, located in the southeastern US.

Carlos Riva, president and CEO of Verenium, said: “This is a major step forward and a transformational moment for Verenium and the next-generation ethanol industry as we seek commercially-viable alternatives to traditional fuel sources. This is a first for the US and as we take the next step toward commercialization, we are breaking new ground and setting new standards for our industry.”