In 'supercritical hydrolysis,' a new process for biofuels

PHILADELPHIA--Here in a warehouse comprised of little else besides plywood, steel beams, and concrete, bioindustrial startup Renmatix announced a new process that it says allows it to produce cellulosic sugars--from which some types of biofuel are derived--more cheaply than ever.

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers investor John Doerr, and others were in attendance here at Renmatix's unfinished headquarters in the Philadelphia suburb of King of Prussia as the company revealed its new process, developed at its facility in Kennesaw, Ga.  

 

Renmatix says its industrial-scale process breaks down cellulose through something called "supercritical hydrolysis," which uses water at high temperatures and pressures to quickly solubilize cellulose from sources such as wood. The process doesn't require enzymes or chemicals, and can break down non-food biomass in seconds, as opposed to days.     Read More

Posted in: Technology