Ethanol Production using Cellulase Enzymes

Summary

The Business Opportunity

The market potential for fuel ethanol (EtOH) is immense. Currently 15-85% EtOH fuel blends are available, with no changes required to vehicles at the low end of the range and minor modifications required for E-85 vehicles, for normal operation. The market is relatively undeveloped due to the fact that the production of EtOH is not yet economical. The EtOH, derived primarily from cornstarch, is heavily subsidized to make the market attractive to the current producers. The long-term sustainability of the EtOH market is dependent on the economical production of this fuel. While cellulase hydrolysis is more difficult technically than is starch hydrolysis, the opportunity for cellulases is further reaching considering the availability and cost of waste biomass versus corn. The opportunity to take the lead in the development of cost effective cellulase enzymes for the conversion of cellulose to EtOH exists now.

The Technology

The conversion of biomass (lignocellulostics) to EtOH can be done via several processes - gasification, acid hydrolysis or enzyme hydrolysis. In order to make the enzyme hydrolysis route for biomass conversion to EtOH economically feasible, it has been postulated that a 5-10x improvement in current enzyme performance would be required. There are many ways to increase the specific activity of the enzyme, such as increased thermal stability, Kcat and enhanced enzymatic decrystallization of the cellulose feedstock. NRC's expertise in enzyme engineering has already resulted in commercial success in the xylanase enzyme market where similar modifications were required for such success. The Markets The current enzyme costs for biomass conversion represents ~$0.16/gallon EtOH. The ideal economic target would be in the $0.03/gallon EtOH range. At an enzyme cost of $0.03/ gallon EtOH and a 10% fuel market share, the enzyme market potential represents $450 million / year for the USA alone.

Technology Transfer Possibilities

The development of improved enzyme technology through joint collaboration with NRC is being sought. The ideal partner will have the capacity to commercialize the modified cellulase enzymes developed through this collaboration, to capitalize on the emerging EtOH market .

Key Contacts:

Mr. Scott Ferguson, Business Relations
NRC Institute for Biological Sciences
1200 Montreal Road, Building M-54 , Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6
e-mail: scott.ferguson@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

Dr. Wing Sung, Group Leader Carbohydrate-Protein Systems Group
NRC Institute for Biological Sciences 100 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6
Tel: (613) 990-2114 / Fax: (613) 941-1327
e-mail: wing.sung@nrc.gc.ca

Related Information

Institutes:

• NRC Institute for Biological Sciences