London, Ontario – 17 February 2016 – Comet Biorefining, Inc. has announced the location of its commercial scale biomass derived sugar facility in the Trans Alta Energy Park in Sarnia, Ontario. The 60 million pounds peryear plant will come online in 2018 producing dextrose sugar from locally sourced corn stoverand wheat straw. Corn stover consists of residues left in the field after harvest including stalks, leaves, husks and cobs.
Using its proprietary patented process, Comet converts non-food agricultural and forest residues into high-purity dextrose sugars that will be transformed into bio-based products including organic acids, amino acids and bioplastics. These low-carbon bio-based products replace traditional petroleum-based materials, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help contribute to Canada’s efforts on climate change. Comet dextroseis costand performance competitive with commercial dextrose sugars, the benchmark raw material for today’s biochemical production.
Comet chose to locate in Sarnia by working together with Bioindustrial Innovation Canada (BIC), the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) and an Ontario farmers’ cooperative on a project to attract sustainable technology providers to the region and to meet increasing demand from chemical suppliers and consumers for low-carbon products.
Andrew Richard, CEO of Comet said, “Construction of this first-of-a-kind plant represents a key step towards the large-scale commercialization of our cellulosic sugar business. It highlights the important role our technology plays in the value chain, helping to drive the bio economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
“Comet’s cellulosic sugar technology was one of the clean sustainable technologies recommended, with the best fit for the region and an excellent opportunity to accelerate the growth of the bioeconomy in rural Ontario”, noted Dr. Murray McLaughlin, Executive Director, BIC.
“Establishing new uses for agricultural residues in the bio-based chemical supply chain leads to sustainable farms and new markets. Both outcomes are primary goals of the OFA, and this project does just that,” said Don McCabe, OFA’s President.
About Comet Biorefining
Comet Biorefining is a leading provider of sustainable, high-quality, cost-competitive cellulosic dextrosetechnology for applications in renewable biochemicalsand biofuels. Comet Biorefining operates a demonstration scale plant in Rotondella, Italy and is constructing a 60 million pounds per year commercial sugar plant to come online in 2018. The company plans to build, own and operate its own plants and will strategically license its technology to select partners on a worldwide basis to meet the growing demand for bio-based products.
Source
Comet, press release, 2016-02-17.
Supplier
Bioindustrial Innovation Canada (BIC)
Comet Biorefining
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