Oct 20: Biofuel Companies know Ethanol Isn't Enough
“Biofuel Companies Look Beyond the Gas Tank.” According to this recent article in the New York Times, biofuel companies are diversifying their output of bioproducts. The ethanol market, which is saturated and threatened by the uncertain outcome of federally-mandated blending rules, does not provide enough incentive anymore. There needs to be a higher value-added product. As more facilities come on-line to convert agricultural waste into cellulosic sugars/ethanol, more companies are committed to replacing traditionally-sourced products with ones from plants. DuPont recently partnered with Proctor & Gamble to make Tide Coldwater with cellulosic ethanol, and Abegnoa (the Spanish company whose $500 million plant in Kansas opened on Friday) plans to supply plastic for bottles.