Global Bioenergies enters into partnership with IBN-One and Lantmännen Aspen to produce renewable isooctane
Global Bioenergies, IBN-One and Lantmännen Aspen, world market leader in alkylate gasoline for two- and four-stroke small engines, announced that they have entered into a partnership on renewable isooctane for specialty fuel applications.
Aspen is part of the Swedish Lantmännen group, an agricultural cooperative and Northern Europe’s leader in agriculture, machinery, bioenergy and food products with annual revenues of EUR 3.4 billion (USD 3.76 billion). In particular, Lantmännen Aspen’s commercial activities include specialty fuels for use in two- and four-stroke small engines e.g. chainsaws and lawn mowers.
Renewable isooctane is a highly valued gasoline hydrocarbon suitable in several of Lantmännen Aspen specialty fuel ranges.
In this context, Global Bioenergies, IBN-One and Lantmännen Aspen have signed an agreement conferring Lantmännen Aspen access rights to renewable isooctane for specialty fuel applications, both from the next-to-come Leuna demo plant and from the future IBN-One commercial plant. Lantmännen Aspen will financially contribute to the progress of and commercialization of renewable isooctane by a partnership with both Global Bioenergies and IBN-One.
“We are pleased to secure future access to renewable isooctane, a gasoline component with excellent fuel properties appropriate for specialty fuels. As the original and the key player on the alkylate gasoline market we take our responsibility in striving towards enhanced use of forefront renewables among specialty fuel users,” said Claes Alin, CEO, Lantmännen Aspen.
“IBN-One, the first bio-isobutene commercial plant project, is moving forward. We recently announced the completion of the conceptual design phase and are now moving to detailed engineering. Renewable isooctane can easily be derived from bio-isobutene. We are also presently building the business ecosystem: Receiving an off-take intention from an established player in a high-value market segment clearly adds a stone to the building,” said Bernard Chaud, CEO, IBN-One.
“A significant part of the isobutene to be produced in our Leuna demo-plant will be converted into isooctane, allowing us to provide batches to Lantmännen Aspen before the start of the commercial size plant IBN-One. We are proud to have a major Swedish actor on board of our bio-fuel story, since Sweden is known to be among the pioneering countries regarding biofuels,” said Thomas Buhl, head of business development at Global Bioenergies.
Global Bioenergies is one of the few companies worldwide, and the only one in Europe, that is developing a process to convert renewable resources into hydrocarbons through fermentation. The company initially focused its efforts on the production of isobutene, one of the most important petrochemical building blocks that can be converted into fuels, plastics, organic glass and elastomers. Global Bioenergies continues to improve the performances of its process, operates its industrial pilot plot, and has begun the construction of its demo plant in Germany. It is preparing its first full-scale plant through a joint venture with Cristal Union.
