DuPont sets up fuel R&D unit at Paulinia

U.S. multinational DuPont has inaugurated its new innovation and technology center at Paulinia, Sao Paulo, Brazil. The center was built via investments amounting to 4.5 million reais (US$2.3 million). One of the main focuses of the laboratory will be the development of second-generation biofuels for the European market. The company will study three techniques to implement the latest technology and reduce emission of pollutants: transformation of pulp into ethanol, development of an ethanol-based diesel additive and finally studying biobutanol. According to the company’s Latin American President Eduardo Wanick, biobutanol is 27% more efficient than ethanol and does not absorb or blend with water. Wanick believes Brazil could turn into a major exporter of second generation biofuels. After the researches with sugarcane in the Brazilian market, DuPont said it hopes to inaugurate similar projects in the U.K. by 2012. (July 2, 2009)