South African firm to develop Mascoma biofuel technology

Biofuels firm Stellenbosch Biomass Technologies (SBMT) is launching in South Africa to commercialise technology developed by Massachusetts-based Mascoma. The firm will work with Stellenbosch University to develop the technology and plans to build a demonstration-scale plant within the next two years, subject to securing investment.

Mascoma has developed bioprocessing technology for producing ethanol from cellulose-based biomass feedstocks, such as switchgrass and woodchips. The firm claims its one-step processing technology eliminates the need for enzymes and additives in the production process.

In April, the firm secured USD3.4m in convertible debt and hopes to raise USD6.6m before the round’s close. Mascoma has an operational demonstration facility in Rome, New York. In September, Chevron Technology Ventures signed a deal to supply various sources of lignocellulosic feedstock to Mascoma. The lignin byproduct of the production process will be sent back to Chevron, which is developing technology for producing hydrocarbon transport fuels from lignin.