Canadian Firm Pioneers Cellulose Fuel Ethanol

Ottawa-based Iogen Corporation has announced that it is producing the world’s first cellulose ethanol fuel for commercial use. Cellulose ethanol is an ultra-low CO2 emission fuel that can be blended with gasoline and used in cars today.

“Today marks the first concrete signal of a major change coming in the fuel market,” said Iogen President, Brian Foody. “We have always looked to better and more efficient vehicles to reduce fossil fuel consumption. Now, new advanced fuels are ready to play a role too!”

“Canada is on the cusp of a new energy era and companies such as Iogen are showing the way,” said the Right Honourable Paul Martin, Prime Minister of Canada. “Our technological expertise in clean energy will be one of the pillars of our economic and environmental prosperity in years to come.”

Iogen and its partners have committed over C$110 million, and the company owns and operates the world’s only cellulose ethanol demonstration scale facility.

“All of us at Petro-Canada are pleased to see Iogen bringing its leading-edge cellulose ethanol technology to fruition,” said Petro-Canada Vice-President Andrew Stephens. “We made our first investment in this technology over five years ago, so it’s fitting that Petro-Canada will be the first user of cellulose ethanol, and will be receiving the first shipment at our Montreal refinery.”

“GM Canada welcomes Iogen’s introduction of cellulose ethanol as a very significant product development that could make a considerable contribution to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions,” said David Paterson, Vice-President, General Motors of Canada. “GM’s entire portfolio of vehicles is already capable of running on a blend of 10 per cent ethanol. We are pleased to see a leading-edge Canadian company like Iogen develop the next generation of ethanol and we encourage its adoption in the marketplace.”

All vehicles can use a standard blend of up to 10 per cent cellulose ethanol mixed with gasoline, with no changes required.

Iogen’s cellulose ethanol demonstration facility is the final proving stage prior to the rollout of full-scale commercial plants. The company is working with its partners to finalize plant locations.