Chemtex Breaks Ground on a 40 ktpa Cellulosic Ethanol Plant in Italy

Chemtex is pleased to announce that it has broken ground on a 40ktpa cellulosic ethanol plant to be constructed in Crescentino, Vercelli, Italy for its parent, Gruppo Mossi and Ghisolfi (“M&G”). The plant will utilize Chemtex’s own proprietary break-through technology, the PROESA^TMProcess, to produce cost-effective sugars from cellulosic biomass that will be subsequently fermented into second generation bio-ethanol. The plant will include features from the Biolyfe Project that was supported by the European Community DG Energy within the 7th – Framework Program. Chemtex’s Italian operation, Chemtex Italia S.R.L., based in Tortona will provide a complete project solution on a lump-sum EPC basis.

“The construction of the Crescentino plant represents a significant achievement as well as a new beginning. Not only do we materialize a proj ect that we strongly believe in but we position our Group and Italy as technological leader in bio -chemistry and in the production of 2 nd generation bioethanol. Nevertheless, our commitment to R&D does not stop here. The next challenge is to find new appli cations for the PROESA^TMTechnology in the green chemistry field.” -stated Vittorio Ghisolfi, President of M&G Group.

“By moving forward with this project, Chemtex will be the first commercial second generation ethanol producer in the world. We strongly believe that PROESA^TM is the break -through that the industry has been looking for and needs. We look forward to deploying this technology on a broad scale to produce cellulosic ethanol and green chemicals a reality through out the world,” said Guido Ghisolfi, President & CEO of Chemtex.

The Crescentino Biorefinery will produce bioethanol from Arundo Donax and wheat straw, ligno­cellulosic biomass locally sourced. Start-up is expected in H1, 2012.