Reports, MRG Multimedia Research Group, Inc.

U.S. Advanced Biofuel R&D

in Non-Food Biomass Sources

Published by MRG, Inc. and Fuji-Keizai
December 2008, 136 pages

Available in English or Japanese
Hard Copy Print Edition $1,495 USD
PDF Single-Departmental License $2,295 USD
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To order click here or contact Rob Smith at rsmith@mrgco.com

Backed by financing guarantees and a favorable tax treatment plan under the current Bush administration, and with continuing strong support expected from Obama’s new government in 2009, next-generation biofuel R&D is being further pushed forward. Taking a big-picture view, this report describes the status of biofuel R&D in the United States and the comprehensive technology development and commercialization efforts unfolding now and in the future.

Introduction

In June 2008, the US Congress approved a new bill providing a sum of $75 million to hasten commercialization of biofuels. This new legislation provides for a maximum of 30% of the construction costs for biorefineries producing "advanced" biofuels. In addition, loan guarantees of $250 million for construction of such biorefineries have been introduced. This bill also authorizes $150 million per year in discretionary funding. Further, a new tax credit of $1.01 per gallon for biofuel produced from wood, grass and non-edible plant parts has been introduced.

The global economic recession that originated in America has now raised concern about the flow of investment into biofuel. However, in 2009, under the new Obama government, a comprehensive alternative energy policy that is linked to job creation would likely mean interest in biofuel production will continue.

In the current situation, next-generation biofuel R&D assumes non-food biomass sources instead of first-generation food-based biofuel. Cellulose-based ethanol is expected to be in competition with corn-based ethanol in the market in the future. In addition, third-generation biofuel R&D has already started, too.

The reason there will be no slowdown in R&D is that the new government will push 2.5 million gallons or more a year of cellulose-based ethanol production, and even stronger financial incentives and support in this area will be considered.

This report clarifies the present conditions and the future outlook from the viewpoint of technology R&D for the next generation of biofuel.

Chapter 1. Biofuel Market Status and Outlook in Food and Non-Food Feedstocks

Chapter 2. Non-Food Feedstock Biofuel Production Technology/Main R&D Companies

Chapter 3. Current Status of Operations: Pilot Plant Facilities for Non-Food Feedstocks

Chapter 4. Biofuel Businesses and Opportunities

Table of Contents

	Executive Summary

1	Biofuel Market Status and Outlooks in Food and Non-Food Feedstocks
1.1	Production Size and Forecasts, 2006-2012
1.1.1	Total Production Size and Forecasts
1.1.2	Demand Prospect of the Next 5 Years
1.2	Trends in Pilot Plant Development and/or Biofuel Refinery Construction, 2008-2013
1.3	Trends in Biofuel Fueling Stations, 2006-2012
1.4	Trends in the Price of Ethanol Fuel, Current and Future
1.5	The Economics of Biofuels, Today and in the Future

2	Non-Food Feedstock Biofuel Production Technology
2.1	R&D Overview (Resource Segment, Feedstock, R&D Company Name, Biomass Conversion Technology, Targeted Biofuel)
2.2	Historical and Current R&D
2.2.1	Historical Production Processes for Bioethanol and BioDiesel
2.2.2	Cellulosic Biomass Conversion Processes
2.2.3	Cellulolysis (biological approach)
2.2.4	Pretreatment
2.2.5	Cellulolytic Processes
2.2.6	Chemical Hydrolysis
2.2.7	Enzymatic Hydrolysis
2.2.8	Microbial Fermentation
2.2.9	Combined Hydrolysis and Fermentation
2.2.10	Gasification process (thermochemical approach)
2.3	Second Generation Biofuels Under Development
2.3.1	Biohydrogen
2.3.2	Bio-DME
2.3.3	Biomethanol
2.3.4	DMF
2.3.5	HTU Diesel
2.3.6	Fischer-Tropsch (FT) Diesel
2.3.7	Mixed Alcohols
2.3.8	Wood Diesel
2.4	Future Biofuels
2.5	Agriculture Dregs Common Research Item -Location/Contact -URL -Fund Backup -# of Staff -Feedstock -Applied Biomass Conversion Process Technology -Technology (Technical Summary) -Current Developing Stage -Progress of Shortening of a Process -Evaluation of the Economy -Plan of the Proof Examinations -Strategic Alliance/Partner
2.5.1	Corn Stover (Stem and Skin)
2.5.1.1 - 2.5.1.4	(4 Companies)
2.5.2	Stem of the Plant
2.5.2.1 - 2.5.2.2	(2 Companies)
2.5.3	Rice Straw
2.5.3.1 - 2.5.3.3	(3 Companies)
2.5.4	Agricultural Waste
2.5.4.1 - 2.5.4.2	(2 Companies)
2.5.5	Citrus Peels
2.5.5.1	(1 Company)
2.5.6	Wheat Straw
2.5.6.1 - 2.5.6.2	(2 Companies)
2.5.7	Potato Waste
2.6	Tree Common research item follows above-mentioned item 2.5.
2.6.1	Wood
2.6.1.1 - 2.6.1.4	(4 Companies)
2.6.2	Hybrid Wood
2.6.2.1	Hybrid Willow
2.6.2.2	Hybrid Poplar
2.6.2.2.1	(1 Company)
2.7	Municipal Solid Waste Common research item follows above-mentioned item 2.5.
2.7.1	MSW (Municipal Solid Waste)
2.7.1.1-2.7.1.3	(3 Companies)
2.7.2	Wastepaper
2.7.2.1	(1 Company)
2.7.3	Old Tires
2.7.4	Garbage
2.7.4.1-2.7.4.2	(2 Companies)
2.8	Waste Material Common research item follows above-mentioned item 2.5.
2.8.1	Waste Oil
2.8.2	Coal Waste
2.8.3	Celluosic Waste
2.8.3.1	(1 Company)
2.8.4	Industrial Waste
2.8.4.1-2.8.4.2	(2 Companies)
2.8.5	Biomass Waste
2.8.5.1	(1 Company)
2.8.6	Beer/Brewery/Beverage Waste
2.9	Livestock Dregs Common research item follows above-mentioned item 2.5.
2.9.1-2.9.3	(3 Companies)
2.10	Other Common research item follows above-mentioned item 2.5.
2.10.1	Switchgrass
2.10.1.1-2.10.1.4	(4 Companies)
2.11	Conclusion and Suggestions: Notable Production Technology
2.11.1	Technology
2.11.2	Enzyme or Catalysis
2.11.3	Progress of Shortening of a Process
2.11.4	Economic Evaluation

3	Current Status of Operations: Pilot Plant Facilities for Non-Food Feedstocks
3.1	Operation Overview (Resource Segment, Feedstock, R&D: Company Name, Research Organization, University Name, Biomass Conversion Technology Company, Targeted Biofuel: Ethanol, Alcohol, Methanol, Propanol)
3.1.1-3.1.8	(Total 8 Pilot Plant Facilities) Common Research Item -Location/Contact -URL -Fund Backup -# of Staff -Feedstock -Current Operation Status 1)Applied Biomass Conversion Process Technology 2)Size 3)Operation: Since When? Production Running Time and Volume & Process -Progress of Shortening of a Process -Evaluation of the Economy -Plan for Commercialization -Strategic Alliance/Partner
3.2	Biofuel Pilot Plants Announced or Under Construction (Location, Feedstock, Expected Completion Date, Partners, Notes)
3.3	Conclusion and Suggestions: Commercialization Outlook
3.3.1	Current Bottlenecks and Solutions
3.3.2	Effects of Government Policy
3.3.3	Commercialization Outlook
3.3.4	Market Effects of Biofuel Growth
3.3.5	Technology Concerns
3.3.6	Other Concerns and Uncertainties

4	Biofuel Businesses and Opportunities
4.1	Current Investment Status
4.1.1	Investment Size and Projection Through 2009
4.2	Trends and Opportunities

Table of Tables

Table 1-1:	Total Biofuel Production, Historic and Forecast, 2006-2013
Table 1-2:	U.S. Ethanol Production, Historic and Forecast Through 2013
Table 1-3:	U.S. Non-Ethanol Biofuel Production, Historic and Forecast Through 2013
Table 1-4:	Historic and Forecast U.S. Fuel Ethanol Demand
Table 1-5:	Historic and Forecast U.S. Non-Ethanol Biofuel Demand, 2006-2013
Table 1-6:	U.S. Fuel Ethanol Biorefineries Currently Under Construction or Expanding Capacity (Company Name, Location, Feedstock, Current Capacity, Under Construction/ Expansions)
Table 1-7:	Current U.S. Non-Corn Biorefineries Planned or Under Construction (Feedstock, Company Name, City, State, Status)
Table 1-8:	Biofuel Fueling Stations in the U.S., 2007
Table 1-9:	Forecast for Biofuel Fueling Stations Growth in the U.S., 2008-2013
Table 1-10:	Historic Average Ethanol Spot Price Per Gallon
Table 1-11:	Forecast Average Ethanol Spot Price Per Gallon, 2009-2013
Table 4-1:	Venture Investment in Biofuels, 2004-2008 (in millions USD)
Table 4-2:	Biofuel Investments, 2007, by Target (Investor, Specific Target, Amount, Special Note)
Table 4-3:	Areas of Interest for Investment (Area, Specific component, Equipment, Amount $ Estimated, Special Note)

U.S. Advanced Biofuel R&D in Non-Food Biomass Sources (December 2008) is 136 pages and is available in English or Japanese languages. Hard copy edition for $1,495.00 USD, a PDF single-departmental license for $2,295.00 USD, and a pdf corporate license for $3,495.00 USD. For more information or to order the report, contact Rob Smith at 1-408-453-5553 or rsmith@mrgco.com.

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