Politicians to drive on straw-based bioethanol at the Climate Change Conference

When the politicians are being transported all over Copenhagen during the United Nations Climate Change Conference in December 2009, environmentally friendly fuel will also be used. Assisted by Partnership for Biofuels, a co-operation between Danisco’s biotech division Genencor, Inbicon, Novozymes and Statoil have joint forces to deliver 2nd generation bioethanol for a large part of the cars that the Danish Foreign Ministry will provide during the conference. These cars using 2nd generation bioethanol, will be supplied by Volvo.

”As host nation Denmark makes an effort to secure a green and climate friendly Conference in December. It also wants to showcase to the conference delegates some of the new technologies that could contribute to solving the climate challenge. 2nd generation bioethanol – ethanol made from waste and residues - is one example on such a new technology. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is therefore happy that it in co-operation with the Partnership for Biofuels it has succeeded in reserving some of the first litres of 2nd generation bioethanol produced in Denmark for the transportation of important guests within Copenhagen during the Conference”, says Svend Olling, Head of Department in the Foreign Secretary.

Inbicon - which is a DONG Energy technology subsidiary developing technologies for converting straw into bioethanol - is to produce the bioethanol.
With this technology, a car´s emission of CO2 is reduced by 85 % compared to that from conventional petrol. The bioethanol to be used at the Climate Change Conference will be E85, which is composed of 85 % bioethanol and 15 % petrol.

The Partnership’s capabilities to produce 2nd generation bioethanol represents considerable potential in the climate debate, as conventional fuel such as petrol can be replaced. Second generation bioethanol can be produced from residual products from forestry and agriculture amongst other.

Novozymes and Danisco will supply the enzymes for ethanol production and Statoil will provide the distribution facilities.

The development of the 2nd generation bioethanol technology represents an important business potential through the export of technological solutions and knowledge within the development and use of enzymes.


For further information, contact:

Danisco/Genencor
Carl Johan Corneliussen, Media Relations Manager
+45 3266 2926

Inbicon/DONG Energy
Ulrik Frøhlke, Press Officer
+45 9955 9560

Novozymes
Rene Tronborg, Media Relations Consultant
+45 4446 2274

Statoil
Per Brinch, PR and Communication Director
+45 3342 4227

Partnership for Biofuels
Thomas Alstrup, Project Coordinator
+45 3029 3072


Facts about Danisco/Genencor
Genencor, a division of Danisco A/S, is a world leader in industrial biotechnology and a pioneer in enzyme innovation. Genencor improves process and product performance for a spectrum of industries, including biofuels. Find out more at www.danisco.com and www.genencor.com.

Facts about Inbicon
Inbicon A/S is a company developing technology for producing ethanol, fuel and animal feed of non-tree based biomass. Inbicon has operated a pilot plant since 2003 in Skærbæk at Fredericia, Denmark and is presently constructing a demonstration plant in Kalundborg, Denmark. The plant will convert wheat straw into ethanol, feed and lignin pellets and is scheduled to be in operation from the Copenhagen Climate Summit in December 2009. Inbicon is a subsidiary of DONG Energy A/S. Find out more at www.inbicon.com.

Facts about Novozymes
Novozymes is the world leader in bioinnovation. Together with customers across a broad array of industries we create tomorrow’s industrial biosolutions, improving our customers' business and the use of our planet's resources. With over 700 products used in 130 countries, Novozymes’ bioinnovations improve industrial performance and safeguard the world’s resources by offering superior and sustainable solutions for tomorrow’s ever-changing marketplace.

Facts about Statoil
Statoil supplies around one fifth of Denmark's total oil consumption and operates more than 300 petrol stations in Denmark, including approx. one fifth automat stations under the 1-2-3 brand. The company's Kalundborg refinery refines oil products, which are either exported or sold in Denmark for use as, for example, transportation fuel or heating oil for private home and commercial property.

Facts about Partnership for Biofuels
Partnership for Biofuels aims to develop the framework conditions for Danish technology in order to produce 2nd generation biofuels. The partnership consists of Novozymes A/S, Inbicon A/S, Danisco A/S, Biogasol, Statoil A/S, Aalborg Universitet, Agrotech, Solum Gruppen and Danish Agricultural Council. The work is being followed by EUDP and The Danish Environmental Protection Agency.