Solazyme and Ecopetrol Extend Partnership on Algae-Based Diesel Using Colombian Feedstocks
07 October 2010
Solazyme, Inc., an industrial biotechnology company producing renewable oils and bioproducts using microalgae, has signed its third development agreement with Ecopetrol, the largest company in Colombia and one of the four major oil companies in Latin America, to analyze the manufacturing viability of algae-based diesel fuel using renewable Colombian feedstocks such as sugarcane and byproduct glycerol.
Ecopetrol has a strategic goal to provide at least 450 million tons of fuel from renewable oil sources by 2015.
After a two-year R&D relationship, Solazyme and Ecopetrol will now move into the third phase, which includes establishing feedstock specifications and optimization, as well as conducting large-scale fermentation and engineering of demonstration scale facilities.
Following this phase, the parties plan to move toward commercial deployment of renewable oil and fuel production.
Working with Ecopetrol, Solazyme’s technology will provide Colombia with renewable sources of oil and fuel that dramatically reduce carbon pollution by replacing petro-diesel with a ‘drop-in’ replacement made using algae.
—Jonathan Wolfson, CEO of Solazyme
This is a bold claim. But one that deserves much support as the need for heavy lifting liquid fuels will not end with EVs. A good, sustainable biofuel from algae can replace most of the jet fuel and heavy lift road transportation if successful.
We are on the path to full Type One Planet status folks. That's the goal.
Posted by: Reel$$ | 07 October 2010 at 01:19 PM
450 million tons of fuel per year is around 130,000 gallons per year by 2015. That is still a demonstration facility.
We need 1000 methanol plants that can each produce 130 million gallons per year to make a difference. We need to reduce imported oil 3-4 million barrels per day by 2020 to provide even the beginning of energy security for the U.S. The situation is HUGE.
Posted by: SJC | 10 October 2010 at 09:26 AM