The sunliquid process. Click to enlarge.

The sunliquid process—and the pilot plant in Germany—were initially developed by Süd-Chemie. Clariant acquired Süd-Chemie in 2011.

The sunliquid process is an integrated process with dedicated enzyme (i.e., biocatalyst) production; enzyme development is feedstock- and product-specific, and is independent from enzyme suppliers. Enzymatic hydrolysis converts cellulose-based plant residue, such as wheat straw or maize straw, bagasse from sugar cane or energy crops, into C₅ and C₆ sugar constituents for subsequent fermentation into ethanol.

The plant represents an investment of around €28 million (US$34.4 million). Studies show that Germany potentially has around 22 million tonnes of straw that could be used for energy production without compromising essential soil regeneration. This would be sufficient to cover around 25% of Germany’s current gasoline requirements.

At the ceremony, Clariant CEO Hariolf Kottmann appealed to politicians and industrialists to draw lessons from the failed start-up of biofuel E10 and to seek open dialogue with all interested parties. Kottmann called for stable and reliable framework conditions and an extension of the tax exemption status for second-generation biofuels beyond 2015.

The plant at the Bavarian BioCampus in Straubing is logistically well-located right next to the Donau harbor, and will procure its raw materials largely from the Straubing region.