Brazil's Dedini SA, the leading manufacturer of sugar and biofuel equipment, has announced that it has come up with a way to produce cellulosic ethanol on an industrial scale from plant waste, a development that could revolutionize the industry by boosting the competitiveness and energy balance of biofuels. Costs are expected to be about $1.02 per gallon.
Honda [NYSE: HMC] announced last year that it has also found a breakthrough in converting leaves, plant stalks and other biowaste into the alternative fuel ethanol.
The new process makes the conversion more efficient by using a microorganism developed by a Japanese lab that can chomp its way through vegetation more efficiently than in the past. As the price of oil has soared, increased production of ethanol has been hailed as a potential energy solution by farmers, the government and automakers. Many researchers in the area of cellulose technology believe enzymes -- or natural proteins that accelerate the breakdown of the lignin fibers -- will be used in future cellulose ethanol production too.
“While companies like Dedini and Honda perfect the process of making biofuel from cellulose, companies like General Motors [NYSE: GM] -- which just announced a new two-mode hybrid system – continues to produce America’s next generation of cars which can burn ethanol blends,” noted JT Cloud, President of Gulf Ethanol. “This is significant not only from a cost perspective, but because it allows America to become less dependent on the Middle East for our oil supply,” he concluded. The GM Denali XT concept car is the first vehicle from GM that combines an ethanol capable engine with the two-mode hybrid system.
About Gulf Ethanol Corporation
Gulf Ethanol, [OTC:GFET] is an alternative energy company focused on the development of cellulosic ethanol technologies with a particular emphasis on Texas and the Gulf Coast. The Company is focused on the procurement and development of cellulosic ethanol technologies. For more information please visit our homepage at: www.GulfEthanolCorp.com.
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements that include the words "believes," "expects," "anticipate" or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition, description of anyone's past success, either financial or strategic, is no guarantee of future success. This news release speaks as of the date first set forth above and the company assumes no responsibility to update the information included herein for events occurring after the date hereof.
Gulf Ethanol Corporation
JT Cloud, 713-461-9229
Fax: 713-461-9230
ir@gulfethanolcorp.com