Favorable Feedstock Costs Can Drop Cellulosic Sugar Prices as Low as $0.26/kg
Improved Enzyme Technology Will Also Be Critical to Making Bio-Based Fuels and Chemicals From Cellulose Competitive With Those From Corn and Sugarcane, Lux Research Says
(firmenpresse) - BOSTON, MA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/12/13 -- Lower feedstock prices can drive down prices of fermentable cellulosic sugar to $0.26/kg, down from $0.32/kg to $0.36/kg, competitive with sugars from corn or sugarcane, according to . This advance would allow bio-based chemicals and biofuels to be made from more plentiful non-food sources, helping them better compete with petroleum-based chemicals and fuels.
"Feedstock is the single largest driver of overall fuel production economics. While agricultural waste is a common target feedstock, municipal and industrial waste can be near zero cost, or even negative cost," said Andrew Soare, Lux Research Senior Analyst and the lead author of the report titled, "." "While enzymes are a big cost driver for cellulosic sugar, methods such as supercritical fluid processes that don't use enzymes at all can offer cheaper options," he added.
Lux Research analysts built a cost model for a 700,000-ton-per-year plant to study the five main routes from lignocellulosic biomass to sugars. Among their findings:
The minimum selling price for cellulosic sugars depends on the processes used. Dilute acid yields $0.34/kg, high-opex steam explosion costs $0.35 per kg, ammonia fiber expansion costs $0.36/kg, and supercritical water can yield the cheapest price of $0.32/kg.
A sensitivity analysis of cellulosic sugar prices found that flexing feedstock up to $100 per metric ton and down to $45 per metric ton (from a baseline of $70 per metric ton) had the largest impact on sugar prices, changing it by over 21%.
Enzymes are the most expensive variable in prices of cellulosic sugar, and supercritical fluid and concentrated acid processes don't require enzymes at all, potentially offering the cheapest options -- though technology risk remains.
The report, titled "Cellulosic Chemicals and Fuels Race to Compete with First-Gen Sugar Economics," is part of the Lux Research and the services.
Lux Research provides strategic advice and ongoing intelligence for emerging technologies. Leaders in business, finance and government rely on us to help them make informed strategic decisions. Through our unique research approach focused on primary research and our extensive global network, we deliver insight, connections and competitive advantage to our clients. Visit for more information.
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Datum: 12.11.2013 - 06:30 Uhr
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