Rhodia has executed a memorandum of understanding with Cobalt Technologies to develop bio n-butanol refineries throughout Latin America.
The two companies will proceed with a technical feasibility study. Based on its success they will jointly develop a pilot demonstration plant using Cobalt's technology to convert sugar cane bagasse and other non-food cellulosic feedstocks into n-butanol for the chemicals and fuels market.
Plans include the construction of multiple bio-refineries co-located with sugar mills, first in Brazil to demonstrate Cobalt's technology on local and competitive feedstock, then in other Latin American countries.
Vincent Kamel, president of Rhodia's Coatis, said that Cobalt's bagasse-based technology will provide an unmatched cost advantage over the long term.
