Novozymes, a Danish maker of industrial enzymes, and Piedmont Biofuels, a biofuels manufacturer and coop in Pittsboro, North Carolina, will unveil tomorrow a new pilot plant demonstrating improved process for the production of biodiesel.
The companies say this is the first pilot plant of its kind in the United States and uses a new method developed by Piedmont Biofuels and Novozymes to create high quality biodiesel from low quality waste grease. The new process, according to a spokesperson for Piedmont Biofuels, promises to both increase yields and cut waste, while also using lower-cost feedstocks.
Biodiesel is an alternative to traditional petroleum-based diesel fuel from fats and oils which can be used in existing diesel engines without modification. Current biodiesel production methods form low-grade soaps or salts as by-products. Novozymes says its technology maximizes the output of glycerine and reduces lower-grade by-products. Glycerin, a co-product resulting from the planned enzymatic process can be used to make a wide variety of products, including plastics and solvents.
The enzyme-based biodiesel pilot plant was developed in partnership with the Biofuels Center of North Carolina, and the Chatham County Economic Development Corporation. The pilot plant is expected to initially produce 12,600 gallons of biodiesel annually.
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