An $80 million grant from the US Department of Energy will allow AVAPCO LLC, a biomaterials company based in Georgia, US, to ramp up production bioethanol and nanocellulose by upcycling woody residue from sawmills, paper, and pulp plants.

Their process, validated by a pilot plant demonstration in 2016, breaks down the wood using sulfur dioxide and ethanol, followed by digestion using enzymes. This produces cellulose fibers and a biomass hydrolyzate rich in sugars which can be readily converted into ethanol and other biochemicals. The bioethanol can be blended with conventional jet fuel and is eligible for use in commercial flights, replacing some of the petroleum-derived material and reducing net carbon emissions. The nanocellulose is destined as a high-performance additive for rubbers used in car tires and other products.

 The ultimate benefit of such a complex process depends on many factors, and life cycle analysis can provide a valuable tool for assessing climate change and environmental impact. A life cycle analysis for the bioethanol produced by this process, conducted by Michigan Technological Institute, revealed up to a 93% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional jet and diesel.