Biocatalysis

Shell has announced that it is creating a $21 billion joint venture (that’s billion, with a B) to produce fuel ethanol with Brazilian ethanol producer Cosan. Sugar cane will be used as the feedstock. The venture will be one of the top three ethanol producers in the world–so far.

Royal Dutch Shell announced today (March 10) that it was expanding its collaboration with Codexis to use Codexis’ shuffling technology to develop improved enzymes and microbes for producing biofuels from non-food raw materials. Shell already has a close cooperation with Canadian ethanol producer Iogen. Today’s announcement focuses on using the Codexis technology to both enhance the conversion of cellulosic materials to ethanol in the Iogen process and develop additional biofuels “similar to gasoline and diesel.” Shell will also increase its equity stake in Codexis and take an additional seat on the board. Read the full article here. We will take a closer look at these companies in upcoming biofuels company profiles.