Montreal-based Enerkem is making solid progress on the construction of a 1.5-million gallon cellulosic ethanol plant that will use old creosoted powerline poles as its main feedstock. Construction of the plant began last October and the next phase will be the installation of gasification and gas conditioning equipment, followed by the “catalytic islands” that will convert the syngas into cellulosic ethanol. “Unlike other gasification technologies, which are limited to using the gas for production of heat and electricity, Enerkem’s synthetic gas is conditioned for use as a chemical feedstock in the manufacturing of higher value-added products, such as cellulosic ethanol and other biofuels,” said Enerkem president Vincent Chornet. The company expects to announce other projects in the near future that include the use of municipal solid waste as feedstock. Last November I wrote about how railway giant Canadian Pacific had struck a deal to have its old wooden railway ties gasified and ultimately used to generate electricity.

NOTE: Just noticed today that GreenField Ethanol, the largest ethanol producer in Canada, has appointed an executive to lead up the company’s new cellulosic ethanol division. More evidence that the cellulosic approach, while still not ready for prime time, could be here faster than people think.

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