From ZeaChem and CEN Staff

LAKEWOOD — ZeaChem Inc., a developer of biorefineries for the conversion of renewable biomass into sustainable fuels and chemicals, held a groundbreaking ceremony last week for its 250,000 gallon-per-year biorefinery in Boardman, Oregon. The company will build commercial scale biorefineries upon successful operations at the Boardman facility.

The plant will initially use ZeaChem’s core technology, which has been validated by a number of third party vendors, to produce ethyl acetate, a salable chemical intermediate and precursor to cellulosic ethanol. ZeaChem’s fermentation technology has been built and tested at Hazen Research facility in Golden, Colorado and numerous industry vendors have validated the additional process units including acetic acid concentration and ethyl acetate production. Using an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the company will add the cellulosic ethanol production capability to come online in 2011.

“ZeaChem’s biorefinery in Boardman is another example of our effort to attract green companies and advance the development of cellulosic ethanol as a viable renewable energy resource,” said Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski. “Companies like ZeaChem will help drive Oregon’s economy in the 21st century as well as move us toward greater energy security and independence.”

“Breaking ground on ZeaChem’s biorefinery in Boardman is a significant milestone,” said Jim Imbler, president and chief executive officer of ZeaChem. “ZeaChem is greatly appreciative of the support from the local, state and federal governments, our investors, project partners and others who have made this possible. As a leader in this industry, ZeaChem is committed to producing economical and sustainable advanced biofuels and bio-based chemicals, creating jobs, and being a good neighbor in the community.”

ZeaChem has a contract with GreenWood Resources (GWR), a Portland-based timberland investment manager, to obtain sustainable hybrid poplar tree feedstock from the nearby farms held under GreenWood Tree Farm Fund, LP. Because the technology is feedstock agnostic, ZeaChem will also process trials of herbaceous crops, agricultural residuals and other renewable biomass resources. ZeaChem’s “grow where you go” strategy locates production facilities with dedicated energy crops to minimize the transportation and logistics costs of cellulosic biofuel and bio-based chemical production. Contracting with GWR eliminates much of the feedstock price risk and ensures continuity of supply. ZeaChem will supplement its dedicated energy crop supply with additional local residuals.

With groundbreaking on the core process in Boardman underway and the future addition of the DOE grant-funded cellulosic ethanol capacity, ZeaChem is on schedule to begin production of cellulosic ethanol in 2011.