Metso Paper Sweden AB (Metso), and the Danish bioethanol technology company Inbicon has signed an agreement for the supply of equipment for the Inbicon biomass refinery technology. This patented technology is capable of converting biomass into second generation fuel ethanol.

The agreement covers cooperation between Metso and Inbicon in designing and supplying full industrial scale biomass refinery equipment by combining Metso’s fiber processing technology and Inbicon’s technology for bioethanol production. Metso applies the equipment to the refineries, where non-wood raw materials like wheat straw, corn stover, bagasse and oil palm fruit residues can be utilized to produce ethanol, solid biofuel for energy production, and animal feed.

Lars Dahlqvist, Senior Vice President, Fiber Processing Unit, Metso says: "With this Agreement, we have taken an important step towards supplying our equipment for the new industry of biomass conversion. We look forward to working with Inbicon and we see them as a fast track to commercialization of a whole new industry of biomass refining. ".

Benny Mai, CEO of Inbicon, said: "The agreement is very important in Inbicon’s history. We have worked closely with Metso for some time now, which started with common testing of their equipment with our technology. We are proud to have Metso on board in our 'world class alliance team'. Further we are convinced that we both with this agreement have taken the final step in up-scaling of the technology enabling bioethanol producers to build second generation bioethanol refineries."

"We have chosen to start out the cooperation with processing of non-wood raw materials, like oil palm fruit residues and wheat straw, where both companies have years of experience. We are now ready to deliver the process technology and Metso the equipment to commercial size refineries for second generation bioethanol." Benny Mai stated.
Facts about Metso

Metso Paper Sweden AB is part of Metso Corporation, which is a global supplier of sustainable technology and services for the pulp and paper, mining, construction, power generation, automation, and recycling industries. Net sales for 2010: 5 500 MEUR; Metso has about 28,500 employees in more than 50 countries. For further information, see www.metso.com

Facts about Inbicon A/S
Inbicon A/S develops technology for conversion and refining of soft ligno-cellulosic biomass into fuel, feed, and green chemistry products. The company has operated a pilot plant since 2003, and in December 2009 the first Inbicon Biomass Refinery was inaugurated in Kalundborg, Denmark, to demonstrate the technology. The plant converts wheat straw into fuel grade ethanol, animal feed, and lignin pellets for energy production. Inbicon is a subsidiary of DONG Energy A/S and organized under the business unit New Bio Solutions.

For further information, see www.inbicon.com

For further information, contact:

Metso Paper Sweden AB
Lars-Åke Lindström
VP Bio and Annual Fiber
+46 60 165000

DONG Energy
Media Relations
Ulrik Frøhlke
+45 9955 9560
ulrfr@dongenergy.dk