EU support for demonstrating and optimizing industrial scale – KACELLE Project

In November 2009 six partners signed the Kalundborg Cellulosic Ethannol Project (KACELLE ) under the EU Seventh Framework Programme, devoted to demonstrating and further optimizing the Kalundborg plant.

The aim of the KACELLE project is to bring the patented Inbicon Core Technology from a pre-commercial level to a near-commercial level, making the technology available in the market and attractive to investors.

The project will demonstrate 4 t/hr continuous operation at industrial scale and further develop selected process steps resulting in significant cost cuts in ethanol production.

The aim is to:

• Reduce the energy consumption
• Improve the water balance
• Add a fermentation step for C5 sugars
• Reduce the enzyme consumption
• Increase the plant capacity.

The ethanol produced will be characterized and tested in engine test rigs and in cars, thus covering the whole value chain from the straw entrance to the gate of the ethanol plant production to end-users in cars.

The process will be assessed from an environmental perspective through LCA analysis and results will be published for scientific purposes and for expanding the use of the technology to future business partners.

The team of partners in this project are industrial players who have a relevant business role in the demonstration of this value chain, a research center, and universities with internationally recognized competences in key areas.