Genencor launch commercial enzyme for cellulose ethanol

Genencor, a division of Danisco A/S, today announced a new product, Accellerase™ 1000, which is claimed to be the first ever commercially available biomass enzyme developed specifically for second generation biorefineries.

The product contains complex of enzymes that reduces lignocellulosic biomass into fermentable sugars -- a key step for the production of cellulosic ethanol.

Genencor state that, 'Commercial interest in second generation biorefineries, driven in part by government policies to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases and increase energy independence, has accelerated over the past two years in the USA and around the world. Accellerase™ 1000 will fill a large unmet need for reliable biomass enzyme supply to pilot and demonstration plant developers who are actively working on process development, scale up and integration.'

It is worth reading the Big Biofuels blog of Simon Robinson (ICIS) for additional comments and perspectives on the announcement.

Novozymes reach agreement with Kenya to exploit biodiversity

There is an ongoing search for novel biochemicals and a report by ABC Money indicates that Novozymes has reached agreement with the government of Kenya to exploit their microbial diversity in developing new enzymes for application in industries which include pulp and paper.

The agreement covers an R&D programme and the rights for Novozymes to exploit the microbial diversity in Kenya's protected areas. This has been a controvertial topic, as Kenya is currently seeking compensation from Danisco's Genencor for supposedly profiting from enzymes originating from two Rift Valley lakes without official permission.