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Metso signs supplier agreement for non-wood biomass refineries

Pulp and paper equipment supplier Metso has signed an agreement with Inbicon A/S of Denmark for the supply of technology capable of converting non-woody biomass into second generation fuel ethanol.

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

Lars Dahlqvist, senior vice-president, Metso’s fibre processing unit 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 see them as a fast track to commercialization of a whole new industry of biomass refining. We are now ready to deliver the equipment for commercial size plants for second generation bioethanol.”

Inbicon A/S develops technology for conversion and refining of soft lignocellulosic biomass into fuel, feed, and green chemistry products. 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.