Iowa State University Students Launch Avello Bioenergy

Iowa State University students have launched a new company Avello Bioenergy for the purpose of commercializing bio-oil recovery. The students followed the advice of their professor Robert C. Brown in taking up this challenge. Resultantly, the Avello Bioenergy company was formed just west of Ames in the BioCentury Research Farm at the Iowa State University.

Professor Brown along with students Anthony Pollard, Cody Ellens and Jared Brown and a former assistant scientist Sam Jones have worked together for producing a pyrolysis technology for the purpose of collecting, improving and separating bio-oil into different liquid fractions. For this technology, a patent has already been filed. Avello Bioenergy will have its focus on the separation technology for producing bio-oils which can be utilized for replacing the petroleum-based substances in asphalt. These can then be processed into a variety of renewable chemicals finding applications as renewable industrial fuels.

Already the company has won $5,000 as well as top honors in last year’s Pappajohn New Venture Business Plan Competition. Moreover, the Iowa Department of Economic Development has awarded a demonstration grant of $150,000 to Avello Bioenergy.