Symbios Technologies Helps ZeaChem to Obtain a DOE Grant of $25 million for Constructing its First Cellulosic Biorefinery

Symbios Technologies has played a helping role in enabling ZeaChem to be selected for a grant of $25 million from the Department of Energy (DOE). This award is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and it comes from the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Biomass Program (EERE). Symbios Technologies is a developer of renewable energy projects and ZeaChem is involved in the development of biorefineries that helps in converting renewable biomass into chemicals and fuels. Symbios has been working with ZeaChem through different stages starting from conception to submission to DOE.

Justin Bzdek, CEO of Symbios Technologies, was responsible in leading the entire proposal project. Bzdek remarked that the entire process lasted for five months and included the involvement of consultants and staff from Symbios along with the staff from CH2M HILL and ZeaChem. Bzdek highlighted the availability of more funding for renewable energy firms and also stated that Symbios for the past few years has also been part of more than $50 million grants to its partners and clients.

A press release from ZeaChem stated that this grant of $25 million will be used in constructing the company’s first cellulosic biorefinery. This biorefinery is intended to be constructed in Boardman, Oregon and it will also possess a capacity of 250,000 gallons per annum. The technology used in the production of bio-based chemical ethyl acetate will be made available online by the end of the year 2010. The production of cellulosic ethanol will be enhanced by the inclusion of additional process components. ZeaChem intends to expand to a commercial biorefinery based on the success of the operations carried out at the newly constructed refinery.