Subscribe to

NexantThinking
Special Report: Cellulosic Sugars: Unlocking Biomass Potential
Report Overview
Subjects addressed:

Conventional Feedstocks for Fermentations:

--

Corn

--

Sugarcane

Cellulosic Feedstocks for Fermentations

--

SHF

--

SSF

Fermentations are Modeled to Ethanol as a

Representative Product

Technical and Economic Analysis

Technology Developer Status and Timelines

Fossil fuels and petrochemicals form the buildingblocks of modern society. They are the raw materials
for food, energy, cooking, heating, and durable goods
such as clothing and furniture. However, concerns are
mounting about the economic costs and environmental
sustainability of the worlds reliance on non-renewable
fossil fuels. Consequently, some of the worlds biggest
players in the energy and petrochemical industries are
seeking to develop alternative feedstocks, prominently
including fermentable sugars. Fermentable sugars are
fungible and easily converted to a variety of fuels and
chemicals. Nexants proposed study will assess the
technical, commercial and economic status of producing
sugars from cellulosic sources.
This study comes at a timely juncture, as sustained high
oil prices support research efforts into bio-based chemical
and polymer products. Crude oil prices have consistently
been above $100 a barrel. Since high energy prices
affect oil-dependent petrochemical/industrial players
and end-users alike, the economic incentive is great to
develop economically competitive, renewable-based
feedstocks and consumer products.
In addition, important recent developments have been
focused on the development of bio-based feedstocks for
the chemical and fuel sectors. New players in industry
are working to develop merchant sources of cellulosic
sugars. Established firms are also betting on the potential
development of breakthrough bio-based technologies.

At the same time, the rapidly growing movement to label

products as green is becoming an important driver for durable
goods manufacturers, who are keen to discover ways to utilize
growing volumes of renewable materials. At the same time
cellulosic sugars and products appear to be on the brink of
commercialization.
Reflecting these trends, many traditional chemical producers
have been diversifying into bio-based technologies through
investments, partnerships and acquisitions.
To explore the opportunities for cellulosics to replace
conventional carbohydrate crops as feedstocks for chemicals
and fuels from renewable sources, Nexant has undertaken
a new multi-client report which analyzes conventional
carbohydrate crops against cellulosic biomass from a number
of sources. The report also compares conventional feedstock
fermentations to SSF (simultaneous saccharification and
fermentation, a one step process) and SHF (subsequent
hydrolysis and fermentation, a two-step process).
This report, Cellulosic Sugars: Unlocking Biomass Potential, is
a comprehensive study investigating and evaluating developers
and approaches such as:

Mascoma Consolidated bio-processing (CBP); direct

conversion of biomass into fermentation products

Proterro Cyanobacterial production of sucrose via

photosynthesis

Virdia Concentrated acid hydrolysis with HCl

Renmatix Supercritical hydrolysis

Chemtex PROESA Enzymatic hydrolysis

Nexants multi-client report will be useful to those firms

considering shifting toward renewables or to anyone who needs
a comprehensive overview of progress toward the use of next
generation sugar feedstocks and their economics.
For further information or to purchase the Cellulosic Sugars:
Unlocking Biomass Potential report, please contact STMC @
nexant.com.

NexantThinking Programs provide subscribers and users with comprehensive analytics,

forecasts and insights for the energy, chemicals, polymers and clean tech industries
For more information, please visit us at: http://thinking.nexant.com

NexantThinking

The future of energy and chemicals

NexantThinking is a suite of advisory

services and products with exclusive
focus on the energy, chemicals and
related industries. This includes a
portfolio of multiclient programs,
formerly known as ChemSystems,
which provides comprehensive
reports, analysis and planning tools
to support decision making with a
focus on markets, economics and
technology.
Global in scope, Nexant serves its
clients from over 30 offices located
throughout the Americas, Europe, the
Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
Subscribe to our thought leadership
today and explore our products and
services at:
http:://thinking.nexant.com/

Nexant Headquarters
Nexant, Inc.
Tel: +1 415 369 1000
101 2nd St Suite 1000
San Francisco
CA 94105-3651
USA

Europe, Middle East

& Africa
Nexant Limited
Tel: +44 20 7950 1600
1 Kings Arms Yard
London EC2R 7AF
United Kingdom

Americas
Nexant, Inc.
Tel: +1 914 609 0300
44 S Broadway, 4th Floor
White Plains
NY 10601-4425
USA

Asia Pacific
Nexant Asia Limited
Tel: +662 793 4600
22nd Floor, Rasa Tower I
555 Phahonyothin Road
Kwaeng Chatuchak
Khet Chatuchak
Bangkok 10900
Thailand