Leading advanced biofuels and biochemicals technology company Enerkem Inc. has announced that its first commercial-scale plant, located in Westbury, Quebec, is entering the start-up phase with production of its clean conditioned synthesis gas (syngas).
Construction began in October 2007 and the plant was mechanically complete in December 2008. The syngas island will serve as the chemical production platform from which the methanol and ethanol production modules will be added over the upcoming months. Once the gases are deployed, Enerkem will become the first producer of liquid fuels and green chemicals to commercially use renewable, non-food feedstock.
"The conditioned synthesis gas island is the core of our technology platform as it is where we produce a clean tailored syngas that serves as a chemical source for the production of advanced biofuels and biochemicals," said Mr. Vincent Chornet, President and Chief Executive Officer of Enerkem. "We have followed a rigorous path to commercialization since the beginning of our pilot plant back in 2003 and we intend to apply the same disciplined approach at Westbury. The first step is our premium syngas which leads to our goal of becoming a world leader in the production of second-generation transportation fuels and green chemicals."