New funding for enzyme research for cellulosic ethanol.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) yesterday announced $33.8 million in funding to support the development of enzymes used in the process of making cellulosic ethanol.

This biofuels effort focuses on production from non-food materials and agricultural waste such as corn stover, switchgrass, and prairie grass.

“These enzyme projects will serve as catalysts to the commercial-scale viability of cellulosic ethanol, a clean source of energy to help meet President Bush’s goal of reducing our reliance on oil,” said DOE Assistant Secretary Andy Karsner. “Ethanol from new feedstocks will not only give America more efficient fuel options to help transform our transportation sector, but increasing its use will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

The use of enzymes is one way to break down pretreated cellulosic material into more simple sugars, a key process in the production of biofuels.

Click here for DoE press release.

- David Adams