Genencor Launches Breakthrough Enzyme Product for Cellulosic Biofuels Development

With improved overall hemicellulase activity, Accellerase DUET builds on the advances in beta-glucosidase and cellulase activity previously made by Accellerase 1500.

15 Feb 2010 --- Genencor, a division of Danisco A/S, has introduced Accellerase DUET at the Renewable Fuels Association’s 15th Annual National Ethanol Conference in Orlando, Fla. This product is the latest generation in the company’s line of enzymes used to convert biomass into sugars, a critical step in the production of cellulosic ethanol and other advanced biofuels and biochemicals from non-food feedstocks.

“Genencor has a long tradition of commitment to addressing the need for alternative, renewable fuels to help combat climate change,” says Philippe Lavielle, executive vice president of business development for Genencor. “The renewed commitment earlier this month by the Obama Administration to support the rapid development of renewable fuels is encouraging and exciting. With more than 10 years of scientific investment in this area and a world class, global manufacturing infrastructure, Genencor is now ready to support the fast deployment of cellulosic biofuels. Accellerase DUET is set to become the standard that this industry is looking for in terms of cost and performance.”
 
With improved overall hemicellulase activity, Accellerase DUET builds on the advances in beta-glucosidase and cellulase activity previously made by Accellerase 1500. These additional improvements allow Accellerase DUET to achieve higher sugar and biofuel yields, often at 3-fold lower dosing, and to be feedstock- and pretreatment- flexible. Accellerase DUET employs a whole broth formulation, which provides nutrients for fermentative organisms and lowers the chemical load introduced into our customers’ processes. Higher performance at lower dose will lead to significant improvements in enzyme cost in use for producers, which is critical to enable the cellulosic biofuels industry.
 
Accellerase DUET builds on Genencor’s 25-year history of biofuels research and a portfolio of patented enzyme technologies. Genencor supplies the Accellerase product line as part of its strategy to drive the cellulosic ethanol industry forward. It is a critical component of Danisco’s two-pronged approach, which includes its dedicated Genencor biomass enzyme business, and its joint venture DuPont Danisco Cellulosic Ethanol LLC (DDCE), which develops and provides integrated technology packages for biomass to ethanol production.