Innovative Cellulosic Ethanol Process Awarded with 3rd Place at GreenTec Awards

Clariant was distinguished last Friday with third place at the GreenTec Awards 2015 in the automobility category for its innovative sunliquid process used in the manufacture of cellulosic ethanol from agricultural residues.

Clariant convinced the jury comprised of business, science, associations and media that second generation biofuels based on agricultural residues, such as wheat straw, can not only be manufactured economically and sustainably, but already pass the field test of forward-looking mobility.

The GreenTec Award is Europe’s renowned environmental- and business award. It honors innovative projects that point the way to a cleaner future. Clariant CEO Hariolf Kottmann is pleased with this placing. “Sustainability and innovation are two main pillars of our corporate strategy. sunliquid unites both together”, said Kottmann. “This award shows that the sunliquid technology has the potential to provide a significant contribution to sustainable mobility.”

New, domestic energy sources are being developed with the manufacture of cellulosic ethanol from agricultural residues. These renewable raw materials accrue regionally, do not compete with food and animal feed, and do not use additional agricultural land.

In Germany, cellulosic ethanol was first subjected as E20 (20% cellulose ethanol in gasoline) to a fleet test in series cars in 2014 in a cooperation between Clariant, Mercedes-Benz and Haltermann where it impressed in every aspect: compared to the present standard gasoline, no additional consumption was recorded; at the same time it showed ideal combustion characteristics and delivered outstanding engine performance. Particle emissions were reduced by 50%. In addition, the cellulosic ethanol proportion demonstrated up to 95% savings in greenhouse gases over the total value chain (well-to-wheel assessment).