Genencor Launches Accellerase(R) 1500, Next Step Toward Scale-Up of Cellulos...( PALO ALTO Calif. Feb. 24 /- Today Gen...)

PALO ALTO, Calif., Feb. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Genencor, a division of Danisco A/S, launched Accellerase(R) 1500, the next generation of its cellulosic ethanol enzyme product. Genencor introduced the product at the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) 2009 National Ethanol Conference in San Antonio, TX.

Accellerase(R) 1500 is another significant step toward commercialization of biofuels and other biochemicals made from cellulosic feedstocks, such as agricultural residues and bioenergy crops. It also reinforces Genencor's position as a global leader in 2nd generation ethanol innovation.

"We're on course to fast-track commercialization of cellulosic ethanol," says Philippe Lavielle, Senior Vice President, Business Development, Genencor. "Accellerase was a breakthrough in the industry. Now, by launching this improved enzyme product, we reach another important technical milestone toward commercial-scale production of transportation fuel and other biochemicals from renewable, non-food feedstocks."

Accellerase(R) 1500 will lower one of the major cost hurdles to producing ethanol or biochemicals from cellulosic feedstocks, such as corn stover, sugarcane bagasse, wood chips, wheat straw, and switchgrass. In addition, Accellerase(R) 1500 has a significantly improved formulation and higher activity resulting in higher ethanol yields and robust operation in a wider variety of processes. The product is based on Genencor's patented gene expression technology and the division's 25-year history of biofuels research.

Accellerase(R) is critical to the hydrolysis step of converting biomass to ethanol or other biochemicals. In this step, plant material is broken down into sugars for fermentation to ethanol.

Genencor supplies Accellerase(R) as part of its dual-strategy to drive forward the cellulosic ethanol industry, which includes its dedicated enzyme business, and its joint venture DuPon
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