Dow's technology key to more efficient conversion process
MIDLAND, Mich. and GOLDEN, Colo., July 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The
Dow Chemical Company (Dow) (NYSE: DOW) and the U.S. Department of Energy's
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) today announced an agreement to
jointly develop and evaluate a process that will convert biomass to ethanol
and other chemical building blocks. The collaborative effort demonstrates
both Dow and NREL's commitment to deliver sustainable solutions to the
nation's current energy challenges by reducing dependence on foreign oil.
A mixed alcohol catalyst from Dow is seen as the key to unlocking the
potential for this promising renewable energy resource. The process will
use non-food ingredients such as the leaves from a corn plant or wood
wastes, and convert the bio-based material through a gasification process
to synthesis gas. Dow's technology helps convert the synthesis gas into a
mixture of alcohols including ethanol that can be used as transportation
fuels or chemical building blocks.
"NREL is interested in reducing the cost of biofuels in support of the
nation's energy goals," NREL Director Dan Arvizu said. "Dow's catalyst
technology and expertise in catalyst development and testing will be
extremely helpful as we evaluate the viability of this approach on a larger
scale."
The joint evaluation program will focus on improving the mixed alcohol
catalyst, as well as demonstrating pilot scale performance and the
commercial relevance of an integrated facility.
"This agreement exemplifies how Dow uses its technology to generate
sustainable solutions that address energy challenges in the U.S., while
building our portfolio of alternative energy and feedstock options," said
Juan Luciano, Dow's business president of Hydrocarbons and Energy. "By
using ethanol derived from biomass as an alternative raw material or
feedstock, Dow is exploring new ways to reduce the cost and volatility of
its inputs to produce chemicals and plastics that are essential to a wide
range of consumer products."
About Dow
With annual sales of $54 billion and 46,000 employees worldwide, Dow is
a diversified chemical company that combines the power of science and
technology with the "Human Element" to constantly improve what is essential
to human progress. The Company delivers a broad range of products and
services to customers in around 160 countries, connecting chemistry and
innovation with the principles of sustainability to help provide everything
from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and
personal care products. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow
Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise
expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at http://www.dow.com.
About NREL
NREL is the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) primary national
laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and
development. NREL is operated for DOE by Midwest Research Institute and
Battelle. More information on NREL can be found at http://www.nrel.gov
SOURCE The Dow Chemical Company
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Related links:
http://www.dow.com
http://www.nrel.gov
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/252850.html/
CONTACT:
George Douglas of National Renewable Energy
Laboratory, +1-303-275-4096, George_Douglas@nrel.gov; or Jolen T.
Stein of The Dow Chemical Company, +1-225-265-2657,
jtstein@dow.com
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