Biodiesel Producers

Glycerin is one of the most widely available chemicals in the world, touting a production of over 2 billion pounds and growing. As the biodiesel industry well knows, the supply of glycerin will continue to dwarf demand until more than 5 billion pounds is expected to hit the world by 2020 [ 1 ]. Yes, that is a lot >>

In 2008, crude glycerin exiting biodiesel plants in the U.S. reached approximately 251 kilotons, on top of the estimated 150 kilotons of glycerin from non-biodiesel sources [2, 3]. U.S. demand for glycerin’s traditional uses in soaps & cosmetics, food additives, industrial foams, and transportation fluids were outstripped by supply on the order of some 75 to 100 kilotons.

The biodiesel industry today operates in a precarious position. Volatile commodity prices, low oil prices, depressed fuel demand, and low economic value of glycerin all play a part in undermining the potential of biodiesel as a major transportation solution. GlycosBio has recently developed a new biological process that directs crude glycerin from the biodiesel process into fuels and chemicals at high yield efficiency. The potential to co-produce “green” solvents like ethyl lactate and de-icing fluids like propanediol will transform biodiesel plants into bio-refineries producing biodiesel and commodity chemicals.

GlycosBio is looking to partner with large biodiesel producers interested in designing conversion solutions across their production capacity. Consolidating plant glycerin streams and co-producing high-value chemical co-products is part of a bio-refinery solution – fuels, chemicals, and power from a single plant. GlycosBio’s focus on biotechnology as a way to augment or lead the biodiesel industry towards production of “green” chemicals and products, reduces its exposure to the fuel and oil market volatilities.

[ 1 ] Glycerin Market Analysis, ABG, Inc. for the U.S. Soybean Export Council (2007)

[ 2 ] Monthly Energy Review, Energy Information Administration (2009)

[ 3 ] BBI, Intern’l