Enerkem GreenField Alberta Biofuels Awarded Permit to Build World's First Commercial Municipal Waste-to-Biofuels Facility
May 20, 2009
For Immediate Release
Plant enables City of Edmonton to increase its waste diversion rate from 60 to 90% and to produce an alternative transportation fuel
MONTREAL, Canada (May 20, 2009) — Enerkem, a leading waste-to-biofuels technology company, today announced that Enerkem GreenField Alberta Biofuels (EGAB) has successfully completed the necessary environmental regulatory process and has been granted a permit to commence construction of a commercial facility to produce biofuels and green chemicals from sorted municipal solid waste in Edmonton, Alberta.
“This is North America’s first unconditional commercial permit ever awarded to produce advanced biofuels from sorted municipal solid waste. This unprecedented project is set to change the dynamics of the waste and fuel industries by making waste — that would otherwise be landfilled — a resource for transportation fuels,” said Vincent Chornet, President and Chief Executive Officer of Enerkem. “The City of Edmonton is a leader in waste management and is now pioneering this solution which is to become a model for cities around the globe“
The permit was granted by Alberta Environment under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act of the Province of Alberta. The regulatory process entails a series of meetings and studies as well as a consultation with the public. The project successfully met all required regulatory environmental standards including air emissions and was awarded a permit allowing for construction and operation.
In 2008, EGAB entered into a 25-year agreement with the City of Edmonton to build and operate a waste-to-biofuels facility on municipal land and to receive the City’s sorted municipal solid waste as feedstock. The City of Edmonton will supply 100,000 tonnes of sorted municipal solid waste per year. The sorted municipal solid waste to be used is the end-waste after recycling and composting. These residues would otherwise be landfilled.
Construction of the biofuels facility is expected to begin by the end of 2009, at a total cost of approximately CDN$70 million. The City of Edmonton and the Province of Alberta, through the Alberta Energy Research Institute (AERI), are contributing a combined CDN$20 million to its production. Upon completion, the facility will initially produce 36 million litres (9.5 million gallons) of ethanol per year, reducing Alberta's carbon dioxide (CO2) footprint by more than 6 million tons over the next 25 years — the equivalent of removing 12,000 cars off the road every year. The plant will also contribute to meeting the Canadian and provincial 5% renewable fuel mandate.
About Enerkem GreenField Alberta Biofuels
Enerkem GreenField Alberta Biofuels (EGAB) is a limited partnership created to conduct the construction and operation of a municipal waste-to-biofuels plant using the Enerkem technology in Edmonton, Alberta.
About Enerkem
Enerkem has developed and is marketing its breakthrough technology to produce, from non-recyclable waste, circular chemicals and advanced biofuels intended for hard to decarbonize sectors, such as sustainable aviation and marine fuels. Headquartered in Montreal, Quebec (Canada), Enerkem operates a full-scale commercial demonstration plant in Edmonton, Alberta, as well as an innovation centre in Quebec. A large-scale commercial facility is currently under construction in Varennes, Quebec (Canada) which will use Enerkem’s technology. This also applies to agroforestry waste that, like urban waste, can be recycled into new products. Such technology can therefore diversify energy and chemical portfolios, as well as produce greener everyday products. It also provides a smart and sustainable alternative to landfilling and incineration. For more information, visit www.enerkem.com, follow us on Twitter @Enerkem or visit our LinkedIn or Facebook page.
For more information
- Enerkem Media Contact
- 514-375-7800
- communications@enerkem.com
About Greenfield Ethanol
GreenField Ethanol Inc. (www.greenfieldethanol.com) is Canada’s leading ethanol producer. The company produces 550 million litres a year of ethanol at its plants in Johnstown, Chatham and Tiverton, Ontario and in Varennes, Quebec. Another plant is in development in Hensall, Ontario. GreenField is actively involved in the development of a biochemical process technology to produce cellulosic ethanol at its research facilities in Chatham, Ontario. The company is also working with Enerkem Inc. to build thermochemical cellulosic ethanol plants. GreenField's ethanol is available at more than 1,300 gas stations across Canada.
For more information
- Marie-Hélène Labrie
- Vice-President, Government Affairs and Communications
- Enerkem
- (514) 875-0284 x231
- mlabrie@enerkem.com
About Braemar Energy Ventures
Founded in 2003, Braemar Energy Ventures is a leading venture capital firm focused on investing in transformative energy-tech and related companies contributing to global sustainability and combating climate change. Using sector expertise and experience, Braemar aims to be an engaged partner with its portfolio companies to best help them navigate the path to creating significant global impact. For more information, visit braemarenergy.com.