In the Grimm Brother's fairy tale, Rumpelstiltskin spins straw into gold. Thanks to advances in biotechnology, researchers/scientists can now transform straw and other plant wastes, into "green" gold -cellulosic ethanol. While chemically identical to ethanol produced from sugar-cane, corn or soybeans; cellulosic ethanol exhibits net energy content more than three times higher than the older technology and emits a low net level of greenhouse gases. Recent technological developments have improved yields and driven down production costs to the point where we are now able to commercially produce cellulosic ethanol in sufficient quantities to replace expensive, imported "black gold" (oil) with this sustainable, domestically produced bio-fuel. Cellulosic ethanol, with regulatory support, will substantially reduce the consumption of gasoline as previously outlined. In a joint statement the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the Union of Concerned Scientists of the United States stated, "It is at least as likely as hydrogen to be an energy carrier of choice for a sustainable transportation sector". 

Cellulosic Ethanol has been called the “Future of Energy”. Our technology partner(s) use the latest third generation technology to produce ethanol from agricultural and forest residues, such as sugar bagasse (the waste after sugar has been produced), and from many other agricultural residues, such as, wood wastes, pine, grass, etc., thus avoiding conflicts and competition with food-stocks such as grain and sugar cane juice, which are used by older, less efficient technologies. This means there are a wide variety of agricultural products that can be used to produce Cellulosic Ethanol. Cellulosic Ethanol also provides energy security as it decreases the dependence on oil. Most cars can run on a blend of ten (10) percent ethanol without any conversions and, with an investment of about US$300.00 most of these cars can run on eighty (80) percent ethanol.

Shell Oil has predicted, "the global market for bio-fuels such as cellulosic ethanol will grow to exceed $10 billion by 2012." Other estimates say that the USA’s needs will grow by over ten (10) times in a few years. In a May 26, 2009 article in the New York Times entitled “Big Oil Warms to Ethanol”, it spoke of the big oil companies like British Petroleum (BP), Royal Dutch Shell, Chevron, etc., and their new Bio-Ethanol investments and interests. So the race is on. Barbados can choose to be a leader in this world-wide conversion to bio-fuels. 

Our technology partners have built and are operating Cellulosic Ethanol Plants in different countries around the world, and we can arrange site visits for interested parties.
 
                     The Market is Huge and Demand Increasing
There is a growing shortage of ethanol and the need is growing exponentially. World Ethanol Consumption went from 260,000 barrels a day in 2000 to over 1.3 billion barrels a day in 2009. In the United States alone, demand for ethanol is projected to increase over ten-fold in the next few years. However, based on current consumption of oil, most countries can, by themselves absorb the total production of ethanol from one bio-refinery. This demand also extends to the co-products such as xylitol. We have secured off-take contracts for any excess ethanol and co-products that the home country cannot consume. So the market for the finished products is secure. 

                       Strong Economics Provide Long Term Success
Regardless of the promise of economic gain that Cellulosic Ethanol provides, if the bio-refinery is not profitable and able to service its debt, none of the benefits can be realized. The promise of good-paying jobs, increased business for local suppliers, and all the benefits of a reliable, sustainable energy source will be lost. Ethanol alone will not make this project as profitable. The co-products are the key element in making this an economic success and the reason that the latest 3rd generation technology is so vital to realizing the benefits of Cellulosic Ethanol.