A new facility is likely to be created in Iowa to commercialise an innovative technology which can be used to great effect with ruthenium-based catalysts, it has been suggested.

Olefin metathesis, which won its three developers a Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2005, has been celebrated for its application in organic synthesis by using 'Grubbs' catalysts'.

Elevance Renewal Sciences is now planning a deal to incorporate a demonstration unit for the process at the existing Central Iowa Energy biodiesel refinery in Newton.

However, the partnership - which also involves current plant owners Renewable Energy Group - is still in its embryonic stages, Biodiesel Magazine reports.

As a result, Andy Shafer, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Elevance, explained that his company is attempting to "manage expectations" about the project.

"The technology is commercial today, we're running metathesis by the truckload batch," he told the news provider.

"But what we haven't done yet - and what we will do at Newton - is commercialise it at an integrated plant site."

Mr Shafer also explained that biodiesels created through metathesis are "enhanced" because their shorter carbon chains provide more effective cold flow properties than their traditional counterparts.

The process will aid the development of a number of products, such as paraffins for renewable jet fuel, esters for biodiesel, bio-based lubricants and a range of oleochemicals.

Renewable Energy Group announced earlier this month that it had completed its all-stock purchase of the 30 million-gallon-per-year Central Iowa Energy refinery.

Source:

Newton plant to become biorefinery showcase (24/03/10)

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