ExxonMobil and Renewable Energy Group Report Progress in Cellulosic Biodiesel Research agree to extend research program based on positive findings when using microbes to convert cellulosic sugars into biodiesel. ExxonMobil and Renewable Energy Group (REG) announced today that by utilizing REG’s patented fermentation technology, the companies’ joint research program has demonstrated the ability to convert sugars from a variety of non-edible biomass sources directly into consumable biodiesel. During their initial research, the companies successfully validated the feasibility of the REG Life Sciences fermentation technology across multiple cellulosic sugar compositions produced with a variety of methods from various non-edible biomass sources. The research also confirmed REG Life Sciences technology can achieve substantial reductions of full-lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional diesel fuel. ExxonMobil signed an agreement with REG in January 2016 to study the production of biodiesel through fermentation of renewable cellulosic sugars from sources such as agricultural waste. The companies have agreed to extend the research program based on their positive findings and are excited to continue to jointly explore the technology’s potential for scalability. REG Life Sciences has developed proprietary technology that relies on microbes to convert cellulosic sugars into biodiesel in a one-step fermentation process. Cellulosic feedstocks derived from agricultural waste, contain multiple types of sugars, including glucose and xylose, as well as impurities that can inhibit the fermentation process. Eric Bowen, VP of REG Life Sciences: A breakthrough in cellulosic biodiesel production “could” have broad implications for the transportation sector. Global demand for transportation-related energy is projected to increase by about 25 percent through 2040, and accelerating the reduction in emissions from the transportation sector through technologies like biodiesel will play a critical role in reducing global greenhouse gas emissions.
