Global Bioenergies, IBN-One and Lantmännen Aspen, world market leader in alkylate gasoline for two and four stroke small engines, yesterday announced a partnership on renewable isooctane for specialty fuel applications.
Aspen is part of the Swedish Lantmännen group, an agricultural cooperative and Northern Europe’s leader in agriculture, machinery, bioenergy and food products with annual revenues of 3.4 billion euros. In particular, Lantmännen Aspen’s commercial activities include specialty fuels for usage in two and four stroke small engines e.g. chainsaws and lawn mowers where the man, machine and environment benefit from a cleaner fuel quality regarding harmful substances compared to regular gasoline.
Renewable isooctane is a highly valued gasoline hydrocarbon suitable in several of Lantmännen Aspen specialty fuel ranges. In this context, Global Bioenergies, IBN-One and Lantmännen Aspen have signed an agreement conferring Lantmännen Aspen access rights to renewable isooctane for specialty fuel applications, both from the next-to-come Leuna demo plant and from the future IBN-One commercial plant.
IBN-One was created in 2015 as a Joint-Venture owned 50% by Global Bioenergies and 50% by Cristal Union to engineer and build on one of Cristal Union’s site in France a first bio-isobutene commercial plant, and to operate it profitably
Lantmännen Aspen will financially contribute to the progress of commercialization of renewable isooctane by a partnership with both Global Bioenergies and IBN-One. Claes Alin, Ceo at Lantmännen Aspen comments: “We are pleased to secure future access to renewable isooctane, a gasoline component with excellent fuel properties appropriate for specialty fuels. As the original and the key player on the alkylate gasoline market we take our responsibility in striving towards enhanced use of forefront renewables among specialty fuel users.”
Bernard Chaud, Ceo at IBN-One adds: “IBN-One, the first bio-isobutene commercial plant project, is moving forward. We recently announced the completion of the conceptual design phase and are now moving to detailed engineering. Renewable isooctane can easily be derived from bio-isobutene. We are also presently building the business ecosystem: Receiving an off-take intention from an established player in a high-value market segment clearly adds a stone to the building.”
Thomas Buhl, Head of business development at Global Bioenergies concludes: “A significant part of the isobutene to be produced in our Leuna demo-plant will be converted into isooctane, allowing us to provide batches to Lantmännen Aspen before start of the commercial size plant IBN-One. We are proud to have a major Swedish actor on board of our bio-fuel story, since Sweden is known to be among the pioneering countries regarding biofuels.”
IL BIOECONOMISTA 