BP Looks to Start Ethanol, Biobutanol Production
A major oil producer is looking to get into the biofuels business.
This story from Reuters says BP could start ethanol and biobutanol operations next year:
BP could launch commercial production of grass-based ethanol in the United States in 2010 with partner Verenium, which already has a demonstration cellulosic ethanol facility, Philip New, Chief Executive of BP Biofuels, said.
BP is also planning to launch in 2012/13 commercial output of biobutanol at future biofuel plant in the UK, he said.
The oil company is building a wheat-based ethanol plant near Hull in eastern England in partnership with British Sugar and chemicals group Dupont that is due to come online next year, and plans subsequently to retrofit the facility to convert it to biobutanol output.
The article goes on to say that the plant in England is part of a $200 million BP-Dupont joint research venture.