news is out SUNCOR J.VLignol signs MOU with Suncor to develop cellulosic ethanol plants
VANCOUVER, March 8 - Lignol Energy Corporation announced today that its wholly owned subsidiary, Lignol Innovations Ltd. ("Lignol"), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") with Suncor Energy Products Inc. ("Suncor") granting Suncor a right of first refusal to build the first cellulosic ethanol commercial demonstration plant in Canada using Lignol technology.
"This new relationship with Suncor represents a significant milestone for us, as we advance our commercialization strategy," said Ross MacLachlan, President and CEO of Lignol. "Suncor has provided us with valuable support in the current commercialization work plan funded in part by Sustainable Development Technology Canada."
"We look forward to working with Suncor on the demonstration plant and in the development of strategically located commercial scale facilities subsequent to the successful deployment of the demonstration plant," said MacLachlan.
Ethanol is an alcohol which can be produced from renewable biomass sources like corn, wheat and cellulose. In recent years, ethanol has been increasingly added to conventional transport fuel to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Increased utilization of ethanol in both business and consumer transport can be achieved using existing infrastructure and in compliance with current automobile manufacturer fueling guidelines. Governments in North America and around the world are mandating increased ethanol use as part of their environmental strategies. The Government of Canada has set a goal of an average of five per cent renewable-fuel content in vehicle fuels by 2010.
"After the successful launch of our corn based ethanol plant in Ontario, we are excited to work with Lignol to investigate alternate feedstocks using Lignol's technology for the production of ethanol," said Warren Maclean, Vice President, Energy Supply, Suncor Energy Products Inc. "Suncor was one of the first to blend ethanol in our fuel and we are always looking at opportunities to produce and advance renewable fuels."