Conversion Technology

Our research addresses a range of products including ethanol as well as gasoline and diesel hydrocarbons. Our commercial business model is expected to involve multiple pathways based on combinations of biological, chemical and thermochemical process steps.

Building on the strengths and core competencies of our parent companies, our R&D program is aimed at discovering, developing and/or licensing third party developed technology solutions for converting forest-based feedstocks to liquid transportation fuels. Cooperation with key technology partners whose interests and technology align with our business model is an important element of our strategy.

There are two main thrusts to our current research efforts: a near term focus on early commercialization opportunities for producing ethanol and a longer term focus on direct conversion of biomass to hydrocarbons. While there is a large and ready market for ethanol today, we believe that it will be important for our longer term success to expand our product portfolio to include hydrocarbons like gasoline and diesel, fuels that are fully compatible with the existing infrastructure.