GREEN CHEMISTRY: PROESA® Technology to convert Biomass into Bio-based Chemicals

Guido Ghisolfi

The Biorefinery Concept

The biorefinery concept is analogous to today's petroleum refinery which produces fuels and chemicals from petroleum

End Markets

Fuels & Energy

Chemicals & Polymers

FeedstockConversion

Platform FeedstockConversion

Platform

Advanced carbohydrates (cellulose and hemicellulose)

Cellulosic sugarsand

lignin

Petrochemical wayone raw material

Biorefinery waymany raw materials

The Biorefinery Opportunity: Reality or Dream?

Commodities and consumer goods from biomass

Competing with oil Is it possible

Common position of the industry:"Traditional biocommodities are too expensive […] and cellulosic sugar is far away from being at low capex and low opex."

The Biorefinery Opportunity: Reality or Dream?

The barrel of oil is replaced by the new biomass

barrel!

Sustainability of the Biorefinery: A Question of Energy

Producing multiple products and integrating waste treatment, biorefineries can maximize the values derived from biomass

feedstock and turn biomass processing into real opportunities.

CELLULOSE(35 - 50 %)

EMICELLULOSE(15 – 35 %)

LIGNIN(15 – 20 %)

ASHES(5 – 15 %)

CELLULOSE(35-50 %)

EMICELLULOSE(15-35 %)

LIGNIN(15-20 %)

ASHES(5-15 %)

Biofuels

Biochemicals

Biochemicals (Aromatics)

Silica

The Conversion of Biomass opens up to a Wide Array of Applications

Sugarcane bagasse

Cellulose Hemicellulose Lignin

Textiles DetergentsChemical intermediates &

PlasticsDiapers

Wheat strawCorn stover Wood chipsArundo Donax

Ethanol

Beta Renewables: Sustainable Chemistry

Our Partners:

Beta Renewables is a joint venture created in October 2011 between Biochemtex and the American private investment firm TPG (Texas Pacific Group) with a capital of € 250 million.

Novozymes, a Denmark-based world class biotech company, has recently acquired 10% share of Beta Renewables.

The JV is the owner of the PROESA® technology used to produce biofuels andchemical intermediates.

It has invested in the construction of the world's first commercial scale plant in Crescentino (Italy) that will produce second generation ethanol.

Beta Renewables develops global alliances and partnerships to license the PROESA® technology.

Our R&D Center in Rivalta Scrivia, Italy

130+ dedicated staff

Our Rivalta Scrivia (Piedmont, Italy) research facility is equipped with 4600 m2 dedicated to fuels chemistry and technology from renewable resources and counts engineers, biotechnologists and chemists dedicated to R&D activities.

Development Timeline

2006-2008

Scouting of Technologies

Generation of key inventions

Proof of UNIT OPERATION in

the labs

2009-2010

Pilot plant (1 t/d) construction &

start-up (June 2009)

Pilot plant operation & data gathering

Plant flexibility test using multiple

biomasses

2014

GranBio in Alagoas

Start-up

Q1-2013

Crescentino Plant

Start-up

2011-2012

Crescentino Plant

Cooperation Agreements with leading synthetic

biology companies

License Agreements

Formation of Beta Renewables

PROESA® Technology: The Sugar Platform

BiomassSteam Enzyme

Smart Cooking

Viscosity Reduction

& Hydrolysis

FermentableSugars

Enabling the production of price competitive and clean cellulosic sugars.

PROESA® Sugar Platform Benefits

Readily integrated with biology pathways or catalytic conversion platforms to produce fuels or bio-chemicals.

Flexibility in parameters and versatility in project solutions based on client needs.

Our Vision

Contribute to a more sustainable use of our world’s resources;

Using non-food biomass;

Cost-effective with petroleum without subsidies.

Our Business Model

Licensing PROESA® to ensure global deployment and faster uptake of the technology;

Developing packaged solutions with our partners for their needs.

Market Need

Creating value for all stakeholders involved: from farmers to industrial players.

Transforming Beta Renewables' Vision into a Sustainable Business

A Platform for Sustainability

PROESA® Technology for Cellulosic Sugars Production

PROESA® Technology

Chemical &

Biological Conversion

Platform

BIOCHEMICALSFatty Alcohols, 1,4 BDO,

Farnasene

BIOPOLYMERSLactic Acid, Acrylic Acid, Succinic Acid, Adipic Acid

LIGNIN CHEMICALS

Phenols, Benzene, Xylene, Terephthalic Acid

Ethanol, Jet Fuel, ButanolBIOFUELS

BIOFUELS

Proesa® Technology is

our way to see the

future!