Director of the Trent University Biomaterials Research Centre Congratulates Elevance on New Partnership
June 27, 2010
A key partner in Trent University’s Biomaterials Research Centre, Elevance Renewable Sciences, Inc. (Elevance) announced today that it has entered into an agreement to form a joint venture with Wilmar International Limited (Wilmar), one of the largest global agribusiness groups, to construct a world scale biorefinery.
Dr. Suresh Narine, director of the Trent Biomaterials Research Program, was delighted to hear of the joint venture between the two companies. “It is gratifying to see Elevance take this early step in realizing the new bio-economy,” said Prof. Narine. “This new association between Elevance and Wilmar demonstrates the real possibilities inherent in taking university-developed research and successfully turning it into a commercial reality for the benefit of society. I congratulate the leadership of these corporations for taking hold of the opportunities available in the development of new and functional, environmentally-responsible materials.”
The joint venture will use Elevance’s proprietary biorefinery technology to produce high-value performance chemicals, advanced biofuels and oleochemicals. Large existing and rapidly emerging new demand exists for these products in surfactants, antimicrobials, lubricants, renewable biodiesel and green jet fuels.
The new plant is expected to come online in 2011, and like all facilities based on Elevance’s biorefinery technology, it will be capable of operating using multiple renewable oil feedstocks, such as palm, mustard, soybean, jatropha or waste oils.
Once operational, the bio-refinery will produce green olefins, including a unique distribution of alpha and internal olefins for chemicals and advanced fuels; novel multifunctional esters and acids, including 9-decenoic acid, as well as a premium mixture of oleochemicals and advanced biofuels.