Enerkem announces first commercial-scale biofuels and biochemicals plant is entering start-up phase

Enerkem Inc., an advanced biofuels and biochemicals technology company, announced that its first commercial-scale plant located in Westbury, Quebec, is entering the start-up phase with the production of its clean conditioned synthesis gas.

Construction on the plant began in October 2007 and the facility was mechanically complete in December 2008. The conditioned synthesis gas ("syngas") island has been finalized and is in an advanced commissioning stage in preparation for its upcoming start-up. The premium syngas island serves as the chemical production platform, from which the methanol and ethanol production modules will be added progressively over the next months. Once these gas-to-liquid modules are bolted to the syngas island, Enerkem will become the first producer of liquid fuels and green chemicals to commercially use renewable, non-food, negative-cost feedstock, according to the company.

"The conditioned synthesis gas island is the core of our technology platform as it is where we produce a clean tailored syngas that serves as a chemical source for the production of advanced biofuels and biochemicals," said Mr. Vincent Chornet, President and Chief Executive Officer of Enerkem. "We have followed a rigorous path to commercialization since the beginning of our pilot plant back in 2003 and we intend to apply the same disciplined approach at Westbury. The first step is our premium syngas which leads to our goal of becoming a world leader in the production of second-generation transportation fuels and green chemicals."