PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Genencor today announced a product advancement, Accellerase^® TRIO. This new product will enable biofuel producers to more cost-effectively manufacture cellulosic ethanol from a wide range of renewable nonfood feedstocks such as switchgrass, wheat straw and corn stover as well as from municipal solid waste.

“Second-generation biofuels offer important energy security, as well as economic and environmental benefits to countries such as the United States, China, India and European nations that import a majority of their oil,” said Genencor CEO Tjerk de Ruiter. “Accellerase^® TRIO can accelerate the commercial production of cellulosic biofuels in markets across the world, helping many countries and companies find a more sustainable alternative to petroleum.”

Accellerase^® TRIO allows for a low enzyme dosage to produce ethanol, helping to improve the economics of cellulosic biofuel production. Genencor has improved the effectiveness of converting biomass into sugars, a critical step in the production of cellulosic ethanol. With Accellerase^® TRIO, Genencor provides a combined “cocktail” of enzymes all in one product to breakdown the glucan (C6) and xylan (C5) in the biomass feedstock into fermentable sugars, thus increasing the ethanol yield per unit of feedstock.

Ethanol producers will discover other benefits. Accellerase^® TRIO works with a wide variety of renewable feedstocks, allowing producers to select nonfood crops and municipal solid waste that are abundant in their region to convert to ethanol or biochemicals. In addition, Accellerase^® TRIO can help boost total production by lowering viscosity and enabling producers to process more biomass.

Accellerase^® TRIO is the latest advancement in Genencor’s award-winning Accellerase^® product line that earned the “Frost & Sullivan 2009 New Product Innovation Award” for enzymes for biofuel production and also this year’s “Sustainable Technology Award” at the World Biofuels Market conference in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

Genencor’s mission is to have a significant impact on the sustainability of every household globally – and its development of biobased enzymes for second-generation biofuels helps create a more sustainable future. According to the U.S. Department of Energy and the Center for Transportation Research, cellulosic biofuels have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions up to 86 percent over gasoline.

While still in the early stages of development, cellulosic ethanol is expected to play a crucial role in providing transportation fuel in many parts of the world. In the U.S., Congress has set a goal of 36 billion gallons of renewable fuel to be produced by 2022, with much of that amount coming from second-generation ethanol. Europe is requiring that 10 percent of all road transportation fuels come from biofuels by 2020, a mandate that focuses on next-generation technologies. China’s 12^th Five-year Plan places great emphasis on the investment and research of the country’s ethanol fuel and reducing greenhouse gas emissions through cleaner fuels.

Genencor has a 25-year history in biofuels research and development. In 2007, Genencor was the first company to launch a commercial-scale enzyme for cellulosic ethanol production, Accellerase^® 1000, and later the company introduced Accellerase^® 1500 and Accellerase^® DUET.

About Genencor

Genencor is a world leader in industrial biotechnology and a pioneer in enzyme innovation with more than 400 patented enzyme technologies. Genencor improves process and product performance for a range of industries. As part of a large global organization, Genencor has a manufacturing and distribution network that spans more than 40 countries. In collaboration with customers, technology leaders and other stakeholders, Genencor supplies competitive, biobased solutions that create value throughout the supply chain, from raw material to finished product. For more information, visit us at www.genencor.com.

DuPont acquired a majority stake in Danisco A/S, which includes its Genencor division, in May 2011. Genencor enzymes and enzyme production will now operate within DuPont Industrial Biosciences.

About DuPont

DuPont (www.dupont.com) is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 90 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.

Accellerase^® is a registered trademark of Genencor.

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