• A fuel based on lignocellulosic biomass such as straw
• One of the world's first demonstration plants for the production of second- generation bioethanol
• Bioethanol for COP15
• Adapting the Inbicon technology to new biomass

In the past decade, DONG Energy’s research into renewables has led to our involvement in biomass conversion and the recent setting up of our subsidiary, Inbicon. The name Inbicon derives from Integrated Biomass Conversion. It is the company’s vision to become the world leader in the development of pre-treatment technologies for sustainable biomass refineries featuring Inbicon's pre-treatment technologies and energy integration systems.

The Inbicon Core Technology
The Inbicon process is a new, proven process for converting lignocellulosic biomass, such as straw, into bioethanol. In the Inbicon process biomass is converted using only steam and enzymes. The process is energy efficient due to the very high dry matter content in all process steps, and integrated energy solutions.

Inauguration of Inbicon demonstration plant
In November 2009 one of the world's first demonstration plants for the production of second-generation bioethanol was inaugurated near Kalundborg in Denmark. The demonstration plant was built by Inbicon, and features the Inbicon Core Technology. The new biomass refinery will demonstrate not only our patented technology for producing renewables, but also how its integration with a power station can dramatically enhance the efficiency of both operations.

Products of the Inbicon process: bioethanol, solid biofuel and C5 molasses
We begin the second-generation bioethanol production process by cutting biomass, such as straw, into small pieces and conditioning it using a proprietary method. The next step in the Inbicon process is the hydrothermal pre-treatment during which the biomass is pressure-cooked to open the protective lignin structure and make the cellulose available for enzymes.

During the subsequent process, we add the enzymes developed for this purpose, which convert the cellulose molecules into sugar. It is precisely this sugar that becomes bioethanol at a later stage in the process. During fermentation yeast is added to convert the sugar into ethanol. After fermentation ethanol is distilled. The distillation process leaves two useful products: a solid biofuel and C5 molasses.

Bioethanol for COP15
At the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December 2009, we showcased our technology. Part of the fleet of cars used for transporting delegates around Copenhagen during the conference ran on Inbicon’s bioethanol mixed with petrol. The fuel consisted of 85% bioethanol and 15% petrol.

Inbicon technology quickly adapts to new biomass
In 2009 Inbicon succeeded in optimising a process for the production of second- generation bioethanol from an Asian biomass source. Pilot plant testing has proven that it is possible to achieve the same high ethanol concentration using Asian biomass as using wheat straw.

This proves the potential of the Inbicon process, demonstrating how quickly it can be adapted to a new biomass from another part of the world. Similar tests have begun using corn stover and bagasse, and we expect that the Inbicon technology will soon be capable of converting the world’s most common soft lignocellulosic feedstock types into bioethanol.