The USDA and Blue Biofuels Collaborate to Optimize Yields of King Grass for Cellulosic Ethanol Production

Rhea-AI Summary

Blue Biofuels, Inc. (BIOF) has partnered with the USDA's Agricultural Research Service to enhance the yields of Pennisetum hybridum, also known as king grass. This collaboration aims to convert former orange production land in Florida into profitable biomass crop areas. The project will explore efficient production methods while maintaining biomass yields. Knowledge gained will support local growers in supplying feedstock for biofuels, including cellulosic ethanol and renewable jet fuel. The patented Cellulose to Sugar (CTS) technology can convert various plant materials into sugars for biofuel production.

Positive

• Partnership with USDA ARS to optimize king grass cultivation for biomass.
• Potential profitability from biomas production in former citrus lands.
• Knowledge sharing to enhance biomass supply for biofuel production.
• Patented CTS technology enables conversion of diverse plant materials into biofuels.

Negative

• None.

PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL, Dec. 16, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Blue Biofuels, Inc. (PINK: BIOF) Blue Biofuels, Inc. (the “Company” or “BIOF”) and the United States Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (“USDA ARS”) are collaborating on optimizing the yields of Pennisetum hybridum, commonly known as king grass, a perennial grass biomass crop, that the Company is using as feedstock for its patented cellulose to sugar (“CTS”) process.

The USDA ARS and BIOF are cooperating to develop production methods which can be used to increase the productivity of land in Florida formerly used for orange production prior to the devastation of the industry by citrus greening. The growth of a perennial grass biomass crop can add additional profit opportunities for Florida and to other parts of the US with climates suitable for tropical biomass production.

This agreement will study the ability to minimize inputs using nitrogen fixing cover crops, or other production practices, while maintaining or increasing biomass yields. The USDA ARS will gain knowledge which would then be published, and BIOF will optimize its production practices for biomass feedstocks. The knowledge gained from this agreement will be available to growers to allow them to efficiently supply the required biomass feedstock for production of sugars for cellulosic ethanol or further processed into renewable jet fuel.

Both the USDA ARS and BIOF will supply resources needed for the project. BIOF has a research farm near Arcadia, Florida, upon which king grass is growing, and facilities for conducting tests for productions trials; The USDA ARS will supply expertise and harvesting equipment to collect materials for storage, processing, and conversion by BIOF.

It is important to note the trials will be set up to allow for public presentations and publications. The work will be open access via scientific and popular press to allow both local and other producers to use the production practices developed to help supply feedstock to BIOF facilities and other bioenergy conversion facilities. This project allows BIOF and the USDA ARS to support missions to help producers develop integrated solutions that solve their problems related to productivity, profitability, energy efficiency, and natural resource stewardship.

ABOUT OUR CLEAN TECHNOLOGY

CTS technology is a near zero carbon footprint system that can convert virtually any plant material – grasses, wood, paper, farm waste, yard waste, forestry products, fruit casings, nut shells, and the cellulosic portion of municipal solid waste -- into sugars and lignin. Sugars are subsequently processed into biofuels. Lignin may be further converted into biodegradable bioplastics or used in ion exchange resins. CTS stands for Cellulose to Sugar. The CTS process is an independently developed patented and proprietary technology that is fully owned by the Company.

Management believes that biofuel originating from the Company’s CTS process will be eligible to receive generous D3 cellulosic Renewable Fuel Credits (“RINs”) from the US Government. The D3 RIN is currently around $3/gallon of ethanol, which could be earned in addition to the market price of ethanol. This incentive is offered to all domestic cellulosic fuel producers whose fuel is used in the transportation industry. The Environmental Protection Agency’s newly proposed revised mandate for cellulosic ethanol for 2020 is 510 million gallons, for 2021 is 620 million gallons, and for 2022 is 770 million gallons.

Information in this document may constitute forward-looking statements or statements which may be deemed or construed to be forward-looking statements. The risks, uncertainties and other factors are more fully discussed in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements attributable to Blue Biofuels, Inc. herein are expressly qualified in their entirety by the above-mentioned cautionary statement. Blue Biofuels, Inc. disclaims any obligation to update forward looking statements contained in this press release, except as may be required by law. 

Contact:

Ben Slager, CEO
Ben@Bluebiofuels.com

Anthony Santelli, CFO
Anthony@Bluebiofuels.com

SOURCE: Blue Biofuels, Inc. www.Bluebiofuels.com

FAQ

What is Blue Biofuels' recent partnership about?

Blue Biofuels has partnered with the USDA ARS to enhance yields of king grass as biomass feedstock.

How does Blue Biofuels' Cellulose to Sugar technology work?

The Cellulose to Sugar technology converts various plant materials into sugars for biofuel production.

What are the benefits of the partnership for Florida's agriculture?

The partnership aims to convert former orange production lands into profitable biomass crop areas, offering new profit opportunities.

What are D3 Renewable Fuel Credits?

D3 Renewable Fuel Credits are incentives for domestic cellulosic fuel producers, potentially worth around $3 per gallon of ethanol from biofuels.