Fluor Corporation To Design Cobalt Technologies Biobutanol Plant

Cobalt Technologies announced it has signed an agreement with Fluor Corporation, one of the world’s largest publicly-owned engineering, procurement, construction, maintenance (EPCM) and project management companies. Under the agreement, Fluor will provide engineering consulting services as Cobalt gears up to commercialize its biobutanol production technology. Additionally, Fluor will offer a broad range of EPCM services for Cobalt’s demonstration and commercial-scale butanol production plants.

“We are very pleased to have Fluor as our strategic partner to help us design the most efficient, lowest cost system for producing our biobutanol,” said Rick Wilson, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Cobalt Technologies. “Fluor’s experience in designing and executing large projects, particularly refining projects, is unmatched in the world. We originally asked Fluor to provide an impartial analysis of our biobutanol production technology. Now, to have them sign a strategic agreement with us, truly validates our vision.”

Cobalt’s technology converts non-food feedstock, such as forest waste and mill residues, into biobutanol. Cobalt’s continuous butanol production system is based on advancements in microbial strain selection, bioreactor design and process engineering, resulting in a highly productive, capital-efficient, low-cost solution. This engineering foundation ensures the production process is able to scale up quickly while maintaining capital efficiency. Cobalt’s technology reduces lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90% versus the production of gasoline.

The company recently demonstrated the conversion of beetle-killed lodgepole pine into a low-carbon, sustainable biofuel and chemical, which is currently being tested in engines by Colorado State University’s renowned Engines and Energy Conversion Laboratory.

Source : Press Release