Nebraska Gains Biofuels Facility

June 23 BIOFUEL REVIEW.

$100m ethanol enzyme production plant for Nebraska    

A new plant, to produce enzymes for existing corn-based ethanol and later enzymes for cellulosic ethanol production, is to be built by Novozymes in Blair, Nebraska. The facility will be located on a 30-acre property at the Biorefinery Campus in Blair and the company expects to break ground in late 2008 with operations beginning in late 2010. Novozyme's investment in the project is expected to be in the region $80–100 million.

 Commenting on today's (23rd June) announcement, Peder Holk Nielsen, Novozyme's Executive Vice President and head of Enzyme Business said; "We are very excited about expanding our enzyme manufacturing operations in the US. Initially the focus of the new plant will be to supply enzymes for corn-based ethanol and enzymes for cellulosic ethanol start-ups. The plant in Blair will be designed for later expansions to ensure Novozymes can meet demands for enzymes for cellulosic ethanol. We are undertaking an unprecedented effort to make these enzymes available by 2010.

"The US is an attractive and competitive market for us to invest in," he explained. "The new location will allow us to sustain our close cooperation with bioethanol customers across the Midwest and provide us access to a well-educated workforce and a good infrastructure."

The State of Nebraska is equally happy at the Danish company's move. "Nebraska is pleased that Novozymes has selected Blair for its world-class biotech facility," said Governor Dave Heineman. "Our Nebraska Advantage package has made our state globally competitive for high tech companies such as Novozymes to grow their business in Nebraska."