Whisky by-products into biofuel: Celtic Renewables partners Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant

Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant partners Celtic Renewables following €1,5million investment. Celtic Renewables, a spin-out company from the Biofuel Research Centre at Edinburgh Napier University, has already proved the concept of producing biobutanol from draff – the sugar-rich kernels of barley which are soaked in water to facilitate the fermentation process necessary for whisky production – and pot ale, the yeasty liquid that is heating during distillation. It will spend the next few months seeking to replicate work done in its Scottish laboratory at an industrial scale. Celtic Renewables is the first company to trial biobutanol technology at the Belgian demonstrator pilot facility and also the first Scottish company to sign a partnership with BBEPP. Established by the EU to enable the development of a sustainable biobased economy, BBEPP was founded to support the advancement of sustainable biobased processes that cut reliance on non-replaceable fossil fuels. The feasibility of Celtic Renewables’ innovative process was first evaluated at BBEPP with the support of a Bio Base NWE Innovation Coupon worth €10.000. The partnership between Celtic Renewables and Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant is one of many successful examples that proof the setup of this project pays off. Professor Martin Tangney, Founder and President of Celtic Renewables, said the latest developments demonstrated the commitment of government and industry partners to help it meet its ambition to become a groundbreaking company, based in Scotland, with global reach. ​“Our ambition to grow a sustainable international industry from Scotland requires strong partnerships and we are delighted to be working with Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant, to help us complete the next crucial stage in our development,” he said. Professor Wim Soetaert, CEO of BBEPP, said ​“The transition from the current fossil-based economy towards a biobased economy is essential for industrial sustainability throughout Europe. Biobased production is already transforming a broad range of industries around the world and Celtic Renewables, making advanced biofuel and sustainable chemicals from whisky by-products is exactly the kind of inspired innovation that our Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant is designed to support. In this regard the synergy of our partnership is perfect and we are really excited with this opportunity to work with such a forward thinking company.” It is anticipated that the work done by Celtic Renewables at the facility will facilitate the production of the world’s first industrial samples of biobutanol derived from whisky production residues, allowing it to be used as a direct replacement for petrol and diesel, without the need to modify engine. The company plans to build its first commercial demonstration facility in Scotland and it is targeting a proposed €31,25 million fund operated by the Department of Transport to help fund this.

About BBEPP:

Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant, located in Ghent (Belgium), is Europe’s first independent open innovation centre for the biobased economy. This pilot facility is specialised in process development, scale-up and custom manufacturing of innovative biobased products and processes. Its focus is on converting biomass, starch, cellulose, vegetable oils, and agricultural waste to produce bioproducts, biomaterials, and bioenergy that can be applied in a variety of sectors such as the chemical industry, food and feed, personal care, paper and pulp, textiles and energy. Website: www​.bbeu​.org Source: Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant