Sweetwater, Pacific Ethanol partner on cellulosic ethanol

Rochester, N.Y.-based cellulosic sugar producer Sweetwater Energy Inc. has announced an agreement with California-based ethanol producer Pacific Ethanol Inc. The agreement supports the construction of a 3.36 MMgy cellulosic biorefinery at Pacific Ethanol’s Stockton, Calif., plant. 

Sweetwater Energy will use its patented, decentralized process to convert locally available cellulosic material into a sugar solution that Pacific Ethanol will ferment into cellulosic ethanol. 

“An important part of our growth strategy is to take advantage of the flexibility of our plant infrastructure to process diverse feedstocks such as sugar, corn, sorghum, and now sugars produced from cellulosic material. The Sweetwater platform moves us towards producing next-generation renewable fuels while providing additional flexibility in sourcing, reducing feedstock costs and enhancing plant operating margins,” said Neil Koehler, CEO of Pacific Ethanol. 

Sweetwater also has agreements in place with Colorado-based Front Range Energy and Wisconsin-based Ace Ethanol.