News and Media Releases
Shell 1st To Sell Gasoline Blended With Advanced Biofuel
10/06/2009
Customers at a Shell service station will become the first in the world to fill their tanks with gasoline containing advanced biofuel made from wheat straw.
I am excited we are leading the pack in cellulosic ethanol production technology...
For one month starting June 10, the regular gasoline purchased at a Shell service station in Ottawa, Canada will contain 10% cellulosic ethanol. The biofuel is produced locally from non-food raw materials at Iogen Energy Corporation’s demonstration plant, using advanced conversion processes. Iogen and Shell are partners in the plant, which now produces 40,000 liters of fuel per month.
Cellulosic ethanol, as an end fuel, is identical to ethanol but it can offer up to 90% less lifecycle CO2 emissions than gasoline. It is a key part of Shell’s strategic investment and development program in sustainable biofuels.
"I am excited we are leading the pack in cellulosic ethanol production technology and, with this event, showing what is possible in the future," said Dr. Graeme Sweeney, Shell Executive Vice President Future Fuels and CO2. "While it will be some time before general customers can buy this product at local service stations, we are working with governments to make large-scale production economic."
"We’re proud of this world-first," said Brian Foody, Chief Executive Officer of Iogen Corporation. "Building a demo plant is one thing but you then need to go through the process of operating the new technology at scale, learning, modifying and lowering costs. With the volumes we’re producing today, we’re confident about the future."
# # #
Royal Dutch Shell plc is incorporated in England and Wales, has its headquarters in The Hague and is listed on the London, Amsterdam, and New York stock exchanges. Shell companies have operations in more than 100 countries and territories with businesses including oil and gas exploration and production; production and marketing of Liquefied Natural Gas and Gas to Liquids; manufacturing, marketing and shipping of oil products and chemicals and renewable energy projects. For further information, visit http://www.shell.com
Iogen is a leading biotechnology firm specializing in cellulosic ethanol - a fully renewable transportation fuel made from agricultural residue that can be used in today’s cars. The company has been producing cellulosic ethanol at its Ottawa demonstration plant since 2004. Iogen also develops, manufactures and markets enzymes used to modify and improve the processing of natural fibers within the textile, animal feed and pulp and paper industries. In operation since 1974, Iogen is a privately held company located in Ottawa, Canada. For more information, visit www.iogen.ca - opens in new window.