REVIEW OF EMERGING ETHANOL TECHNOLOGIES

A review of patent literature reveals the recent emphasis of commercially focussed research on • alternative ethanol-producing organisms including GMOs; • lignocellulosic substrates and processes for ethanol production; • process optimisation for conventional technologies; • new separation technologies for ethanol ; and, • obtaining more value through co-products. Several specific developments are discussed, concentrating on: (1) combined biochemical and chemical transformation (ZeaChem process); (2) a solvent delignification process (Ecopulp) for producing ethanol and other chemicals from bagasse; and (3) technology for chemically synthesising ethanol from gasified bagasse.