Algenol Biofuels

Our Path Forward

We are leveraging our established success to commercialize DIRECT TO ETHANOL® technology as the cheapest and most environmentally friendly process for the production of transportation fuel and specialty chemicals. This elegant and profitable solution to energy security will provide a significant contribution to reducing dependence on unstable and increasingly difficult to find sources of oil while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Algenol’s Integrated Biorefinery in Lee County, Florida

Our 4-acre process development unit is currently producing ethanol in modular photobioreactors. The next step is completing our pilot-scale Integrated Biorefinery (IBR) to demonstrate the commercial scalability of DIRECT TO ETHANOL® technology, which is scheduled to begin operations in the first quarter of 2012. The 36-acre IBR will provide a small-scale example of a fully integrated commercial facility and provide the operational knowledge necessary to demonstrate commercial viability and pursue commercial projects.

We are pursuing commercial DIRECT TO ETHANOL® projects in the United States, Mexico, South America, Europe, Asia and throughout the rest of the world. Our ambition is to have DIRECT TO ETHANOL® projects producing more than 20 billion gallons of ethanol per year within 20 years.

Successfully commercializing DIRECT TO ETHANOL® technology will provide Algenol with the foundation, scientific expertise, operational experience and resources necessary to further develop algae-based technologies for high volume production of valuable green chemicals. As well, we are working with partners to commercialize technologies for converting alcohols into jet and diesel fuel and plastics monomers. 

Job Creation

Algenol’s novel technologies will also be responsible for significant positive economic stimulus and job creation in addition to environmental and energy security benefits. Algenol’s construction of its Process Development Unit and renovation of two 20,000-square foot buildings employed 430 construction workers with over 58,000 construction man-hours. The completion of the state-of-the-art research and development complex has spurred the growth of our Lee County workforce from 12 in early 2010 to over 100 full-time positions today. Continued construction and work on the 36-acre Integrated Biorefinery will generate several hundred additional construction jobs for our contractors and vendors. By the end of 2013, Algenol is projected to have a staff of 174 full-time employees.

The construction and operation of a large-scale biofuels project, such as a DIRECT TO ETHANOL® plant, could add as many 4,000 full-time jobs to the local economy.