Inbicon to carry out test production of second generation bioethanol for Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding

DONG Energy’s technology company, Inbicon, will from the beginning of 2009 produce second generation bioethanol on a test basis for Japanese industry giant, Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding (MES). It is the first time Inbicon sells its technology, indicating that other companies see promising perspectives in the technology.

The testing will take place at the pilot facility in Skærbæk, Denmark, in the period January to March 2009. During the past five years, the facility has developed and refined the technology in order to produce bioethanol on the basis of a number of residual products from forestry and agriculture. With the new agreement, Inbicon will test whether one of presently unutilized biomass resources in Asian countries can also be used as raw material. In addition to bioethanol, the testing will result in solid biofuel and molasses for use in animal feed.

Niels Henriksen, CEO of Inbicon says:
“We are very proud to have a solid and well-respected company like MES as our first partner in the production of second generation bioethanol. We are pleased to have the opportunity to demonstrate the quality of our technology and look forward to start test production. It gives us the opportunity to test whether our technology is usable in regards to another residual product.”

If the test production proves successful – that is, if it is possible to produce bioethanol using the type of residual biomass that MES is working with – Inbicon and MES can enter into a new agreement, with the purpose of clarifying whether commercial production using Inbicon technology, based on residual products from plantations, is profitable. If this is the case, the partners can enter into a license agreement, under which MES can purchase a license to produce second generation bioethanol using Inbicon’s technology.

Inbicon is to establish its own second generation bioethanol production on a future demonstration plant in connection to the Asnæs Power Plant in Kalundborg, Denmark. The production is based on the Inbicon technique using wheat straw as feedstock. The plant will produce 5.4 million litres of bioethanol annually, on the basis of 30.000 tonnes of straw, as well as 8,250 tonnes of biofuel and 11,100 tonnes of animal feed. The first production will be ready in connection with the climate summit at the end of 2009.


Facts about Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding
Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding (MES) is one of the biggest and leading heavy industries in Japan and headquartered in Tokyo. Our activities are not limited to shipbuilding, but also include the environment, energy, production, mechatronics, information, logistics, industrial plants, medical science, and leisure sectors. Established in 1917. Capital:44,385 million Yen, Sales Total (Consolidated in FY 2007):659,215 million Yen, Employees (Consolidated):9,910 (As of March 31, 2008)
For further information, see www.mes.co.jp/english

Facts about Inbicon
Inbicon A/S is a company developing technology for conversion and refining of soft ligno-cellulosic biomass into fuel, feed and green chemistry products. Inbicon has operated a pilot plant since 2003 and is presently constructing a demonstration plant in Kalundborg, Denmark. The plant will convert wheat straw into ethanol, feed and lignin pellets and is scheduled to be in operation from the Copenhagen Climate Summit in November 2009. Inbicon is a subsidiary of DONG Energy A/S. For further information see www.inbicon.com


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Media Relations
Ulrik Frøhlke
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