Novozymes is the world leader in enzymes and microorganisms. With over 700 products used in 130 countries, its natural solutions are used for everything from removing trans-fats in food to advancing biofuels. Its commitment to innovation is evidenced by over 5,000 patents, showing what is possible when nature and technology join forces.

Novozymes is headquartered in Denmark and employs more than 5,000 people around the world. Franklinton, North Carolina, is home to the company’s North American operation, with 500 employees working in many areas of production and business.

Novozymes is not an ethanol producer, but the company’s innovative technology enables renewable fuels to be competitively produced. Two-thirds of all ethanol currently produced in the U.S. is based on Novozymes’ technology. The company has long been an industry leader in starch-based ethanol, and is also engaged in the largest project in its history to bring cellulosic ethanol to market. The February 2010 launch of the new generation of Cellic® enzymes provided the enzyme technology needed to produce commercially-viable ethanol from cellulosic material found in everything from corn cobs to municipal waste.

Novozymes realizes that biofuels play an important role in the world’s future, sustainable energy mix by reducing CO2 emissions, increasing energy independence, and improving the social and economic development of local communities.

A key component of Novozymes’ approach is developing strategic partnerships within the biofuel industry. The company is involved in collaborations with leading ethanol producers and several biofuels trade associations. Novozymes also works locally with groups such as the Biofuels Center of North Carolina, the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, and N.C. State University to help drive the deployment of sustainable biofuels.

Find out more at www.novozymes.com.

Biofuels mean business (The Robesonian)
When it comes to developing efficient and affordable biofuels, it’s not just about the environment—it’s about the economy, too—says biofuels champion W. Steven Burke, president and CEO of the Biofuels Center of North Carolina...

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Biofuels proposed presence in Duplin County (Wallace Enterprise)
The Jones County Civic Center welcomed farmers, foresters, land and business owners, government officials, and interested investors to the Regional Biofuels Forum...

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Center bolsters Board of Directors with new members
The Biofuels Center of North Carolina bolstered its prestigious Board of Directors by adding several new members on 14 September 2010 at its annual meeting held in Raleigh. New members include civic leaders and experts from industry, academia, non-profits, and state agencies...

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Center participates in N.C. Federal Environmental Symposium 
The Biofuels Center of North Carolina attended and participated in the North Carolina Federal Environmental Symposium, hosted by the North Carolina Military Business Center, at Wake Technical Community College...

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Center-funded equipment to be utilized at CCCC's new Sustainable Technologies Center
The Biofuels Center attended the ribbon-cutting at Central Carolina Community College’s new LEED-certified Sustainable Technologies Center in Pittsboro...

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Center staffer gives industry lecture at N.C. State University
Biofuels Center business development director Dr. Egle Thomas gave a lecture to a group of 30 students involved in the graduate-level Microbial Biotechnology program, led by Dr. Paul Hamilton at N.C. State University...

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Callair promoted to Center Vice President of Finance and Administration
Remona Callair, previously the director of finance and administration, has been promoted to vice president of finance and administration at the Biofuels Center of North Carolina...

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Center seeks Military Partnerships Director
The Biofuels Center of North Carolina is seeking applicants for the director of eastern and military partnerships opening...

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N.C. State University researchers receive grant to convert lignin into chemical feedstocks (Checkbiotech.com)
Researchers at N.C. State University have received a grant aimed at finding an energy efficient and environmentally friendly method for breaking down lignin—a renewable, energy-rich raw material found in plants—into feedstock for the petrochemical industry, which produces everything from fuel to pharmaceuticals...

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Weiser Energy Partners working toward renewable diesel plant in Fayetteville (Biofuels Digest)
Weiser Energy Partners is in discussions with city and county officials for the construction of the company’s first commercial, advanced biofuels facility producing renewable diesel—different from biodiesel—using wood waste and waste cooking oil as feedstocks...

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Asheville area training offered in biofuels careers (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry is holding a five-day training program in the biofuels industry and has space available...

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Biofuels could replace half of E.U. gasoline, study says (Bloomberg Businessweek)
Biofuels made from plant waste and municipal trash rather than food crops could replace more than half of gasoline used in the European Union by 2020, industry analyst Bloomberg New Energy Finance said today...

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Biofuels from inedible plant material easier to produce following enzyme discovery (BiobasedNews.com)
Researchers funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) have discovered key plant enzymes that normally make the energy stored in wood, straw, and other non-edible parts of plants difficult to extract...

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Study says cars built from 1994 to 2000 can handle E15 (Prairie Farmer)
Based on the engineering analysis performed, the conclusion of the Ricardo study is that the adoption of E15 as the blend limit for standard U.S. pump grades of gasoline should not adversely affect vehicles manufactured between 1994 and 2000 in terms of their performance and durability based on normal specifications and usage profile...

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Univ. of Illinois researchers discover alcohol-tolerant biofuel genes to drive efficiency (NewEnergyWorldNetwork.com)
A metabolic engineer from the University of Illinois has sequenced alcohol-tolerant genes and developed a strain of alcohol-tolerant yeast that is an another step toward improving the efficiency and economical production of biofuels...

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Arizona set to become center for algae-based, biofuels industry (Arizona Republic)
Arizona researchers are developing algae as a promising 21st-century alternative fuel to power cars, trucks, and planes...

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Solazyme to announce Navy contract for biofuels (Oakland Tribune)
In a big boost for biofuels, Solazyme is expected to announce that the U.S. Navy has ordered an additional 150,000 gallons of its algae-based fuel...

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Ethanol-powered vehicle wins automotive X-Prize (SustainableBusiness.com)
The X PRIZE Foundation awarded $10 million to three teams who successfully completed the Automotive X PRIZE, which began in 2008 to inspire a new generation of super fuel-efficient vehicles capable of achieving 100 miles per gallon or the energy equivalent (MPGe)...

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Researchers at N.C. State University are taking an interdisciplinary approach to tailoring energy canes for North Carolina’s biofuels production needs. Energy canes represent grasses in the “sugarcane complex” and include sugarcanes, miscanthus, and their hybrids. However, instead of growing these crops for sugar, they are now being developed for high biomass production. Perennial, cold-hardy species in this complex have considerable potential as bioenergy crops in North Carolina. These crops can be used for production of fiber composite products, as forage for livestock, and ultimately as a feedstock for cellulosic ethanol production.

Energy canes are characterized as having broad adaptability, high water and nitrogen use efficiencies, excellent pest resistance, and considerable biomass production. Due to associations with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, these plants can achieve high yields with minimal nitrogen fertilizer input and are ideally suited for marginal lands. Because energy canes are perennial, require low inputs, and can be bred to be non-invasive, they are sustainable and environmentally friendly. Low production costs, high yields, and broad market potential present favorable profit potential throughout multiple business channels.

Evaluation trials across North Carolina are underway to evaluate regional adaptability, biomass yields, fertilizer responses, and sustainable production systems. Breeding efforts are focusing on the development of new high-yielding, non-invasive cultivars with regional adaptability and improved cold hardiness. In the lab, research is progressing to optimize and improve cellulosic ethanol bioprocessing, specifically for energy canes. From field to fuel tanks, these efforts are driving new bioenergy crops to serve North Carolina’s diverse energy and economic needs.

N.C. State University graduate students in Horticultural Science, Soil Science, and Biological and Agricultural Engineering are involved in this project. These students are working on plant breeding, crop production practices, and bioprocessing as part of their graduate programs.

For more information about this research, contact Dr. Thomas Ranney at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Military Growth Task Force communications director Colleen Maloney discusses the military's strong interest in biofuels with Biofuels Center communications manager Shane Reese. 

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Triangle Biofuels president Zack Hamm discusses his company and the future of biodiesel with Biofuels Center communications manager Shane Reese.

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The Biofuels Wiki is a one-stop, collaborative site where reliable knowledge about liquid renewable fuels can be found—think of it as a biofuels encyclopedia on the Internet. To add or edit content on the site, click here to register.


Triangle Clean Cities Coalition
Founded in 1999, the mission of the Triangle Clean Cities Coalition (TCCC) is to accelerate the use of alternative fuels and advanced transportation technologies to improve air quality and energy security...

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RIN
The U.S. RFS2 uses the RIN (Renewable Identification Number) to track biofuels...

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Wake Tech Advanced Automotive program
At Wake Technical Community College in Raleigh, North Carolina, workshops on biofuels technologies are offered each semester...

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Biogasoline
Biogasoline is a "drop-in" biofuel that can be used interchangeably in all gasoline engines...

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Patriot Biodiesel
Patriot Biodiesel was established in February 2008 as a local, commercially sized biodiesel manufacturer that provides pure biodiesel (B100) of the highest quality...

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30 September 2010 -
2010 Bioenergy Field Day
Oxford, N.C.

21 October 2010 -
Energy Policy Council Meeting
Raleigh, N.C.

22 October 2010 -
AgBiotech Industry Round Table
Research Triangle Park, N.C.