Mascoma Lands Deal With Chevron to Produce Lignin, Ethanol

GreenTechMedia.com
Michael Kanellos September 14, 2009 at 11:25 AM

Mascoma, which wants to develop microbes that can convert woody biomass into ethanol, has signed a pretty important deal with Chevron Technology Ventures.

Under the deal, Chevron will supply feedstocks to Mascoma, and then Mascoma's microbes will convert the material into ethanol and lignin, the tough protein that protects plants. Chevron will then evaluate the results.

To survive and thrive, biofuel startups will invariably have to partner with the major fuel companies. Chevron already has an R&D alliance with Solazyme, which makes algal biodiesel. Shell has deals with 70 or so different alternative fuel companies, according to sources. Mascoma recently underwent some management changes. CEO Bruce Jamerson became chairman and also chairman of Frontier Renewable Resources, which is trying to raise money to build a plant in Michigan based around Mascoma's microbes. Mascoma is currently looking for a CEO.

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