Multi-feedstock for bioethanol

Bioethanol is alcohol which has been produced through the fermentation of raw materials containing sugar and starch. VERBIO ist converting grain, which in a first step is ground and then mixed with water.

Enzymes convert the grain starch into sugar, which in turn is transformed into alcohol during fermentation. We are currently the only manufacturer of bioethanol in Europe using rye to produce bioethanol on a large scale for the fuel industry.The rye we purchase from the farmers nearby our plants

As with biodiesel the most important consumer is the mineral oil industry, which processes bioethanol in its refineries into fuel additives (ETBE or TAEE) for use in conventional fuel. According to the standard DIN EN 228 petrol may contain up to 5 per cent bioethanol without the need for any special labelling. Further marketing possibilities are the fuel mixtures E50 or E85, which contain respectively 50 or 85 per cent ethanol. They are used by car pool operators and at filling stations for Flexible Fuel Vehicles.

In the production process for bioethanol alcohol-free mash, the so-called distilling waste, continuously accumulates. This contains up to ninety percent of water and valuable grain particles. It is currently used as fertiliser in agriculture. In the future, however, the distilling waste shall be used in our own bio gas plants to generate energy. The bio gas plants should be completed in the fourth quarter of 2007.