ZeaChem Feedstock
The availability of sustainable, cost effective and plentiful raw materials is the cornerstone for an economically viable cellulosic biofuel facility. The attacks on the economics of corn ethanol, along with the food vs. fuel debate, are avoided by ZeaChem's approach to feedstock management. The ZeaChem process is feedstock agnostic and can accept feedstock from a variety of sources including hardwood, softwood, switch grass and corn stover.
ZeaChem's analysis has shown the use of short rotation hybrid poplar trees for feedstock initially offers the lowest cost per bone dry ton (BDT)/acre/year. The feedstock inventory is stored on the stump until it is needed for conversion into ethanol or a chemical product, eliminating storage concerns. Short rotation hybrid poplar trees can be harvested as often as every three years, and require replanting only once every five harvests. Maintaining this high density energy crop approach minimizes the transportation costs associated with delivery to the plant.
ZeaChem has a contract with GreenWood Resoures (GWR) to obtain the feedstock. GWR is the nation's leader in hybrid poplar tree genetics and production. Contracting with GWR eliminates much of the feedstock price risk and ensures continuity of supply. Long term supply agreements through companies such as GWR ensure the availability of sustainable, economical and plentiful feedstock.
ZeaChem's "grow where you go" approach strategically locates commercial facilities in the markets they serve and minimizes the transportation and logistics costs of cellulosic biofuel and chemical production.