Environmental impact

In today’s growing efforts to limit global warming, action to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, especially in the transport sector, where GHG emissions are still increasing, is inevitable. Cellulosic ethanol, an advanced biofuel, presents a low-emission, carbon-neutral solution.

Clariant’s sunliquid® is a highly innovative and sustainable technology to produce cellulosic ethanol and cellulosic sugars from agricultural residues such as cereal straw, corn stover, or sugarcane bagasse. No fossil-based energy sources are required in the sunliquid® process, as it obtains all of its energy from the combustion of residual flows, mainly lignin that remains after extracting the cellulose from the lignocellulose and is, therefore, energy self-sufficient. Taking carbon capture into consideration, the greenhouse gas savings could reach up to ~120%. Vinasse can be used as an organic fertilizer and brought back to the field, thus providing a tangible example of a circular economy.

For more details on the use of co-products click here.

Benefits for the environment

• Taking carbon capture into consideration, the greenhouse gas savings could reach up to ~120%
• Support of the transformation from a fossil-based economy to a bio-based circular economy
• Establishment of an energy self-sufficient, highly sustainable production process for cellulosic ethanol by using co-products lignin and vinasse
• Creation of a sustainable and competitive source of domestic renewable energy in the EU