In addition to providing others with de-risking
services, MBI also has a pipeline of new bio-based technologies at
various stages of development. MBI
has the rights to commercialize these technologies. Please contact
us for more information about accessing these technologies. Included
below are the late stage technologies in our pipeline:
AFEX — Ammonia Fiber Expansion
A significant challenge in efficient
biomass conversion into fuels and product is the pretreatment
step, which breaks down the recalcitrant biomass, making it susceptible
to enzyme hydrolysis followed by efficient fermentation.
MBI is
collaborating with Michigan State University (MSU) and MSU inventor,
Professor Bruce Dale on AFEX pretreatment technology. MBI has
the exclusive license for the AFEX pretreatment technology, a
method that is effective for a variety of biomass feedstocks,
including corn stover, corn fiber, switchgrass, wheat straw and bagasse.
AFEX is compatible with high solids enzyme and fermentation processing,
produces minimal waste streams, and operates under relatively mild conditions
compared to other pretreatment methods. MBI is actively optimizing,
de-risking and scaling up continuous AFEX pretreatment.
We are
also teamed with Professor Larry Leistritz at North Dakota State
University and Professor Larry Drzal at Michigan State University
to develop value added products from cellulose fibers, and with
Dr. Kurt Rosentrater of North Central Agricultural Research Laboratory
and South Dakota State University to develop value added products from
biorefinery by-products.
MBI is actively seeking commercial partnerships
for the AFEX platform for cellulosic biofuels and bioproducts.
Succinic acid has been widely recognized as a versatile
intermediate for the production of solvents, chemicals, and materials
that can displace current petrochemical feedstocks.
(Adapted from U.S. Department of
Energy Top Ten Chemicals from Biomass Report)
MBI is a technology leader in fermentation-based succinic
acid. MBI has systematically de-risked the production process by making
improvements to the microbial strain, fermentation, and recovery steps.
MBI isolated and patented a novel bacterium, Actinobacillus succinogenes, and
has re-engineered its metabolism to increase productivity, improve yield,
and reduce by-products. The fermentation process has been optimized
to allow for direct integration into existing bio-refineries. Effective
recovery processes have been developed to address diverse end-user criteria.
MBI is actively seeking commercial partnerships for
its biobased succinic acid platform.
Fumaric acid has been widely used as a food
additive and is recognized as a versatile intermediate for
the production of bio-based polymers. Fumaric
acid can potentially replace maleic anhydride in various applications.
MBI
is developing a patented fermentation and recovery process for
a bio-based fumaric acid. This fermentation process
is being optimized for high productivity and quality. Pilot scale
quantities will be available in 2009.
MBI is actively seeking
commercial partnerships for its biobased fumaric acid platform.
Fumaric Acid