MBI Hosts Symposium for Bio-Based Technologies

On August 25th MBI International sponsored a symposium entitled “Developing Bio-based Fuels, Chemicals and Materials: A Collaboration of Land Grant Universities, Government, and Industry”. The Symposium showcased several of the technologies being developed at MBI and Michigan State University, in collaboration with other universities, government agencies and industrial partners. A major focus was the development of the Ammonia Fiber Expansion (AFEX) process for pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass. The AFEX process was initially developed by MSU professor Bruce Dale. MBI has collaborated with Dr. Dale for several years on development of the AFEX process and is constructing a prototype reactor at the MBI facility in the University Corporate Research Park. AFEX represents a platform technology for conversion of cellulosics to biofuels, chemicals and biocomposite materials.

The Symposium was attended by more than 60 guests from across the United States, and was opened by Congressman Mike Rogers (Michigan, 8th District). Congressman Rogers stressed the importance of developing sustainable bio-based technologies in order to reduce the U.S. dependence on petroleum. Other notable guests included Dr. Kurt Rosentrater (USDA-ARS), Dr. John Kirby (Director, Agricultural Experiment Station, South Dakota State University), Shane Goettle (North Dakota Department of Commerce), Jeff Weisfening (North Dakota Department of Agriculture), Dr. D.C. Coston (Vice-President, College of Agriculture, North Dakota State University), and James Turner (State Systems Administrator for Senator Carl Levin, Michigan).

Details of the program and links to the presentations can be found below.

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Symposium Program (PDF)

MBI Bio-based Technologies Development (PDF)
Dr. Bernie Steele
Director, Operations, MBI International

Developing a Biomaterials Industry in North Dakota (PDF)
Larry Leistritz
Distinguished Professor of Agribusiness & Applied Economics
North Dakota State University

Bio-based Nanocomposites: Challenges and Opportunities (PDF)
Lawrence T. Drzal
Distinguished Professor, Dept. of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science
Michigan State University

Michigan State University and Bio-based Technologies (PDF)
Bryan Ritchie
Associate Director for External Strategy, Office of Biobased Technologies
Associate Professor of International Relations, James Madison College
Co-Director, Michigan Center for Innovation and Economic Prosperity

Improved Uses and Values for the Byproducts of the Developing Biofuels Industry:  The USDA-ARS, SDSU and MBI Consortium (PDF)
Kurt Rosentrater
Agricultural & Bioprocess Engineer
North Central Agricultural Research Laboratory

Economic and Land Use Benefits of Animal Feed Co-Production with Cellulosic Biofuels (PDF)
Bruce Dale
Associate Director, Office of Biobased Technologies
Professor of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
Faculty Adviser, MSU Biomass Conversion Research Laboratory

Regional Biomass Processing Centers (PDF)
Joe Carolan
Department of Agricultural, Food and Resources Economics

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