The University of Tennessee Research Foundation announced today it will be partnering with DuPont to built a pilot biorefinery and research and development facility for cellulosic ethanol in Vonore, Tenn.

The facility, which is slated to begin operations in December 2009, will convert corn stalks, cobs and fiber and switchgrass into cellulosic ethanol and will produce 250,000 gallons of cellulosic ethanol annually, said UT President John Petersen.

UT will join with DuPont Danisco Cellulosic Ethanol LLC, a joint venture between DuPont and the Copenhagen-based Danisco, which manufactures food ingredients and sugars.

"We are extremely pleased to collaborate with DDCE," Dr. Petersen said. "The technical breadth and execution capabilities of DuPont Danisco, along with the backing of their parent companies, raise the national and international profile of the Tennessee Biofuels Initiative and confirm the State of Tennessee as a leader in the development of cellulosic ethanol."

In 2007, the state Legislature allotted $40.7 million to build a pilot biorefinery. That money will be added to an investment from DuPont Danisco to construct the research facility. Serious talks between DuPont Danisco and UT began a little more than a month ago, Dr. Petersen said.

“Biomass ethanol research and production is fundamental to positioning Tennessee to take advantage of the economic opportunities of the future.” he said.

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