Waste-to-ethanol company Enerkem has inaugurated its first full-scale municipal waste-to-biofuels and chemicals facility in Edmonton, Alberta (pictured).
This facility, operated by Enerkem Alberta Biofuels, is among the world’s first commercial facilities to be built for the production of renewable chemicals and advanced biofuels.
The facility will have a production capacity of up to 38 million liters per year, will help the city of Edmonton increase its residential waste diversion rate to 90%, and is expected to generate net economic spending in the local area of nearly C$65 million ($59 million) annually.
Biomethanol production will begin progressively during the biorefinery’s startup. The company will add a module converting the biomethanol into advanced ethanol by the end of 2015.
Enerkem is among the companies to make the most recent Global Cleantech 100 list and report, compiled by Cleantech Group, recognizes the companies most likely to have a significant market impact over the next five to 10 years, according to the global consulting firm. It is also also one of the top three innovating companies Lux Research profiled in the third quarter of 2013.