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Gevo process technology licensed for renewable isobutanol production in Argentina

| By Mary Page Bailey

Gevo, Inc. (Englewood, Colo.; www.gevo.com) has announced that Porta Hnos S.A. (Cordoba, Argentina; www.portahnos.com.ar) has signed a letter of intent to become the exclusive licensee of Gevo’s GIFT process technology in Argentina to produce renewable isobutanol. Gevo is said to be the world’s only commcerial producer of renewable isobutanol. Porta produces liquor, vinegars and has a corn ethanol plant, with a capacity of 120 m3 per day.

"Isobutanol’s versatility and hydrocarbon-like properties make it an ideal renewable fuel and chemical for Argentina, and Gevo’s GIFT technology is the most efficient way to produce it," said Fernando Porta, vice president of Porta Hnos. "Porta is already a leading ethanol producer in Argentina and we would like to expand our footprint to other high-value renewable alcohols such as isobutanol."

"Commercial licensing of our GIFT technology in the US and abroad is the next step in Gevo’s business model and we are very pleased to be working in Argentina with an industry leader like Porta," said Patrick Gruber, Gevo’s chief executive officer. "Commercial licenses demonstrate the value of Gevo’s GIFT technology to the market place and enables a low-capital route to building out renewable isobutanol capacity globally."