Launch of a 2nd-generation biofuel project in France

In light of the growing scarcity of oil resources, biofuels constitute an alternative solution, since they can serve as a complement to fossil fuels. As part of its policy aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the European Union is requiring that renewable energy sources be increased to 10% of global fuel volume by 2020. Unlike first generation biofuels, the production of second-generation biofuels uses only the non-edible part of the plant. The French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA; Paris, France; www.cea.fr) is launching the first phase of a project to build a biomass conversion pilot unit that will transform agricultural and forestry residues into second-generation biofuel, in Bure Saudron, which is located 80 km from Nancy in northeastern France. The CNIM group (Constructions Industrielles de la Méditerranée; Paris; www.cnim.com) will be the project’s general contractor. Air Liquide (Paris, France; www.airliquide.com), a partner on this project, will be supplying key technologies needed to transform synthesis gas into biofuel.   Air Liquide Engineering and Construction teams (notably through its subsidiary Lurgi GmbH (Frankfurt, Germany; www.lurgi.com) are responsible for coordinating some of the technical…