Shell and Codexis expand collaboration on biofuels

Royal Dutch Shell plc (The Hauge, Netherlands; www.shell.com) and Codexis, Inc. (Redwood City, Calif.; www.codexis.com) have announced an expanded agreement to develop better biocatalysts that could accelerate commercialization of next generation biofuels.  Shell also increased its equity stake in Codexis and will take an additional seat on the company’s board.
As part of the agreement, Codexis will work closely with Shell and Iogen Energy Corp. (also see Shell and Iogen to accelerate a next generation biofuel)  to enhance the efficiency of biocatalysts used in the Iogen cellulosic ethanol production process.  The world-leading Iogen demonstration plant in Ottawa, Canada currently produces hundreds of thousands of liters of cellulosic ethanol from agricultural residue, such as wheat straw. 
The research program with Codexis aims to enhance the Iogen process and shorten the timeline to its full-scale commercial deployment.  Iogen’s technology uses biocatalysts to break down the cellulose in agricultural fiber and convert it to sugars, which are then fermented and distilled into ethanol.
The new Shell-Codexis deal also continues the collaboration announced in November 2007 to investigate other biofuels, researching new biocatalysts to convert biomass directly into components similar to gasoline and diesel.  Codexis will expand research at a center in the U.S. and at a new center in Budapest, Hungary.