We are developing products and processes that replace petroleum-derived carbon resources with plant-derived renewable resources. The resulting biofuels are one of several instruments to reduce global dependence on oil.

Athenix provides genes and enzymes for the bioconversion of biomass, such as corn stover, straw and distillers dried grains (DDG), into biofuels. We have developed processes to release sugars from various biological substrates including corn stover, straws from other crops and industrial by-products like corn fiber and DDG.

Athenix has developed an efficient and biologically compatible process to release sugars from lignocellulosic material for further conversion by fermentation.

Ethanol
Ethanol is an alternative to petroleum-based fuels. Athenix technology can provide solutions to creating ethanol from biomass, such as corn stover. This green ethanol production can provide farmers with additional uses for crops.

Athenix can provide effective methods to break down plant biomass into simple sugars that can be converted into ethanol. Athenix technology can also release simple sugars from cellulose and hemicellulose quickly and efficiently.

Biodiesel
Biodiesel is a clean burning alternative fuel with lower emissions than conventional diesel.

Athenix is developing a stream of hydrocarbons from photosynthetic organisms which can be used as a biologically derived petroleum, such as biodiesel.

U.S. DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
http://www.eere.energy.gov/

Energy Biosciences Institute
http://www.energybiosciencesinstitute.org

U.S.D.A. Economic Research Service - Bioenergy Feature
http://www.ers.usda.gov/features/bioenergy/

Biotechnology Industry Organization
http://www.bio.org