Algenol Biofuels Opens State-of-the-Art Labs in Lee County, Florida

Algenol Biofuels Inc. celebrated the opening of its new state-of-the-art biofuels and green chemistry lab and R&D facility today in Fort Myers, Fla. The 40,000 square-foot facility houses an advanced algae biology, engineering, carbon dioxide (CO2) and green chemistry laboratory, as part of the larger Lee Integrated Biorefinery. The facility was made possible with a $10 million incentive grant from the Lee County Board of Commissioners. Speakers at the ribbon cutting event included U.S. Rep. Connie Mack (R-Fla.), Lee County Commission Chairwoman Tammy Hall, Lee County Commissioner Ray Judah and Algenol Founder and Chief Executive Officer Paul Woods.

The facility will house Algenol's advanced biology and engineering laboratories and operations. An adjoining 4 acre outdoor R&D area and 36 acre outdoor commercialization area will hold the company's proprietary photobioreactors—the containers that generate ethanol from algae, saltwater and CO2 using Algenol's patented Direct to Ethanol™ technology. In addition to producing low-cost ethanol, Algenol is beginning to work on related projects, such as using its ethanol and other green chemicals as a replacement for petroleum in plastic and chemical building blocks. Furthermore, Algenol has formed a partnership with a local university, Florida Gulf Coast University, to assist in establishing programs for students interested in pursuing careers in the green chemistry and biofuels industries.

Algenol Biofuels, Inc. is a privately owned company founded in 2006. It recently made a series of announcements including the award of a $25 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, in concert with its partner on the Integrated Biorefinery project, The Dow Chemical Company. Algenol also announced a partnership with The Linde Group to develop CO2 capture and management technologies to increase biofuel production from algae, and a joint development agreement with Valero Services, Inc.

Source : Press Release