In the news:
Originally published January 26, 2012 at 2:48 PM | Page modified January 26, 2012 at 10:10 PM
Feds set conditions on $232M loan to Oregon biorefinery
The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Thursday announced conditional approval for a $232.5 million loan guarantee to Zeachem Boardman Biorefinery to help finance a 25 million gallon-a-year plant in Oregon to turn that turns cellulose into ethanol fuel and chemicals.
Seattle Times staff reporter
The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Thursday announced conditional approval for a $232.5 million loan guarantee to Zeachem Boardman Biorefinery to help finance a 25 million gallon-a-year plant in Oregon to turn cellulose into ethanol fuel and chemicals.
Currently, Zeachem is building a demonstration biofinery in Boardman, Ore. Part of the facility began operating earlier this year. But a key component, which will break down cellulose from wood or farm products into sugars, has yet to be completed.
Zeachem plans to convert the wood-derived sugars into high-value chemicals and ethanol.
To gain the federal loan guarantee for the larger commercial operation it plans, Zeachem must meet specific conditions tied to the performance of the demonstration plant.
Zeachem officials say the total cost of the commercial biorefinery will be $390.5 million. It will use poplar as well as wheat straw and other agricultural residues.
