EWING, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Proterro, the only biofeedstock company that makes sucrose instead of extracting it from crops or deconstructing cellulosic materials, is featured in a series of 2014 SynBioBeta industry reports.
“The importance of sugar as an industrial feedstock will grow as industrial biotechnology platforms are commercialized and the world transitions to a bioeconomy,” states the Proterro report, as it outlines challenges faced by sugar-producing countries, and asks:
“What if sucrose could be produced without the massive land, water, labor, and refining requirements inherent to agricultural methods? What if sugar could be produced closer to where it is needed? What if farmers could focus on growing food?”
The report describes Proterro’s potential as an answer to those questions, through discussion of its platform, process, patents, productivity and pricing projections, status and plans. “The market thinks drop-in fuels are the Holy Grail of industrial biotechnology, but a drop-in feedstock [from Proterro] could be even more advantageous,” states the report.
Discussing the economics of Proterro’s process – which uses CO2, sunlight and water, and integrates sugar-producing cyanobacteria with a photobioreactor for cultivating them – the report explains that “a unique cost structure” is presented by Proterro’s modular platform.
“Capital expenses are limited to relatively simple infrastructure requirements and constructing bioreactors. Operating expenses are largely comprised of the cost of utilities and labor...The continuous process requires minimal upkeep, while costs are further minimalized by...a simple, modular production system,” the report continues.
Citing risks and milestones, the report concludes: “Lowering the costs of industrial sugar feedstocks would unlock the massive potential and value of renewable fuels and biobased chemicals while simultaneously making the Earth’s arable land more valuable for food production...
“The world needs next-generation technologies that are insulated from the numerous pitfalls of annual agricultural harvests. Engineered cyanobacteria that monetize waste carbon dioxide, sunlight, and water to enable low-cost, decentralized, and ultra-productive sucrose harvesting could unlock value throughout the bioeconomy.”
For information on SynBioBeta and its 2014 industry reports, please visit SynBioBeta Reports. Proterro CEO Kef Kasdin is scheduled to speak at SynBioBeta San Francisco on Nov. 14, 2014.
For more information about Proterro and its patented sugar-making process, visit www.proterro.com.
Proterro is a trademark of Proterro, Inc. Any other names of actual companies, organizations, entities, products or services may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
