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12 July 2007
Auckland, New Zealand, 12th July, 2007 – Genesis Research and Development Corporation Ltd (NZSX/ASX: GEN) today reported that expanded polyurethane foam has been produced from natural lignin extracted from shrubby willow grown by its subsidiary BioJoule.
The natural lignin was tested by a potential international customer and excellent results were shown for thermal conductivity and density. The customer has indicated interest in purchasing commercial quantities at a price that is consistent with the economic modelling developed by BioJoule. The initial samples of lignin have been prepared by small pilot scale processing. As BioJoule achieves further funding it intends to build a larger pilot scale processing plant that would allow process design and operating parameters to be optimised and would then enable construction of a commercial refinery. BioJoule Managing Director, Dr Jim Watson, said, “The production of urethane foam shows the potential to manufacture ‘green’ plastics from shrubby willow that is sustainably produced in coppicable plantations. This has the potential to reduce the need for petrochemicals in polyurethane production, thus improving the carbon footprint. BioJoule is also expanding its programme to review the use of lignin in a range of composite plastics. The opportunity to grow shrubby willow on low value land to produce ethanol as a transport fuel and other high value by-products such as lignin and xylose has the potential to solve a number of environmental and economic issues for New Zealand. A number of international groups have shown interest in collaborating with BioJoule.” “The use of Salix, which has a very high energy capture and conversion balance, and the production of multiple high-value products, is expected to create a much more economic biofuel business than using food grade corn to produce ethanol alone.” About BioJoule BioJoule is a subsidiary of Genesis Research that has been established to develop and commercialise technology for growing and refining shrubby willow to produce industrial materials such as ethanol, unsulphonated lignin and xylose. For more information, please visit www.genesis.co.nz Media contacts: Jim Watson, Managing Director – BioJoule Ltd, +64 21 554 222 Stephen Hall, Chief Executive - Genesis Research and Development Corporation Limited, +64 9 373 5600 |