ZeaChem has developed a cellulose-based biorefinery platform designed to produce advanced fuels and intermediate chemicals from renewable biomass. The company uses an indirect approach intended to improve yields and reduce CO2 emissions compared with traditional cellulosic processes, and it claims a significant capital cost advantage versus other cellulosic technologies. ZeaChem emphasizes efficient energy extraction from biomass to increase output while lowering production costs and environmental impacts. It operates a research and development laboratory in Menlo Park and is headquartered in Lakewood, Colo. The company is bringing a 250,000 GPY integrated demonstration biorefinery in Boardman, Oregon, online beginning in 2011 and is developing commercial biorefineries for advanced biofuels and bio-based chemicals. Currently ZeaChem has strengthened its financial position through a $19 million Series C financing to support commercialization. ZeaChem develops biorefineries to convert renewable biomass into sustainable fuels and chemicals, with a specific focus on cellulosic ethanol production. The company signed a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy to receive a $25m grant from the EERE Biomass Program funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The funding will be used to construct and operate a cellulosic ethanol production capability that produces ethyl acetate, the chemical precursor to ethanol. ZeaChem plans to begin producing cellulosic ethanol in 2011 at a 250,000 gallon-per-year biorefinery to be located in Boardman, Oregon. The company was incorporated in 2002 and also operates a research and development laboratory facility in Menlo Park, California.

Total raised

$44M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Series C

Latest activity

Oct 2011