Abengoa to launch its first demonstration Waste-to-Biofuels (W2B) plant in Babilafuente, Spain

The production of bioethanol from municipal solid waste represents a major technological advance in the waste management model.

27-6-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Abengoa (MCE: ABG.B), the company that applies innovative technology solutions for sustainability in the energy and environment sectors, today inaugurated its demonstration plant that uses Waste-to-Biofuels (W2B) technology. The plant has a capacity to treat 25,000 tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) from which it will obtain up to 1.5 million liters of bioethanol for use as fuel.

The demonstration plant located in Babilafuente (Salamanca, Spain) uses W2B technology developed by Abengoa to produce second-generation biofuels from MSW using a fermentation and enzymatic hydrolysis treatment. During the transformation process, the organic matter is treated in various ways to produce organic fiber that is rich in cellulose and hemicellulose, which is subsequently converted into bioethanol.

The production of bioethanol from municipal solid waste is a major technological breakthrough in the waste management model, since it increases the recovery rate, minimizes the carbon footprint and generates major benefits for society. It is a renewable and clean source of energy that helps to cut our dependency on fossil fuels while reducing greenhouse gas emissions per kilometer travelled by 70%. Furthermore, it maximizes the recovery of the organic fraction of the MSW and prevents more than 80% of the waste ending up in landfill.

W2B technology also generates green jobs, encouraging regional and national economic growth while contributing to the country’s balance of payments, preventing imports.

During the opening, Manuel Sánchez Ortega, CEO of Abengoa said, “This plant once again highlights Abengoa’s commitment to technological research and innovation, which has enabled it to maintain a competitive advantage in its sectors, leading projects with huge technological potential and programs that involve world-leading research centers and strategic partners”.

The bioethanol produced at the W2B plant has multiple uses such as an additive for gasoline, increasing its octane rating; as fuel for cars; for use in the chemicals and pharmaceutical industry (in solvents or cosmetics, for example), and even as an intermediate product in producing jet fuel.

With this new plant, Abengoa is reasserting its commitment to the environment and sustainable development, especially in the biofuels sector, consolidating its leadership position and its innovation this field.

About Abengoa
Abengoa (MCE: ABG.B) applies innovative technology solutions for sustainability in the energy and environment sectors, generating electricity from renewable resources, converting biomass into biofuels and producing drinking water from sea water. (www.abengoa.com)

Communication Department:

Patricia Malo de Molina Meléndez.
Tel: +34 954 93 71 11
E-mail: communication@abengoa.com

Investor relations

Bárbara Zubiría Furest.
Tel: +34 954 937 111
E-mail: ir@abengoa.com

http://blog.abengoa.es/

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Abengoa to launch its first demonstration Waste-to-Biofuels (W2B) plant in Babilafuente, Spain