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07/03/2008 06:47 AM
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Solazyme's Algae-Based Biodiesel Passes ASTM Specs
SustainableBusiness.com News
Solazyme announced that its microalgae-derived renewable diesel has passed American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D-975 specifications. The fuel, called SoladieselRD, is the first algal-based renewable diesel to meet these standards.
The fuel's chemical composition is identical to that of standard petroleum based diesel, and SoladieselRD is fully compatible with the existing transportation fuel infrastructure. Having fewer particulate emissions, SoladieselRD also has a more desirable environmental footprint than standard petro-diesel. In addition, it meets the new ASTM ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) standards.
"This now marks the production of our second fuel that meets current U.S. fuel specifications and is an important validation of our proprietary process using microalgae to produce renewable fuels," said Jonathan Wolfson, CEO of Solazyme. "Solazyme's leadership in the green fuels space will continue to grow as we now execute on our strategy for commercial launch."
Solazyme has partnered with Chevron to incorporate its fuel into existing infrastructure, according to a report on the blog Kicking Tires.
Solazyme president and co-founder Harrison Dillon said, "Transportation fuel has to be manufactured at a low-enough cost that it can compete with petroleum. Right now it's a matter of either building or retrofitting the manufacturing plants, which will take time."
Solazyme implements a unique microbial fermentation process that allows algae to produce oil in massive vessels quickly, without sunlight. The process can utilize many forms of non-food feedstocks, including waste glycerol and many cellulosic materials including wood chips, corn stover and switchgrass. The resulting oils can be used across a wide variety of industries and applications, including fuels, edible oils and chemicals and are completely biodegradable and nontoxic.
About Solazyme
Solazyme, Inc. is a synthetic biology company unleashing the power of aquatic microbes to create clean and scalable solutions for biofuel, industrial chemical, and health & wellness markets. The company was founded in 2003 and has its headquarters in South San Francisco, Calif.
Website: http://http://www.solazyme.com
