South African Workshop Presentations

Presenter: 
Antonio LLobell

PlantBio trust, the South African national innovation center for plant biotechnology, has bio-fuels as one of its priority areas for investment. PlantBio’s strategy in this area is based on the integration of both upstream (production of feedstock) and downstream (processing of feedstock to generate fuel) processes, being sustainability one of the key drivers for investment. Energy balance, economic viability, environmental impact and social value are the main aspects considered in the evaluation of projects. Non competition with food crops and the potential to accelerate rural economic development in South Africa, are also essential considerations.  Up to date, the main area of investment is the production of bioethanol using different types of feedstock. Biodiesel, biogas and products derived from chemical treatment of biomass are also aspects included in our bio-fuels portfolio.

First and second generation feedstock are being explored for ethanol production in different regions of South Africa. In parallel, we have also funded crop improvement initiatives.  The main crops considered are sugar/energy cane, sugar beet, sorghum, millet and triticale. The project portfolio covers a set of integrated approaches from agronomic trials and breeding programs to the improvement of feed stock processing, and from funding bio-prospecting efforts aiming at identifying novel enzymes for lignocelluloses degradation to investment in industrial ethanol producing facilities using first generation feedstock.