Low-cost, concentrated sugar production from lignocellulosic feedstocks

In the last few years, sugar is emerged as the main feedstock to derive several potential biofuels and chemicals. The cost availability of these fuels/chemicals are vastly depends on the source of sugar. Currently most of the processes are based on sugar from corn, sugar cane and sheet beets, etc. use of such food-derived raw materials is not sustainable. Lignocellulosic sugar is sustainable however is not economical compared to other food-based feedstocks. We are developing technologies to produce low-cost sugar from lignocellulosic biomass feedstocks which are not part of nation's food supply and are readily available. Based on the pilot results, we hypothesize that sugar cost should be less than 25 cents/lb which will make it competitive with the 1st generation food based sugars.