DAVIS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Novozymes was awarded a USD 12.3 million contract from the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) today to improve the enzymes necessary to produce cellulosic ethanol. Novozymes’ project DECREASE (Development of a Commercial-Ready Enzyme Application System for Ethanol) aims to improve the performance of Novozymes’ most advanced enzyme system, to further reduce the cost of cellulosic ethanol production. Under the terms of the 2.5-year contract Novozymes has committed to increase the efficiency of the enzymes used in the conversion of cellulosic biomass to ethanol by two-fold. In combination with internally funded research and development to reduce enzyme production costs, this work will enable Novozymes to supply new and even more cost-efficient commercial cellulases in pilot, demonstration, and commercial plants by 2012. Novozymes will match the DoE funding dollar for dollar, bringing the total investment of the research project to USD 25 million.
