GranBio and RYAM Sign MOU to Explore Cellulosic SAF Project at Jesup Facility

GranBio LLC, a pioneer in biochemicals and biofuels, announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc, the global leader in cellulose specialty products, to jointly explore the development of a small-scale commercial cellulosic Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) facility co-located at RYAM’s Jesup, Georgia site. Under the agreement, GranBio will lead the proposed project to deploy its proprietary AVAP® technology to convert lignocellulosic biomass into second-generation ethanol, which will be upgraded into SAF for sale to an offtaker. The new facility would leverage RYAM’s infrastructure at the Jesup plant, including feedstock, utilities, and logistics. The project will be partially financed through GranBio’s $100 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. In addition to advancing its strategic goal of maximizing value from existing assets, should the project proceed, RYAM would receive a license to GranBio’s latest-generation Celer2L™ yeast and AVAP® technologies for ethanol and sugar production at its own facility, in partnership with GranBio - a meaningful step in diversifying into high-growth biofuel and biochemical markets. “This MoU aligns with our strategy to unlock new value from our core assets and expand into renewable markets where our infrastructure and technical capabilities create a competitive advantage,” said De Lyle Bloomquist, President and CEO of RYAM. “GranBio brings world-class technology to this partnership, and together we’re exploring practical, scalable solutions to help decarbonize global aviation fuel markets.” “I am very pleased to strengthen our collaboration with RYAM and work toward our joint goal of developing clean energy solutions, while improving the communities in which we work,” said Luiz Oliveira, CEO of GranBio. “At Jesup, we will leverage our complementary capabilities in the development of a cost-effective, scalable solution for the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuels.” This first-of-its-kind project marks a major milestone in GranBio’s strategic goal of systematically scaling up SAF production, with strong potential for replication. The due diligence is expected to conclude later this year, at which point both parties will determine next steps. The MoU underscores both companies’ commitment to sustainability, innovation, and the development of next-generation biomaterials and fuels.

GranBio is back into profit

GranBio through AVAPCO receives $80 million grant from the D.O.E.

The Department of Energy announced that it will award an $80 million grant to AVAPCO, LLC, a GranBio Company, in support of the U.S. Government’s initiative to advance the use of cleaner and more sustainable fuels in aviation as outlined in the new SAF Grand Challenge Roadmap. AVAPCO is a subsidary of GranBio, an industrial biotechnology company with more than 300 patents in the field of biofuels, biochemicals and biomaterials and operating facilities in Thomaston, Georgia and Alagoas, Brazil. In 2016, the company received a $4.7 million grant for a Phase 1 pilot demonstrating the conversion of woody biomass into SAF, Naphta, Biodiesel, and nanocellulose. Phase 1 was successful according to the DOE and now a larger plant capable of producing 1.2 million gallons of SAF annually will be built. After the operation of the Demo Plant, GranBio plans to replicate the technology at commercial scale as a leading producer and licensor of fully integrated biomass to SAF plants.

2nd generation biofuel takes its first steps with great growth potential