- 20,000 liter scale-up achieved comparable performance
- Production capacity milestone moves the Company closer to full-scale commercialization
- Key milestone for strategic partner - Proctor & Gamble
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Nov. 7, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LS9, Inc., a technology leader in the development of renewable and sustainable products, today announced that it has successfully scaled its technology to the 20,000 liter scale, demonstrating continued progress in the scale-up and commercialization of its bio-based chemicals and fuels technology platform. From initial production of 1,000 liters at the Company's pilot plant in South San Francisco, California, LS9 has utilized a 20-fold step-up process to produce approximately one ton of a specific chemical for its strategic partner, Proctor & Gamble.
Through the first quarter of 2012, LS9 expects to make additional runs at the 20,000 liter level and continue to increase production to 50,000 liters with both their chemicals and fuels products. These increases in production runs will lead to the start-up of the 135,000 liter fermentation vessel at the Company's facility in Okeechobee, Florida. This will be the stepping stone to a commercial plant, which would require only a 4 or 5-fold further increase in scale. The Okeechobee facility is currently being retrofit and is expected to be online by the first quarter of 2012.
"Successfully achieving this increase in scale is a significant milestone for LS9 and as we look to open our Florida facility next year," said Ed Dineen, President and CEO. "This important achievement on our road to commercialization is the direct result of the innovation, determination and teamwork of our entire technology organization."
About LS9, Inc.
LS9, Inc. is a technology leader in the commercial development of a growing portfolio of sustainable products to meet the needs of fuel and chemical markets worldwide. Its unique technology platform enables low costs, feedstock flexibility and process simplicity across a diversity of fermentation-derived products ranging from vehicle-ready fuels to chemicals for lubricants, detergents and personal care products. In June 2010, LS9 was awarded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's highest environmental honor for its revolutionary technology. The company was founded in 2005 and is supported by funding from Flagship Ventures, Khosla Ventures, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Chevron Technology Ventures and BlackRock. LS9 is headquartered in South San Francisco, California, and further information can be found at www.ls9.com.
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