Frequently Asked Questions

Technology

What does SunEthanol do?
SunEthanol is commercializing a new, renewable energy solution for the transportation sector. Its technology converts almost any form of cellulose (e.g. corn stover, switchgrass, sugar cane bagasse, wood chips, recycled paper) to ethanol, a fuel for your car, using a naturally occurring microbe, "the Q Microbe™ technology".

What is Cellulosic Ethanol?
Cellulosic Ethanol is a transportation fuel that can come from any plant material.

Where did your microbe come from and is it dangerous?
The Q Microbe™ was discovered by Dr. Susan Leschine and Tom Warnick from UMass Amherst in soil found near the Quabbin Reservoir in Western MA. It is a naturally occurring anaerobic microbe and is not dangerous.

What is unique about SunEthanol's Technology?
SunEthanol has developed a unique industrial process that makes ethanol fuel from plants without the use of enzymes. This process is less costly and allows for the use of many types of plant feedstocks. SunEthanol has pioneered a one step "Consolidated Bioprocessing" (CBP) industrial process.

Why is cellulosic ethanol better than corn?
It is complementary with corn. Corn ethanol is a great solution to national self reliance but it cannot reach the country's goals for ethanol by itself. There is a billion tons of cellulose, also known as bio-mass available to make ethanol from. Plants grow. They store energy through photo synthesis. The energy is easier to get from corn but no different than the energy from corn stalks or trees or dandelions.

Organization

Who are the people and organizations behind SunEthanol?
A team of five seasoned entrepreneurs, along with Dr. Susan Leschine, a tenured professor of microbiology at UMass founded SunEthanol in the fall of 2006. They have partnered with UMass, and VeraSun a leading producer of corn ethanol fuel based in South Dakota. A group of investors, including VeraSun, Battery Ventures, Camros Capital LLC and LongRiver Ventures backs the company.

Why are you passionate about Cellulosic Ethanol?
SunEthanol's technology offers the prospect of helping America unhook from its dependence on Mid-Eastern oil. SunEthanol's technology may help create regional producers of transportation fuels using regionally available fuel feedstocks, including wood chips, recycled newspapers, and many others.

Is SunEthanol helping the US Government solve the energy crisis?
SunEthanol is currently under contract to the US Department of Energy (DOE) to refine its "Q Microbe™ technology" to help this country diversify its fuel feedstocks. The company is working in collaboration with the US Dept. of Agriculture and the EPA, as well.

How can I be involved to help SunEthanol?
SunEthanol is hiring a variety of technical professionals. Please visit the "About Us" section of this web site to learn more about job openings. SunEthanol is looking for passionate and professional team players in several areas of expertise.

How are you connected with Umass?
Umass is a partner with SunEthanol due to a negotiated license agreement for SunEthanol to be the exclusive, worldwide licensee of the technology.

Market

What is the Potential for SunEthanol's Business?
SunEthanol, along with its commercialization partners across the country is taking on the challenge of reaching our country's energy independence goals by making ethanol from CELLULOSE. SunEthanol will bring the Cellulosic Ethanol solution to the forefront of America's multi-fuel future.

How can SunEthanol help mitigate climate change?
The SunEthanol industrial process is carbon neutral; it is not producing more CO2 than the plants are absorbing. In addition, the emissions created in the combustion of transportation fuels made by the SunEthanol process are less polluting than current gasoline or diesel fuel combustion.

How will SunEthanol improve national security?
Currently 66% of the petroleum imported in the US is used for transportation. The billions of U.S. Dollars we send to the mid-east every year hurts our economy and our balance of trade. The country of Brazil is energy independent because of the ethanol made from its principal bio-mass feedstock, sugar cane bagasse.

When will SunEthanol and its partners produce Ethanol commercially?
SunEthanol is working in partnership with some large ethanol industry partners. It is targeting a pilot plant to be in operation in 2009. SunEthanol will supply the cellulosic industry with its Q Microbe™ technical know-how and the key components for a cellulosic ethanol bio-reactor platform.

How many ethanol plants will it take to replace all of our imported oil?
Currently there are about 100 ethanol plants producing in the US. There are another 50-75 under construction. The US government is now supporting the wide-scale development of cellulosic ethanol plants. It may take 1,000-1,500 plants at different levels of production with different bio-mass feedstock sources to meet our country's transportation fuel needs.

Finance

Who are SunEthanol's financial partners?
SunEthanol has a number of financial partners. These include: VeraSun Energy located in South Dakota, Battery Ventures in Silicon Valley, CA, Long River Ventures of Amherst, MA, Camros Capital LLC and a small number of private investors. The University of Massachusetts also has an equity stake in SunEthanol. It is from UMass that Dr. Leschine's innovative Q Microbe™ technology is licensed.

How will consumers benefit from SunEthanol's products?
Consumers want lower gasoline prices. Cellulosic ethanol holds the promise of being cheaper in price than gasoline in the immediate future. Because the fuel can be made in America, with American bio-mass feedstocks, the price can be protected as the world cost of a barrel of oil climbs. Consumers also benefit from knowing they are helping to reduce carbon emissions from cars and trucks.

Can I put ethanol in my car today?
There are over 6 million cars on the road today equipped with the fuel technology to use E85 (an 85% ethanol mixture). For about $150, any modern car can be retro-fitted to use E85 ethanol fuel. Ask your dealer if you car is E85 compatible.

When will E85 ethanol be available at gas stations?
The US Congress has recently passed legislation to encourage fuel stations to set up E85 pumps. However, in August 2007 it is still difficult to locate E85 stations in most states (except for IA and MN). This is another challenge to America. But with a little will and some great science, we will soon be stronger, safer and more supportive of our farmers.

How much money did you raise in this round?
We raised enough money to get through our first 12 months of R&D. We will be raising another round later this year.