Thesis Chemistry has announced plans to build a biorefinery center in Nevada, IA, that will produce chemicals from corn stover.
“Thesis plans to produce a platform of sustainable aromatic chemicals from corn stover lignin, sourced as a byproduct of cellulosic ethanol production in Iowa,” says CEO Chris Forslund. “Thesis would be the first in the nation to produce these chemical products from renewable biomass.”
Approximately 95% of all chemicals manufactured today are derived from petroleum, according to a company news release. “Since 2007, Thesis has invested in the development of innovative, proprietary technologies that allow for the unprecedented transformation of renewable biomass into sustainable chemicals,” the release reads. “The products of this technology are identical to petroleum-based substances in all respects with the exception of feedstock origin.”“Thesis plans to produce a platform of sustainable aromatic chemicals from corn stover lignin, sourced as a byproduct of cellulosic ethanol production in Iowa,” says CEO Chris Forslund. “Thesis would be the first in the nation to produce these chemical products from renewable biomass.”
Thesis chose a 40-acre site within the Nevada’s West Industrial Park and hopes to build a pilot manufacturing facility in conjunction with the Iowa Energy Center’s Biomass Energy Conversion Center, also located in the park. A research and development lab facility and corporate headquarters office building also are planned. The company presently is based in Cambridge, Ontario.