ST. LOUIS, July 8, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CleanTech Biofuels, Inc. (OTCBB:CLTH), an early-stage provider of technology to convert municipal solid waste into sustainable biomass for renewable energy production, has announced a joint research agreement with Fiberight, LLC (Fiberight), to establish the anticipated yields and operating costs from using biomass produced by CleanTech Biofuels (CleanTech) for the production of ethanol using Fiberight's proprietary enzymatic processes. Under the agreement, CleanTech will provide approximately 2000 pounds of biomass feedstock derived from municipal solid waste from the City of Chicago to use in Fiberight's conversion technology.
"This research agreement with Fiberight is another step towards validating the use of our biomass as a feedstock for energy production," said Ed Hennessey, CleanTech CEO. "Our combined technologies are capable of turning the garbage from our communities into clean renewable energy. In a market where energy demand continues to grow and the cost of handling waste continues to increase, CleanTech is ideally situated to bring its technology to municipalities, solid waste haulers, operators of landfills, and materials recovery facilities."
According to Fiberight CEO, Craig Stuart-Paul, preliminary tests using the CleanTech biomass in the Fiberight system have been encouraging, with anticipated ethanol yields in excess of 80 gallons per ton of biomass used. He added, "The success of these initial runs leads us to believe that biomass produced by CleanTech may be an ideal feedstock for our ethanol production technology."
On April 28, 2009, CleanTech announced that an initial test vessel had demonstrated the operational capability of its technology to process municipal solid waste into biomass for renewable energy production. CleanTech is now offering its biomass technologies to cities, solid waste haulers and landfill operators to produce biomass for a wide array of energy production, including electricity generation and biofuel production.
The 2007 Energy Act requires 21 billion gallons per year of biofuel production by 2022. Meeting that mandate will require heavy reliance on cellulosic biomass, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Biomass is also projected by the Department of Energy to account for about one-half of the projected growth in renewable electricity sources by 2030, exceeding solar, wind and geothermal renewable energy sources combined.
About CleanTech Biofuels
CleanTech Biofuels, Inc. is an early-stage company offering cities and landfill operators its technology to convert municipal solid waste into energy products. The company expects to achieve profitability quickly by using existing infrastructure for municipal solid waste collection and disposal to operate at a low or possibly negative feedstock cost. Additionally, this gives CleanTech economic advantages over other alternative energy producers, who must spend time and money developing infrastructure to collect and transport their already more expensive feedstocks before commercializing their technologies.
The CleanTech Biofuels, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=6359
About Fiberight, LLC
Fiberight, of Lawrenceville, VA, has been a leader in the conversion of cellulosic waste fiber into renewable biofuel. Fiberight's management has extensive experience developing new technological approaches in the biofuels and recycling industries, and they have applied that experience to innovative renewable energy solutions. The company has successfully demonstrated its unique process of converting waste fibers into biofuel through enhanced fiber separation technology. Its proprietary methodology begins with municipal solid waste as a feedstock, and then efficiently sorts and transforms waste into cellulosic fibers which are then extracted into biofuel through a unique energy recovery system. The company recently opened a 50,000-square-foot plant in Virginia to demonstrate its proprietary process for converting waste into biofuel.
Safe Harbor
This news release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The risks and uncertainties that may affect the operations, performance development, and results of the Company's business include but are not limited to fluctuations in financial results, availability and customer acceptance of our products and services, the impact of competitive products, services and pricing, general market trends and conditions, and other risks detailed in the Company's SEC reports.