A Sustainable Future
– Steve Mirshak, global business director, DuPont Cellulosic Ethanol
Our world is changing fast—and growing even faster. By the year 2050, over nine billion people will need access to clean water and renewable energy. Sustainability is a responsibility that DuPont takes very seriously. We believe our range of renewable energy solutions is capable of making significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
Greenhouse gas emissions reduced by up to 129%
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Renewable Fuel Standard Program (RFS2) Regulatory Impact Analysis of February 2010, first generation corn-to-ethanol plants have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 52% over petroleum-based fuels. Second-generation ethanol made from cellulosic feedstocks (e.g., switchgrass), agricultural residues (e.g., corn stover), or wood forest residues may reduce greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 129%, compared to gasoline.
And right now, we are investing in a new commercial production plant, which will have the capacity to produce up to 27.5 million gallons of ethanol. This will use corn stover as a feedstock. Our commitment to sustainability extends to sourcing corn stover from local farmers within a radius of 30 miles from the plant.
DuPont wins 2012 Sustainable Biofuels Award
In March 2012, our contribution to sustainability was recognized by independent industry experts, when DuPont was awarded the 2012 Sustainable Biofuels Award for our stover harvest collection program in the category of Sustainable Feedstock Innovation.
Quantifying the environmental benefits
The breadth of resources within DuPont enables us to perform complex analyses on our technologies throughout each stage of production. Methodologies like Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) can help quantify the environmental implications of biorefinery options.
From feedstock to fuel, sustainability helps drive our development program. Decreasing our dependence on fossil fuels is a key part of our strategy to help solve the urgent challenges of a rapidly growing global population.
Learn more about DuPont’s inclusive approach to sustainability.
Read the DuPont position statement: Balancing the Needs for Sustainable Food and Energy
DuPont supports Fuels America, a coalition of organizations committed to protecting America’s Renewable Fuel Standard and promoting the benefits of all types of renewable fuel already growing in America. Learn more at fuelsamerica.org.
