THE BIOTECHNOLOGY FACILITIES AT SOUSTONS FOR BIOMASS CONVERSION

Abstract

A technical description of the large scale biotechnology facilities for biomass conversion at Soustons (Landes, France) is presented. The equipments, designed for versatility and operational flexibility, include the basic units for implementing the individual steps of lignocellulosic biomass enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation: steam explosion pretreatment, aerobic fermentation for cellulase production, enzymatic hydrolysis, anaerobic fermentation. The main results of the large scale development of a process for production of acetone-butanol from lignocellulosic agricultural residues are presented as well as other experimentations in the field of biomass valorization. In this area the present programme is directed to conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into ethanol but the activity of the facilities also includes development work and experimental productions in a wide range of industrial fermentations.