Enerkem's Edmonton waste-to-biofuel facility receives registration approval from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to sell its ethanol under the U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard

• First ever EPA approved municipal solid waste-to-cellulosic ethanol production plant
• Allows Enerkem to sell into largest biofuel market in the world

MONTREAL, Nov. 7, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - Enerkem Inc. (www.enerkem.com), a world leading waste-to-biofuels and renewable chemicals producer, announced it has received approval from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to sell cellulosic ethanol produced at its Edmonton, AB, Canada facility under the U.S. Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS).

Enerkem's state-of-the-art advanced biofuels facility has successfully completed all the necessary steps required by the EPA and is the first ever municipal waste-to-cellulosic ethanol plant to receive approval to sell in the United States. Under the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act, 16 billion gallons of cellulosic biofuels are to be blended in the conventional transportation fuel pool by 2022.

"With this EPA approval, we are now able to sell one of the lowest-carbon transportation fuels into the world's largest biofuels market," says Vincent Chornet, President and Chief Executive Officer of Enerkem. "This provides further validation of Enerkem's leading position in the global race to decarbonizing the transportation fuel sector, which is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions."

The EPA's rigorous registration process seeks to ensure that the stringent regulatory requirements of the U.S. RFS are met. Enerkem is now registered for D3 Renewable identification numbers (RINs) credits. These RIN credits are purchased by U.S. refiners to comply with the U.S. RFS program. The EPA has established that cellulosic biofuels reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 60% when compared to gasoline.

Earlier this year, Enerkem expanded its Edmonton biofuel facility to produce some 13 million gallons of cellulosic ethanol annually following the commissioning of its methanol-to-ethanol conversion unit. This pioneering facility has been financed by private sources and received funding support from Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), Alberta Innovates and Alberta Energy.

About Enerkem
Enerkem produces biofuels and renewable chemicals from waste. Its disruptive proprietary technology converts non-recyclable, non-compostable municipal solid waste into methanol, ethanol and other widely-used chemical intermediates. Headquartered in Montreal (QC), Canada, Enerkem operates a full-scale commercial facility in Alberta as well as an innovation centre in Quebec. Enerkem's facilities are built as prefabricated systems based on the company's modular manufacturing infrastructure that can be deployed globally. Enerkem's technology helps diversify the energy mix and make everyday products greener while offering a smart, sustainable alternative to landfilling and incineration.
www.enerkem.com

SOURCE Enerkem Inc.