Clariant is building a new commercial-scale plant for the production of cellulosic ethanol from agricultural residues based on the sunliquid technology. The plant with an annual capacity of 50,000 tons of cellulosic ethanol will be located in Podari near Craiova in the southwestern part of Romania. Clariant is investing more than EUR 100 million in its first sunliquid plant. The project receives more than EUR 40 million funding from the European Union, the company announced.

Cellulosic ethanol is an advanced, truly sustainable and nearly carbon-neutral biofuel that can readily be used in our existing car and energy infrastructure. It is produced from agricultural residues such as wheat straw, which are sourced from local farmers.

The first-of-its-kind facility will generate new green jobs, business opportunities and economic growth in a rural area. With the flagship plant, Clariant intends to demonstrate that the commercial production of cellulosic ethanol on the basis of the sunliquid technology is technically feasible, economically viable and competitive.

By building the new plant, a new bio-based value chain built on agricultural residues will be established in the region, providing a tangible example for a successful circular economy approach. At the same time, this plant lays the foundation for a wide-scale implementation of advanced biofuels production in Europe and for a more sustainable energy supply in the European transport sector.