Ethanol Technologies

Name

Ethanol Technologies

Legal name

Ethanol Technologies Limited

Website

https://ethtec.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cellulosic Ethanol Technology

NAICS

Ethyl Alcohol Manufacturing (325193)

akta.pro primary industry

Cellulosic & Advanced Ethanol Production (2G/3G) (EUAAAHAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Biofuel Co-products & Byproduct Processing (DDGS, Glycerin, CO2, Lignin) (EUAAAHAJ), Biofuel Plant EPC, O&M & Process Technology Providers (EUAAAHAK)

Keywords

• Cellulosic ethanol production
• Biomass conversion technology
• Diesel ethanol blend
• Biorefinery development
• Renewable fuel licensing

Headquarters

HQ city

Ingham

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Technology Licensing: Future licensing revenue from the Ethtec Process to agricultural and forestry industries. The technology can be integrated with existing operations (sugar cane mills, timber operations) to convert waste biomass into ethanol.
2. Ethanol and Co-product Sales: Production and sale of ethanol fuel and other fermentation products (such as xylitol and chemical precursors for bioplastics). Lignin co-product used as renewable solid fuel for heat and power generation.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Ethanol Technologies (Ethtec) develops and commercialises a second-generation cellulosic ethanol production process (the Ethtec Process) that converts non-food lignocellulosic biomass such as sugar cane bagasse, crop stubbles and forestry waste into ethanol and high-value co-products. The four-phase proprietary process combines acid hydrolysis, simulated moving bed chromatography for acid/sugar separation, genetically modified yeast fermentation, and a combined product recovery and waste treatment system that produces no liquid effluent or solid waste. The company also offers Diesohol, an emulsifier-based diesel-ethanol fuel blend that enables ethanol to be blended with diesel without separation for use in existing and adapted diesel engines.

Product overview

Ethanol Technologies (Ethtec) is developing and commercializing a second-generation cellulosic ethanol production technology through two core offerings: the Ethtec Process (a four-phase biomass conversion technology) and Diesohol (a diesel-ethanol fuel blend). The Ethtec Process converts lignocellulosic biomass into ethanol and other high-value fermentation products through acid hydrolysis, sugar separation, fermentation, and product recovery. The company operates a pilot plant at the Hunter Pilot Biorefinery in Muswellbrook, NSW, which serves as the centerpiece for demonstrating and commercializing these technologies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ethtec Process A four-phase second-generation cellulosic ethanol production process that converts lignocellulosic biomass (sugar cane bagasse, crop stubbles, forest material) into renewable fuels and chemicals through concentrated sulphuric acid hydrolysis, simulated moving bed chromatography for acid/sugar separation, genetically modified yeast fermentation, and a combined product recovery and waste treatment step that produces no liquid effluent or solid waste. Designed for integration with existing sugar cane mills or forestry operations without interfering with primary production.
• Diesohol A diesel-ethanol fuel blend using patented emulsifier technology that allows ethanol to be blended with diesel fuel without separating over time. Enables 15% by volume ethanol blends in existing diesel engines with no or only minor adaptation, and up to 30% ethanol blends with engine adaptation. Reduces diesel particulate matter emissions by approximately 30% and smoke emissions by approximately 50% compared to standard diesel fuel.
• Hunter Pilot Biorefinery (Ethtec Pilot Plant) A scalable pilot plant facility located at the Hunter Pilot Biorefinery in Muswellbrook, NSW that demonstrates the Ethtec Process. The first two phases have been completed with majority of technical risks addressed, and phases three and four are being completed in partnership with the University of Newcastle. It is the first bio-renewables research facility of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.

Quantifiable outcome

• Diesel particulate matter (DPM) emission reduced by approximately 30% when operating on diesohol compared to diesel fuel
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Muswellbrook Shire CouncilmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2018Partner in the Hunter Pilot Biorefinery project. Muswellbrook Shire Council welcomed the NSW Government investment for the biorefinery construction.
• Apace (in Hunter Biorefinery context)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2018Co-partner with Ethtec, the University of Newcastle, and Muswellbrook Shire Council in the Hunter Pilot Biorefinery project.
• Apace Research LimitedcoreTechnology or IntegrationEthtec is the exclusive worldwide technology licensee of Apace Research Limited. Apace is a not-for-profit company and Approved Research Institute incorporated in NSW in 1979 to research and develop renewable energy technologies. Dr Reeves was Managing Director and Chief Chemist of Apace.
• University of NewcastlecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEthtec has partnered with the University of Newcastle to complete the final two phases of the Pilot Plant Project. The partnership involves research collaboration and the pilot plant has been relocated to the Hunter Pilot Biorefinery in Muswellbrook.
• BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA)majorTechnology or IntegrationComprehensive evaluation of diesohol in a heavy duty engine conducted in association with Caterpillar and BP Australia. Field trials at Sarina and Hay Point operations.
• CaterpillarmajorTechnology or IntegrationHeavy duty engine testing of diesohol fuel using Caterpillar 51.8 litre turbocharged V12 engine in collaboration with BMA and BP Australia.
• BP AustraliamajorTechnology or IntegrationHeavy duty engine testing of diesohol fuel in collaboration with BMA and Caterpillar.
• North Queensland Bio-Energy Corporation Limited (NQBE)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMr Robert Michael Carey is Chairman of NQBE, which is developing a renewable energy project in Ingham, north Queensland that has received Queensland State Government's 'Significant Project' declaration status.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Praj Industries: Indian engineering and process technology provider offering 2G cellulosic ethanol technology (Enfinity) for agricultural residues. Directly comparable as a 2G ethanol technology licensor targeting sugar mills and agricultural waste, similar go-to-market to Ethtec.
• Raízen: Brazilian sugarcane processor operating one of the world's largest 2G cellulosic ethanol plants using sugarcane bagasse. Highly comparable as a 2G ethanol producer from lignocellulosic biomass via integrated sugar mill operations.
• GranBio: Brazilian 2G ethanol technology developer using sugarcane bagasse and straw. Directly comparable cellulosic ethanol process technology targeting sugar/ethanol producers in similar feedstock geography to Ethtec.

Emerging players

• Gevo: US low-carbon fuel company developing renewable ethanol, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and hydrocarbon fuels. Comparable as a low-carbon ethanol/fuel technology play, though Gevo is more focused on alcohol-to-jet and isopropyl alcohol pathways rather than pure cellulosic ethanol.
• Aemetis: US renewable fuels company with a cellulosic ethanol ('Riverbank') project plus renewable diesel. Comparable as a developer of low-carbon ethanol and renewable diesel using biomass and waste feedstocks, though earlier-stage in commercial scale.
• LanzaTech: Carbon recycling company producing ethanol from waste gases via gas fermentation. Adjacent comparator as a low-carbon ethanol technology company, though feedstock (industrial off-gases) differs from Ethtec's lignocellulosic biomass approach.
• Infinium (formerly Greyrock Energy): Producer of low-carbon fuels including e-fuels and renewable gasoline/diesel from captured CO2 and hydrogen. Comparable as an emerging low-carbon fuels technology developer targeting the heavy-duty transport decarbonization market Ethtec is also pursuing.
• SunFire: German e-fuels and Power-to-Liquids company producing synthetic fuels from renewable electricity and CO2. Comparable as an emerging low-carbon fuel technology company addressing diesel/hard-to-abate transport decarbonization.

Broad incumbents

• Neste: Global leader in renewable diesel (HVO/My) and SAF. Represents the dominant incumbent competing for diesel displacement mandates, offering a different pathway (hydrotreated vegetable oils) to the same decarbonization opportunity Ethtec targets with diesohol.

Others

• Apace Research Limited: Not-for-profit Australian research institute that developed the core Ethtec Process technology and licenses it to Ethtec. Closely related party rather than competitor, but central to understanding Ethtec's IP base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ethanol-technologies-limited

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ethanol Technologies