What Inbicon does

Inbicon is a proprietary second-generation (2G) biomass conversion technology that converts agricultural residues — including corn stover, wheat straw, sugar cane bagasse, and energy grasses such as switchgrass and miscanthus — into cellulosic ethanol and clean lignin. The process, co-developed in Denmark over nearly two decades, uses steam-reactor cooking followed by enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation to break biomass into C5/C6 sugars, which are then fermented, distilled, and dehydrated into cellulosic ethanol; lignin is separated without the salts or metals introduced by conventional methods. In 2025, the technology and its international patent portfolio were acquired by New Energy Blue LLC, which now wholly owns and globally licenses Inbicon alongside its New Energy Biomass Refinery design.

Inbicon's commercial application spans three end markets: low-carbon automotive and jet fuels (including sustainable aviation fuel), renewable plastics via bioethylene, and biobased materials derived from clean lignin (carbon fiber, asphalt binders, textiles, lubricants). The technology is positioned to exceed the 50% GHG reduction threshold required for D3 RINs and LCFS credits, supporting a carbon-neutral to carbon-negative lifecycle profile.

Inbicon operates as a licensing technology embedded within New Energy Blue's vertically integrated platform. New Energy Blue licenses the process and refinery design to enterprise customers globally (primary focus on the Western Hemisphere), while also operating company-owned reference facilities: the New Energy Freedom refinery in Mason City, Iowa (expected 2026) and New Energy Chemicals in Port Lavaca, Texas, which converts cellulosic ethanol into bioethylene for Dow and into SAF for airlines. Supporting the platform are partnerships with ARCO/Murray (construction), MetGen (enzymatic capabilities), and New Energy Farmers LLC (farmer-owned corn stover aggregation). Revenue is generated via technology licensing royalties and, from 2026 onward, product sales from owned refineries.

Name

Inbicon

Legal name

Inbicon

Website

https://inbicon.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Inbicon is a proprietary biomass conversion technology, wholly owned by New Energy Blue since 2025, that converts agricultural residues into cellulosic ethanol and clean lignin. It is licensed globally and serves fuel, chemical, and plastics enterprises building low-carbon biorefineries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biomass Conversion Technology

SIC

Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Cellulosic Biofuels & Renewable Fuels (2G ethanol, SAF intermediates) (IMAMALAA)

Keywords

• Biomass conversion technology
• Cellulosic ethanol production
• Clean lignin processing
• Agricultural residue refining
• Biofuel technology licensing

Headquarters

HQ city

Fredericia

HQ country

Denmark

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Technology Licensing: New Energy Blue licenses the Inbicon biomass conversion technology and the New Energy Biomass Refinery design to customers worldwide. This is the primary revenue stream, enabling third parties to build and operate their own biomass refineries using the proprietary process. Licensing covers the Inbicon technology platform and associated refinery design for converting agricultural residues into low-carbon biofuels and biochemicals.
2. Biomass Refinery Operations (New Energy Freedom): New Energy Blue operates the New Energy Freedom biomass refinery in Mason City, Iowa (expected to be operational in 2026), producing cellulosic ethanol and clean lignin for sale to fuel blenders, chemical companies, and materials manufacturers.
3. Bioethylene and SAF Production (New Energy Chemicals): New Energy Chemicals in Port Lavaca, Texas converts cellulosic ethanol from Iowa refineries into bioethylene for Dow's renewable plastics and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for airlines, targeting the projected $10 billion U.S. SAF market by 2030.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Inbicon is a proprietary biomass conversion technology, co-developed in Denmark over nearly two decades and now wholly owned and licensed by New Energy Blue. The process converts agricultural residues (corn stover, wheat straw, sugar cane bagasse, energy grasses) and other biomass into cellulosic ethanol (2G biofuel) and clean lignin via automated unloading, mechanical shredding, steam cooking, enzymatic hydrolysis of C5/C6 sugars, fermentation, and distillation/dehydration. It is offered to enterprise customers worldwide as a licensed package bundled with New Energy Blue's New Energy Biomass Refinery design for refinery-scale production of low-carbon biofuels and biochemicals.

Product overview

Inbicon is a biomass conversion technology that was co-developed in Denmark over nearly two decades. As of 2025, it is wholly owned and licensed by New Energy Blue. The Inbicon technology forms the core of New Energy Blue's New Energy Biomass Refinery platform, enabling the conversion of agricultural residues such as corn stover and wheat straw into cellulosic ethanol (2G biofuel) and clean lignin. The technology is offered alongside New Energy Blue's proprietary refinery design as a licensed package for global deployment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Inbicon Biomass Conversion Technology A proprietary bioconversion technology developed in Denmark over nearly two decades that processes agricultural residues (corn stover, wheat straw, sugar cane bagasse, energy grasses) and other biomass into low-carbon second-generation (2G) cellulosic ethanol and clean lignin for biofuels and biochemicals. Licensed globally by New Energy Blue to enterprise customers building biomass refineries.
• New Energy Biomass Refinery Design A proprietary commercial-scale refinery design that integrates the Inbicon biomass conversion technology. Licensed to enterprises worldwide as a turn-key package for producing cellulosic ethanol, clean lignin, bioethylene, and sustainable aviation fuel from agricultural residues.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,000,000 tons of fossil CO2 avoided per year from five refineries
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• New Energy Blue LLCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025New Energy Blue LLC acquired the Inbicon biomass conversion technology and international patent portfolio in 2025. The company now wholly owns and licenses the Inbicon technology worldwide. New Energy Blue has dedicated nearly two decades to co-developing and advancing the technology, which originated in Denmark, and offers it as part of its decarbonizing technology portfolio alongside the New Energy Biomass Refinery design.
• ARCO/MurraycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerARCO/Murray is the construction partner for building New Energy Blue's biomass refineries. The partnership involves designing and constructing facilities to produce sustainable fuels and chemicals. ARCO/Murray brings expertise in ethanol plant construction and large-scale industrial project execution, supporting the deployment of Inbicon-based refineries across agricultural regions.
• DowcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDow is a strategic commercial customer and technology partner. New Energy Blue formed New Energy Chemicals to sustainably produce bio-sourced ethylene for Dow's renewable plastics and carbon-zero jet fuel. Dow's Gulf Coast Pipeline access and future deep-water shipping access enable global SAF markets. The partnership positions Dow as an offtake customer for bioethylene while supporting New Energy Blue's expansion into sustainable aviation fuel production.
• New World Biomass Technology CampusminorOthersThe New World Biomass Technology Campus at the Freedom refinery in Mason City, Iowa serves as a hub for research and development, expanded U.S. operations, workforce training, and knowledge sharing. New Energy Blue plans to collaborate with local universities and area colleges to encourage research, education, and training in bioenergy from crop waste. The campus will have expanded laboratory facilities for downstream technology research.
• New Energy Farmers LLCcoreOthersNew Energy Farmers LLC is a biomass aggregation company jointly owned by Iowa farmers and New Energy Blue. Its purpose is to supply feedstock (corn stover) to the New Energy Freedom biomass refinery and support the build-out of other New Energy Blue refineries throughout Iowa and the American Midwest. The partnership involves farmers using best farming and cover-crop practices, with New Energy Blue making substantial investments in farm equipment to support the relationship.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Velocys: Fischer-Tropsch technology provider focused on converting biomass and waste gases into SAF and renewable diesel. Competes with Inbicon for SAF offtake contracts and end-customer relationships in the aviation decarbonization market.
• Iogen Corporation: Pioneer in cellulosic ethanol technology using enzymatic hydrolysis of agricultural residues, with a demonstration facility and ongoing technology licensing efforts. One of the longest-running direct competitors to Inbicon in the cellulosic ethanol technology space.
• Clariant (sunliquid): Developed the sunliquid cellulosic ethanol process for converting agricultural residues into 2G ethanol, with a demonstration plant in Germany. Directly comparable to Inbicon as a licensor of proprietary cellulosic ethanol technology targeting fuel markets.
• Gevo: Low-carbon hydrocarbon fuels and SAF producer pursuing renewable premium gasoline, sustainable aviation fuel, and renewable hydrocarbons. Overlaps with Inbicon in SAF and renewable chemical end markets using alcohol-to-jet pathways.
• Aemetis: Renewable fuels and chemicals company developing cellulosic ethanol from agricultural waste alongside renewable diesel and SAF. Competes with Inbicon in low-carbon biofuel production and infrastructure development.
• POET-DSM (Project Liberty): Joint venture between POET and Royal DSM operating Project Liberty in Emmetsburg, Iowa—the largest commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol facility in the U.S., converting corn stover into 2G ethanol. Directly comparable to Inbicon in feedstock, process chemistry, and target fuel markets.
• Praj Industries: Indian engineering and technology company offering its proprietary 'Enfinity' cellulosic ethanol technology platform for global licensing, converting agricultural residues into 2G ethanol. Directly competes with Inbicon as a licensor of biomass-to-ethanol process technology.

Regional players

• Raízen: Brazilian joint venture between Cosan and Shell operating one of the world's first commercial-scale second-generation cellulosic ethanol plants using sugarcane bagasse. Directly comparable process and feedstock to Inbicon but focused on the Brazilian market.

Emerging players

• Sunfire: German Power-to-X company producing e-fuels (e-kerosene, e-diesel) and green hydrogen using high-temperature electrolysis. Adjacent competitor targeting the same SAF and renewable chemical end markets via a different (electrolytic rather than biological) conversion pathway.
• LanzaTech: Gas fermentation company converting industrial off-gases (and more recently biomass-derived syngas) into ethanol that can be upgraded to SAF and chemicals. Provides an alternative carbon-to-ethanol pathway competing for SAF and renewable chemical offtake with Inbicon's bio-based process.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Inbicon