Celtic distils biofuels

Celtic Renewables, a spin-out from Edinburgh Napier University, has signed an agreement with Bio Base Europe Pilot Plan in Ghent, Belgium. The agreement will allow the company to commercialise its process of turning whisky by-products into biofuels.

The company’s concept produces biobutanol from whisky waste known as draff – the spent grains – and pot ale – the liquid residue from copper stills. The process is based on research conducted at Edinburgh Napier’s Biofuel Research Centre. As part of the agreement, the company will work towards reproducing its work in the lab on an industrial scale.

Celtic Renewables and Bio Base hope that the technology will allow current cars to use the biofuel as a direct replacement for petrol and diesel without the need to modify engines.

Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant is a pilot test facility for the bio-based economy. The plant hosts a range of equipment specifically to scale up bio-based processes to industrial scale. It enables companies to assess operating costs, specific strengths and weaknesses of new processes before large-scale investments in their own facilities are made.

Martin Tangney, president at Celtic Renewables, said: “Our ambition to grow a sustainable, international industry from Scotland requires strong partnerships and we are delighted to be working with Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant, to help us complete the next, crucial stage in our development.”