Cobalt Technologies, a specialist in commercialising biobutanol as a renewable fuel and chemical, has had its first facility formally opened by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
“It is great companies like Cobalt that will help California meet our greenhouse gas reduction targets under AB 32 and our Low Carbon Fuel Standard,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “Cobalt shows us that what is good for the environment can also be good for the economy. In fact, within the next few years, Cobalt has plans to build an even larger plant that will create 1,300 permanent jobs. I want that plant and those jobs right here in California.”
Cobalt biobutanol uses non-food feedstock, such as forest waste and mill residues, and its technology reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 85 per cent compared to gasoline. A 12 per cent blend of Cobalt biobutanol with gasoline, already permissible under US EPA guidelines, complies with the requirements of California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard.
Cobalt’s form of biobutanol, n-butanol, can be used as a standalone fuel; blended with gasoline, diesel and ethanol; converted into jet fuel or plastics; or sold as is for use in paints and coatings. Butanol contains more energy than ethanol and is less polluting. In addition, it is a drop-in fuel, and is fully compatible with today’s automobile engines and pipeline infrastructure.
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