Industrial biotech company changes name, plans bio-isoprene production
ERJ staff report (LMH)
Cupertino, California-- AE Biofuels Inc., an industrial biotechnology company producing renewable chemicals and advanced fuels using patented microbes and processes, said that its shareholders have approved a change of name from AE Biofuels Inc. to Aemetis Inc.
The company said in a 15 Nov news release that "Aemetis" means "The One Prudent Wisdom," referring to the prudence and wisdom of replacing petroleum with renewable sources of chemicals and fuels, and the name reflects the biotechnology focus of the company.
The Aemetis Biorefinery technology platform is based on a unique patented aerobic marine organism (the "Z-microbe") and propagation process that enables Aemetis to produce a variety of specialty biochemical and renewable fuels products for large markets using renewable feedstocks.
A report in Ethanol Producer magazine claimed that the company plans to produce a renewable form of isoprene for rubber production by using the Z-microbe to convert corn.
Aemetis holds 4 granted patents and 14 pending patents on its microbial and enzymatic technology and production processes. Aemetis currently operates a 55 million gallon per year ethanol plant in Keyes, California and a 50 million gallon capacity biofuels plant in India.
"Our scientists and operations teams at Aemetis are focused on the development and commercialisation of innovative industrial biotechnologies that produce advanced chemical and renewable fuel substitutes for traditional petroleum-based chemicals and fuels," stated Eric McAfee, CEO of Aemetis in the news release.
He added, "By expanding existing first-generation biofuels plants to produce high-margin chemicals and advanced fuels, our technology platform helps biofuels companies increase their operating margins, decrease margin volatility, and diversify feedstocks and products."
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Press release from Aemetis
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