OTTAWA, June 28: When leaders of the world’s major industrialized nations meet next week, their cars will run on a blend that contains a fuel made from straw, which its Canadian makers say can help in the battle against climate change.
Ottawa-based Iogen Corp. uses enzymes to produce cellulose ethanol from straw or other agricultural waste, while conventional ethanol, widely used in the United States, Canada and Brazil, is made from corn or sugar.
Iogen says its ethanol reduces greenhouse gases emissions by 90 percent compared to gasoline, and is a good way to reduce dependence on imported oil.
“The message we’re trying to send is that cellulose ethanol is really ready to go,” Iogen CEO Brian Foody told Reuters.
“This is an excellent illustration of changes that can be made that don’t have to change peoples’ lifestyles, don’t change the kinds of cars they drive, but can yet make significant improvements.”
A test of its fuel, and a chance for publicity, comes at next week’s meeting of the Group of Eight in Scotland, where climate change is on the official agenda.—Reuters
