Clariant, a specialty chemical company based in Muttenz, Switzerland, recently signed the acceptance for its new DIEFFENBACHER unit in the sunliquid® plant in Podari, Romania. The plant processes straw into cellulosic ethanol, better known as second-generation bioethanol (2G ethanol). Clariant had commissioned the German machine and plant manufacturer with the delivery and installation of the straw reception and processing machinery.
The straw bales, which come from throughout the Oltenia region where the plant is located, are opened, shredded and cleaned using the DIEFFENBACHER equipment. A DIEFFENBACHER ClassiCleaner cleans the shredded straw before it is processed further for bioethanol production. The DIEFFENBACHER scope of supply included the complete machinery, from bale reception and opening, to the shredding, screening and cleaning, to the conveyor, exhaust system and plant electrics and control.
The prepared straw is converted into cellulosic ethanol using Clariant’s proprietary sunliquid® technology. Biofuel has many applications, including as a drop-in solution for fuel blending.
