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AE Biofuels builds demonstration plant in Butte

March 4, 2008 /

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The MDT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program encourages and supports the participation of companies owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals in transportation contracts.

AE Biofuels Inc. http://www.aebiofuels.com/ , a California company that’s working to develop an international industry producing ethanol and biodiesel, has begun construction of a demonstration plant in Butte.

Todd Capser of Billings, director of project development for AE Biofuels, said the 9,000-square-foot plant will test an enzyme process used to convert a variety of plant-based materials into ethanol. The feedstocks include switch grass, straw and corn stalks, which will be used alone and in combination with a variety of starches and sugars.

Capser said the pilot plant, which is expected to go into operation during the second quarter of this year. It will test the enzyme process that AE Biofuels acquired last year.

By Tom Howard

Full Story: http://www.billingsbusiness.com/articles/2008/03/03/news/business/12-.txt