LanzaTech deal in China

LanzaTech deal in China

LanzaTech was founded in early 2005 to develop, and commercialize proprietary technologies for the production of lowest cost fuel ethanol and high value chemicals from a variety of low-value, high volume gas resources including industrial off gases and gasified municipal waste or biomass.

Gases produced during the manufacture of steel are an exciting resource for fuel and chemical production via the LanzaTech Process.

Today, around 50% of the world’s steel is produced in China, home to four of the top 10 steel producers in the world. The use of ethanol as a transport fuel in China is well established. These facts, combined with the strong desire of China to improve the carbon efficiency of its industrial sector and use non-food resources for the production of ethanol, make China an ideal market for the LanzaTech gas to ethanol process.

LanzaTech’s technology is attracting increasing interest in China. Dr Sean Simpson, co founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Lanzatech explains: “Since my first meeting in Beijing in November last year, we have come across significant interest in China for our technology. China is leading the world in terms of Industrial output and Clean Tech development and investment. New Zealand was the first Western country to sign a free trade agreement with China. We are actively focused on the commercialisation of our technology in China and contributing to the development of clean and low carbon technology for China. “

The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the leading science institution and development centre in natural science, industrial technology and high-tech innovations in China is renowned for its position as a scientific research base and incubation centre for promoting new technology industries. A delegation from CAS led by Director Zhibin Zhang (Director of the Bureau of Life Sciences and Biotechnology) visited the LanzaTech laboratory and Pilot Plant (operating at a steel mill in New Zealand) during a tour of scientific research institutes in New Zealand at the beginning of March.

“As the preeminent research and development organization in China, we would like to bring cutting edge technology to China no matter where it is originated from. We look forward to collaborating with LanzaTech to bring its world class technology to China”, Director Zhang said.

“CAS is the most respected scientific body in China, “Dr Simpson says. “ We were very honoured to have the delegates visit our facilities in Auckland”.

At the end of the visit, CAS and LanzaTech signed a Letter of Intent on a number of projects including both technology services and technology innovation. Dr Simpson anticipates that this relationship will be of great mutual benefit to both parties.

ENDS

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