By Greentech Lead America: Gevo, a renewable
chemicals and next generation biofuels company, has partnered with VP Racing
Fuels, a provider of performance fuel technology and high-quality specialty
fuel blends, to jointly evaluate the commercial potential for isobutanol in a
wide array of markets.
The partnership enables the companies to initially assess
market opportunities, positioning and distribution channels to
commercialize renewable fuels for outdoor power equipment.
Through this partnership, the companies will
develop a product line of renewable, high-performance, isobutanol-based fuel blends
for the small engine market.
“We look forward to exploring the potential of an
isobutanol version of renewable, branded and private-label packaged fuels for
retail. Isobutanol’s unique low-water solvency and noncorrosive characteristics
in small engine fuels potentially will offer consumers a high-performance,
renewable biofuel for a wide variety of small engine applications,” said
Alan Cerwick, president, VP, Gevo.
Gevo is planning to start up its first isobutanol plant
in Luverne, Minn. and looking forward to bringing another first to the
industry, isobutanol-based blends for small engine fuels.
“VP is recognized as a leader in performance fuel
technology with more than 70 fuel blends for motorsports as well as fuels for
small engines and hobby fuels for radio-controlled cars, airplanes and
helicopters. Supplying isobutanol for a new line of value-added, high
performance fuels is an exciting proposition for Gevo,” said Patrick
Gruber, CEO of Gevo.
Recently, Gevo signed a Joint Development Agreement
that follows an off-take and marketing agreement with Land O’Lakes Purina Feed
a wholly-owned subsidiary of Land O’Lakes, a national, farmer-owned and
agricultural cooperative.