News
13 August 2018

Towards a renewable LPG?

The CFBP and Global Bioenergies announce the success of a series of tests on including renewable isobutene in domestic bottled gas

Evry, 14 September 2015 – The Comité Français du Butane et du Propane (CFBP), the industry organisation representing gas supply distribution companies Antargaz®, Butagaz® Finagaz®, Primagaz®, Vitogaz® and Campingaz®, together with Global Bioenergies (Alternext Paris: ALGBE) today announce a partnership to incorporate renewable isobutene in commercial butane. Compatibility of the renewable isobutene produced by Global Bioenergies with commercial bottled butane offers new potential to contribute towards reaching France's CO2 emissions reduction target. The development also opens up new markets for IBN-One, the first large-scale renewable isobutene production plant which is due to start production in France in 2018.

Butane, propane and isobutene are also known as LPG (liquefied petroleum gases). They are extracted from natural gas or from crude oil refining. In bottled form, these gases are used by 10 million out of a total 18 million French households that are not connected to the natural gas network. There is currently no renewable source of butane. According to current regulations, butane gas in bottled form may contain a high proportion of isobutene. Hence, converting biomass resources to isobutene constitutes an attractive solution to extend renewable energy to bottled gas, which in turn would contribute towards achieving the French 2030 target of increasing the share of primary energy consumption from renewable sources to 32%. The CFBP and Global Bioenergies announce the start-up last July of a series of tests based on a batch of isobutene from renewable sources, produced by Global Bioenergies at its pilot site in Pomacle (Marne, France). The tests focused on the product's compatibility with the logistics chain and domestic appliances (stoves …). Joel Pedessac CEO of the CFBP, says: "At this stage, the tests show that renewable isobutene produced by Global Bioenergies is compatible with commercial butane. The CFBP is keen to continue this collaboration to enable the addition of renewable energy in bottled gas in the short term.” According to Marc Delcourt, CEO of Global Bioenergies: "Blending isobutene from renewable resources into domestic bottled gas is a practical and everyday application of benefit to a large number of households." Bernard Chaud, CEO of IBN-One, states: "The domestic gas market represents an additional outlet for IBN-One, together with biofuels and chemicals. Construction on this first renewable isobutene production plant is due to start in France in 2017.

About GLOBAL BIOENERGIES

Global Bioenergies is one of the few companies worldwide, and the only one in Europe, that is developing a process to convert renewable resources into hydrocarbons through fermentation. The Company initially focused its efforts on the production of isobutene, one of the most important petrochemical building blocks that can be converted into fuels, plastics, organic glass and elastomers. Global Bioenergies continues to improve the performances of its process, operates its industrial pilot, has begun the construction of its demo plant in Germany, and prepares the first full-scale plant through a Joint-Venture with Cristal Union, named IBN-One. The company also replicated its achievement to propylene and butadiene, two members of the gaseous olefins family, key molecules at the heart of petrochemical industry. Global Bioenergies is listed on Alternext, Euronext Paris (FR0011052257 – ALGBE). Should you like to be kept informed, subscribe to our news feed on www.global-bioenergies.com.

Follow us on Twitter: @GlobalBioenergi

GLOBAL BIOENERGIES

Bernard CHAUD
Head of Industrial Strategy
Phone: +33 (0)1 64 98 20 50
Email: bernard.chaud@global-bioenergies.com

About the COMITE FRANÇAIS DU BUTANE ET DU PROPANE

A non-profit organisation under French Law, the Comité Français du Butane et du Propane (CFBP) is the industry organisation for the promotion of LPG (butane and propane gases). The CFBP is the industry representative engaged with the political and economic community at national, European and international level. Its main role is to defend and promote LPG energy (butane and propane gases) in a constantly changing energy environment. Safety is a key concern for the LPG industry, and it also actively contributes to sustainable development and energy policies. www.cfbp.fr

Follow us on Twitter: @energieGPL

We agency for CFBP
Aymeric STAUB
Phone: +33(0)1 44 37 22 18
Email: aymeric.staub@we-agency.fr

Adrien BOSCH
Phone: +33(0)1 44 37 22 33
Email: adrien.bosch@we-agency.fr