Environment
- Ethanol with more than 70% lower greenhouse gas emissions than petrol.
- SAF and renewable diesel for aviation and heavy transport, the hardest sectors to decarbonise.
- Steam and power from the plant's own residues, not fossil fuel.
Integrated biorefinery · Ghana
Ghana's corn, turned into feed, clean fuel and power.
A fully integrated biorefinery in Ghana that turns corn and crop residues into animal feed, corn oil, low-carbon ethanol, sustainable aviation fuel and renewable power.
About the project
One feedstock, many products, nothing wasted
Like a petroleum refinery, a biorefinery makes several products from a common feedstock. Ours starts with fuel and animal-grade corn and the residues left in the field, such as corn cobs.
The protein and fat in the grain go back into the food chain as animal feed and corn oil. Only the non-edible part of the grain and the crop residues become ethanol. Lignin and solids from G2.0 process then fire a combined heat and power unit, backed by a solar plant, that runs the complex and sends surplus electricity to the grid.
The plant is planned for south-western Ghana, with port access through Takoradi for product export.
Local FeedstockGhanaian corn and crop residues from nearby farms
Whole-Crop UseGrain, cobs and residues all become products
Advanced EthanolMade from starch and cellulosic residues
Renewable PowerBiomass and solar energy generated on site
Integrated SiteOne compact, fully integrated process plant
100% RenewableBiomass feedstock from agriculture
How the biorefinery works
From grain to jet fuel, live
Process StreamBiomassBoiler Feed WaterSteamElectricity
Inside the process
Four steps and the chemistry behind them
Recover the food value
Corn is milled and its protein and fat are extracted first, before any fuel is made.
Animal Feed
Corn OilFerment to ethanol
Grain residues after protein and fat extraction are fermented, while biomass is pre-treated and fermented separately. Raw ethanol streams are combined to be purified together.
Starch Ethanol
Cellulosic EthanolUpgrade ethanol to jet
Part of the ethanol is dehydrated to ethylene, then built up and hydrotreated into aviation fuel and diesel.
SAF
Renewable DieselGenerate green power
Lignin, residues, biogas and off-gases fuel combined heat and power, supplemented by solar.
Renewable Power
Surplus to the Grid
Products
Made in Ghana, for Ghana and for export
Most of these products are imported into the region today. Local production replaces imports and opens new export markets.
High-Protein Animal Feed
For poultry and livestock producers in Ghana and across West Africa.
Advanced Ethanol
Industrial, pharmaceutical, beverage and fuel-blending grades.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel and Renewable Diesel
For airlines, refiners and fuel blenders in aviation and heavy transport.
Corn Oil
For the edible oil market, or as a feedstock for biodiesel and renewable diesel.
Renewable Power
Surplus renewable electricity for industry and households on the national grid.
Biogenic CO₂
Optional recovery for food and beverage, dry ice, e-methanol and green urea.
Carbon footprint
Carbon savings at a glance
~750 KTACO₂e avoided every yearTotal greenhouse gas reduction potential
>70%Lower emissions than petrolEthanol against petroleum gasoline
~80 MWGreen power to the gridOut of 100 MW renewable capacity installed
~22.5 million tCO₂e avoided over 30 years of operation
~160,000passenger cars taken off the road, in equivalent terms
~640,000 MWhrenewable electricity exported each year
~370 KTAbiogenic CO₂ available for capture and use
Cleaner flightSAF and renewable diesel in place of fossil jet fuel and diesel.
Cleaner road fuelLow-carbon ethanol blended into petrol.
Cleaner powerBiomass and solar electricity in place of gas-fired generation.
Preliminary estimates based on typical carbon intensity values.
The 30-year total is the annual figure multiplied by 30.
The car equivalent uses about 4.6 tonnes of CO₂ per passenger car per year.
Impact
Built around farmers, jobs and lower emissions
~750 KTACO₂e avoided each year
250+permanent skilled jobs
1,000+construction jobs
2,000+indirect jobs in farming, transport and services
Farmers and communities
- An out-grower programme using good agronomic practices to raise maize yields and farm incomes.
- A steady local market for corn and for cobs that are often left as waste.
- Local hiring and training, with safety as the first priority.
Ghana's economy
- Surplus power that helps close the electricity supply gap.
- Local feed, ethanol and fuels in place of imports.
- Exports of SAF and feed, adding to GDP and the tax base.
The joint venture
Two partners with complementary strengths
Technology, design and start-up · Princeton, New Jersey, USA
- Technology development and deployment, plant design, start-up and operation, including its own advanced cellulosic ethanol technology.
- A team with more than 150 years of combined experience in project development and plant start-up.
- A global network of technology providers and engineering contractors.
Local operations and development · Ghana
- Operating in Ghana since 2008.
- Strong presence in the country's agricultural sector.
- Brings in-country operating experience and project financing.
Where the project stands
- Pre-feasibilityCurrent stage
- Feasibility studyNext
- Front-end engineeringPlanned
- Construction and start-upPlanned
Contact
Get in touch
For investment, offtake, feedstock supply or partnership enquiries, contact either partner.
Petron Scientech Inc.
- Address
- 3 Mapleton Road, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
- Dr. Frank Liotta, President
- fliotta@petronscientech.com
- Naveen Giri, Director Biorefinery Development
- ngiri@petronscientech.com
D.R. Resources Limited
- Address
- P.O. Box TA 430, Old Tafo, Kumasi, Ashanti Region, Ghana
- info@drresourcesltd.com
- Phone
- +233 20 107 2904
Every part of the kernel, put to work for Ghana.
Food for livestock, fuel for aircraft and power for the grid, from one Ghanaian harvest.
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