World's First Home-Scale Ethanol From Cellulose Processor Announced

DALLAS, Feb. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Allard Research and Development, the world leader in small to medium-scale ethanol fuel production systems, announced today the world's first small-scale ethanol fuel production system utilizing cellulose as the primary feedstock.

The new system, designed as a front-end processor for Allard's existing line of modular ethanol distillation systems, turns ordinary waste products ranging from lawn clippings, cardboard, paper, sawdust and other cellulose-based material into fermentable sugars.

"The ability to economically use cellulose as a feedstock has been the last hurdle in widespread adoption of a distributed fuel production model," says Sharon Allard, CEO.  "Historically, the big limiting factor for people wanting to make their own ethanol fuel has been a lack of abundant feedstock.  Since everyone has cellulose growing in their yards, not only are we able to make fuel from that feedstock, we are also helping to reduce the amount of waste going to landfills".  

Allard also noted that, "This process also provides an answer to an ongoing debate in this industry... so unless you have livestock grazing in your suburban front yard, the question of food versus fuel has been answered."

The company's new product will convert lawn clippings, cardboard, paper and other types of cellulose by breaking down those materials into a sugar-water solution. Once turned into sugars, the solution is fermented and distilled into ethanol fuel using Allard's existing line of ethanol distillation systems.  Aside from the small home-scale version of the machine, the company will also be rolling out larger versions for the commercial marketplace that utilize the same technology.

The company announced that it expects to go into production with the new cellulose processor in the second quarter of 2010, and is already planning to host a series of two and three-day seminars that will demonstrate the new process and train current and potential customers on the system.

For more information about products or seminars, contact Allard Research at: 888-782-4505 (within the United States) or 972-782-6444 (Internationally), or visit the website at www.AllardResearch.com.

SOURCE Allard Research and Development