First Nations to supply biorefinery

Paramus, NJ – In November 2008, Raven Biofuels International Corporation entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Kamloops Indian Band (KIB) of Kamloops, BC, to further the development and construction of a proposed cellulosic ethanol biorefinery and cogeneration power plant in conjunction with the KIB.  The nonbinding MOU outlines a mutual interest towards pursuing an alliance leading to the construction of a cogeneration power facility and biorefinery using technology and expertise provided by Raven, plus a site, feedstock, and other resources provided by KIB.  KIB brings significant access to feedstock resources secured through a multiyear provincial forestry agreement in which KIB has rights to 124,000 cubic metres of beetle-killed wood within the Kamloops Timber Supply Area.

Raven, through its Canadian subsidiary, and KIB plan to move ahead quickly and develop a course of action for the lease of a 30-acre site with direct rail and road access located near Kamloops, BC, for the construction of a facility. Current plans identify an initial annual output of 7 million gallons of fuel-grade ethanol and 4 million gallons of furfural and related chemicals and lignin cake; future capacity could be increased to double this proposed production. 

Planning for a definitive agreement includes a feasibility study to develop arrangements with KIB for a continuous supply of approximately 500 dry tons per day of organic cellulosic waste.  This feedstock would primarily be wood chips from regionally sourced, mountain pine beetle-killed wood, as well as other appropriate wood waste sources from the area.