Florida Crystals to build cellulosic ethanol plant

The University of Florida said yesterday Florida Crystals would build a $20 million cellulosic ethanol research and demonstration plant for the school.

Florida Crystals, one of the top U.S. sugar producers, is a unit of privately held Flo-Sun.

The university said the project will be financed through a state grant designed to encourage the development of alternative energy resources.

The school said technology developed by UF professors will be used to convert sugarcane bagasse and other biomass into ethanol.

The plant will go up at Florida Crystals' Okeelanta facility.

"We are excited about this collaborative project with UF and hopeful that it will help our state move forward in expanding renewable energy alternatives and reduce our dependence on foreign oil," said Gaston Cantens, VP of corporate relations at Florida Crystals.

The new facility is expected to produce 1 million to 2 million gallons of ethanol a year.

Florida Crystals already operates a 75 megawatt renewable power plant at Okeelanta, fueled by sugarcane and yard trimmings.

The company said the plant generates enough electricity to run its operations as well as power 60,000 homes.

Florida Crystals, which harvests 10 million tons of sugar cane and refines 4 million tons of sugar each year, is also partnered with Florida International University on cellulosic ethanol research.

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