US-based cellulosic ethanol company ZeaChem has selected CH2M HILL as the engineering, procurement and construction contractor for its first biorefinery.
According to ZeaChem, the engineering process is currently underway. Set to begin construction in 2009, the biorefinery is slated for a proposed site in Boardman, Oregon. Funding for the plant will come in part from ZeaChem's recent funding round totaling $34 million. ZeaChem intends to scale up to a commercial scale biorefinery from the first plant design.
James Imbler, president and CEO of ZeaChem, said: "CH2M HILL delivers the horsepower to manage the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) of ZeaChem's first biorefinery as we progress toward the deployment of commercial scale facilities.
"ZeaChem applies proven technology and equipment that is in service throughout the world in a new way to achieve the highest yield at the lowest cost, and with one of the lowest carbon footprints in the industry."