Ref # :C06-082

RITE and Honda Jointly Develop New Technology
To Produce Ethanol From Cellulosic Biomass
September 14, 2006 Tokyo -- Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth (RITE) andHonda R&D Co., Ltd., the Honda Motor Co., Ltd. subsidiary responsible for research anddevelopment, today announced that their cooperative research has resulted in ethanol production
technology from soft-biomass*, a renewable resource of plant-derived material.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) released by the combustion of bio-ethanol is balanced by the CO2 captured byplants through photosynthesis and, thus, does not increase the total amount of CO2 in the atmosphere.
Bio-ethanol, therefore, has attracted attention as a carbon-neutral fuel, an energy source effective as
countermeasure to global-warming.

Existing bio-ethanol production, however, faces supply limits, as it is produced primarily fromsugar and starch of sugarcane and corn feedstock, which are also utilized as food.
In its collaborative research, RITE and Honda have established the basic technology to produce
ethanol fuel from cellulose and hemicellulose*, both found in soft-biomass*, including inedibleleaves and stalks of plants, such as rice straw.
challenge to convert to ethanol.

Until now, such soft-biomass represented aThus, the new process represents a large step forward forpractical application of soft-biomass as a fuel source.
The RITE-Honda process, newly developed as an integration of the sophisticatedbio-technology of RITE and the engineering technology of Honda, paves the way to bio-ethanol
production from cellulose and hemi-cellulose, with the potential to significantly increase fuelproduction.

The process consists of the following operations.
I.

Pretreatment to separate cellulose from soft-biomass

II.

Saccharification of cellulose and hemicellulose

III.

Conversion of sugar into ethanol using microorganisms

IV.

Ethanol refinement

Current technology allows fermentation inhibitors, collaterally formed primarily during theprocess of separating cellulose and hemicellulose from soft-biomass, to interfere with thefunction of microorganisms that convert sugar into alcohol, leading to extremely low ethanol
yield.

Up to now, an appropriate solution has not been found to this the largest obstacle toalcohol production from soft-biomass.
World renowned for its development of a bio-process for chemical commodities production
utilizing microorganisms, RITE established the RITE process featuring remarkably highproduction efficiency, and has also reported a number of other achievements, including
bio-ethanol production related issues.
Now, RITE and Honda have successfully developed the RITE-Honda process, which
substantially reduces the harmful influence of fermentation inhibitors.

The RITE-Honda

process succeeds through utilization of RITE strain, a microorganism developed by RITE thatconverts sugar into alcohol, and by application of engineering technology of Honda, enabling asignificant increase in alcohol conversion efficiency, in comparison to conventional cellulosic
bio-ethanol production processes.
The RITE-Honda process, resulting in a significant increase in production of bio-ethanol, andexpansion of biomass utilization, holds enormous potential as a major step forward toward therealization of an energy sustainability society.
The achievement solves the last remaining fundamental hurdle to ethanol production fromsoft-biomass. Thus, RITE and Honda will pursue research for mass production, including
development of systems to integrate four operations, currently operated independently, into a
continuous flow within one plant, recycling energy* to pursue energy conservation and costreduction.
A demonstration project is envisioned within a pilot plant to assess the social compatibility andeconomic efficiency of the new bio-alcohol production system.
Based on the success of this collaborative research, RITE and Honda, will pursue further
advancement to establish a bio-refinery* for production of not only ethanol, but various
industrial commodities including automotive materials from biomass.

In this way, RITE andHonda will contribute to the prevention of global-warming through the further reduction of CO2,
with the goal of realizing a sustainable society.
(Separation)

Process Image
Biomass(Saccharification)(Alcohol Conversion)

CelluloseHigh Temp.
High Pres.

＋EnzymeFermentation
inhibitor

Sugar

Microorganism

Distilation
Purification

Ethanol

In conventional processes,
fermentation inhibitors interferedmicroorganisms convert sugar intoalcohol.

Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth(RITE)

Overview
Established in 1990 by the joint investment of the Japanese government and private enterprises, withthe goal of conducting fundamental research on countermeasure technology for global-warming,
particularly climate change. Engaged in efforts to stabilize climate change through development ofalternative energy research and CO2 sequestration technologies.
Location: Kizugawa-dai, kizu-cho soraku-gun, Kyoto, JAPANPresident:Yoshihisa Akiyama

Honda R&D CO., Ltd.

Fundamental Research Center

Overview:
An operation established for fundamental research and development within Honda R&D Co., theHonda Motor Co., subsidiary responsible for research and development.

The Fundamental

Research Center was established in April 1986, and has engaged in the development of the bipedalwalking humanoid robot, ASIMO, and HondaJet, as well as fundamental research on the bio- andenergy-sector.

Location:Wako-shi, Saitama, JAPANDirector:Tomohiko Kawanabe (Senior Managing Director of Honda R&D)

* Biomass
Biomass is a renewable organic resource of plant-derived material, excluding fossil
resource. In a limited sense, the term refers to livestock excreta, waste wood, and plant
residue after the removal of edible parts. Biomass represents organic materials that plants
produce through photosynthesis from atmospheric CO2 and water, and thus does notincrease atmospheric CO2 when burned.
* Cellulose and hemicellulose
The primary ingredients of the fibrous part of plants. Comprises one-third of naturalvegetable materials. Conventional technology was insufficient to utilize cellulose foralcohol production.
* Energy-recycling within a continuous flow system
Utilizing the heat and energy from within a highly efficient system as a key to reduce
production costs. For example, heat from one of four operations, can be used to support
another operation.
* Bio-refinery
A different concept from an oil-refinery, representing plants or technologies for theproduction of bio-fuels and resins from biomass.