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Terranol A/S is a Copenhagen based company that is highly experienced in industrial biotechnology.
We offer proprietary yeast strains and fermentation technology for 2G bioethanol production and provide extensive assistance when it comes to implementing our strains in a large-scale production process.
Our Technology
Yeast strain technology
Yeast fermentation strategy
Yeast strain development
Our engineered yeast strain cV-110 features a combination of two heterologous enzymes of bacterial origin, xylose isomerase and aldose 1-epimerase, as well as the upregulation of the following enzymes as part of the pentose-phosphate pathway: ribose-5-phosphate, transketolase, and transaldolase.
This unique combination of genetic alterations allows cV-110 to:
- Simultaneously utilize C6 and C5 sugars in an efficient manner, also at low xylose concentration
- Operate with a balanced cofactor requirement
- Convert xylose anomers and xylulose into pentose-phosphate pathway intermediates at a high rate
- Show a robust performance and high ethanol yields on lignocellulosic-based feedstocks, such as agricultural crop residues and wood & paper mill discards.
Fed-batch fermentations yielding 95% or more have previously shown scalability from 2 L laboratory scale to 270.000 L demonstration scale, and vice versa
Yeast Propagation and Storage
In order to generate viable yeast cells for e.g. inoculation, a protocol for efficient yeast propagation was developed, resulting in cell concentrations above 100 g/L.
In parallel, a protocol for drying yeast cells was established to allow for easy delivery of dry yeast batches for e.g. pitching guaranteeing reproducible cell viability and performance after hydration.
Protocols and provision of dry yeast samples on request
Yeast Fermentation Strategy
The yeast fermentation strategy applying the CoRyFee platform allows for superior fermentation performance and higher ethanol yields due to continuous monitoring of the culture broth and inter-coordinated control of the feeding rate. In this fermentation set-up, the real-time monitoring of fermentation intermediates in the culture broth allows for the dynamic adjustment of the feeding rate to keep the ratio of C6 and C5 sugars present in the feed an optimal value for efficient co-consumption of sugars by our engineered yeast strain.
This fermentation strategy was developed with SEKAB E-Technology AB and proven successful at a 10.000 L scale fermenting 50.000 L of hydrolysate by achieving an ethanol yield of 95 % at the Biorefinery Demo Plant in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden.
This fermentation strategy is superior to conventional batch fermentations by allowing a:
- 6-fold increase in volumetric ethanol productivity
- 20-fold lower yeast utilization and thus a better yeast economy
- 50% lower investment cost due to reduced need for tank volume, cleaning, and sterilization
Furthermore, this yeast fermentation strategy applying the CoRyFee platform shows a stable performance over more than 21 days paired with the flexibility to use various fermenting organisms and substrates.
Development of project specific fermentation concepts offered on request.
Yeast strain technology
Yeast in microscope
Yeast fermentation strategy
Yeast strain development
Our engineered yeast strain cV-110 features a combination of two heterologous enzymes of bacterial origin, xylose isomerase and aldose 1-epimerase, as well as the upregulation of the following enzymes as part of the pentose-phosphate pathway: ribose-5-phosphate, transketolase, and transaldolase.
This unique combination of genetic alterations allows cV-110 to:
- Simultaneously utilize C6 and C5 sugars in an efficient manner, also at low xylose concentration
- Operate with a balanced cofactor requirement
- Convert xylose anomers and xylulose into pentose-phosphate pathway intermediates at a high rate
- Show a robust performance and high ethanol yields on lignocellulosic-based feedstocks, such as agricultural crop residues and wood & paper mill discards.
Fed-batch fermentations yielding 95% or more have previously shown scalability from 2 L laboratory scale to 270.000 L demonstration scale, and vice versa
Yeast Propagation and Storage
In order to generate viable yeast cells for e.g. inoculation, a protocol for efficient yeast propagation was developed, resulting in cell concentrations above 100 g/L.
In parallel, a protocol for drying yeast cells was established to allow for easy delivery of dry yeast batches for e.g. pitching guaranteeing reproducible cell viability and performance after hydration.
Protocols and provision of dry yeast samples on request
Yeast Fermentation Strategy
The yeast fermentation strategy applying the CoRyFee platform allows for superior fermentation performance and higher ethanol yields due to continuous monitoring of the culture broth and inter-coordinated control of the feeding rate. In this fermentation set-up, the real-time monitoring of fermentation intermediates in the culture broth allows for the dynamic adjustment of the feeding rate to keep the ratio of C6 and C5 sugars present in the feed an optimal value for efficient co-consumption of sugars by our engineered yeast strain.
This fermentation strategy was developed with SEKAB E-Technology AB and proven successful at a 10.000 L scale fermenting 50.000 L of hydrolysate by achieving an ethanol yield of 95 % at the Biorefinery Demo Plant in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden.
This fermentation strategy is superior to conventional batch fermentations by allowing a:
- 6-fold increase in volumetric ethanol productivity
- 20-fold lower yeast utilization and thus a better yeast economy
- 50% lower investment cost due to reduced need for tank volume, cleaning, and sterilization
Furthermore, this yeast fermentation strategy applying the CoRyFee platform shows a stable performance over more than 21 days paired with the flexibility to use various fermenting organisms and substrates.
Development of project specific fermentation concepts offered on request.
About Us
Owners
Terranol A/S was founded in 2007. It is owned by Terranol Holding A/S, Syddansk Innovation A/S, and C.L. David Foundation and Collection.
Birgitte Rønnow
CEO and co-founder
Birgitte Rønnow holds a PhD in yeast genetics and molecular biology from University of Copenhagen and has worked with strain development and microbial genetics and physiology. Before starting at Terranol she was employed by Danisco Innovation (now DuPont) for 20 years and has extensive experience in planning and managing interdisciplinary projects with external partnership covering research, development, pilot and production.
Thomas Hvid Andersen
COO and co-founder
Thomas Hvid Andersen holds a PhD in yeast molecular genetics from University of Copenhagen. He has formerly held positions in University, Poalis A/S, and Danisco Innovation (now DuPont) with research duties mainly focused on yeast genetics, yeast pathway engineering and physiology, enzyme technology and de novo production of small molecules.
Jan Dines Knudsen
Scientist
Jan Dines Knudsen holds a position as fermentation scientist. Post-graduate studies include a PhD in applied microbiology and a MSc in molecular biology. Jan has several years of international experience in applied, and fundamental, research from academia and industry; acquired in Denmark, Sweden, Germany and Italy. His research has focused mainly, but not only, on yeast fermentation and physiology. He is the first author of four peer-to-peer papers, co-inventor of a patent and has presented at several international conferences.
Jan Dines Knudsen
Scientist
Jan Dines Knudsen holds a position as fermentation scientist. Post-graduate studies include a PhD in applied microbiology and a MSc in molecular biology. Jan has several years of international experience in applied, and fundamental, research from academia and industry; acquired in Denmark, Sweden, Germany and Italy. His research has focused mainly, but not only, on yeast fermentation and physiology. He is the first author of four peer-to-peer papers, co-inventor of a patent and has presented at several international conferences.
News
January 2020
The NewLiEP project between SEKAB, Kanteleen Voima, and Terranol builds on the successful development of the fermentation concept CoRyFee. We bridge the gap to economically feasible transportation from Nordic wood and progress can be followed.
Read more
October 2019
The CoRyFee fermentation concept “Cost Reduction in Yeast Fermentation for Commercial Production of Cellulosic Ethanol” is presented at “BESTF3 Final Forum” in Brussels, November 21.
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October 2019
Terranol hires fermentation scientist.
August 2019
In an EU funded project, a consortium consisting of Terranol (DEN), SEKAB (SWE), and Kanteleen Voima (FIN) have joined forces to introduce to market an economically feasible concept for sustainable fuel ethanol production from softwood and hardwood, feedstock currently not effectively utilized by any commercially available technology.
Read more
June 2019
Terranol publishes “Optimising fermentation“ in Biofuels International Magazine, issue 3, volume 13.
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June 2019
At “35th Annual International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo”, June 11, 2019 in Indianapolis, USA, the presentation “Injecting new life into cellulosic ethanol production” will be given.
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November 2018
Terranol, SEKAB, and RISE concluded the CoRyFee project “Cost Reduction in Yeast Fermentation for Commercial Production of Cellulosic Ethanol”.
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April 2018
At the “40th Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals”, May 1, 2018 in Florida, USA, the presentation “Reducing the fermentation costs for lignocellulosic ethanol by closing the gap between fed batch and continuous fermentation” will be given.
Read more
September 2016
Terranol hires fermentation scientist.
May 2016
As of May 1, 2016, Terranol has relocated from the campus of Technical University of Denmark (DTU) to the Copenhagen campus of Aalborg University (AAU), close to the center of Copenhagen.
April 2015
Terranol and Inbicon have successfully demonstrated a fast and high yielding C6/C5 sugar co-fermentation process in industrial scale (270.000 liter) for cellulosic bioethanol production.
See the news release here
Download PDF: Press release
April 2015
SEKAB, RISE, and Terranol have initiated a collaboration project, supported by the EU BESTF2 programme and the Danish and Swedish energy agencies, to demonstrate in pilotscale (10.000 L) the potential of combining their respective technologies for cellulosic ethanol production.
See the news release here
Download PDF: Press Release