KOPESS Biomass Solutions LLC — Department of Agriculture STTR Phase I: 8.1

Description

A rapid increase in the use of wood as a renewable feedstock for energy and bioproducts isexpected as new global climate change policies encourage a transition away from fossil fuels.Effective production of biomass feedstocks requires overcoming economic environmental andsocietal obstacles. Deploying tree crops that produce high yields (to improve profitability) withminimal inputs (for low environmental impacts) on non-crop land (avoiding competition with foodand fiber production) will be critical. This project seeks to demonstrate that our promising newtransgenic tree crop can be commercialized to achieve these goals. We use an innovative proprietytechnology (EliteTreeTM) to genetically engineer superior tree crops that feature both acceleratedstem growth and increased wood density. Deploying these trees in Short Rotation Coppiceplantations has the potential to produce a consistent supply of woody biomass feedstock that willovercome existing economic environmental and social obstacles. If commercialized otherwiseunproductive secondary agriculture land can become the source of the woody feedstocks requiredto contribute to renewable energy and non-fossil product goals of the future while strengtheningrural economies around the country and world. In-field validation of this technology is a requiredstep toward commercial deployment. Building on the preliminary success in establishingEliteTreeTM poplars in our stool beds we propose to measure the growth performance of the trees;analyze the properties of the EliteTreeTM biomass; and establish 'real life' SRC production system.Successful completion of this project will reduce the technical risk and make the technology moreattractive to potential investors/partners.