Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 South Cass Avenue, Argonne, IL 60439

A -- INDUSTRIAL PARTNER(S) SOUGHT FOR ALTERNATIVE FEEDSTOCKS PROGRAM Contact, Natalia Meshkov (TEL: 708/252-5234, FAX: 708-252-9281, EMAIL: Natalia Meshkov@QMGATE.anl.gov). INDUSTRIAL PARTNER(S) SOUGHT FOR ALTERNATIVE FEEDSTOCKS PROGRAM. The U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Industrial Technologies, Alternative Feedstocks Program has developed a team with expertise in the conversion of biomass to industrial chemicals within its National Laboratory System and is seeking Industrial Partner(s) to team with the National Laboratory Consortium (Argonne National Laboratory, Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Pacific Northwest Laboratory) to further the development of viable processes for the conversion of biomass to chemical feedstocks. The current program initially targeted succinic acid as a chemical intermediate that can be converted into a multitude of oxygenated chemicals. The industrial partner may elect to join in the development of a production process for succinic acid and its derivatives, or may propose other organic chemicals that may be produced from biomass starting materials. The Department is willing to consider research and development on any chemical derived from biomass that can be shown to have significant positive economic impact after a successful process for conversion is developed. The following requirements must be satisfied to allow consideration under the Alternative Feedstocks Program: (1) the product, process, project will use biomass-derived feedstocks (agricultural or forestry based, or related wastes); (2) the product will not be a fuel (fuel additives may be acceptable); (3) the product will have an indentifible market potential of at least 108-109 lb/yr; (4) economic estimates show that the economic value of the product is greater than the cost of the feedstock (preferably by 30%). Selection criteria will also include but not be limited to the level of cost-sharing (at least 50%), economic, environmental and energy impact of the technology, relevant commercial experience, past record of successful technology development, capabilities, and potential impact on reducing petroleum use. An informational meeting about the Alternative Feedstocks Program will be held for prospective Industrial Partners on June 30, 1995, hosted by Argonne National Laboratory at a location near the Chicago O'Hare Airport. At the meeting, representatives from the five laboratories in the National Laboratory Consortium will describe the current program, the developments in the succinic acid project, and the related technical capabilities and research thrusts that can be contributed by the laboratores. There will be an opportunity for interested companies to break off into private meetings where spcific topics to individual companies will be discussed. An overview of the contractual arrangements, including a description of possible cooperative research and development agreements (e.g. CRADA or other appropriate cooperative agreements), intellectual property considerations, and selection criteria for industrial partnerships will also be addressed at the meeting. Funds will be applied primarily to earmarked research conducted by the National Laboratory team to support the CRADA and other arrangements. There may also be additional funding available for selected proposals. Proposals from companies interested in becoming industrial partners must be sent to Natalia Meshkov, ES/362, Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 South Cass Avenue, Argonne, Illinois 60439, by July 31, 1995. Proposals are expected to be selected by August 15, 1995. To register for the meeting, for information on meeting location, and for a background information packet contact Natalia Meshkov (TEL: 708-252-52234, FAX: 708-252-9281, EMAIL: Natalia Meshkov@QMGATE.anl.gov). (142)

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