Butamax Early Adopters Group surpasses capacity targets with addition of Big River; Membership represents 11 production facilities and nearly 900 million gallons of ethanol capacity

WILMINGTON, Del., June 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Butamax™ Advanced Biofuels, the leading global biobutanol technology company, announced that its Early Adopters Group (EAG) has expanded with the addition of Big River Resources, bringing ethanol capacity of the collective EAG to nearly 900 million gallons a year.

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"Big River Resources are a large and high quality operation and we are delighted by their interest in Butamax" said Paul Beckwith, Butamax CEO. "Last December, we announced our EAG with the intention of building a membership representing half a billion gallons of production capacity by early 2013. We are pleased that the strong interest in Butamax™ technology has resulted in significantly exceeding that target nearly a year ahead of schedule."

In fuels, volume matters and Butamax is building a strong base of potential capacity to enable a successful market entry.  The fuel industry requires a high standard of product quality and supply reliability, which the EAG members are perfectly placed to deliver. Butamax is building on the demonstrated success of its shareholders, BP and DuPont, and brings unique expertise to support the introduction of a new biofuel product.

In addition to biofuel production companies, Butamax is in active discussions with strategic partners throughout the value chain. There is strong interest from refiners and fuel marketers who recognize the favorable attributes of biobutanol. Further, regulatory efforts are progressing well to enable Butamax's 2014 commercial production schedule.

The Early Adopters Group (EAG), comprises leading ethanol production companies interested in becoming early adopters of Butamax biobutanol technology, was announced in December 2011 and now includes:

About Butamax
Butamax™ Advanced Biofuels was formed to develop and commercialize biobutanol as a next generation renewable biofuel for the transport market. The company benefits from the synergy of DuPont's proven industrial biotechnology experience and BP's global fuels market knowledge. Butamax's proprietary technology offers a cost-advantaged manufacturing process for isobutanol with value from field to pump. Please visit www.butamax.com.

About Big River Resources
Big River Resources began producing ethanol in 2004 and has the capacity to produce approximately 400 million gallons of ethanol per year. The company owns four separate ethanol production facilities in three states and employs 230 people. Please visit www.bigriverresources.com.

Media Contact: Pam Schools
910-777-7119
[email protected]

Butamax™ is a trademark of Butamax™ Advanced Biofuels, LLC

SOURCE Butamax Advanced Biofuels