Use of Patent Applications as a Tool for Technology Development Investigations on Ethanol Production from Lignocellulosic Biomass in Brazil

Abstract

The growing concerns regarding the future of global energy supplies have encouraged R&D in alternative sources to complement the global energy matrix. Brazil has earned notoriety as one of the largest producers of ethanol and biomass. This has aroused other countries' interest in Brazil's capabilities. However, the technologies for converting biomass into ethanol are not sufficiently mature, and have been developed in a decentralized manner. The lignocellulosic ethanol technologies can be divided into the following three groups: pretreatment, enzymes and ethanol production. One of the most efficient methods for mapping such technologies is through patent applications because the applications provide important information on trends in long-term technological development. Among all the patent applications deposited in the Brazilian database, pretreatment technologies were the most exploited followed by enzymes and ethanol production. The large number of documents from USA and European countries efforts the importance of Brazil in this technological scenario.

Setting the design space of biorefineries through sustainability values, a practical approach

“…Proposition 12 relates to the origin of the technology, stating that technology developed or produced in the project's region is desirable. Although countries like the USA and Germany lead in technology ownership in relation to biofuels, Brazil has a relatively large number of patents on biomass processing (prominently for second‐generation technology), and is a leading country in the development, demonstration, and production of first‐ and second‐generation technology . Furthermore, Brazil has been an active player in international technology research and development, suggesting an international approach to biofuel developments .…”

Identification of potential technologies for 1,4‐Butanediol production using prospecting methodology

“…59 In essence, the technologies aim for the use of lignocellulosic material as feedstocks for biorefining in two steps: (i) pretreatmenta series of operations capable of degrading the macrostructures (cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin) to make the microorganism action easier; and (ii) bioconversionusing biocatalyst agents such as yeasts and bacteria, to convert sugars into biofuels and/or valued-added chemicals. 60 The concept of a new platform based on lignocellulosic biomass encourages the use of sugars from hemicellulosic and cellulosic fractions as raw materials in fermentative processes. At least two promising pathways can be highlighted: (i) 1,4-BDO production by sugars fermentation, a technology that belongs to Genomatica; and (ii) sugar fermentation producing SA, followed by its hydrogenation into 1,4-BDO and/or THF.…”

“…In essence, the technologies aim for the use of lignocellulosic material as feedstocks for biorefining in two steps: (i) pretreatment – a series of operations capable of degrading the macrostructures (cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin) to make the microorganism action easier; and (ii) bioconversion – using biocatalyst agents such as yeasts and bacteria, to convert sugars into biofuels and/or valued‐added chemicals 60 …”

Aprendizado do etanol celulósico no Brasil

“…A hidrólise, com uso da biomassa lignocelulósica, é vista como importante no contexto atual, pois essa tecnologia é uma possibilidade de garantir a demanda futura com menor necessidade de expansão do uso da terra. Porém, para que essa tecnologia torne-se realidade são necessários altos investimentos, já que envolve tecnologias complexas (SCHLITTLER et al, 2012). No próximo subitem será explicada a história desta tecnologia, onde se originou e como ela se desenvolveu para a produção do bioetanol celulósico e como se encontram as publicações e pedidos de patentes sobre etanol celulósico, através de um estudo, o qual apresenta a atual situação da P&D da hidrólise, no mundo e no Brasilque é um importante ator na produção de etanol.…”