Stellenbosch University scientist boost biofuel research 

In South Africa, The Newspaper reported that Professor Emile van Zyl, a microbiologist at Stellenbosch University (SU) sought to gather expertise, drive research outputs, and build human capital to support the growing biofuels industry in South Africa and beyond. 

According to the report, Van Zyl’s focus shifted toward second-generation biofuels, driven by concerns over food security that had curtailed the global use of first-generation technologies. He concentrated on developing processes to produce biofuels from non-edible sources, such as sugar bagasse, invasive plants, fruit pulp, and paper mulch. These sources, abundant and low-cost, offered the added benefit of reducing agricultural and forestry waste in South Africa, according to the report.

The research team had developed second-generation technologies through microbial hydrolysis and fermentation of lignocellulosic feedstocks, tested various methods of pretreatment, and advanced pyrolysis and gasification technologies. Their efforts resulted in 16 patents and 286 accredited papers, contributing significantly to the field.

Despite these achievements, the commercial rollout of second-generation biofuel plants has been slow, both in South Africa and globally. High capital costs, energy demands, and the need for expensive enzymes have deterred investors, leaving only a few experimental prototype plants operational worldwide, the report added.

Nevertheless, the team persisted, shifting their focus to new research areas, such as bioplastics recycling and the conversion of agricultural waste into high-value organic fatty acids, the report added.

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