Jim Hettenhaus Joins PureVision Board
May 24, 2006Fort Lupton, CO: PureVision Technology, Inc., a leader in developing biorefining technologies, recently announced the addition of Mr. James R. Hettenhaus to its Board of Directors. Mr. Hettenhaus is a recognized expert in many areas of biorefining operations including feedstock supply and downstream biomass and chemical processing. He has many years of experience leading large operations and the start-up of three companies.
Mr. Hettenhaus co-founded cea Inc. in 1993, a consulting firm that specializes in commercializing biotechnology (www.ceassist.com). Since 1995 Mr. Hettenhaus has successfully led projects for National laboratories and private clients, including assessing cellulase enzyme improvements; evaluating the next generation needs for biological organisms used to produce sugars from biomass; defining innovative methods for sustainable harvesting, transporting and storing cellulosic biomass feedstock; as well as evaluating biorefinery siting and the “sugar platform” possibilities for production of chemicals, fuels and materials from cellulosic biomass.
PureVision's patented biorefinery technology fractionates or separates cellulosic biomass into its three major components – cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. This novel technology differs from all competing technologies in the world today by producing a pure cellulose product stream and two liquid streams containing hemicellulosic sugars and low molecular weight lignin in a patented countercurrent extraction process. The PureVision fractionation innovation is on track to become the core technology for large industrial biorefineries, which will be used to convert abundant and diverse biomass into bio-based products in the future. Analogous to oil refineries, biorefineries will convert cellulosic biomass into sugars and other co-products for use in the production of ethanol, bio-plastics, pulp and paper products, lubricants, sealers and many other industrial products.
Mr. Hettenhaus’ knowledge and experience in the emerging cellulosic biomass industry will help advance PureVision’s mission toward commercializing biorefineries.