No one knows the first use of ethanol (or alcohol) by humans but the discovery of stone-age beer containers suggests that the earliest fermentations were carried out about 12,000 years ago. From early production of wine and beer to fuel for Indy Race Cars, we are all familiar with ethanol.

Ethanol’s energy is derived from plants that in turn obtain their energy from the sun. In this way, ethanol acts as a means of storing solar power in liquid form. Cellulosic ethanol is ethanol that is obtained from the non-edible portion of plant material. Cellulosic ethanol is identical in composition and performance to ethanol derived from corn or sugar cane. Cellulosic ethanol, however, has important environmental, economic and sustainability advantages over conventional sources due to its source and method of production.

Additional Information Available in the Media & Resources Section

® All rights reserved. Mascoma Corporation 2011