Global Bioenergies inches closer to renewable isobutene in domestic bottled gas

French group Global Bioenergies (EPA:ALGBE) on Monday announced a partnership to speed up the incorporation of renewable isobutene in commercial butane.

Butane, propane and isobutene, also known as liquefied petroleum gases (LPG), are extracted from natural gas or from crude oil refining. In bottled form, these gases are used by 10 million out of a total 18 million French households that are not connected to the natural gas network. There is currently no renewable source of butane.

Global Bioenergies has joined hands with the industry organisation representing gas supply distribution companies in France -- Comite Francais du Butane et du Propane (CFBP).

The two have been conducting a series of tests on a batch of isobutene from renewable sources, produced by Global Bioenergies at its pilot site in Pomacle. The tests focused on the product`s compatibility with the logistics chain and domestic appliances (stoves, etc .).

Joel Pedessac CEO of the CFBP, says: "At this stage, the tests show that renewable isobutene produced by Global Bioenergies is compatible with commercial butane. The CFBP is keen to continue this collaboration to enable the addition of renewable energy in bottled gas in the short term."

According to current regulations, butane gas in bottled form may contain a high proportion of isobutene. Hence, converting biomass resources to isobutene constitutes an attractive solution to extend renewable energy to bottled gas, which in turn would contribute towards achieving the French 2030 target of increasing the share of primary energy consumption from renewable sources to 32%.

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