SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Nov. 15, 2013) – James Moe, Chairman of the Board for POET-DSM Advanced Biofuels, responded today to the EPA’s announcement of its proposed cellulosic ethanol volumes for 2014.

“Next year, for the first time in history, the U.S. will produce meaningful volumes of cellulosic ethanol. With a number of new plants coming online including POET-DSM’s Project LIBERTY, we can finally say that commercial cellulosic ethanol production has arrived.

“Unfortunately, the latest Renewable Volume Obligations from the EPA underestimate the volume of cellulosic ethanol that will be produced next year. We understand the intention to not overestimate capacity, but the proposed numbers released today hurt efforts to expand this cutting-edge technology and deny Americans new alternatives to fossil fuels. We ask the EPA to continue to engage closely with the cellulosic biofuels industry during the comment period so that we can demonstrate our confidence in our ability to scale up these processes so that the Final Rule uses the best information possible to support the growth of this new and important industry.

“Additionally, by cutting opportunities for grain ethanol producers and conceding arguments for maintaining the blend wall, the EPA takes away opportunities for cellulosic biofuel development. POET-DSM is already discussing cellulosic licensing options with other grain ethanol producers in an effort to grow our nation’s capacity to use new feedstocks for fuel production. Because this process takes advantage of synergies in infrastructure, transportation, feedstock logistics and other areas, the grain ethanol industry must remain strong in order to build cellulosic capacity. The poor signal from Washington today makes that work more challenging.”

About POET-DSM Advanced Biofuels, LLC

POET-DSM Advanced Biofuels, LLC, is a 50/50 joint venture between Royal DSM and POET, LLC. Based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the company is a cooperative effort of two innovators that provides a key to unlocking the opportunity of converting corn crop residue into cellulosic bio-ethanol. Built on the strengths of both companies, the joint venture has a critical mission: to make cellulosic bio-ethanol competitive with corn bio-ethanol, the most competitive renewable liquid transportation fuel on the US market today. Drawing on the deep expertise and experience of POET and DSM in different areas of converting cellulosic biomass into bio-ethanol, POET-DSM Advanced Biofuels will have its first commercial-scale plant co-located with POET Biorefining – Emmetsburg in Emmetsburg, Iowa. Based on this plant, the JV plans to globally license an integrated technology package for the conversion of corn crop residue to cellulosic bio-ethanol. More information: www.poetdsm.com