Branched-Chain Higher Alcohols - Biotechnology in China: Biofuels and Bioenergy - page 108

modern version of the cobalt catalyst process. This technology uses organophos-
phine ligands, which allows a lower operating pressure of 30-100 atm but at the
expense of the catalyst activity. The Shell technology is employed primarily in the
production of linear primary alcohols, whereas the high-pressure cobalt technology
is frequently used in the production of branched alcohols.

3 Background and R & D Platforms for Microbial Production
of BCHAs

3.1 Background

With the continuous increase in market consumption and serious environmental
concerns raised by the production of BCHAs by traditional petrochemical path-
ways, microbial production has been considered the most promising alternative
[ 6 , 28 ]. High efficiency, low energy consumption, and environmental friendliness,
all these characters of microbial production seem to meet perfectly the require-
ments of our society. However, despite microbial production having already
achieved great success for many products, such as amino acids, organic acids,
vitamins, and nucleotides, it is still not economically competitive for the pro-
duction of BCHAs [ 29 ], which have inspired intensive research in the USA,
Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region, including Japan, Korea, and China. More-
over, some energy and chemical companies have taken a further step to bring the
progress made into pilot plants and commercial production [ 30 ]. There are also
many

small research-oriented companies joining this competitive emerging

market [ 31 ].

3.2 R & D Platforms

In China, the government has put great efforts into energy- and resource-saving
and pollutant reduction for sustainability, and advanced manufacturing processes
such as industrial biotechnology have been given priorities in government-
sponsored research, which involves three platforms [ 9 ]. The first is the National
Mid- and Long-Term (2006-2020) Program for Science and Technology Devel-
opment, which is the R & D road map for the social and economic development of
China. The next-generation industrial biotechnology toward the development of
biofuels, bio-based chemicals, and biomaterials is highlighted. The second is the
Five-Year Plan for Biotechnology Development, in which specific goals are pro-
posed for bio-related areas, including industrial biotechnology, and the progress is
evaluated at the end of the program. The third is projects funded by the Ministry of
Science and Technology as well as local governments. Notably, the National Basic