Blue Marble Biomaterials expects to open their new renewable chemical bio-refinery facility in Corvalis, Montana in early 2011. The company will create 25 new jobs for the valley. In November 2011, the Montana Department of Natural Resources awarded the company a $30,000 Regional Woody Biomass Utilization Grant to help plan, design and permit the facility. Blue Marble is repurposing an existing 40,000 square foot building for the new facility.
Blue Marble Biomaterials uses fermentation and extraction technologies to create a new high-value outlet for woody biomass: renewable chemicals for the food, flavoring, fragrance and personal care industries. Blue Marble reports that they are negotiating with several wood products manufacturers and various forestry departments to access low-value wood byproducts for use in the facility.
