First generation biofuels include corn- and sugarcane-based ethanol and soybean- and rapeseed-based biodiesel. TorchLight staff and associates have a long history of biodiesel industry and market development and have conducted business with commercial plants across North America. Although first generation biofuels have received some negative press in recent years, they are nevertheless the only transportation biofuels implemented at a large scale and do deliver substantial energy security and rural development benefits. TorchLight can assist in feedstock procurement, supplier selection, market development, logistics and facility planning.

Second generation biofuels are produced non-food biomass sources, including wood, grasses, agricultural residues (eg. wheat and rice straw, corn stover), and purpose-grown lipids such as jatropha. While not fully commercial at present, they are anticipated to enter the market in the coming few years. Technical and economic challenges are still substantial for many second generation biofuels, but the potential is substantial and TorchLight is here to identify the best opportunities for development. Biomass characteristics play a large role in the viability of second generation biofuels and having the right feedstock-technology combination is essential.

TorchLight has conducted feasibility assessments on both thermochemical (gasifcation & Fischer-Tropsch; pyrolysis upgrading) and biochemical (hydrolysis, fermentation) conversion technologies. As technologies mature, TorchLight will keep clients informed with the most up-to-date information on second generation biofuel competitiveness.