Avantium Steps Ahead With its Biofuels Program

Amsterdam (ots/PRNewswire) -

- Engine Test Demonstrates Potential of "Furanics"

Avantium announced today breakthrough results of the first engine
tests of its novel biofuel. The technology company is developing next
generation biofuel with superior economics and properties in
comparison to current biofuels.

By applying its advanced high-throughput R&D technology Avantium
develops since a number of years a next generation biofuels, called
"Furanics", which can be derived from sugars and other carbohydrates.
Avantium Furanics have advantegeous qualities over current biofuels,
such as bioethanol and biodiesel.

The company succesfully completed an engine test to demonstrate
the potential of its novel biofuel. The test was carried out by
Intertek, in Geleen, The Netherlands, an independent test center.
Using a Citroën Berlingo with a regular diesel engine, Avantium
tested a wide range of blends of Furanics with regular diesel. The
test yielded positive results for all blends tested. The engine ran
smoothly for several hours. Exhaust analysis uncovered a significant
reduction of soot (fine particulates). On top of this, Furanics do
not contain any sulphur, a significant environmental benefit compared
to oil-based fuels.

Tom van Aken, Chief Executive Officer of Avantium said: "The
excellent results of the engine test support the proof of principle
of our next generation biofuel, and is an essential milestone for our
biofuels development program. The significant reduction of soot in
the car exhaust is encouraging, as soot emmissions are considered a
major disadvantage of using diesel today, because of its adverse
environmental and health effects. We are developing a next generation
biofuel that has superior fuel properties and process economics
compared to existing biofuels. The production process of Furanics has
an excellent fit with existing chemical process technology and
infrastructure. Ultimately our ambition is to develop biofuels that
are competitive with fossil based fuels."

The company plans to undertake an additional, comprehensive engine
tests in 2008 to study engine performance and long terms effects of
Furanics.

Avantium also announced the filing of over a dozen patent
applications on the production and use of Furanics as part of the
company's strategy to build an extensive patent portfolio for its
biofuels program. In September 2007, the first two key patents were
published, that claim amongst others the use of furanics as a biofuel
and its production routes from sugars.

The company recently appointed Dr. Ed de Jong, a well-known and
highly respected biomass expert. Previously, he worked at Wageningen
University & Research Centre.

About Furanics

Avantium is developing next generation biofuels called "Furanics".
Avantium Furanics are products derived from carbohydrates such as
sugars. Carbohydrates are globally the most abundantly available
biomass feedstock. The company is developing chemical, catalytic
routes to produce Furanics. Next to their application as a biofuel,
Avantium Furanics can also be used for the production of bio-based
plastics, and bulk and specialty chemicals.

Profile Avantium

Avantium is a leading technology company in the area of advanced
high-throughput R&D operating in the energy, chemicals and
pharmaceutical industries. The company develops products and
processes in the area of biofuels, bio-based chemicals and novel
crystal forms of existing drugs by applying its proprietary,
high-throughput R&D technology. Avantium has demonstrated the
potential of this technology by providing R&D services and tools to
more than 70 companies worldwide, including many of the world's
largest energy, chemicals and pharmaceutical companies. Avantium has
approximately 100 employees; its offices and head quarters are based
in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Other information

This release may contain certain forward-looking statements
relating to the business, financial performance and results of
Avantium and the industry in which it operates. These statements are
based on its current plans, estimates and projections, as well as its
expectations of external conditions and events. A number of important
factors, and the inherent risks and uncertainties that such
statements involve, could cause actual results or outcomes to differ
materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements.

In the event of any inconsistency between an English version and a
Dutch version of this document, the English version will prevail over
the Dutch version.

http://www.avantium.com

ots Originaltext: Avantium Technologies B.V.
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
Citigate First Financial, José Tijssen / Claire Verhagen,
Phone:+31-20-575-4010, Email: Jose.Tijssen@citigateff.nl /
Claire.Verhagen@citigateff.nl


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