Set to begin construction in 2009, the biorefinery is slated for a proposed site in Boardman, Oregon, USA.

“CH2M HILL delivers the horsepower to manage the EPC of ZeaChem’s first biorefinery as we progress toward the deployment of commercial scale facilities,” says James Imbler, President and Chief Executive Officer at ZeaChem.

ZeaChem intends to scale up to a commercial scale biorefinery from the first plant design. In addition to CH2M HILL, ZeaChem has also announced collaboration with GreenWood Resources and Valero Energy Corp.

ZeaChem’s says its technique, which “combines the best of biochemical and thermochemical processes,” produces 40% more ethanol per ton of biomass over any known competitor, placing ZeaChem at the forefront of third-generation technology.