Three Wisconsin biofuel companies have been awarded a total of $4.8 million in federal research dollars, or more than 27% of the total awards nationwide. The money has come from the Department of Energy and Department of Agriculture. Clean Tech Partners, of Madison, received $1.5 million to develop methods for stabilizing biomass materials. Lucigen Corp., of Middleton, received $1.3 million to develop enzyme products for converting soybean meal to ethanol. Virent Energy, of Madison, received $2 million for research into biodiesel-fuel production. The total award to Wisconsin, $4,780,800, was more than 27% of nearly $17.5 million in biofuel research grants awarded nationwide this fall. By rbarrett journalsentinel.com
