SixRing
SixRing is an innovative technology company that has developed novel patented solutions for delignifying biomass. The system operates at ambient conditions and is a low-energy, low-cost process that converts lignocellulosic (non-food) biomass into several different bioproducts.
Based in Calgary, SixRing’s technology is a homegrown Canadian solution. The company has approximately 40 employees and half of them are scientists and engineers focused on the technical and R&D aspects of the Company.
The technology has been in use for over a decade and originated from the oil and gas industry, as modified acids were used in wellbore completions. The team was then working towards a solution for water treatment, which involved testing on wood. This led to the discovery that cellulose was being released from the wood and the focus of the technology shifted to biomass applications.
Scott Treadwell, President of SixRing, explains how the technology works “The core of the technology is modified acids that attack only part of the biomass. It acts like a wire cutter for the lignin which is like a cable jacket that protects the fibres in the biomass. Once the lignin is removed the unaltered cellulose and hemicellulose are accessible for use in biofuels and bioproducts. The resulting cellulose mixture, called Stimulose, has a massive surface area that allows microbes to consume it quickly. This boosts the cellulose degrading microorganisms in the system and helps to break down all cellulosic material in the digester more efficiently, resulting in increased methane production.”
SixRing has a pilot facility that can process 3-5 tonnes of biomass a day. The system is agnostic to the type of biomass and can process a wide range of material such as forestry waste, contaminated biomass, and underutilized agricultural residues. Lab trials demonstrate that a dosing of 2.3% Stimulose in an anaerobic digester can lead to 50-130% more methane production, along with lower H2S and CO2 concentrations.
SixRing’s technology is a very elegant solution. Treadwell explains “The system operates at ambient conditions, uses commodity inputs and materials, recycles over 90 percent of the input chemicals, and converts approximately 90 percent of the incoming biomass to saleable products.” The system consists of off-the-shelf equipment and resembles many other industrial process facilities.
Currently SixRing is building a first of its kind commercial scale facility in Lethbridge from a repurposed biodiesel facility. The facility will process 25 tonnes per day of biomass and produce 10-12 tonnes per day of Stimulose. The facility is scheduled to come online in late 2025 and gives SixRing the ability to sell products and further establish the value of Stimulose in AD operations. SixRing was awarded $5 Million from Emissions Reduction Alberta in July 2024 for the Lethbridge facility.
SixRing is also talking to global customers to use its technology for biomasses such as sugarcane bagasse and date palm tree residue to feed existing and future biofuels applications. Treadwell notes “This is a huge win for countries that are biomass rich looking to increase their local energy production.”
SixRing became members of the Canadian Biogas Association in February 2024. The primary reasons for joining were connectivity and networking in addition to accessing industry expertise specifically for the biogas sector.
