TORONTO, Oct 2, 2008 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX News Network) --
SunOpta Inc. (Nasdaq:STKL) (TSX:SOY) today Murray Burke, President and Chief Technology Officer of SunOpta BioProcess Inc. (SBI), will present at the Platts Cellulosic Ethanol Conference in Chicago on October 9, 2008. (http://www.platts.com/Events/2008/pc837/).
Mr. Burke will speak on the topic of scale-up of cellulosic ethanol technology from pilot and commercial demonstration to the full commercial level, defined as equal to or greater than 10 million gallons per year of continuous, industrial production of ethanol from lignocellulosic feedstock. The move to large-scale "commercial" production is viewed as a key event in the shift from starch-derived ethanol to cellulose-derived ethanol. Mr. Burke will provide an overview of methods for overcoming obstacles to commercial scale-up and provide updates on
SBI's cellulosic ethanol projects.
About SunOpta BioProcess Inc.
SunOpta BioProcess Inc. is a leader in the design, construction and optimization of biomass conversion process technologies, equipment and facilities. With over 30 years experience in delivering biomass solutions worldwide, SBI combines its applications expertise with innovative, patented, and proprietary technologies to produce cellulosic ethanol, cellulosic butanol, xylitol, and dietary fiber for human consumption. The company is currently designing and supplying equipment and process technology to pilot and commercial demonstration cellulosic ethanol projects worldwide. SBI intends to build, own and/or co-own commercial scale cellulosic ethanol production facilities and is currently engaged in a joint feasibility study focused on construction of a 10 million gallon per year cellulosic ethanol facility in Minnesota.
About SunOpta Inc.
SunOpta Inc. is an operator of
high-growth ethical businesses, focusing on integrated business models in the natural and organic food and natural health markets. The Company has three business units: the SunOpta Food Group, which specializes in sourcing, processing and distribution of natural and organic food products integrated from seed through packaged products; Opta Minerals Inc. (TSX:OPM) (66.6% owned by SunOpta), a producer, distributor, and recycler of environmentally friendly industrial materials; and SunOpta BioProcess Inc. which engineers and markets proprietary steam explosion technology systems for the bio-fuel, pulp and food processing industries. Each of these business units has proprietary products and services that give it a solid competitive advantage in its sector.
The SunOpta Inc. logo is available at
http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3958
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements included in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to references to SunOpta BioProcess Inc. activities as mentioned above. These forward looking statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of its experience and its interpretation of current conditions, historical trends and expected future developments as well as other factors that the Company believes are appropriate in the circumstance. However, whether actual results and developments will agree with expectations and predications of the Company is subject to many risks and uncertainties including without limitation the expected results related to the above press release. Consequently all
forward-looking statements made herein are qualified by these cautionary statements and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by the Company will be realized.
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SOURCE: SunOpta Inc.
SunOpta Inc.
Jeremy N. Kendall, Chairman
Steve Bromley, President & CEO
John Dietrich, Vice President & CFO
Tony Tavares, Chief Operating Officer
Susan Wiekenkamp, Information Officer
905-455-2528, ext 103
susan.wiekenkamp@sunopta.com
www.sunopta.com
Lytham Partners, LLC
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602-889-9700
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