Verenium is starting up a cellulosic ethanol plant

Verenium Corp. of Cambridge said today that it is starting up a research ethanol plant that runs on agricultural waste and wood products instead of corn.

The demonstration-scale plant in Jennings, La., is designed to run on cellulosic feedstocks such as stems and leaves, which are also known as "nonfood biomass," the alternative energy company said.

The plant, which uses specialty enzymes and Verenium's proprietary technology, has a 1.4 million-gallon-per-year capacity.

The company aims to begin construction in the middle of next year on a 30 million-gallon-per-year cellulosic ethanol plant.

Verenium shares rose 2 cents to $2.39 in morning trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market. (AP)