... is how an investment analyst assessed one of our projects, because furfural production as part of a cellulosic ethanol plant gives the financials a boost. 

Although the C₅-sugars (pentosans) of the hemicellulose can be turned into cellulosic ethanol, its pollutants are net contributors of CO₂ greenhouse gases:

 20% of the molecular carbon is lost by converting the C₅-molecule in to two C₂-molecules of the ethanol.

Once saccharified, there are further carbon losses associated with the typical fermentation inefficiencies of the ethanol production.

The removal of the conversions of pentosans to furfural in the pretreatment (see Paid4Pretreament™) stage has the following benefits:

 no more furfural or furfuryl alcohol that poisons the yeasts (don't need any expensive/fortified yeasts).

allows a higher C₆-sugar throughput.

furfural sales generate good profits.

The above summary statements are based on our own research (2008/09), our technology developments, subsequent assessment of real pilot/demo plant data, supplied by the world's leading cellulosic ethanol developers and a need to secure long-term furfural supplies.