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Blue Marble Wins $30K Grant from Montana’s Department of Natural Resources and Conservation for Woody Biomass Utilization

Blue Marble http://www.bluemarblebio.com is honored to receive a $30,000 grant award to plan, design and permit
their renewable chemical biorefinery in the Bitterroot Valley of Montana.

The Regional Woody Biomass Utilization Grant was awarded by Montana’s Department
of Natural Resources and Conservation. The intent of the grant is to support the
increased use of woody biomass for diversification of forest product markets.

According
to the DNRC grant guidelines:

"The evolving and currently stressed wood products market requires the adaptation
and diversification of the forest products industry in Montana. Biomass utilization,
integrated with traditional forest product manufacturing, is a key component in
maintaining the strength of Montana’s current infrastructure and continued forest
management."

Blue Marble’s fermentation and extraction technologies will give a new high-value outlet
for woody biomass: renewable chemicals for the food, flavoring, fragrance and personal
care industries. Blue Marble is in discussion with several wood product manufacturers
as well as various forestry departments to access low-value wood byproducts that are
usually burned.

The Blue Marble biorefinery will employ approximately 25 employees. For each Blue
Marble employee 2.5 additional jobs may be created in the surrounding communities,
which could mean a total of 88 new jobs in the area. The biorefinery is expected to be
operational and delivering product to customers in Q1 2011.

About Blue Marble Biomaterials: Blue Marble Biomaterials is a wholly owned subsidiary of Blue Marble
Energy. Blue Marble Biomaterials manufactures renewable specialty chemicals for the food, fragrance,
cosmetics, and personal care industries. Their mission is to replace petroleum-based chemicals with fully
sustainable, zero carbon specialty chemicals.

Contact for Blue Marble: Julia Ruedig, [email protected]

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