About cea Inc.

James R. Hettenhaus co-founded cea Inc., a consulting firm, in 1993 that specializes in commercializing emerging applications in biotechnology He has performed a wide variety of assignments ranging from unique seed propagation systems to major business and technology acquisitions.

Since 1997 he has successfully led projects across the cellulosic biomass supply chain for National Laboratories and Private Clients to accelerate biomass commercialization to ethanol, chemicals and other value added products.. His assignments have included an assessment of cellulase hydrolysis improvement routes, the next generation of fermentation strains required for biomass derived sugars, defining innovative methods for sustainable harvesting, transporting and storing biomass feedstock, the logistical solutions for transporting multi-million ton quantities of feedstock and product, biorefinery siting and the “sugar platform” possibilities for production of chemicals, fuels and materials.

Prior to that, he had much success in leading large operations in related industries: fine chemicals, commodity chemicals, food ingredients, fibers, enzymes and large scale fermentation products with Gist-brocades, Monsanto and Anheuser-Busch. He has also been a co-founder of three start-ups: analytical instrumentation and control systems, membrane separation systems and a nylon fiber process.

Professional affiliations include the Biotechnology Industry Organization, Association for Corporate Growth, American Chemical Society and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. He has a B.S. Ch. E. from the University of Wisconsin and M. S. Engineering from St. Louis University.