Wayne County intends to break ground next spring on a biotechnology park that Executive Robert Ficano hopes will become the state's production hub for alternative fuels.The county has inked an agreement with the state on the park, but still needs to line up a private company committed to buying earth-friendly products.

The location of the park largely depends on which company steps forward to partner with the county and Michigan State University to launch the biofuel initiative, said Matt Schenk, assistant to Ficano. The county, MSU and Diversified Natural Products Inc., a bio-refinery company, have agreed to establish a facility on about 100 acres of county-owned land.

The Delaware-based natural products company operates a plant in France that uses an MSU patent to create succinic acid, an eco-friendly product that can substitute for oil in making plastic.

The Wayne County plant could create succinic acid, biodiesel and ethanol.

"It could be one of the Big Three, it could be an auto supply company or it could be a chemical company, which also have a very big interest in alternative fuels," Schenk said.

No taxpayer money will be spent on the project, Schenk said. The county is seeking tax breaks from the state, as well as private investment and grant money, to make the park a reality.

Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Amy Lee / The Detroit News
You can reach Amy Lee at (313) 222-2548 or alee@detnews.com