Syngenta (a crop solutions, agri business company) and Diversa (a company producing specialty enzymes) have forged a research and development an agreement for the development of novel enzymes that would provide breakthroughs in the economical production of ethanol from cellulosic biomass. The conversion of cellulosic biomass to ethanol usually involves three steps: (1) cellulose pretreatment, (2) conversion/breakdown of cellulose to simple sugars (also known as saccharification) and (3) fermentation, where the sugars are converted to ethanol. In many cases the saccharification step is important in the production of cellulosic ethanol. Under the agreement, Syngenta will provide funds to Diversa, which will be given a free hand to develop cost effective enzymes and microorganisms for the commercial production of ethanol from cellulosic biomass..