Advances in cellulosic ethanol technology, including a collaboration between Syngenta and Iowa-based Cellulosic Ethanol Technologies LLC, were a key topic at the recent American Coalition for Ethanol annual conference.

In a session discussing how corn kernel fiber is leading the way to the development of cellulosic fuels, Quad County Corn Processors Head Engineer Travis Brotherson reported a 26 percent increase in ethanol production after a recently-completed trial.The trial consisted of a combination of Cellerate process technology and Enogen corn. Brotherson said this dramatic increase was achieved by realizing an additional 6 percent yield per bushel from converting kernel fiber into cellulosic ethanol, plus a 20 percent throughput increase by combining Cellerate with Enogen.

“These results, and our experience of the past two years, confirm the consistent performance benefits available through Cellerate enhanced by Enogen—and we believe the potential could be even greater,” Brotherson said. “Cellerate can help plants produce more ethanol from an existing asset base, increase total yield of distillers grains corn oil and improve the protein content of feed co-products.”

To date, QCCP has produced nearly 5 million gallons of cellulosic ethanol via the Cellerate process, which represents 90 percent of total U.S. cellulosic ethanol production (D3 RINs) in the last three years. At a current value of approximately $1.90 per gallon, the generation of D3 RINs is significant as it helps fulfill advanced and cellulosic requirements set forth by the renewable fuel standard and demonstrates the viability of cellulosic ethanol.

In an upcoming webinar hosted by Ethanol Producer Magazine at 2 p.m. CT on Aug. 17, Brotherson and Miloud Araba, head of Enogen Technical Services at Syngenta, will discuss the potential of corn kernel fiber and how new technologies can help ethanol producers achieve significant production and efficiency benefits. Register at www.ethanolproducer.com/pages/webinar.

In 2014, Syngenta announced an agreement with Cellulosic Ethanol Technologies LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of QCCP, to be the exclusive marketer of Cellerate process technology to ethanol plants in North America. QCCP was honored with the Renewable Fuels Association 2015 Industry Award at the 20^th Annual National Ethanol Conference for its achievements in advancing the use of cellulosic ethanol technology.

“Earth-friendly American ethanol has become an important success story,” said Jack Bernens, head of Enogen at Syngenta. “Cellerate technology enhanced by Enogen corn can help make ethanol even more sustainable and improve a plant’s profit potential by helping to produce more ethanol from the same kernel of corn.”

For Cellerate technical inquiries, or a tour of the Cellerate process at QCCP, please contact Tim Tierney with Syngenta at 612-801-9775 or Travis Brotherson with QCCP at 712-282-4628. For more information about Enogen corn enzyme technology or Cellerate process technology, visit www.EnogenCorn.com.