Posted June 14, 2010
 
 Genencor, a division of Danisco A/S, has announced at the 2010 Fuel Ethanol Workshop and Expo (FEW) in St. Louis, Mo., a new enzyme that more efficiently liquefies dry ground corn or milo. The trademarked enzyme, Spezyme Robust Starch Liquefaction (RSL), is the result of a three year controlled experiment and testing period performed by Genencor. "We aimed for a design that would help this enzyme work in the overwhelming majority of plants," said Hans Foerster, director of marketing for Grain Processing Americas for Genencor. 

 
 The Spezyme is able to break down starch more efficiently based on its ability to work across a wide range of pH levels along with a greater thermal stability. "The industry has struggled with this for many years at plants using a hydro heater or jet. We focused on improving both the thermal element and the pH balance," said Foerster. The new enzyme also only requires one dosing and no pH adjustment. Currently in use at twenty different ethanol facilities, producers can expect to see a 25 to 50 percent reduction in sulfuric acid usage, according to the company. 
 
 A major part of the research was directed at producer needs. Foerster said the hope for the enzyme was to enable plant operators to run their systems without taking into account the frailty of the enzymes. Using the Spezyme RSL now only requires plant operators to make two changes to normal procedures. The changes involve moving the enzyme dosing up front and a reduction in pH adjustments along with the removal of ammonias and the sulfuric acid used to control pH levels. 
 
 "This is liquefaction without compromise," said Troy Wilson, vice president of grain processing for Genencor. "Genencor continues to innovate in grain processing, bringing both high performance and high yield to ethanol producers. These efficiencies are increasingly important as the corn ethanol industry delivers on America's promise of a homegrown, environmentally friendly, renewable fuel." 
 
 "Genencor has focused their innovations on the needs of ethanol producers, resulting in real benefits for us," said Stan Janson, manager of operations at Big River Resources LLC. "Their focus has been on improving the corn to ethanol process by improving yields at a reasonable price. Genencor has the same goal as the producer, reducing the cost per gallon of ethanol produced." 
 
 Producing ethanol in the future is something Wilson said the California-based company plans to be a part of. "We see a bright future in grain based alternative energy solutions. We have invested millions of dollars as seen in the last two or three years, and, we will continue to invest."

FEW: Genencor's Spezyme RSL works for majority of plants, improves liquefaction

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FEW: Genencor's Spezyme RSL works for majority of plants, improves liquefaction