- Enogen corn enzyme technology will be trialed at Madera, California, ethanol plant following the 2015 corn harvest
- Major reduction in corn mash viscosity will lead to increased throughput and yield, and reduced energy usage
- Reduced carbon footprint enabled by Enogen is an important factor in meeting future carbon reduction targets set by California low carbon fuel standard
MINNETONKA, Minn., U.S.A. – Syngenta announced today that it has signed a trial agreement with Pacific Ethanol, Inc. (Nasdaq: PEIX) to begin using Enogen® grain at its 40 million gallon per year Madera, California ethanol production facility following the 2015 corn harvest. Enogen corn enzyme technology offers ethanol plants an alternative to traditional liquid alpha amylase by providing the enzyme directly in the corn kernel.
“We are confident that Enogen corn enzyme technology will add value to Pacific Ethanol’s operations and help them reduce their carbon footprint,” said David Witherspoon, head of Enogen for Syngenta. “In a 100-million gallon plant, for example, Enogen corn can help save: 350 billion BTU’s of natural gas; 10 million KWh of electricity; 68 million gallons of water; and 106 million pounds of CO2 emissions1.”
Enogen grain eliminates the need for an ethanol plant to use liquid alpha amylase. The robust alpha amylase enzyme found in Enogen grain helps an ethanol plant dramatically reduce the viscosity of its corn mash. This breakthrough reduction can lead to unprecedented levels of solids loading, which directly contributes to increased throughput and yield, as well as critical cost savings from reduced energy, water and chemical usage. Participating growers earn an average premium of 40 cents per bushel for growing Enogen corn.
Neil Koehler, CEO of Pacific Ethanol, stated: “Improving plant operating efficiencies and lowering carbon intensity are key components of our strategy to drive profitable growth. Through increasing production yields and optimizing process throughput at our plants, Enogen corn can further support these efforts. We look forward to working with Syngenta on a trial at the Pacific Ethanol Madera facility to confirm the product’s value to our markets.”
For more information about Enogen corn enzyme technology, visit www.Enogen.net. To inquire about incorporating Enogen into an ethanol plant, contact Tim Tierney, head of Enogen business accounts, at timothy.tierney@syngenta.com or 612-656-8169.
1Savings calculated based on Enogen trial and commercial results at Midwest ethanol plants.
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