The Future of Fuel
Enogen corn is an increasingly important energy source, delivering significant advantages for ethanol plants, growers and local communities.
Imagine a corn seed capable of powering the future - developed to benefit
farmers, ethanol producers and consumers alike. Enogen® trait technology from Syngenta makes such a seed possible. It is the only genetically
modified corn output trait developed to enhance dry-grind ethanol
production.
"Enogen corn has arrived during a critical time for the renewable fuels industry," says David Witherspoon, head of renewable fuels at Syngenta. "Since it hit the market in 2011, this unique grain has exceeded industry expectations and created value throughout the entire corn ethanol supply chain."
Proven Performer
Enogen corn delivers alpha amylase enzyme in the corn kernel, eliminating the need for liquid alpha amylase in dry-grind ethanol production. When incorporated into the ethanol production process, Enogen grain provides a variety of process enhancements, including significant reductions in the viscosity of corn mash, unprecedented levels of dry solids loading and improved process flexibility. Witherspoon says these changes can lead to downstream benefits for the ethanol plant, such as increased ethanol throughput or yield, and reductions in natural gas, electricity, water and chemical usage.
Five plants have signed commercial agreements with Syngenta and now use
Quad County Corn Processors (QCCP) in Galva, Iowa, was the first ethanol plant to sign an agreement with Syngenta to use Enogen grain in commercial production. Just like any business, QCCP established a goal to make more product at a lower cost without sacrificing quality. A three-month trial using Enogen grain produced results that led the plant to transform its existing operation.
"Since using Enogen grain, we have seen an increase in ethanol yields by 0.04 to 0.05 gallons per bushel," says Travis Brotherson, QCCP plant engineer. "We have also seen a noticeable decrease in natural gas usage and a decrease in energy usage by about 5 percent." Additionally, a recent finding indicates that the plant has experienced a 3 percent reduction in residual starch and co-products.
"Enogen grain has helped our plant conversion, and we are getting more out of every bushel of corn," says QCCP’s production manager, Charlie Voss. "With the viscosity reduction, our plant is able to run faster, smoother and more efficiently, using less energy."
The Right Move
QCCP is now in its second year of using Enogen grain commercially, and Delayne Johnson, chief executive officer, believes that switching to the alpha amylase enzyme in Enogen grain was a good business move. "Our ethanol plant has had great results, and the transition has been very easy," he says. "The decrease in energy costs and increase in number of gallons of alcohol produced per bushel of corn have been critical drivers to enhancing our bottom line."
Looking ahead, QCCP will begin running a new bolt-on Adding Cellulosic Ethanol (ACE) technology in May, which Johnson believes will complement their use of Enogen grain. The ACE technology will allow the plant to convert corn kernel fiber into cellulosic ethanol, increasing the plant’s ethanol production by 6 percent.
"This process will help create a higher protein feed, up to 2.5 times more corn oil and more ethanol out of the same kernel of corn, while significantly reducing our greenhouse emissions and carbon footprint," Johnson says.
Grower Gains
Beyond ethanol production, Enogen corn is delivering significant benefits to growers who plant it. After the commercial introduction of the Enogen trait three years ago, 19 growers across the Corn Belt signed contracts to plant approximately 5,000 acres of Enogen corn seed. In 2014, those numbers have increased to more than 400 growers and 100,000 acres of Enogen corn.
Through a contract with ethanol plants, Enogen corn growers produce and deliver their grain directly to the local ethanol plant. In return, they earn an average 40-cents-per-bushel premium above whatever pricing options the ethanol plant offers.
"Assuming an average yield of 150 bushels an acre, Enogen corn will generate approximately $6 million of additional revenue for the local growers who have signed contracts in 2014," says Witherspoon.
To produce Enogen corn, growers can use their existing cultural farming practices, including nutrient, weed, insect and disease management programs. More importantly, there is no yield drag shown in hybrids featuring the Enogen trait.
"My Enogen-traited corn hybrids look the same as my other commercial corn hybrids, and the stewardship requirements are easy to follow," says grower and Syngenta Seed Advisor Andy Johnson of Charles City, Iowa. These specific, yet simple, requirements include border rows around an Enogen cornfield, planter and combine cleanout, and reserved bin space for all Enogen grain.
Revving Up Rural Communities
In addition to benefiting local ethanol plants and growers, Enogen corn is also helping to boost the economies of the rural communities where it is grown and processed. "What truly sets Enogen corn apart from other technologies designed to enhance ethanol production is that it adds significant incremental value at the local level for communities that rely on their ethanol plant’s success," Witherspoon says.
By using Enogen trait technology, ethanol producers can circulate the money they previously used to buy liquid alpha amylase from out-of-town suppliers to dozens of local farmers instead. This promotes the growth and stability of rural communities through an energy source that is helping to make America more energy independent.
"Enogen corn is a win for the farmer, a win for the ethanol plant and, in the end, a win for the consumer," says Enogen grower Marc Mummelthei of Waverly, Iowa. "Anything that increases what corn can do for our country is a good thing."
"Enogen corn has arrived during a critical time for the renewable fuels industry," says David Witherspoon, head of renewable fuels at Syngenta. "Since it hit the market in 2011, this unique grain has exceeded industry expectations and created value throughout the entire corn ethanol supply chain."
Proven Performer
Enogen corn delivers alpha amylase enzyme in the corn kernel, eliminating the need for liquid alpha amylase in dry-grind ethanol production. When incorporated into the ethanol production process, Enogen grain provides a variety of process enhancements, including significant reductions in the viscosity of corn mash, unprecedented levels of dry solids loading and improved process flexibility. Witherspoon says these changes can lead to downstream benefits for the ethanol plant, such as increased ethanol throughput or yield, and reductions in natural gas, electricity, water and chemical usage.
Five plants have signed commercial agreements with Syngenta and now use
Enogen grain to produce ethanol. Six more are trialing the grain in Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota and South Dakota."Enogen corn is a win for the farmer, a win for the ethanol plant and, in the end, a win for the consumer. Anything that increases what corn can do for our country is a good thing."
Quad County Corn Processors (QCCP) in Galva, Iowa, was the first ethanol plant to sign an agreement with Syngenta to use Enogen grain in commercial production. Just like any business, QCCP established a goal to make more product at a lower cost without sacrificing quality. A three-month trial using Enogen grain produced results that led the plant to transform its existing operation.
"Since using Enogen grain, we have seen an increase in ethanol yields by 0.04 to 0.05 gallons per bushel," says Travis Brotherson, QCCP plant engineer. "We have also seen a noticeable decrease in natural gas usage and a decrease in energy usage by about 5 percent." Additionally, a recent finding indicates that the plant has experienced a 3 percent reduction in residual starch and co-products.
"Enogen grain has helped our plant conversion, and we are getting more out of every bushel of corn," says QCCP’s production manager, Charlie Voss. "With the viscosity reduction, our plant is able to run faster, smoother and more efficiently, using less energy."
The Right Move
QCCP is now in its second year of using Enogen grain commercially, and Delayne Johnson, chief executive officer, believes that switching to the alpha amylase enzyme in Enogen grain was a good business move. "Our ethanol plant has had great results, and the transition has been very easy," he says. "The decrease in energy costs and increase in number of gallons of alcohol produced per bushel of corn have been critical drivers to enhancing our bottom line."
Looking ahead, QCCP will begin running a new bolt-on Adding Cellulosic Ethanol (ACE) technology in May, which Johnson believes will complement their use of Enogen grain. The ACE technology will allow the plant to convert corn kernel fiber into cellulosic ethanol, increasing the plant’s ethanol production by 6 percent.
"This process will help create a higher protein feed, up to 2.5 times more corn oil and more ethanol out of the same kernel of corn, while significantly reducing our greenhouse emissions and carbon footprint," Johnson says.
Grower Gains
Beyond ethanol production, Enogen corn is delivering significant benefits to growers who plant it. After the commercial introduction of the Enogen trait three years ago, 19 growers across the Corn Belt signed contracts to plant approximately 5,000 acres of Enogen corn seed. In 2014, those numbers have increased to more than 400 growers and 100,000 acres of Enogen corn.
Through a contract with ethanol plants, Enogen corn growers produce and deliver their grain directly to the local ethanol plant. In return, they earn an average 40-cents-per-bushel premium above whatever pricing options the ethanol plant offers.
"Assuming an average yield of 150 bushels an acre, Enogen corn will generate approximately $6 million of additional revenue for the local growers who have signed contracts in 2014," says Witherspoon.
To produce Enogen corn, growers can use their existing cultural farming practices, including nutrient, weed, insect and disease management programs. More importantly, there is no yield drag shown in hybrids featuring the Enogen trait.
"My Enogen-traited corn hybrids look the same as my other commercial corn hybrids, and the stewardship requirements are easy to follow," says grower and Syngenta Seed Advisor Andy Johnson of Charles City, Iowa. These specific, yet simple, requirements include border rows around an Enogen cornfield, planter and combine cleanout, and reserved bin space for all Enogen grain.
Revving Up Rural Communities
In addition to benefiting local ethanol plants and growers, Enogen corn is also helping to boost the economies of the rural communities where it is grown and processed. "What truly sets Enogen corn apart from other technologies designed to enhance ethanol production is that it adds significant incremental value at the local level for communities that rely on their ethanol plant’s success," Witherspoon says.
By using Enogen trait technology, ethanol producers can circulate the money they previously used to buy liquid alpha amylase from out-of-town suppliers to dozens of local farmers instead. This promotes the growth and stability of rural communities through an energy source that is helping to make America more energy independent.
"Enogen corn is a win for the farmer, a win for the ethanol plant and, in the end, a win for the consumer," says Enogen grower Marc Mummelthei of Waverly, Iowa. "Anything that increases what corn can do for our country is a good thing."
share this article
