Syngenta in North America has signed trial agreements with Siouxland Ethanol near Jackson, in northeast Nebraska, and Golden Grain Energy of Mason City Iowa, to demonstrate the value of Enogen trait technology for ethanol production. Both ethanol plants will complete a three-month trial with the specialized corn grain bio-engineered to allow ethanol production to be more efficient, cost effective and better for the environment.
Enogen corn contains the first genetically engineered output trait for the ethanol industry. Enogen trait technology allows corn to expresses the alpha amylase enzyme necessary for dry grind ethanol production directly in the endosperm of the grain, says David Witherspoon, head of renewable fuels with Syngenta. This breakthrough technology eliminates the need to add liquid alpha amylase and can lead to dramatic increases in throughput while potentially reducing costs in energy, gas and water usage, he adds.
Siouxland Ethanol near Jackson, Neb.
"We're glad to be partnering with these plants and we're excited about the improved efficiency Enogen trait technology can deliver," says Witherspoon. "We're looking forward to working closely with each plant during the trial to demonstrate the value Enogen corn can add to their operation and their community."
Golden Grain Energy and Siouxland Ethanol will begin their trials in the spring of 2013 with Enogen grain harvested from acres planted this past growing season. Following the trial, each plant will analyze data to discover the efficiencies created from Enogen grain. Pending trial results, each plant will then enter into negotiations with Syngenta to sign a commercial agreement.
When a commercial agreement is in place, Syngenta will partner with the ethanol plants to contract with local growers to supply each plant with Enogen grain. Growers under contract to produce Enogen grain follow simple but specific production and stewardship protocols. In exchange, they are paid a price premium for each bushel of Enogen grain delivered to the ethanol plant.
"We believe Enogen corn is truly a win-win technology," said Witherspoon. "The premium paid to the grower for each bushel of Enogen corn produced helps create substantial value and profit potential for their operation as well."
For more information about Enogen trait technology, visit www.enogen.net.