Quad County Corn Processors Hits Million-gallon Cellulosic Milestone

Apr 10, 2015

Cellerate™ process technology helps QCCP increase ethanol production
Bolt-on process converts corn kernel fiber into cellulosic ethanol
QCCP recognized by the Renewable Fuels Association for advancing the use of cellulosic ethanol technology

Syngenta announced today that Quad County Corn Processors (QCCP) has produced its one millionth gallon of cellulosic ethanol through the use of Cellerate™ process technology at its Galva, Iowa, ethanol production facility. This milestone puts QCCP on track to produce 2 million gallons of cellulosic ethanol per year.

Cellerate can help ethanol plants increase production by converting corn kernel fiber into cellulosic ethanol. In addition to enabling plants to increase production by up to 6 percent, Cellerate can help ethanol producers increase the protein content of dried distillers grains to as much as 40 percent and increase total yield of distillers corn oil up to 1.6 pounds per bushel.

“With Cellerate process technology, we are able to extract more ethanol out of the same kernel of corn,” said Delayne Johnson, chief executive officer of QCCP. “The combination of Cellerate and Enogen® corn enzyme technology allowed us to produce advanced and cellulosic ethanol while decreasing natural gas usage, increasing ethanol throughput and reducing energy consumption. This technology package is very appealing for ethanol plants looking to improve their bottom line.”

In 2014, Syngenta announced an agreement with Cellulosic Ethanol Technologies, a wholly-owned subsidiary of QCCP, to license Cellerate to ethanol plants.

“Ethanol plants can easily integrate Cellerate process technology into their existing production process,” said Jack Bernens, head of marketing for Enogen corn enzyme technology. “In conjunction with Enogen corn enzyme technology, Cellerate is capable of delivering notable benefits to ethanol plants beyond what can be achieved through either technology alone.”

QCCP was recently honored with the RFA 2015 Industry Award at the 20th Annual National Ethanol Conference in recognition of its achievements in advancing the use of cellulosic ethanol technology. The RFA Industry Award is bestowed annually to individuals or groups that demonstrate great dedication and innovation within the renewable fuels industry.

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