WASHINGTON — The Advanced Ethanol Council (AEC) is pleased to welcome Quad County Corn Processors (QCCP) and Syngenta as new members. Syngenta and QCCP are engaged in a joint venture to develop, license and deploy Cellerateâ„¢ — a "bolt on" cellulosic ethanol process technology easily integrated into existing corn ethanol production processes. Tests have shown that Cellerate technology, used in conjunction with Enogen® — a corn enzyme technology pioneered by Syngenta — can deliver significant benefits to ethanol plants beyond what can be achieved through either technology alone. Among its other benefits, Cellerate increases a corn ethanol plant's production capacity by allowing the corn kernel fiber to be converted into cellulosic ethanol. The corn fiber ethanol pathway is approved by U.S. EPA as an RFS-eligible cellulosic biofuel. QCCP announced the full integration of Cellerate into its 35 million gallon per year capacity ethanol production facility in September 2014. The $8.5 million upgrade will allow QCCP to produce an additional 2 million gallons of (cellulosic) ethanol per year, reduce natural gas input at the plant and boost corn oil production by roughly 300 percent. "We are very excited about our ability to develop a cellulosic biofuel technology that increases ethanol throughput and corn oil extraction while reducing energy input and carbon emissions," said Delayne Johnson, chief executive officer of QCCP. "It is this type of value proposition that makes the future of cellulosic ethanol so bright." "As Syngenta continues to explore new technologies that will contribute to the future success of the ethanol industry, it is clear that the Cellerate joint venture and the Advanced Ethanol Council share a strong focus on facilitating the commercialization and growth of the advanced ethanol industry," said David Witherspoon, head of renewable fuels for Syngenta. "And we must continue to engage in policy discussions to ensure the long-term stability and success of advanced biofuels." Syngenta is a leading global innovator of agricultural crop solutions that help farmers improve productivity and profit. QCCP owns and operates an ethanol plant in Galva (Iowa), and is one of the leading developers of cellulosic ethanol production technology through its wholly-owned subsidiary Cellulosic Ethanol Technologies, LLC. "We are very pleased to be working with QCCP and Syngenta," said Brooke Coleman, executive director of the AEC. "The cellulosic biofuels industry is breaking through at commercial scale and it is critical for the industry to remain unified when it comes to how we engage on policy and regulatory matters. Syngenta and QCCP are highly engaged on both the business and political fronts, and we look forward to working with them on strategies that will put the industry in a position to succeed in 2015 and beyond." The Advanced Ethanol Council (AEC) represents worldwide leaders in the effort to develop and commercialize the next generation of ethanol fuels, ranging from cellulosic ethanol made from dedicated energy crops, forest residues and agricultural waste to advanced ethanol made from municipal solid waste, algae and other feedstocks. The AEC is the only advanced biofuel group with the singular purpose of promoting advanced ethanol fuels and technologies. Syngenta is one of the world's leading companies with more than 28,000 employees in over 90 countries dedicated to our purpose: Bringing plant potential to life. Through world-class science, global reach and commitment to our customers, we help to increase crop productivity, protect the environment and improve health and quality of life. For more information about us, please go to www.syngenta.com. Quad County Corn Processors owns and operates a 35 million gallon per year corn ethanol production facility in northwest Iowa. Quad County's Research & Development team has successfully developed a patented process – deployed in partnership with Syngenta – for converting corn kernel fiber into cellulosic ethanol, additional corn oil and a high protein, low fiber feed.
