Syngenta announced today that it has signed an agreement with Midwest Renewable Energy, LLC (MRE) to begin using Enogen® corn enzyme technology at its Sutherland, Nebraska, ethanol production facility beginning with the 2016 planting season. Syngenta is contracting Enogen with growers to support 18 ethanol plants in seven states, representing approximately 1.3 billion gallons of ethanol capacity.

 

The robust alpha amylase enzyme found in Enogen grain helps an ethanol plant significantly reduce the viscosity of its corn mash and eliminates the need to add a liquid form of the enzyme. 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 natural gas, energy, water and chemical usage. Farmers who grow Enogen corn benefit as well – they earn an average premium of 40 cents per bushel.

 

“The agreement with MRE will enable them to source alpha amylase enzyme directly from local growers and keep enzyme dollars in the local community,” said Chris Tingle, head of marketing for Enogen at Syngenta. “This is what truly sets Enogen corn apart from other technologies designed to enhance ethanol production. It adds significant incremental value at the local level for communities that rely on their ethanol plant’s success.”

 

Midwest Renewable Energy operates a dry-mill ethanol plant and generates fuel-grade ethanol via natural fermentation and distillation of corn, primarily for blending with gasoline and other motor fuels. MRE runs at a rate of 28 million gallons per year.

 

According to Midwest Renewable Energy CEO and Chairman of the Board Jim Jandrain, the opportunity to invest locally is a key benefit of using Enogen grain. “We look forward to purchasing alpha amylase in the form of high-quality grain directly from local corn growers,” Jandrain said. “When you think about the value that Enogen will deliver for our growers, our facility and our community, it’s a win-win-win scenario.”

 

Enogen corn is expected to generate approximately $29 million of additional revenue for local growers in 2016 through per-bushel premiums – keeping enzyme dollars in local communities. Furthermore, numerous trials have shown that Enogen hybrids perform equal to or better than other high-performing corn hybrids1.

 

For more information about Enogen corn hybrids, contact a Syngenta Seed Advisor™ or Syngenta retailer, or visit www.Enogen.net. To inquire about incorporating Enogen into an ethanol plant, contact Tim Tierney, head, Enogen business accounts, at timothy.tierney@syngenta.com or 612-801-9775.