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Genencor Launches Industry Transforming Technology for Ethanol Production

New enzyme technology removes the need for energy-intensive, costly cook step

08 Jul 2005 - Genencor International, Inc. announced the availability of novel enzyme technology for the ethanol industry that could lead to improved energy balance and reduced production costs while obtaining higher output. The first product from its line of STARGEN(TM) granular starch hydrolyzing enzymes has the potential to pave the way for the emergence of biorefineries.
 
Until recently, ethanol plants have cooked grains and other feedstocks with thermostable enzymes to begin the process of converting starch to fermentable sugars and ultimately to ethanol. Genencor's STARGEN(TM) enzymes include blends of an alpha amylase and a glucoamylase that convert granular or uncooked starch to fermentable sugars on a continuous basis through a simultaneous saccharification and fermentation process. Some of the potential advantages of this new technology include improved productivity, reduced energy consumption, higher ethanol yields and savings on capital expenses by reducing overall unit operations.
 
"This new, low energy technology offers the ethanol industry significant added value with fewer processing steps requiring less energy, materials and capital. It should be equally useful to producers to accelerate the development of biobased manufacturing processes and products that require low-cost carbon," said Thomas J. Pekich, president of Genencor International. "Together, technology advances like STARGEN(TM) enzymes will lead to a more sustainable environment and lessen dependence on foreign oil."