Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy to use Enogen Corn for Ethanol Production

Syngenta has signed an agreement with Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy (SIRE) to allow the latter to use Enogen corn enzyme technology at its ethanol production facility in Iowa.

According to David Witherspoon, head of Enogen for Syngenta, the alpha amylase enzyme found in Enogen grains helps an ethanol plant reduce the viscosity of its corn mash, and reduce the need to add a liquid form of the enzyme.

"This breakthrough viscosity 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," Witherspoon said.