New fractionation system to improve ethanol yields

Ethanex Energy (OTCBB: EHNX) and Minnesota-based Buhler today announced that the two companies will begin jointly marketing a corn fractionation system intended to boost the output and margins of conventional ethanol plants.

Buhler’s proprietary Selective Milling corn fractionation technology is being combined wih Ethanex’s Fractionation Integration Services, including an advanced energy center and co-product optimization platform.

By separating corn into its discrete components, Buhler and Ethanex’s combined platform is intended to enable the highest and best use of each kernel. The result is less energy consumed, increased ethanol production, lower cost fossil-free fuel and a greater number of higher value co-products, including food grade corn oil, the companies claim.

Currently Buhler’s corn milling systems fractionate 1.7 million bushels of corn every day for both food and non-ethanol industrial applications.

Ethanex and Buhler started testing the system at the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center in Edwardsville, Illinois last month. These tests also produced high protein distillers grain for feed trial purposes. Further fractionation optimization will be conducted later this month at Buhler’s research and development center in Uzwil, Switzerland.

“Fractionation is the key to unlocking the full potential of corn based ethanol production. Separating the fermentable portion of the kernel from the un-fermentables is the first step in true bio-refining. With the three discrete streams comes the ability to further separate and maximize the potential value from whole corn,” said Al Knapp, President and CEO of Ethanex Energy, Inc.

“Fractionation has a unique value proposition in that it benefits both sides of the profit equation; it lowers unit production costs and increases revenue for ethanol producers,” said Rene Steiner, President of Buhler.

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