This month, we spotlight our newest vendor member, Hydrite Chemical Co. We spoke to Scott Cumming, market development manager -biofuels at Hydrite Chemical, on the company, its position in the ethanol industry and what it sees as the industry's biggest challenge.

Scott Cumming, Market Development Manager - Biofuels, Hydrite Chemical

 Please tell us about Hydrite Chemical Co?

Hydrite Chemical Co., established in 1929, is one of the largest and most respected providers of chemicals and related services in the United States. We are proud to partner with hundreds of companies to help them make the best products in the world at the lowest possible cost.

Please tell us about Hydrite's role within the ethanol industry and why the company is committed to supporting the ethanol industry now and in the future?

 Hydrite currently provides corn oil extraction chemistries to the ethanol industry as well as other specialty chemicals for foam control, evaporator  cleaning, and many bulk chemicals. For the near future, Hydrite is leveraging its expertise in sulfur, organic, and food processing to provide additional value added products to boost the earnings potential to our customers. Specifically, Hydrite is utilizing the technical expertise derived from its diverse business units to provide antibiotic free chemistries and efficiency boosting enzymes that will allow producers to contribute more to their bottom line. 

 What do you see as the ethanol industry's biggest challenge?

To me, the industry's biggest challenge is battling common misconceptions and continuing to get the message out about the benefits of ethanol  for our country. Just a quick story to illustrate this point, the other day I was returning my rental car at a popular international airport. The friendly customer service agent at the rental car company asked me what I was doing in the area and I mentioned that I had visited an ethanol plant. The agent was very quick (and cordial) to let me know how bad ethanol was to his company's rental cars. 

"This stuff is really bad and damages these cars," he told me. Yet, when pressed (in a friendly manner), he could not remember how many vehicles, which models, or the time of the most recent damage. All he could point out was how bad ethanol was for his vehicles and lawnmowers; suggesting the origins of his misguided comments were from "anti-ethanol" organizations. He was seemingly unaware of all the immense benefits the ethanol industry has had on the US economy including job creation, the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from ethanol, and a decrease in dependence on foreign oil.

Learn more about Hydrite Chemical Co here