November 2, 2015
By Syngenta
Iowa Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum visited the site of the first commercial cellulosic ethanol production in the state of Iowa at Quad County Corn Processors (QCCP) Oct. 30.
QCCP recently passed the two-million gallon milestone for cellulosic ethanol production using trademarked Cellerate-process technology. Cellerate is a collaboration between Syngenta and Cellulosic Ethanol Technologies LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of QCCP.
Santorum met with QCCP and Syngenta representatives, including QCCP CEO Delayne Johnson, to discuss renewable fuels policy and see first-hand the innovative process technology that has enabled QCCP to become a leader in cellulosic ethanol production. Cellulosic ethanol is seen as a major contributor to meeting renewable fuel standard (RFS) targets.
"One of the things that's helped rural small towns and farmers, particularly in Iowa, is the Renewable Fuel Standard,” Santorum said.
Increased demand for ethanol has helped revive many rural communities by providing thousands of new, good-paying jobs. In 2013 alone, the ethanol industry created and supported nearly 400,000 new jobs across the country, while contributing more than $44 billion to the Gross Domestic Product and generating more than $4.5 billion in federal tax revenues.
Santorum also called for investment in flex fuel infrastructure to increase access to biofuels – which he believes would provide consumers with increased access to the fuel marketplace and allow greater market competition.
During 2014, QCCP achieved EPA certification to generate D3 renewable identification numbers (RINs) for cellulosic ethanol. According to Johnson, the generation of D3 RINs helps fulfill advanced and cellulosic requirements set forth by the RFS. QCCP is among the first companies to issue D3 RINs, which has also enabled the company to expand sales into racing and advanced biofuels markets.
“We are excited to have achieved our goal of producing 2 million gallons per year of cellulosic ethanol, and are on target to continue, or increase, this production level going forward,” Johnson said. “We’re now focusing on growing alliances and relationships within the industry.”
In 2014, Syngenta announced an agreement with Cellulosic Ethanol Technologies to license Cellerate process technology to ethanol plants. “Ethanol plants can integrate Cellerate process technology into their existing production process,” said Chris Tingle, head of Marketing for trademarked Enogen at Syngenta. “We believe that not only will Cellerate process technology help make advanced and cellulosic ethanol a reality, but the combination of Cellerate and Enogen could represent the next leap forward for ethanol production.”
Read the original story: Presidential Candidate, Former Senator Visits Quad County