Through innovative enzyme solutions, unmatched customer support, and active involvement in the biofuel industry, Novozymes continues to build a stronger and more sustainable ethanol business and world.
Energy consumption is steadily increasing, climate change is becoming a reality, and oil reserves are diminishing. The resulting volatility in energy prices and supply makes the world’s need for renewable and sustainable fuel even greater. Bioenergy can help meet this challenge by boosting energy independence, creating jobs in agriculture and industry, and reducing the use of fossil fuels. Novozymes strongly supports the sustainable production of bioenergy and continues to deliver innovation to the ethanol industry. While much has been said about advancements in cellulosic biofuel in recent times, there continue to be significant improvements made to traditional starch-based ethanol production as well.
A better glucoamylase
Novozymes Spirizyme® Excel is the newest enzyme technology for the ethanol industry. It joins the other members of our Spirizyme family as the most advanced saccharification solution available, delivering higher ethanol yields and increased profits. Starch can’t hide from the multiple enzyme activities of Spirizyme Excel. It provides robust performance by converting the most difficult starch fractions, even across variable mash conditions and production processes. And greater starch conversion leads to more ethanol and more profit.
We have invested a great amount of time and research in developing this new glucoamylase. After conducting rigorous testing across a broad array of mashes at more than 40 dry-grind ethanol plants, we learned that many different factors can affect fermentability: mash characteristics (such as particle size, incomplete mixing, residence time in slurry, and specific corn composition), plant process design, pH and temperature, backset usage rate, etc. Our research confirmed that a significant amount of ethanol potential is left behind in today’s production process.
Spirizyme Excel makes it possible to access more of the remaining starch and allows you to get the most out of your corn. In fact, we saw a greater than 1% yield increase in three out of four mashes tested using Spirizyme Excel.
In addition to converting more starch, Spirizyme Excel increases fermentation efficiency by improving back-end performance via lower syrup viscosity, centrate and total suspended solids, and residual starch levels in distillers grains.
It capitalizes on the differences in feedstock, production processes, and plant parameters, and maximizes yeast performance for the highest level of ethanol production seen to date. The addition of this unique enzyme allows for higher ethanol yields while decreasing the cost of corn per gallon and thus increasing overall plant profitability.
Ethanol producers can take our no-risk challenge to determine if their process could benefit from switching to Spirizyme Excel. We offer customized trials that include process evaluation, dosage recommendations, and comprehensive staff training. Our dedicated Customer Solutions team provides on-site support from beginning to end, including posttrial analysis and recommendations.
As the world leader in bioinnovation, Novozymes offers the leading technology platform for bioethanol production and focuses on developing high-value products that maximize ethanol yield and improve plant throughput. We continually invest in new technology, infrastructure, and resources to support market growth in the biofuel industry. Spirizyme Excel is the latest example of our efforts to build a stronger and more sustainable industry and world.
Unmatched customer support
Novozymes’ unique approach to service and support consists of more than just providing quality enzyme products. Our commitment to our customers also includes the latest in industry innovation, product knowledge, and supply chain expertise. Each of our customers receives comprehensive assistance from a dedicated plant support scientist who gives a full-time focus to both technical and training needs.
One of our most unique offerings to ethanol plants is a process review tool that serves as a diagnostic screening for virtually all areas of production. After providing input regarding process conditions such as pH, temperature, enzyme dosage, and amount of corn, the tool gives a detailed and accurate picture of the plant’s current level of optimization. Armed with valuable information about the plant’s history and present operating conditions, our Customer Solutions team can make suggestions for improving plant performance and helping the customer meet established goals. We are happy to provide this service to all ethanol producers, regardless of what enzymes they are currently using.
We use this review process to help our customers find the right product at the right dosage to maximize the efficiency of their operation. We are proud to provide this ultimate level of service because we know that it takes more than a “cookie cutter” approach to get the job done.
Active in the industry
Novozymes is a leader in the biofuel industry, not only as an innovative technology provider, but also as a participant in the relevant political and regulatory discussions that affect the world’s quest for renewable fuel. We believe that our involvement is crucial to the industry, and our goal is to ensure that the best possible science is used when making important and far-reaching decisions.
One such contribution is our participation in an expert work group that has been convened to assist the California Air Resources Board (CARB) in implementing its mandate to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the state’s transportation sector by 10% before 2020.
Jesper Kløverpris, Life Cycle Analysis Specialist at Novozymes, is one of the members of the work group. The biofuel industry is also represented by members from POET and Chevron. The group will work to evaluate key factors that might impact the land use values for biofuels, including agricultural yield improvements, coproduct credits, land emission factors, and food price elasticity. They will make recommendations to CARB by the end of 2010.
The Novozymes commitment
Novozymes is the world leader in bioinnovation with more than 700 products used in 130 countries and 40 different industries. We have a proven track record of producing high-performing enzymes and delivering unmatched customer support. Our commitment to innovation is unmistakable:
- We are the largest supplier of enzymes to the fuel ethanol industry
- We have more than 150 scientists dedicated to the development of biofuel solutions
- We are continuing to develop new solutions for both starch and cellulosic ethanol
Novozymes believes in the potential of both starch-based and cellulosic ethanol for meeting the world’s need for a renewable, reliable, and sustainable source of energy. We are confident that our efforts to bring new technology and actively participate in key issues will pay off in the form of a stronger and more sustainable industry and world.
Lab fermentations on plant corn mashes.
Conditions: start pH = 5.5; temperature = 90 °F (32 °C); 32% DS.
Residual starch measured in fullscale plant trial.