Coproducts of Ethanol Production


A modern dry mill ethanol plant produces 2.8 gallons of ethanol from one bushel of corn. But ethanol plants don’t make just ethanol.

Depending on the type of facility, a number of other coproducts result from ethanol production—adding even more value to the corn and to the economy. Dry mill facilities also produce distillers dried grain with solubles (DDGS) and carbon dioxide. Ethanol wet mills can also produce corn gluten meal, corn gluten feed, sweeteners and corn oil.

DDGS and gluten feed are high value feeds used in the livestock industry. These feeds have been shown to improve feeding efficiencies and help livestock producers improve their profitability.

Carbon dioxide is used in the food processing and bottling industries. And sweeteners and corn oil are also major ingredients in many of the foods we all enjoy.