NCGA
Attends Fuel Ethanol Workshop in Kansas City (7-5-05)
The National Corn Growers Association NCGA joined
industry officials and ethanol experts at the International Fuel
Ethanol Workshop & Expo in Kansas City, Mo. last week. Ethanol
Committee Chair Daryl Haack and Director of Commercialization Geoff
Cooper attended the event on behalf of NCGA.
Haack and Cooper said the conference enabled them
to glimpse into the future of ethanol production.
“This was a great event that showcased the
innovations and new technologies being developed by the ethanol
industry,” Cooper said. “The ethanol industry is expanding
at a rapid pace, and innovation and research in the industry are
increasing exponentially.”
“It’s always interesting to visit with
people in the industry and see what the new technologies are,”
Haack said. “We’re happy and excited about where things
are going.”
Topics included new dry-grind ethanol production
technologies, plant management, new trends in ethanol feedstocks,
new enzyme technology, international developments in the ethanol
industry and other recent occurrences. Conference attendees also
were able to visit ethanol plants in Garnett, Kan., and Malta Bend,
Mo.
Cooper said corn fractionation technology was a
big topic at the conference.
“Several companies are looking at ways to
fractionate the corn kernel on the front end of the ethanol process
so that only the starch is sent through fermentation,” Cooper
said. “Splitting the feedstock into its most basic components
will also allow plants to capture more value for products like the
germ and oil.”
The event is quickly becoming a big draw for the
ethanol sector. More than 2,200 people attended this year’s
event compared to approximately 1,500 in 2004. Haack, who made his
first visit to the conference, said the event allowed him to meet
numerous contacts.
“It’s a great place to get together
and talk to each other,” Haack said. “The networking
is great. It’s almost more important than anything else there.”