Genencor International, Inc. announced today the availability of novel enzyme technology for the ethanol industry that could lead to improved energy balance and reduced production costs while obtaining higher output.

The first product from its line of STARGEN™ granular starch hydrolyzing enzymes was introduced this week at the Fuel Ethanol Workshop in Kansas City, MO. The new technology has the potential to pave the way for the emergence of biorefineries.

Until recently, ethanol plants have cooked grains and other feedstocks with thermostable enzymes to begin the process of converting starch to fermentable sugars and ultimately to ethanol.

Genencor’s STARGEN™ enzymes include blends of an alpha amylase and a glucoamylase that convert granular or uncooked starch to fermentable sugars on a continuous basis through a simultaneous saccharification and fermentation process.

Some of the potential advantages of this new technology include improved productivity, reduced energy consumption, higher ethanol yields and savings on capital expenses by reducing overall unit operations.

“This new, low energy technology offers the ethanol industry significant added value with fewer processing steps requiring less energy, materials and capital. It should be equally useful to producers to accelerate the development of biobased manufacturing processes and products that require low-cost carbon,” said Thomas J. Pekich, president of Genencor International.

“Together, technology advances like STARGEN™ enzymes will lead to a more sustainable environment and lessen dependence on foreign oil.”

Genencor has achieved a high level of enzyme expression in industrial production strains while creating an acceptable cost structure for widespread use. Genencor is also evaluating applications of the STARGEN™ technology for use in its other businesses.

Genencor International, Inc., a division of Danisco, is a diversified biotechnology company that develops and delivers innovative products and services into the agri-processing, industrial and consumer markets. Using an integrated set of technology platforms, Genencor's products deliver innovative and sustainable solutions to improve the quality of life. Genencor traces its history to 1982 and has grown to become a leader in industrial biotechnology. Genencor has principal offices in Palo Alto, California; Rochester, New York; and Leiden, the Netherlands.