Food AND Fuel Ethanol Technology
Posted: June 16, 2008
ICM, Inc. made what could quite possibly be a revolutionary announcement today about technology that can be added to existing ethanol plants to allow the production of both fuel AND food. Not just distillers grains to feed livestock, but high quality protein to feed people.
ICM president Dave Vander Griend says their technology can literally help to feed the world. “There’s been a lot of talk about the global need for grain, but in fact, the global need is really for protein,” he said.
The process separates the corn kernel into its three main components – endosperm, germ and bran. Optimizing the whole kernel allows for the production of a number of food and feed grade co-products as well as another alternate fuel source to power the plant itself.
One of the most promising aspects of the technology is the protein that can be separated out from the germ. “Because that protein is a very amino acid balanced protein, a very healthy protein,” Dave says. The protein can be then utilized as a supplement to make a better food product and could be exported as part of the United States food aid program.
I interviewed Dave about this exciting opportunity during the Fuel Ethanol Workshop in Nashville. He also talks about the mood of the industry and his feelings about the efficiency of American farmers.
You can listen to my interview with Dave here: