Novozymes launches platform to convert corn fiber into ethanol

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Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. 

Novozymes has launched Fiberex, a comprehensive platform based on novel enzymes and yeast strains to convert corn fiber into ethanol. 

Figure 1. Fiberex platform (taken from the company website) 

Typically, the starch in a corn kernel is converted into ethanol while the rest of the kernel ends up as low-value animal feed. In this remaining part of the kernel, there is a high amount of corn fiber with little to no value to the animals. Corn fiber is made up of similar building blocks as starch but is tough to break down and convert into something more useful. Fiberex is specifically aimed at breaking down tough fibers in the corn, providing producers with greater operational flexibility. The technology converts a low-value by-product into high-value, low-carbon fuel while also enabling the production of significantly more corn oil. Moreover, producers can obtain savings from reduced energy demand and water usage. 

The Fiberex platform consists of biological solutions that work in various stages of the ethanol production process. The first products of the platform are: 
- Fiberex R1, a technology specifically designed to provide maximum ethanol in separate fiber-to-ethanol processes; 
- Fiberex F1, a cellulase enzyme designed to provide fiber conversion for in-process technologies. Additional solutions, to launch in 2021, are in proof-of-concept trials now.

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