Case Study 1

How Ethanol Yield Impacts Carbon Intensity

case study 1

How Does Increased Ethanol Yield Impact Carbon Intensity?

What are the energy and carbon intensity impacts of a 4% increase in ethanol yield from 2.86 to 2.98 gal/bu in fuel ethanol production?

As you increase ethanol, you will have less liquid going to whole stillage. Depending on how you run your centrifuges, you can improve dewatering and more liquid will go into thin stillage that goes to the evaps, which are more efficient at removing water than the dryers. Even though your steam is increasing 1.6%, you are using less natural gas in the dryers. Increasing ethanol yield by 4% reduces energy use by 6.4% per gallon and lowers your CI score by 1 g CO2eq./MJ.

Conclusion: Higher ethanol yields deliver improved carbon intensity and energy efficiency while maintaining the same corn input.¹

Case Study 1

¹ Assumptions: Corn input remains constant at 61,852 bu/day; ethanol production increases from 62.37 to 64.86 MMgal/yr.

For informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or regulatory advice. The content reflects IFF’s interpretation of public policies, tax credits, and modeling outputs based on publicly available sources and internal data as of August 2025. Consult legal, tax, or compliance professionals before making decisions based on this material. Financial figures, credit values, and CI score projections are illustrative and may vary depending on plant-specific conditions, regulatory updates, and market dynamics. Predictive modeling results (e.g., CI score reductions, energy savings) are based on assumptions and tools such as CA GREET v3.0 and IFF’s proprietary XCELIS® AI platform. These outputs are not guarantees of performance. References to third-party companies, government agencies, or regulatory approvals are based on publicly available data and do not imply endorsement or current compliance status. IFF disclaims any liability for actions taken based on this information. For specific guidance, please consult appropriate legal, financial, or technical advisors.

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