Solenis licenses patented corn oil extraction technology to Buckman

US speciality chemical producer Solenis has announced that it has licensed the use of its corn oil extraction technology to speciality chemical maker Buckman Labortatories

The news follows the resolution of a pending lawsuit filed by Buckman in the US District court of the Western District of Tennessee against Solenis regarding Solenis’ patent for using polysorbate as an additive for corn oil extraction aids.

‘Corn-to-ethanol process’

 Under the royalty-bearing license agreement, Buckman, a producer of products for the biofuels marketplace, will become an authorized licensee in the United States and Canada of Solenis technology that enhances the efficiency of corn oil extraction in the corn-to-ethanol process.

According to Solenis, its corn oil extraction technology, which is marketed as Dimension corn oil extraction aids, enables fuel ethanol producers to significantly increase their corn oil yield by improving the release of oil during mechanical separation in the corn-to-ethanol process.

The technology also promotes reduction of solids in the oil, resulting in both a cleaner, higher-quality oil and less plant down-time for cleaning and maintenance.

“The beneficiaries of this licensing agreement are ethanol producers in the US and Canada because Buckman represents a second channel for them to use Solenis’ corn oil extraction technology in their operations,” said Shruti Singhal, vice president of Solenis’ North America industrial water division.

He added: “This licensing agreement underscores Solenis’ commitment to the marketplace.”

“With this licensing agreement, ethanol producers, through Solenis and Buckman, have access to technology and process options to help facilitate improvement in the efficiency and reduction in the cost of ethanol production,” said Lela Gerald, Buckman’s vice president of global marketing.