Corn oil boon for Pacific Ethanol

Renewable fuel producer Pacific Ethanol has begun commercial production of corn oil at its ethanol plant in Idaho, US.

The unrefined end product is believed to be used for biodiesel and animal feed.

‘Corn oil is a high value co-product with multiple markets including biodiesel,’ says Pacific Ethanol CEO Neil Koehler. ‘Corn oil sales at our Idaho plant diversifies our revenue streams and is expected to contribute as much as $4.5 million (€3.4 million) or seven cents per gallon of operating income annually.’

It is believed the technology for producing the corn oil will next be installed at Pacific’s plant in California.