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Green Plains and Novozymes partner in protein production

In the United States (US), Green Plains Inc., and Novozymes A/S have recently announced an exclusive partnership and commercialization agreement for biological solutions in the production of high protein ingredients from Green Plains’ biofuels production facilities. The partnership will be aimed at aquaculture, pet food, as well as novel ingredients to be used in the global protein markets.

A vertically integrated ethanol producer based in Omaha, Nebraska, Green Plains has an annual production capacity
of approximately 1.1 billion US gallons (≈ 4.16 billion litres) with 13 ethanol plants strategically located across the
United States such as in Shenandoah, Iowa (photo courtesy David Young).

Green Plains is a diversified commodity-processing business with operations related to corn processing and ethanol production, grain handling and storage, and commodity marketing and logistics services. A vertically integrated ethanol producer based in Omaha, Nebraska, the company has an annual production capacity of approximately 1.1 billion US gallons (≈ 4.16 billion litres) with 13 ethanol plants strategically located across the United States.

The collaboration with Denmark-headed enzymatic bioprocess developer Novozymes will utilize the biorefinery footprint, process know-how, and global distribution capabilities of Green Plains together with Novozymes’ vast expertise in microbiology to create a diverse range of value-added products resulting in functional proteins.

This exclusive technology partnership is another step in the transformation of Green Plains to a world-class protein provider. By partnering with Novozymes, we believe we will be able to increase the value of the products we produce every day and together provide solutions for our nutritional partners in the aquaculture, animal feed, and companion animal food markets worldwide, said Todd Becker, President, and CEO of Green Plains.

Specifically, the biological solutions of Novozymes will be combined with Green Plains’ first high protein production facility and Optimal Aquafeed’s aquaculture laboratory in Shenandoah, Iowa, with the intention to create one of the leading end-to-end innovation platforms in the world for aquaculture nutrition.

We are really excited to further utilize advanced biology to unlock additional commercial opportunities in protein production in biorefining together with our customers. In line with our updated strategy, the partnership with Green Plains is yet another example of how we use enzymatic and microbial solutions to help bring biological answers to the challenge and opportunity of growth in global protein demand, said Brian Brazeau, Novozymes’ Vice President for Bioenergy Commercial and President of North America.

Achieving higher value outputs

Novozymes’ existing suite of biotechnology will help Green Plains achieve higher concentrations of protein. As part of the agreement, Novozymes will dedicate research and development resources to also look at new molecules and yeasts to test in Green Plains processes to further enhance protein products and ultimately create different, higher-value outputs from Green Plains’ biofuels production facilities.

As we continue to roll out high protein nutritional solutions for our customers, we expect to create a company with predictable and growing earnings and become much less dependent on our traditional business structure, said Todd Becker.

The companies plan to begin implementation of the partnership in the first quarter of 2020.

This will extend Novozymes’ reach into the agricultural supply chain as our biological solutions will touch a much larger portion of the animal feed market. The collaboration will enable better business for our customers and help meet the need for evermore protein, ended Brain Brazeau.

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