What are the energy and carbon intensity impacts of increasing fermentation solids from 33.5% to 36% in fuel ethanol production?
Increasing the fermentation solids means less liquid is available. In this case, overall steam, dryer, and overall natural gas use decreases by 7.2%, 5.7% and 6.5%, respectively, lowering the CI by 1.29 g CO2eq./MJ.
Conclusion: Increasing fermentation solids can help lower energy consumption and improve CI. ¹
¹ Assumptions: no change in ethanol yield (2.95 gal/bu maintained in both cases).
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.
A 4% increase in ethanol yield doesn’t just stretch your output—it slashes energy use by 6.4% per gallon and drops your carbon intensity score by 1 gCO₂eq./MJ. See how smarter processing drives real sustainability gains.
How can cellulosic ethanol transform sustainability?With CI scores under 30 g CO₂e/MJ—almost half that of starch ethanol—boosting its share dramatically reduces overall carbon intensity.
