New extraction aid from Ashland Inc. increases corn oil yield from ethanol production

WILMINGTON, Del. – Ethanol producers can now capture up to three times more corn oil during processing and extract a higher quality oil, thanks to a new product introduced by Ashland Hercules Water Technologies, a commercial unit of Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH). The new corn oil extraction aid, PTV M-5309, is easily introduced into the process and requires no additional capital expenditure.

“The customers we’ve worked with in developing this value-added product have documented a number of benefits from using the PTV M-5309 corn oil extraction aid,” said McCord Pankonen, global biorefining marketing manager, Water Technologies. “The real beauty of the product is that refiners don’t have to change their process. Many of those who are using our corn oil extraction aid are producing up to three times more corn oil than they previously achieved.”

Ashland’s PTV M-5309 corn oil extraction aid significantly increases corn oil yield by improving the release of oil during mechanical extraction. Added to the process after distillation, the extraction aid also reduces solids in the oil, resulting in a cleaner, higher-quality oil. Results also include a reduction in system deposits, allowing for less downtime related to cleaning and maintenance.

“The results we have been able to achieve for our customers during testing prompted us to accelerate our efforts to bring this to market,” said Eugenia Erlij, director of global marketing for Food and Beverage, Water Technologies. “By enabling ethanol producers to capture more corn oil without increasing capital expenditures, PTV M-5309 provides an added value that delivers bottom-line performance.”

The product has received the generally recognized as safe (GRAS) and Kosher certifications. Additionally, Ashland has a pending patent application for use of Ashland PTV M-5309 in corn oil extraction. People interested in learning more about Ashland’s PTV M-5309 corn oil extraction aid should contact McCord Pankonen at (605) 214-3127 or by e-mail at mpankonen@ashland.com.

Ashland Hercules Water Technologies is a leading global producer of papermaking chemicals and a leading specialty chemicals supplier to the pulp, paper, commercial and institutional, food and beverage, chemical, mining and municipal markets. Its process, utility and functional chemistries are used to improve operational efficiencies, enhance product quality, protect plant assets and ensure environmental compliance.   

In more than 100 countries, the people of Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) provide the specialty chemicals, technologies and insights to help customers create new and improved products for today and sustainable solutions for tomorrow. Our chemistry is at work every day in a wide variety of markets and applications, including architectural coatings, automotive, construction, energy, personal care, pharmaceutical, tissue and towel, and water treatment. Visit www.ashland.com to see the innovations we offer through our four commercial units – Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients, Ashland Hercules Water Technologies, Ashland Performance Materials and Ashland Consumer Markets (Valvoline).

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