Al-Corn Clean Fuel
797 5th St, Claremont, Minnesota, United States

Al-Corn Clean Fuel, based in Claremont, MN, annually grinds 44 million bushels of corn and produces 130 million gallons of ethanol. The plant also produces 310,000 tons of high protein livestock feed and 28 million pounds of corn oil. The majority of these co-products are consumed by refiners, livestock feeders, and biodiesel producers throughout Minnesota.

BACKGROUND | HISTORY

Founded in 1994, Al-Corn Clean Fuel was created when depressed corn prices drove local farmers to seek new opportunities to add value to their corn crop.    For over two decades Al-Corn Clean Fuel has created a guaranteed and stable market for corn, maintained a strong cash position during an uncertain economy and made investments that added significant value for members and their local communities.

Today, the Al-Corn Clean Fuel plant utilizes a dry milling process, the most commonly used method in the ethanol industry. The whole corn kernel is ground into a powder, mixed with recovered process liquids to form a mash (similar to oatmeal) and then cooked with enzymes that turn the starch into glucose. Yeast is added and the mash is fermented.    The resultant “beer” is distilled to separate the ethanol from the solids and remaining liquids. These are further processed to recover liquids for the mashing process, and to produce high protein livestock feed and distillers corn oil.    Annually Al-Corn Clean Fuel grinds 44 million bushels of corn and produces 130 million gallons of ethanol. The plant also produces 310,000 tons of high protein livestock feed and 28 million pounds of corn oil. The majority of these co-products are consumed by refiners, livestock feeders, and biodiesel producers throughout Minnesota.

Al-Corn Clean Fuel continues to utilize the best available control technologies in order to reduce energy consumption and production costs while at the same time increasing efficiencies and reducing emissions.    Al-Corn has reduced water consumption to less than 2.4 gallons of water per gallon of ethanol and was the first plant to achieve “zero liquid discharge”.    The companys energy conservation efforts have reduced the plants energy use by more than 35% compared to the original plant design. Water consumption has been reduced to one-third the original demand.

MISSION

Adding value to our members investment while providing sustainable, renewable products to our world.

VISION

We continually strive to build a sustainable business that enriches our members and employees; enhances the economic vitality of our rural communities; and positively impacts our world.

ethanol

Minnesota is a national leader in ethanol policy and development. In 2005, Minnesota passed an aggressive law that requires all gasoline sold in the state to contain 10% ethanol. The amount of ethanol blended into gasoline will increase to 20% in 2013. Minnesota currently leads the nation with more than 350 commercial E85 stations available to consumers.  This aggressive plan has benefited many economic industries across the state, including agriculture, manufacturing, transportation, services, construction and trade. In 2009, the Minnesota ethanol industry generated a total economic impact of approximately $2.5 billion and more than 6,800 jobs. The combined impact of Minnesotas corn and ethanol industries surpassed more than $12 billion and more than 70,000 jobs in 2007.

PROCESS

Ethanol, also known as grain alcohol or ethyl alcohol, is a clear, colorless liquid alcohol often produced by fermenting starches. In Minnesota, ethanol-gasoline blends such as E10 and E85 are produced from corn, but other starch crops may be used for production. Ethanol is a valuable and sustainable alternative to petroleum-based transportation fuels.  While the basic steps remain the same, the ethanol production process has been considerably refined in recent years, leading to a very efficient process. There are two production processes: wet milling and dry milling. The main difference between the two is in the initial treatment of the grain. The Al-Corn plant in Claremont dry mills corn.