Green Plains recently announced the successful production of dextrose syrups at the world’s first commercial Clean Sugar Technology™ (CST™) facility in Shenandoah, Iowa. Developed by Fluid Quip Technologies, this patented CST™ system produces dextrose and glucose corn syrups with up to 40% lower carbon intensity than current industry alternatives, targeting applications in renewable chemicals, bio-based materials, and food and beverage production.
“The launch of Clean Sugar Technology in Shenandoah, along with producing the first-ever dextrose from a dry mill, marks a transformative moment for both Green Plains and the sugar industry,” said Todd Becker, President and CEO of Green Plains. “This innovation challenges traditional production methods for dextrose and glucose, while our focus on low carbon-intensity ingredients positions us to address growing market demand. We owe this milestone to the dedication of our engineering and operations teams, as well as the support from the State of Iowa and the City of Shenandoah, allowing us to serve new markets in industrial fermentation and sustainable food production, further advancing the U.S. bio-economy.”
Trials have demonstrated the CST™-produced dextrose and glucose syrups’ effectiveness as feedstocks for various bio-products and bio-chemicals, as well as food ingredients. Green Plains is finalizing agreements with multiple offtake partners, with interest already surpassing Shenandoah’s current production capacity.
“Clean Sugar Technology leverages the corn kernel in a way similar to a wet mill, but with reduced carbon intensity, meeting the growing demand for sustainable dextrose and glucose corn syrups,” Becker added. “These ingredients provide new opportunities for the bio-based economy, advancing renewable chemicals and more.”
Commercial shipments are set to begin soon, and the facility has achieved third-party certification for current Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs). Full FSSC 22000 certification is anticipated in the next quarter, with optimization efforts planned to further increase production capacity in the coming months.
