Argentina Approves GM Yeasts For Ethanol Production
Argentina has authorized for the first time the commercialization of four genetically modified (GM) yeasts to enhance ethanol production through grain fermentation, according to a report filed with the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service’s Global Agricultural Information Network in January.
According to the report, the authorization was issued on Jan. 5 by the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries of the Ministry of Economy. The approval is supported by industry and expected to help boost production of sustainable fuels.
Approval of the four strains was requested by Danisco Argentina S.A. Utilization of the approved yeast strains is expected to improve ethanol production yields, reduce transportation costs, decrease carbon emissions, and mitigate the deterioration of transportation infrastructure, according to the report.
Separate data published by the USDA FAS GAIN in mid-2023 indicates that Argentina currently has approximately 22 ethanol plants and was expected to produce an estimated 1.2 billion liters (317.01 million gallons) of ethanol last year, equating to capacity utilization of about 71.4% Corn and molasses are the primary ethanol feedstocks consumed in Argentina, with 1.8 metric tons of corn and 1.85 million metric tons of molasses expected to be consumed as ethanol feedstock last year. Argentina achieved an ethanol blend rate of approximately 11.7% in 2023.
A full copy of the GAIN report can be downloaded from the USDA website.
Source Link: https://ethanolproducer.com/articles/argentina-approves-gm-yeasts-for-ethanol-production
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