Powering a Sustainable Future with Ethanol Innovation
SUSTAINABLE PIONEERS
A global leader in ethanol production and agricultural processing, playing a key role in the Renewable Fuels Industry and Ontario’s agricultural sector.
Alcogroup, headquartered in Brussels (Belgium) is the second largest European producer and an important distributor of ethanol for fuel use.
It is also a global producer and distributor of ethanol for the pharmaceutical, chemical, cosmetic, healthcare and beverage industries with its AlcoNCP and Alcotra business units. Alcogroup through its subsidiary Alco Energy produces approximately 1 billion litres of ethanol, 700,000 tons of DDGs and 500,000 tons of biogenic CO₂ annually in Europe.
With the December 2024 acquisition of IGPC Ethanol Inc. (IGPC), Alcogroup will add 380 million litres of denatured fuel-grade ethanol and 340,000 tonnes of distillers’ grains to its existing production capacity of 1 billion litres.
Established in 2007, IGPC (now Alco Energy Canada) contributes significantly to the Renewable Fuels Industry and Ontario’s agricultural sector and emerged as a leader in Southwestern Ontario’s business community by creating environmentally sustainable economic growth as a full-service provider for local farmers offering distribution solutions for their corn crops and producing high protein feed supplements for livestock.
Ethanol is currently one of the most cost-effective and efficient sustainable products for reducing fossil fuel consumption in road, maritime and aviation transportation (“alcohol to jet”). Like in fuel, ethanol will become a key base molecule for the development of green chemistry.
Alcogroup’s ambition as a sustainable pioneer is to constantly improve its ethanol production processes. Alco Energy is controlled at 60% by Alcogroup and 40% by Groep Vanden Avenne Commodities. Groep Vanden Avenne Commodities is a major Belgian trader in agricultural commodities, including Distiller’s Grains and Solubles (DGS).
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is ethanol?
Ethanol is a renewable, clean-burning, high octane fuel traditionally used as a blending ingredient in gasoline. This liquid alcohol is made up of oxygen, hydrogen and carbon and is obtained from the fermentation of sugar or converted starch contained in grains (such as corn).
How is ethanol made?
In dry milling, the entire corn kernel is first ground into flour, also known as “corn meal”. The corn meal is slurried with water to form a “mash.” Enzymes and Ammonia are then added to the mash. The mash is transferred to fermenters where yeast is added and the conversion of sugar to ethanol and carbon dioxide (CO2) begins. After fermentation, the resulting “beer” is transferred to distillation columns where the ethanol is separated from the remaining “whole stillage.” The ethanol is concentrated to 190 proof and then is dehydrated to 200 proof. It is then blended with denaturant making it unfit for human consumption and is ready to be shipped.
How much ethanol is currently in Canadian fuel?
As of 2022, the Renewable Fuel Mandate, put into effect by the government of Canada, requires an average of 10% renewable content in gasoline across Canada. Because this is an average, the amount of renewable content can vary with lower percentages in Northern Canada and higher percentages in the Toronto and GTA, for example, depending on demand.
How does an ethanol plant help farmers?
The production of fuel ethanol is a way for farmers to add value to their corn through the ownership of a processing plant. It is an opportunity to participate in the fuel industry, which is a growth industry, versus producing a basic farm commodity. Increasing corn processing capacity in Ontario will increase the demand for Ontario corn, and therefore, give farmers a greater market for their corn.
How many coproducts does AEC produce?
Ethanol production yields large quantities of distillers grains. At Alco, distillers are made into three variations: Dry, Hi protein Dry, Wet. The distillers grains are an easily digestible, high source of protein suitable for livestock feed.
How much water is used?
Alco uses about 1,700 litres of water per minute. All process water remains in the process and is recycled internally. Any discharge from the plant will be stormwater and water that does not come into contact with production materials (such as that used in the boiler and cooling tower).
