Aztalan Bio, a leading ethanol producer, has made significant strides in refining its processes, according to CEO Jeff Oestmann. As the corn harvest comes in early this year, Oestmann notes that the crop’s dry quality is beneficial. “Corn is coming out of the field very dry, which is great for maintaining the quality of the harvested grain,” he says.
One of the key innovations at Aztalan Bio is their use of front-end dry fractionation. Oestmann explains, “This method allows us to separate all the constituents of the corn before it enters the distillation process, which results in a high-protein, low-fat product that is perfect for dairy rations.” This process also allows them to produce corn germ, a byproduct that is valuable in poultry and livestock feed.
Additionally, the facility produces a wet distiller’s grain that also has high protein and low fat, beneficial for dairy and beef rations. “Farmers have responded positively to the quality of our dry distillers grains and other byproducts,” Oestmann shares. “We’ve been in operation for about a year now, and the feedback has been great. The high fiber aspect of our product feeds well. We are expanding our reach to areas further from our facility.”
As a relatively new operation, Aztalan Bio has faced typical startup challenges, but Oestmann remains optimistic. “We’ve had some growing pains, especially with some of the products we create. For example, some germ gets into the system, but we’ve developed ways to remove oil and create another high-value product.” This oil has become a sought-after ingredient in renewable diesel production and other industries.
Aztalan Bio continues to push forward with new projects and innovations. “We are transforming this plant into an advanced refinery,” Oestmann explains. “Ethanol will always be part of what we do. But we are creating new products that the market has never seen from a typical ethanol facility.”
Looking to the future, Oestmann sees a growing opportunity for renewable energy solutions, including renewable natural gas and sustainable aviation fuel. While Aztalan Bio is not yet focusing on aviation fuel, Oestmann acknowledges its potential: “The sustainable aviation fuel industry is growing rapidly, and ethanol could play a major role in that space.”
Despite the challenges, the Aztalan Bio team continues to work hard year-round. “There is no off-season for us. Our team is always working to ensure we have the corn supply we need to keep the plant running and to continue producing ethanol for the marketplace,” says Oestmann.
Reflecting on his 30 years in the industry, Oestmann remains passionate about ethanol’s role in agriculture. “The ethanol industry has changed tremendously in the last few decades. From producing 18 billion gallons to today’s sustainable efforts, we are seeing incredible growth globally. The demand for ethanol is only going to continue rising, especially with policies like E15 potentially passing in California
