Ethanol CoProducts: Food, Fuel, Feed and Filler?

A coproduct of ethanol production could be used as a non-petroleum-based filler in plastics, based on preliminary studies by USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists and their cooperators.

The ethanol coproduct, called distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS), has a high fiber content and a molecular structure suitable for binding—two attributes that make it a candidate as a filler in plastics.

Fillers such as clay, talc, glass, paper and metals are commonly used in plastics to increase strength, and also to save costs by reducing the amount of actual plastic resin used. Using bio-based fillers such as bamboo, kenaf, corn stover, soybean hulls or even chicken feathers is receiving increased attention as a way to use less petroleum in plastic products.

Source: USDA

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