Cellencor is a technology development and implementation organization. Its mission is to provide transformative advanced technologies to the biofuels industry, particularly with respect to development of higher value animal feeds from ethanol production co-products. Reducing energy costs and providing environmental benefits are another essential goal.
Cellencor's origin lies in research conducted staring in the late 1990s by Dr. Bruce Wicking, its founder and CEO. Working in his native Australia, Dr. Wicking developed and patented a process for enhancing the animal feed value of grain co-products by enhanced activation of enzymes using microwave energy. Recognizing the potential of his technology for the corn ethanol industry, and that the American Midwest was its epicenter, Dr. Wicking made a number of visits to Iowa to study and to seek business opportunities.
This led to the activation of Cellencor as an operating business in 2007. Additional research and testing of the process soon led to the discovery of surprising energy savings, environmental, and other significant benefits. In early 2008, partnerships were established with industry leaders for sales, marketing, and equipment supply, and investment funding was completed.
In March 2008, the first of a series of large scale field trials was performed at Corn Plus Ethanol, Winnebago, MN. The trial was an unqualified success, and thereafter Alliant Energy and Cellencor began marketing of the system to ethanol Additional large scale trials have since been performed at different types of ethanol plants around the Midwest using a variety of corn-based co-products.
The first full scale industrial systems are expected to go into production later this year.
Cellencor is a privately held company based at the Iowa State University Research Park in Ames, Iowa. Shareholders include the management team, local private investors, and the Iowa Corn Opportunities investment fund.
