Chromatin, Inc., a leading provider of innovative crop breeding
technology, sorghum seed products and feedstocks, and Pacific Ethanol,
Inc. (NASDAQ:PEIX) a leading producer of low-carbon renewable fuels in
the Western U.S., announced today they have entered into a multi-year
agreement to produce, deliver and use locally grown sorghum in the
production of ethanol. The agreement covers up to 30,000 acres of
Chromatin sorghum to be grown over multiple years and supplied to
Pacific Ethanol.
'We are pleased to extend our collaboration with Pacific Ethanol, which
previously confirmed that locally-grown sorghum is well-suited to
ethanol production. We also welcome the opportunity to provide crop
producers in California with a new market for their products by
providing sorghum feedstocks that serve as an economical and energy
efficient source of biofuel,? Chromatin Chief Executive Officer Daphne
Preuss said.
'We have taken initiatives to diversify our feedstock base and furtherreduce the carbon profile of our ethanol. Our agreement with
Chromatin represents one of these important initiatives and will help
California farmers to produce sorghum for production of low carbon
ethanol and high value animal feed,? said Neil Koehler, CEO of Pacific
Ethanol.
Chromatin is currently working with California growers who are attracted
to sorghum as a grain source because it is easy to grow, uses less
fertilizer and water than corn and is tolerant to both heat and drought
conditions. It is also an effective double crop alternative behind wheat
or in rotation with cotton and vegetable crops. In addition, the residue
from the harvest of sorghum grain can be used as high quality animal
feed. 'As the benefits of sorghum become more widely known, especially
its resiliency, flexibility and its affordability compared to corn, we
are optimistic that it will become the feedstock of choice in ethanol
production,? Preuss said.
Ethanol plants in California have been seeking alternative crops to corn
to reduce feedstock costs, to improve their carbon footprint and to
source feedstock from locally grown energy-efficient crops.
California-grown sorghum has proven to be cost effective and energy
efficient, and using sorghum grain enables ethanol producers to qualify
as Advanced Bio-fuel Producers and become eligible for financial
incentives.
About Chromatin, Inc.
Chromatin Inc. develops sorghum for both traditional agriculture and
applications in renewable energy. It provides high quality sorghum seeds
to growers and producers who are attracted to the crop′s rapid
maturation, tolerance to heat, cold and drought and high yields.
Chromatin has optimized its product portfolio to create sorghum
feedstocks that serve as ideal renewable resources for emerging
bio-based industries such as liquid transportation fuels, chemicals,
materials and biopower. Today, Chromatin′s products are sold in the U.S.
and in more than 20 countries, where its sorghum seed is planted on over
4 million acres worldwide. For additional information, please visit
Chromatin, Inc.
John Fulcher, 312-292-5417
