Indiana Corn, US Grains Council Promote Ethanol to Latin American Influencers

Indiana’s robust corn production and its ethanol industry are being highlighted through efforts by organizations like the Indiana Corn Marketing Council (ICMC) and the U.S. Grains Council (USGC). Recently, they hosted opinion-makers and officials from several Latin American countries to tour Indiana’s ethanol supply chain. The tour encompassed various aspects, starting from cornfields to ethanol plants, fuel stations, and even showcasing the performance of ethanol-fueled racing cars. The participants gained insights into the U.S. ethanol industry, the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS), and the benefits of using ethanol for transportation. 

“The purpose of this tour is to highlight the reliability, economic and environmental benefits of U.S.-produced ethanol to people who influence the buying decisions of many people from Latin American countries,” said ICMC Biofuels Director Helena Jette. “We also like to show the high-performance aspect of ethanol. By taking them to see the Shift S3ctor Indy Airstrip Attack half-mile exotic drag racing at the Marion airport where drivers are using E85 racing fuel and the NASCAR Brickyard 200 race where drivers are using E15 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, these influencers were able to see that ethanol enhances performance.”

As reported by the American Lung Association, ethanol replaces some of the harmful components in gasoline – resulting in 43 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than gasoline and enhancing overall air quality. Indiana, the sixth-largest producer of U.S. ethanol, has nearly 8% of the country’s total ethanol output. The state’s ethanol plants consume around 450 million bushels of Indiana’s corn crop, benefiting both the economy and local farmers. The tour’s focus on ethanol’s journey from cornfields to its varied applications underscored the efforts of organizations like the ICMC and USGC in supporting ethanol production, promotion, and usage.

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