July 2018
Premiering Now: "The NCERC Advantage"
"From concept to commercialization - it's all here under one roof." 

That's the theme of our newest promotional video, designed to capture " The NCERC Advantage ," or the capabilities and expertise that make NCERC the one-stop shop for biorenewables commercialization services. Produced in partnership with Robotoaster and Hawthorne Strategy Group, we hope this two-minute clip helps tell the story of how NCERC helps turn clients' big ideas into the next bioeconomy breakthrough.

If you like the video, please help us spread the word by sharing with your network.

Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSWoA6gEcng
Congratulations to NCERC summer intern, Jacob Leiting!
One of NCERC's summer interns, Jacob Leiting, received the Ethanol Plant Managers Group 2018 scholarship of $5000. Jacob is a student at the University of Iowa earning a bachelor's degree in plant science and minor in microbiology.

Jacob is pictured here being presented with a certificate of completion from NCERC Laboratory Technician, Charlette Jauch, who supervised his research. Jacob received the certificate after presenting his research findings on July 24.
Take Action
Submit comments to the EPA regarding the 2019 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs). Deadline is August 17, 2018.

Tell the EPA to Implement the RFS as Intended! The misuse of EPA waivers has destroyed an estimated 2.25 billion gallons of biofuel demand in 2016 and 2017 alone by giving oil refiners a handout to neglect their responsibility to the RFS. Support the biofuels industry and rural America but submitting comments to the EPA here: https://p2a.co/usO3GLp
Projects
NCERC continues to work on the analytical method development on quantification of starch and cellulose in before and after conversion samples from corn to ethanol production.

NCERC finished a one-year sampling period of DDGS from Illinois ethanol plants through an initiative funded by the Illinois Corn Marketing Board titled The Coproducts Project. Through the project, NCERC conducted a survey this month of animal nutritionists and other professionals related to the DDGS market and plan on publishing the results next month on www.CoproductsProject.com.

NCERC and the Dept. of Chemistry completed a successful workforce/education alignment project funded by the SIUE Provost's Excellence in Undergraduate Education (EUE) program. In partnership with industry experts from Shimadzu, Millipore Sigma, and Mallinckrodt, the "Connecting Credentials" project piloted the use of industry-led workshops and competency exams leading to digital badges for successful earners in  HPLC, QAQC, and GC. 
Proposals
BIOWIRe , an initiative that connects students in the social science disciplines with opportunities in the bio-based industries, submitted as a proposal to the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Chancellor's Innovation Fund on July 1. If funded, the project will actively provide creative content to industry publications and trade groups.

Concept Paper Submitted to the Strada Education Network: Education-to-Employment: A Collaborative Approach to Equitable Training and Workforce Development in the St. Louis Bioeconomy (July 23)
Connections & Visits
SIU Field Day
July 12
Belleville, IL

National Corn Growers Association, Corn Congress + Ethanol Action Team meetings
July 16 – 19
Washington, DC

BIO World Congress
July 16-19
Philadelphia, PA

Renewable Fuels Association Board Meeting
July 18
Washington, DC

Illinois Farm Bureau
July 31
Bloomington, IL
SIU Field Day
"Fun with Farmers"
NCERC Director, John Caupert, was featured as a guest speaker at the SIU Field Day, located on the SIU Belleville Research Center on July 12. His presentation, titled “Biofuels – Paving a Road of Opportunity in the Bioeconomy”, spoke to farmers on the importance of biofuels for rural communities and the opportunity for corn in the bioeconomy.
Upcoming Meetings
St. Louis State of the Workforce
August 8
St. Louis, MO

American Coalition for Ethanol Annual Conference
August 15 - 17
Minneapolis, MN
National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center
400 University Park Drive
Edwardsville, IL 62025
618-659-6737 | EthanolResearch.com