<h2>About</h2>
<p>The <a href="/id0904f67a806057cc">NCERC</a> is a not-for-profit research center that conducts research and findings for industrial and institutional clients. Our missions is to facilitate the commercialization of new technologies for producing fuel ethanol more effectively.</p>
<p>The Center's clients receive validation of technologies that enhance the economics and sustainability of renewable fuel production, and bioprocessing scale-up.</p>
<p>The <a href="/id0904f67a806057e8">NCERC staff</a> also conducts research in areas of unmet need, by leading or participating in collaborative grant-funded projects. Using the pilot plant as an experiential classroom, the Center provides workforce development training on the corn-to-ethanol production process for those interested in a career in the industry. To view current employment opportunties, visit <a href="/id0904f67a806e18a4">Careers at NCERC</a>.</p>
<p>Like a commercial facility, the NCERC has all of the unit operations and laboratory capabilities of a commercial plant, just on a smaller scale. These capabilities make the facility ideal for:</p>
<ul>
<li>Validating commercial concepts for improving fuel ethanol production.</li>
<li>Generating co-products for feeding trials or process streams for further development.</li>
<li>Meeting toll use of individual or collective unit operations for other bioprocessing needs, and laboratory method development or analytical services.</li>
</ul>
<p>The NCERC and its clients operate under confidentiality agreements on a fee-for-service basis.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>Advance Research from Lab to Market</h3>
<ul>
<li>Maintain a state-of-the-art facility, which is the preferred site for fuel ethanol research</li>
<li>Maximize the use of the facility to validate commercial concepts by ensuring the lowest possible cost to operate</li>
<li>Lead the formation of collaborations to address unmet commercial research needs</li>
<li>Serve as an industry leader in the development and stewardship of process and product quality, consistency, and environmental and safety standards</li>
</ul>
<h3>Advocacy & Training</h3>
<ul>
<li>Develop the capability of people and programs to serve the industry</li>
<li>Serve as an education and training resource for the public</li>
<li>Showcase research initiatives and products</li>
<li>Illinois Ethanol Research Advisory Board</li>
</ul>
<p>The Center has a board and advisory structure to be certain the Center's capablilities and work conducted are aligned with the market needs.</p>