High Fructose Corn Syrup from Glucose

This report presents the economics of High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) production from glucose. The process examined is a typical industrial process. In this process, glucose syrup is isomerized over an immobilized glucose isomerase enzyme, yielding a syrup with about 42% fructose (HFCS-42). Part of the syrup is enriched to about 90% fructose by chromatographic separation and blended back, producing HFCS-55.

The report provides a comprehensive study of Fructose production and related Fructose production cost, covering three key aspects: a complete description of the Fructose production process examined; an in-depth analysis of the related Fructose plant capital cost (Capex); and an evaluation of the respective Fructose plant operating costs (Opex).

The Fructose production process description includes a block flow diagram (BFD), an overview of the industrial site installations, detailing both the process unit and the necessary infrastructure, process consumption figures and comprehensive process flow diagrams (PFD). The Fructose plant capital cost analysis breaks down the Capex by plant cost (i.e., ISBL, OSBL and Contingency); owner's cost; working capital; and costs incurred during industrial plant commissioning and start-up. The Fructose plant operating costs analysis covers operating expenses, including variable costs like raw materials and utilities, and fixed costs such as maintenance, labor, and depreciation.