Four Indiana companies collaborate for green engine technology

ATLANTA, Ind. — ClearFlame Engine Technologies has created technology that modifies diesel engines, from Class 8 semi-trucks to farm equipment, to run on 100% renewable biofuels like ethanol.

“ClearFlame can create an environment where any low-soot fuel will behave like diesel fuel — with a short ignition delay and typical burn,” the website states.

“These simple, renewable fuels — like ethanol and methanol — are produced widely, available globally and offer reduced emissions and lower cost than traditional fossil fuels.”

ClearFlame expects commercialization of its engine modification technology by the end of 2023.

Beck’s Hybrids, CountryMark, Co-Alliance and Central Indiana Ethanol are collaborating with ClearFlame to bring it to market.

“This is the first step in bringing ethanol to the forefront of engine technology,” said Scott Beck, president at Beck’s.

“Our partnership with CountryMark, Co-Alliance and Central Indiana Ethanol enabled the fueling of the truck during our pilot, highlighting the strides that Indiana agriculture companies can bring to the entire industry.”

Beck’s is ClearFlame’s pilot project. The semi is accumulating miles and driving long distances in a range of operating conditions, with short haul routes between Beck’s Indiana locations that include a variety of different load types.

“This pilot affords us the opportunity to better learn how the ClearFlame technology works and what can be improved to better meet consumer demand,” said Belinda Puetz, director of marketing at CountryMark.

“A great deal of attention is being placed today on battery electric vehicles and that is not a wise energy choice for hard to electrify sectors, like long-haul trucks and production agriculture. Technologies, like ClearFlame, can be part of the solution to meet the future needs of our customers.”

The technology could drive demand for ethanol, benefiting corn farmers in Indiana and the rest of the country.

“The speed and agility with which the Indiana ethanol fuel coalition was able to come together to provide E98 fuel to our truck with Beck’s goes even further to underscore how easy it will be for ClearFlame’s technology to rapidly scale for fleets across the country,” said BJ Johnson, ClearFlame co-founder and CEO.

“Ethanol is already distributed through fuel terminals nationwide. In addition to being widely available, it’s proven to be a much greener fuel, with substantially lower carbon emissions than diesel, and critically, significant cost savings.”