Japanese Media Visit Highlights Illinois Corn’s Role in Global Biofuel Future

Illinois corn—and the work Illinois farmers invest in every day—was on full display as a delegation of Japanese journalists toured the U.S. biofuels value chain to better understand how American corn and corn ethanol contribute to a lower-carbon energy future. Their visit included key stops in Illinois, where our farmers, ethanol producers, and checkoff programs demonstrated leadership in sustainable fuel innovation.

The tour, organized by the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC), brought reporters from major Japanese business outlets to farms, ethanol plants, universities, and national partners to explore ethanol’s growing role as a feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). With Japan preparing to expand SAF use, this mission helped build confidence in U.S. ethanol as a reliable, low-carbon solution.

After touring farms and renewable fuel facilities in North Dakota, the delegation arrived in Illinois—the heart of corn ethanol production.

Representatives from IL Corn shared how farmer checkoff dollars drive research, market development, and international outreach that open doors for long-term demand.

“Bringing Japanese media to Illinois gives a firsthand look at how American corn and corn ethanol are solutions to pressing concerns in the Japanese market. Illinois farmers continue to produce more corn with fewer inputs just as our ethanol manufacturers continually improve their own efficiencies. Missions like this build trust and understanding, positioning us for higher long-term demand for Illinois corn,” says Collin Watters, IL Corn’s Director of Exports and Logistics.

While in the state, the journalists toured One Earth Energy for a firsthand look at the production process and visited the University of Illinois–Chicago to learn about emerging technologies in clean transportation and energy analysis.

To close out their visit, the group traveled to Washington, D.C., where they met with biofuel and aviation stakeholders working on policy, market development, and Sustainable Aviation Fuel adoption.

For Illinois farmers, outreach missions like this strengthen global partnerships and help ensure that our corn—and the value-added products made from it—remain competitive in a rapidly evolving renewable energy market.