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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Lucy Norton, Managing Director, 515-225-9242
Monte Shaw, Executive Director, 515-225-9242
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Xethanol BioFuels Begins Construction on Ethanol Plant Near Blairstown
Two Phase Project Will Include Cellulosic Ethanol Pilot Plant
JOHNSTON, IA – The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) today congratulated Xethanol BioFuels for beginning construction on its ethanol refinery near Blairstown, Iowa. The plant will process more than 12 million bushels of corn into 35 million gallons of ethanol and 110,000 tons of distillers grains annually.
“Xethanol BioFuels is beginning an exciting two-phase project that will help keep Iowa in the forefront of ethanol production,” said Monte Shaw, IRFA Executive Director. “While the groundbreaking today is for a ‘traditional’ corn-to-ethanol refinery, the next step will be to convert their small existing plant into one of the first pilot plants for a cellulose-to-ethanol refinery.”
Xethanol has hired PRAJ Industries out of India to oversee the construction of their new plant. While this is PRAJ’s first project in Iowa, they have built numerous ethanol refineries around the globe.
Following completion of the 35 million gallon per year refinery, Xethanol intends to convert the existing plant in Blairstown to process cornstalks, switchgrass and other cellulosic feedstocks into ethanol.
Iowa is the leader in renewable fuels production. Currently, Iowa has 25 ethanol refineries with the capacity to produce nearly 1.6 billion gallons annually. There are 9 ethanol refineries under construction or expansion that will add over 600 million gallons of annual capacity. In addition, Iowa has 14 biodiesel refineries with a combined annual capacity of over 315 million gallons either in operation or under construction. Many additional renewable fuels projects are under development.
The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association was formed in 2002 to represent the state’s ethanol and biodiesel producers. The trade group fosters the development and growth of the renewable fuels industry in Iowa through education, promotion, legislation and infrastructure development.
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