ICM considers upgrading recently-purchased Abengoa Colwich plant

US biofuels technology company ICM has announced that it has commenced a process to explore the option of revamping its recently-purchased Abengoa Bioenergy plant in Colwich, Kansas.

In a statement the company said it was considering revitalising the plant and turning it into a larger scale state-of-the-art energy efficient biorefinery plant.

If it proceeds, the plant will encompass all of ICM's latest technology innovations with the goal to have one of the lowest carbon indexes of any grain ethanol plant in the world. This venture would be a showplace that ICM's global customers can visit, the company said.

The process for building the plant will require the raising of additional capital, as well as procuring engineering studies and acquiring the necessary permits, licenses and consents to proceed. This assessment process is currently being undertaken by ICM.

Developing solutions

ICM CEO Dave VanderGriend said: "We continue to focus our efforts on developing solutions that will bridge grain-based facilities of today to the cellulosic facilities we envision in the future.

“Sustainable agriculture is a key part of ICM's mission and this plant will provide an added market for corn and sorghum in the local market while also producing high quality distillers grains for animal feed and corn oil.

 "We strongly support ethanol as a clean-burning high octane fuel that reduces emissions and improves the air we breathe."

This project would be a boon to the local Colwich economy bringing in around an additional 50 new jobs, as well as numerous indirect jobs and significant construction employment, the company said.

 "We are assessing this opportunity to build a new plant next to our headquarters in Colwich. It will require working closely with the community and stakeholders to bring this concept to a reality," stated Chris Mitchell, president of ICM.

ICM has pioneered technologies for corn ethanol such as Selective Milling Technology and Fiber Separation Technology and these technologies, along with several new technologies under development would be included into this showcase plant.

 "Our desire is for this to serve as a demonstration of the next generation of ethanol plants. We see this as an important opportunity to showcase our advanced technologies in one spot that brings both financial and environmental benefits," said Steve Hartig, vice president of technology development at ICM.