Aventine delays opening

In the US, ethanol producer Aventine Renewable Energy Holdings' new ethanol plant was due to come online in October this year but this has been put back and the facility will now open in early 2012.

Located in Canton, Illinois, the arrival of winter has ceased construction work, which means the plant will not be ready until next year.

Additionally, uncertainty surrounding the its ability to secure third party technical and engineering support in the timeframe needed to re-commission the plant has also caused delays.

'This plant relies on an integrated boiler system and co-gen unit to supply the necessary energy for the plant. To ensure a higher degree of success in the start-up of this facility the company needs the support of the third party who designed this system,' says John Castle, interim CEO at Aventine Renewable Energy. 'Their support will not be available in the timeframe needed to get the plant going prior to the potential for winter weather to set in. Given these uncertainties, we believe this is the most prudent course of action.'