Fulcrum to construct biofuels plant in Indiana

Biofuels producer Fulcrum BioEnergy (Fulcrum) announced that it has selected the city of Gary, Indiana as the location of its Centerpoint biofuels plant.

The facility will convert municipal solid waste into low-carbon, renewable transportation fuel.

“Launching our business in Indiana is an important next step in expanding Fulcrum’s capabilities to new cities rich in innovation and opportunity,” said Jim Macias, Fulcrum president and CEO.

“Fulcrum’s municipal solid waste-to-fuels process will help reduce the impacts from climate change and boost the economy by producing low-carbon transportation fuel as well as bringing high-paying jobs and investment to northwest Indiana.”

Centerpoint’s construction will begin in 2020 and take an estimated 18-24 months to complete. Once the plant is operational, it will divert and process approximately 700,000 tons of waste from the Greater Chicago area.

The waste will then be converted into a feedstock offsite and will produce an estimated 33 million gallons of fuel annually. The process will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by upwards of 80% in comparison to conventional fossil fuels.

Centerpoint is set to create 160 full-time permanent jobs and 900 construction jobs.

“Today is a great day for Gary and one that will have a significant impact on the city and surrounding communities for years to come,” said Indiana governor Eric Holcomb.

“The state’s strong roots in manufacturing paired with an emerging tech sector make Indiana the ideal destination for innovative companies like Fulcrum that are developing 21st century solutions and changing the way we address today’s challenges. This new waste-to-fuel plant is a huge win for the city of Gary and for the Hoosier workforce across northwest Indiana.”