Green Plains acquires Hopewell ethanol plant

In the US, Green Plains has acquired an ethanol production facility located in Hopewell, Virginia, from FutureFuels.

Operating at full capacity, Green Plains says the dry mill ethanol plant will increase its annual production capacity by approximately 60 million gallons to nearly 1.1 billion gallons per year.

'We are confident in our ability to significantly improve the plant's production economics by applying our operational and commercial expertise,' says Todd Becker, president and CEO. 'We plan to make several capital investments before restarting the plant to increase its operational efficiency and production volume. In addition, we anticipate using the site to transload distillers grains that are produced locally and at our other plants located on the Norfolk Southern rail line into containers destined for export markets to further enhance the property's profitability.'

Production is expected to resume by the end of the year and corn oil processing is expected to be operational during the second quarter of 2016. When the plant is fully operational, Green Plains expects to offer the Hopewell plant's transportation and storage assets to its master limited partnership, Green Plains Partners LP.