POET, the world’s largest producer of biofuels, has unveiled ambitious plans to double ethanol production at its Shelbyville, Indiana bioprocessing plant.
The expansion will see output at the facility increase from 98 million to 193 million gallons of bioethanol annually, boosting the production of key coproducts such as dried distillers grains and corn oil. Construction is expected to begin in March, with completion slated for late 2027.
Jeff Lautt, POET’s President and Chief Operating Officer, described the project as a clear vote of confidence in both the biofuels sector and American agriculture.
He emphasised that the increased capacity will not only strengthen local farm markets by raising corn demand, but also create well-paid rural jobs, with around 20 new full-time positions anticipated at the expanded plant.
The investment is timely, coming as global interest in cleaner, low-carbon fuels grows in response to climate and energy security concerns. Ethanol, typically blended with petrol to lower greenhouse gas emissions, remains a key component of renewable fuel strategies in the United States and abroad.
For farmers in the Shelbyville area, the doubling of capacity means significant new market opportunities, with the plant projected to require millions more bushels of corn annually. Local economies are likely to benefit not only from the construction phase, but also from the long-term economic stimulus provided by an expanded bioprocessing hub.
POET’s Shelbyville expansion signals strong momentum in the biofuel industry, marrying agricultural strength with renewable energy goals as the sector moves toward a more sustainable future.
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