Poet completes 27th ethanol plant

The world's largest ethanol producer Poet will open its newest ethanol production facility this year and will hold a grand opening on 15 March 2011.

Poet Biorefining – Cloverdale is the company's 27th ethanol plant. Based in Indiana, US, the 90 million gallon-a-year plant will put the state's total ethanol production above the its goal of 1 billion gallons.

The event will feature public tours and a programme with keynote speakers Poet's CEO Jeff Broin, Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman and the CEO of Growth Energy Tom Buis.

Poet acquired Poet Biorefining – Cloverdale in 2010 and is now completing approximately $30 million (€21.68 million) in upgrades, including BPX, Poet's patented fermentation process that uses enzymes instead of heat, reducing energy costs. The plant also has a water recovery system and a new pollution control equipment.

It will employ more than 40 local team members upon startup.