US ethanol producer launches corn cob logistics unit

17 June 2009 18:50  [Source: ICIS news]

DENVER, Colorado (ICIS news)--US ethanol maker POET on Wednesday announced the creation of a logistics unit that will manage the harvesting and transportation of corn cobs for ethanol production.

POET operates a pilot plant in South Dakota that uses corn cobs to produce 20,000 gal/year (75,700 litres/year) of cellulosic ethanol, said company spokesperson Nathan Schock at the 25th Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo (FEW).

POET is on schedule to produce 25m gal/year of cellulosic ethanol at a commercial plant in Iowa, he said.

That facility will also use corn cobs as its sole feedstock, Schock said, adding that production in Iowa is scheduled to begin in 2011.

POET’s cellulosic ethanol goals depend on a reliable supply of corn cobs, said Scott Weishaar, the company’s vice president of commercial development.

According to POET, the US can produce 5bn gal/year of cellulosic ethanol using corn cobs as a feedstock.

The 2009 FEW began on Tuesday in Denver, Colorado. The conference will end on Thursday.

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By: William Lemos
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