US ADM begins carbon capture project in Illinois

HOUSTON (ICIS)–US Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) announced on Friday that the Illinois Industrial Carbon Capture and Storage (ICCS) project, a partnership to safely and permanently store more than 1m short tons of carbon dioxide a year, has begun operations.

Officials said the project captures carbon dioxide, which is created as a byproduct at ADM’s Decatur corn processing facility, and stores it safely almost 1.5mi (2.4km) underground in the Mt Simon Sandstone.

With the capability to store 1.1m short tons of carbon annually, ICCS is designed to demonstrate the commercial-scale applicability of carbon capture and storage technology in a saline reservoir.

ADM said the project is currently permitted to operate for five years and has the potential to store up to 5.5m short tons of carbon dioxide.

“We are extremely proud to be part of this important program. The technology that we are using in Decatur can be a model for reducing industrial carbon emissions around the world,” said Todd Werpy, ADM chief technology officer.

This is the second carbon capture and storage project that ADM has helped to lead, as previously the company removed and stored approximately a million short tons of carbon over three years as part of the smaller-scale Illinois Basin – Decatur Project, led by the Midwest Geological Sequestration Consortium at the University of Illinois.

“ADM is committed to successfully feeding the world while minimizing our impact on the planet. Around the globe, across our business, from reducing waste and water usage to increasing energy efficiency to taking part in this groundbreaking carbon storage project, we are living up to our dedication to do business the right way,” Werpy said.