EMMETSBURG, Iowa (March 13, 2012) –
POET-DSM Advanced Biofuels today celebrated the start of full-scale construction on Project LIBERTY with a formal groundbreaking ceremony in Emmetsburg, Iowa.
Representatives from POET-DSM Advanced Biofuels as well as government leaders including Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad met this morning to announce the groundbreaking. A formal ceremony took place later at the site, which is adjacent to POET Biorefining in Emmetsburg.
Project LIBERTY is a planned commercial cellulosic ethanol plant that will use corn cobs, leaves, husk and some stalk to produce ethanol. It is scheduled to open in 2013. A 22 acre stackyard is completed, and the company has done preliminary site work in advance of the formal start of full construction.
The groundbreaking marked a significant milestone in the companys quest to be one of the first to commercialize cellulosic ethanol,
While construction is underway, POET-DSM Advanced Biofuels continues to establish the feedstock logistics for processing approximately 770 dry tons per day of corn cobs, leaves, husks and some stalk at the plant during full scale operations. Many farmers in attendance played a part in harvesting 61,000 tons of biomass for Project LIBERTY last fall. That work will continue during the 2012 harvest season.
