(Superior)– The Green Plains Renewable Energy Ethanol plant near Superior is just days away from producing its first batch of ethanol.
A news release on the company’s website says the first grind at the Superior plant took place this past Monday (July 7th). It’s the first step in the ethanol making process in which corn is prepared for fermentation. During that stage, systems are tested, calibrated and commissioned.
The release says the first batch of ethanol at the Superior plant is expected to be produced by this coming Tuesday, July 15th.
The Superior ethanol plant will be Green Plains’ second operational facility. The other, in Shenandoah, has been in production since August of last year. Combined, the two plants have a projected operating capacity of about 110 million gallons of ethanol a year.
Officials with Green Plains Renewable Energy say the company’s agribusiness segment allows them to use local grain for plants, helping to manage prices and supply risks.
Two other ethanol plants that have build in the area have been temporarily mothballed due to the high price of corn.
