POET launches commences production at pilot cellulosic ethanol plant; revolutionary model integrates first-gen, advanced biofuels refining

In South Dakota, POET commenced production of cellulosic ethanol from corn cobs at its pilot scale plant in the town of Scotland. Company executives confirmed that the $8 million pilot plant is producing at a rate of 55 gallons per day, or 20,000 per year.

The pilot scale plant is POET’s final development milestone before the opening of its $200 million Project Liberty plant in Emmitsburg, IA in 2011. POET is pursuing a model of integrated conventional and cellulosic ethanol plants, with a goal of adding cellulosic capability ultimately to all of its current 26 plants with a rated capacity of 1.5 billion gallons.

The company said that it spent $20 million in cellulosic ethanol R&D in 2008 in preparation for the launch of the Scotland cellulosic plant, which is integrated with an existing 9 Mgy corn ethanol plant at the location.

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