BMI readies to break ground on pennycress biodiesel operation in Illinois, pending loan guarantees

In Illinois, Biofuels Manufacturers of Illinois said that, subject to loan guarantee approvals, it intends to break ground on a field pennycress biodiesel plant as soon as August. Field pennycress,. also known as stinkweed, has up to a 36 percent oil content and can be grown throughout the winter, allowing farmers to bring in two crops on the same land per year.

The USDA is readying new studies on pennycress potential for release in 2010. The BMI plant will initially utilize soy oils, and will convert to pennycress as production allows. BMI has cultivated 70 acres on pennycress on 12 test plots throughout the state.

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