NEVADA, IOWA, US — Verbio SE, a Germany-based biofuels and bioenergy producer, has begun commercial production of corn-based ethanol at its subsidiary facility in Nevada, Iowa, US, following a six-month commissioning process.

The plant operates as a full biorefinery with a total annual production capacity of 60 million gallons of ethanol and 2.3 million MMbtu of renewable natural gas (RNG).

“The start of ethanol production, in addition to our industrial-scale RNG operations since December 2021, means a landmark moment for us at Verbio,” said Claus Sauter, chief executive officer of Verbio SE. “Bioenergy as a growing global market plays a fundamental role in the transition toward sustainable mobility by providing RNG for transportation fuels, as well as for industrial and commercial uses.”

The production in Nevada added eight fermentation tanks, new equipment, a corn unloading facility and silo storage, and nearly 50 full-time jobs. Verbio collaborates with regional growers to secure feedstock for RNG and ethanol production. 

“By buying not only their ag residues, but as of now, also their corn, we are able to provide growers with additional revenue streams for their businesses,” said Greg Faith, president and general manager of the Verbio Nevada plant. “Our goal is to bring added value to the region. The sustainable production cycle we use at Verbio allows us to sell back high-quality co-products from our production, such as humus, two different soil amendments and corn oil.”

Verbio said the Nevada facility is the first industrial-scale plant in North America that pairs RNG and bioethanol production. The plant has been converting corn stover to RNG since 2021. By using an innovative biorefinery concept, Verbio has been able to expand its operations. This additional process combines both bioethanol and associated biomethane production from corn stillage, a byproduct from ethanol production.

The interaction of RNG and ethanol production incorporates advanced technology developed and successfully used for more than a decade at Verbio’s facilities in Germany. Globally, Verbio now operates three biorefinery plants based on the bioethanol-RNG concept and four stover-based RNG plants.

The Nevada plant is built on 55 acres of land and employs about 100 people. Verbio’s agriculture team has been able to secure over 45,000 acres of corn stover for the plant’s production goals in 2024.

“Our biorefinery approach not only continues to support opportunities for local growers, but as importantly, drives the transition toward sustainable green energy by offering advanced renewable products,” Sauter said. 

Verbio SE is a biofuels and bioenergy manufacturer that began producing biofuel in 2001. The company has more than 1,000 employees at in Europe, Asia and North America producing biodiesel, bioethanol and biomethane (renewable natural gas), as well as feed, organic fertilizers and other high-value co-products for the nutrition, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries.