Verbio Starts Ethanol Production at Nevada Biorefinery

Verbio has successfully transitioned its Nevada, Iowa biorefinery to commercial-scale ethanol production. Following a rigorous six-month commissioning period, the facility, a subsidiary of European biofuels leader Verbio SE, has commenced full-scale operations. This milestone marks a significant advancement in the company's North American expansion strategy and solidifies its position as a global leader in the biofuels industry.

The completion of the second phase of the Nevada plant's strategy in the US market marks a significant milestone for Verbio. Now operating as a full biorefinery, the plant boasts an impressive production capacity of 60 million gallons of corn-based ethanol annually. Additionally, it can produce 2.3 million MMbtu of Renewable Natural Gas (RNG). This expansion not only strengthens Verbio's position in the renewable energy sector but also demonstrates the company's commitment to sustainable fuel production and its capability to meet the growing demand for renewable energy in the United States.

The production expansion in Nevada includes eight additional fermentation tanks, new equipment, a corn unloading facility, and silo storage, creating nearly 50 full-time jobs. To secure feedstock for renewable natural gas (RNG) and ethanol production, Verbio collaborates with local growers in the region. This collaboration not only ensures a steady supply of raw materials but also provides local farmers with additional revenue streams, strengthening the regional economy and supporting sustainable agricultural practices.

Verbio CEO Claus Sauter highlighted that the launch of ethanol production, combined with their existing RNG operations, represents a significant milestone for the company. He emphasized that bioenergy is crucial in advancing sustainable mobility by supplying renewable natural gas for transportation and various industrial and commercial applications. This step underscores Verbio’s commitment to expanding its role in the bioenergy sector and supporting the global shift towards more sustainable energy solutions.

Verbio Nevada serves as a premier North American facility, integrating RNG and bioethanol production on an industrial scale. Since 2021, the Nevada, Iowa facility has been converting corn stover into RNG. Now, with an innovative biorefinery model, Verbio is expanding operations by combining bioethanol production with biomethane generation from corn stillage, a by-product of ethanol production. This unique synergy employs advanced technology that has been successfully utilized for over a decade in Verbio's German facilities. Globally, Verbio operates three biorefineries based on this bioethanol-RNG concept and four additional stover-based RNG plants, showcasing its commitment to sustainable and efficient bioenergy production. Verbio's Nevada facility occupies a 55-acre footprint and employs approximately 100 personnel. Demonstrating operational excellence, the company's agriculture division secured a corn stover supply exceeding 45,000 acres to support the plant's full production capacity in 2024.