ICM to build a state-of-the-art biorefinery in Colwich

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ICM is a privately-held company established in 1995 and headquartered in Colwich (Kansas, USA) that provides innovative technologies, solutions and services in the sector of renewable fuels. Last week, it announced the construction of a state-of-the-art biorefinery next to its headquarters showcasing its cutting-edge technologies. The name selected for the project is ICM ELEMENT. ICM plans to be the majority owner and is in current discussion with investors who also see the vision and value of the project to the industry.

ICM Corporate Video

 General information

Feedstock and processing capacity
22 million bushels (800,000 m3) in corn and sorghum sourced primarily from the local area
Planned production capacity
70 MMg per year
Estimated cost
$175 million
Employment
50 new direct jobs and numerous indirect jobs

Background

ICM announced in August 2016 that it had been the successful bidder on the Colwich ethanol plant for sale by Abengoa Bioenergy conducted under the provisions of the US Bankruptcy Code. The company purchased the shuttered facility and property for $3.1 million. Three months later, it reported its intention of refurbishing the purchased Abengoa Bioenergy plant to a larger scale state-of-the-art energy efficient biorefinery. The plant would encompass all of ICM's latest technology innovations and be a showplace that its customers could visit.

The technologies to be showcased in the new plant

Generation 1.5
ICM’s patent pending grain fiber to cellulosic ethanol technology will produce up to 5 MMg of cellulosic ethanol per year. This process has been proven in large scale and increases ethanol yield up to 10% and corn oil yield up to 20%. The cellulosic ethanol produced will be eligible to capture D3 RINs, cellulosic tax credits and California Low Carbon Fuel Standard Credits, which can result in an added value as high as $4.00 per gallon above corn ethanol prices. This process also produces a high protein DDGS.

Gasification unit
The ICM patented gasifier technology is capable of fully converting biomass into producer gas or syngas, while cogenerating a biochar product that has many applications in agriculture and other industries.

Selective Milling Technology (SMT™) and Fiber Separation Technology (FST™)
Beyond the breakthrough technologies of gasification and Gen 1.5, ELEMENT will also have the latest versions of ICM’s proven technologies for corn ethanol along with several new technologies under development. SMT™ and FST™ will drive the project, allowing ICM ELEMENT to increase throughput, decrease cost per gallon and create the ability to produce high-value streams from DDGS.

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