Gevo starts conversion of Minnesota ethanol plant to isobutanol

In Minnesota, Gevo has begun the retrofit of its ethanol facility in Luverne, Minnesota, to produce biobased isobutanol, bringing the company one step closer to commercial-scale production. The retrofit, which is expected to be complete by next summer, will make this facility the world’s first commercial-scale biobased isobutanol plant.

Gevo acquired the Luverne, Minnesota plant, which has an isobutanol production capacity of 18 million gallons per year, from Agri-Energy LLC in September 2010. Currently, the plant has 27 employees.