Nebraska’s first ethanol biorefinery opened in Hastings in 1985. Today, there are 24 biorefineries statewide that play a crucial role in the state's economy and the renewable energy sector. Geographic position, abundant corn supply, and reliable, competitive rail transportation give Nebraska's biorefineries a strategic advantage in serving markets nationally and around the globe.
Collectively, Nebraska's ethanol producers are capable of producing 2.3 billion gallons of ethanol, 9.5 million tons of distillers grains, and 335 thousand tons of corn oil annually. Nebraska is ranked No. 2 in ethanol production nationally and brings an annual positive economic impact of more than $6 billion to the state. Ethanol production in Nebraska generates thousands of employment opportunities, particularly in rural areas where many ethanol plants are located.
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Nebraska's Biorefineries
Updated Feb. 2025
| Company | Established | Location | FTE | Wet/Dry | Capacity (MMGal/Year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADM Vantage Corn Processors | Aug. 1992 | Columbus (1/2) | 57 | Dry | 313 |
| Archer Daniels Midland Co. | Aug. 1992 | Columbus (2/2) | 254 | Wet | 100 |
| Bridgeport Ethanol, LLC | Dec. 2008 | Bridgeport | 27 | Dry | 60 |
| Cargill, Inc. | April 1995 | Blair | 430 | Wet | 210 |
| Chief Ethanol Fuels Inc. | June 1985 | Hastings | 63 | Dry | 70 |
| Chief Ethanol Fuels Inc. | Jan. 2006 | Lexington | 51 | Dry | 50 |
| CIE Norfolk GNS, LLC | Oct. 2007 | Norfolk | 51 | Dry | 55 |
| E Energy Adams, LLC | Oct. 2007 | Adams | 52 | Dry | 100 |
| Green Plains Central City LLC | May 2004 | Central City | 76 | Dry | 116 |
| Green Plains Wood River LLC | June 2008 | Wood River | 102 | Dry | 130 |
| Green Plains York LLC | Nov. 1994 | York | 57 | Dry | 55 |
| GreenAmerica Biofuels Ord LLC | May 2007 | Ord | 46 | Dry | 62 |
| Husker Ag, LLC | Jan. 2003 | Plainview | 58 | Dry | 109 |
| KAAPA Ethanol Ravenna LLC | Sept. 2007 | Ravenna | 50 | Dry | 135 |
| KAAPA Ethanol, LLC | Sept. 2003 | Minden | 43 | Dry | 85 |
| KAAPA Partners Aurora, LLC | June 2014 | Aurora | 45 | Dry | 90 |
| Mid America Agri Products/Wheatland LLC | Oct. 2007 | Madrid | 34 | Dry | 55 |
| Midwest Renewable Energy, LLC | Nov. 1999 | Sutherland | 28 | Dry | 25 |
| Nebraska Corn Processing, Inc. | March 2008 | Cambridge | 40 | Dry | 60 |
| POET Bioprocessing - Fairmont | Oct. 2007 | Fairmont | 60 | Dry | 132 |
| Sandhills Renewable Energy LLC | June 2008 | Atkinson | 54 | Dry | 53 |
| Siouxland Ethanol, LLC | May 2007 | Jackson | 46 | Dry | 95 |
| Trenton Agri Products, LLC | March 2004 | Trenton | 34 | Dry | 55 |
| Valero Renewable Fuels Co. LLC | Aug. 2007 | Albion | 65 | Dry | 165 |
Midwest Renewable Energy (FCC/USP) also manufactures higher grade alcohols.
