Open House and Project Launch Held at Minnesota Ethanol Plant Advancing Renewable Biofuels

(CapCo2) With nearly 100 people in attendance, CapCO2 Solutions, AgriEnergy Innovations, and Methylennium Energy hosted an open house and project launch in Luverne, Minnesota on August 20th. The facility will be using the ethanol “waste” CO2 on-site to produce green methanol with patented innovative technology.

Ahead of the ACE Biofuels Conference in nearby Sioux Falls, the event included a presentation with CapCO2 Solutions CEO Jeff Bonar, AgriEnergy Innovations Co-Founder David Kolsrud, Methylennium Energy Founder Max Lyubovsky, and Luverne Mayor Pat Baustian at the podium.

Mayor Baustian welcomed the innovation to Luverne and shared the positive impact it has on the area.

Kolsrud explained how the Luverne ethanol plant was a leader 30 years ago and they are now leading the way in the next generation of innovation and biofuels.

While this will be the first green methanol production in the Midwest, the technology has been proven out and patented over the last 15 years of development by Lyubovsky, PhD. His modular approach provides a sustainable, affordable, and scalable solution with CO2 utilization.

Bonar, PhD, described how industry analysts say Midwestern CO2 utilization at ethanol plants is a “goldmine.” .” In his remarks he stated:

"In 1859, in Titusville, Pennsylvania, the first commercial oil well was drilled. That small well launched the age of petroleum and shaped the modern world. I believe that today, we are starting in Luverne something that will be just as historic - ushering in a new energy era, built not on fossil carbon, but on America’s most abundant resources: our corn, our sun, our wind, and our boundless capacity to innovate.

“In 20 years everyone will be chuckling that folks just threw away the ethanol CO2!

“And everyone here will remember back to when you first saw the possibility, first got excited about what’s possible, first contributed your expertise, funds, hard work, and your passion.”

Those in attendance included local farmers, investors, ethanol producers from across the Midwest, technology and equipment providers, elected representatives and staff, state officials, landowners, and financial institutions.

The project launch marked a momentous milestone in the project as engineering plans are completed and construction begins. Production of green methanol is expected in early 2027.

About Agri Innovations, CapCO2 Solutions, and Methylennium Energy
AgriEnergy Innovations is fostering a biofuels innovation center to advance the industry and drive development of future renewable fuels. The ethanol facility in Luverne, MN is developing breakthrough technologies with new products, jobs, and revenues beyond traditional ethanol production.

CapCO2 Solutions is collaborating with AgriEnergy to utilize their CO2 waste to produce green methanol. Green methanol is a fuel and chemical building block, a source of renewable energy with growing economic opportunities. It enables ethanol and other renewables to participate in the emerging Sustainable Aviation Fuel supply chain.

“We are pleased to partner with AgriEnergy Innovations, the City of Luverne, and Rock County MN in the next generation of biofuels. AgriEnergy has brought together the cutting edge of experienced ethanol industry leaders with next generation innovations,” says Dr. Jeff Bonar, CapCO2 CEO. “We are excited to be building in Luverne, and growing our organization with Agri Innovation’s expertise and legacy. They are making a huge difference for the industry and generating growth opportunities for the entire ethanol ecosystem including farmers and rural communities.”

CapCO2 Solutions is leveraging the revolutionary patents and expertise of Methylennium Energy to provide the first viable CO2 utilization solution in the ethanol industry. We are building modular components that can be delivered on-site with the same ethanol carbon score benefits of sequestration without the need for eminent domain, an estimated 25-point carbon intensity reduction. Most crucially, CapCO2’s solution means that ethanol plants produce ethanol that qualifies to be part of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). . READ MORE / MORE