Gevo has announced plans to double its ethanol production capacity in North Dakota by expanding operations at the former Red Trail Energy ethanol plant site, according to North Dakota Monitor.
The company will set up a second production unit with a capacity of up to 75 million gallons of low-carbon ethanol annually. This is in addition to its earlier plan to increase the capacity of the existing plant from 67 million gallons to 75 million gallons per year.
Company officials said North Dakota continues to be a preferred location for expansion due to its strong agriculture and energy base. The presence of carbon capture and storage infrastructure at the site has also supported the decision to invest further.
The facility was the first in the United States to capture carbon dioxide during ethanol production and store it underground nearby. This system helps the company access tax benefits and supports its plans to produce cleaner fuels in the future.
Gevo, which acquired the plant in 2024, said the expansion will also help lay the groundwork for sustainable aviation fuel production. The company has shifted its focus to North Dakota after putting similar plans in South Dakota on hold.
The expanded plant is expected to require a significant amount of corn, with estimates suggesting annual usage of nearly 52 million bushels. This represents a portion of the state’s total corn output, which stood at around 711 million bushels last year.
The development comes as the Environmental Protection Agency has allowed the sale of gasoline with up to 15% ethanol during the summer and set higher blending targets for biofuels.
The project is subject to approval from state authorities, and the company has not yet shared details on the investment size or timeline.
