ICM chosen to design 40 MMgy ethanol plant in Argentina

Colwich, Kan.  – ICM Inc. announced Aug. 2 that it has signed a contract with ACA Bio Cooperative Limitada (ACA Bio), to design a dry-mill corn ethanol plant with a 40 MMgy production capacity, located near the city of Villa Maria, in the central province of Cordoba, Argentina. Completion of the facility is estimated for the first quarter of 2014. This project will enable the region to benefit from the alternative use of corn in these production areas, as well as benefit from producing valuable coproducts in a country with robust feedlot and dairy industries. The ethanol production capacity for ACA Bio will focus primarily on the country’s domestic markets.

Last year, the government of Argentina announced that it had assigned an ethanol supply quota equal to 125 MMly to ACA Bio. According to a July 6 report published by the Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) of the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, bioethanol production in Argentina for 2013 is projected to be at a record 400 million liters. In addition, the USDA GAIN reported that the Argentine biofuels sector continues to expand as a result of its strong competitiveness. The vast supply of feedstocks, the existing processing infrastructure, and policies continue to encourage large investment in both bioethanol and biodiesel plants.

“We’re thrilled to announce our latest global expansion project into Argentina, and we look forward to continued collaboration with ACA Bio to support the economic growth of the region by providing our process technologies and services to advance renewable energy,” said ICM President Chris Mitchell.

“As the process design and technology company that has provided engineering, construction and operational services for 102 ethanol plants in North America, ICM is excited to expand into South America,” added Kevin Endres, ICM director of international business development. “We value the opportunity to collaborate with ACA Bio, and continue to expand our global business strategy in the Americas and beyond. ACA Bio’s strong farmer cooperative and leadership will promote the use of grains to increase ethanol production capacity in Argentina, and we look forward to supporting biofuels production and sustainable development in this region.”