Colwich company gets OK to build new ethanol plant

ICM of Colwich has been given federal approval to build a $25 million cellulosic ethanol plant in St. Joseph, Mo.

The Wichita Eagle reports that the U.S. Department of Energy gave ICM approval for the plant and a demonstration facility.

The company plans to convert an existing plant, which makes ethanol from grain, to making ethanol from corn fiber, switchgrass and energy sorghum. ICM operates the pilot plant at LifeLine Foods in St. Joseph.

ICM will spend $6 million on the project, which will be the company's first cellulosic ethanol plant.

Construction is scheduled to begin in August.

source: businessweek