Ethanol Blog

LINCOLN, Neb. (DTN) -- Poet LLC will acquire an ethanol plant in Tennessee after signing an agreement with Omaha-based Green Plains Inc., according to a news release from Poet.

The nation's largest ethanol producer recently announced it was buying Green Plains' 120-million-gallon plant in Obion, Tennessee, which is in the northwest part of the state and is "improving its access to southeastern markets."

Poet said the plant's location "strategically complements" the company's existing Midwest footprint, expanding Poet's portfolio to 35 bioprocessing facilities across nine states with a combined annual production capacity of 3.1 billion gallons of ethanol.

The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2025, according to Poet.

"This acquisition enables Poet to produce even more high-quality, American-made biofuels and bioproducts -- creating grain markets for our farmers, reducing our dependence on foreign oil, and empowering rural communities to play a key role in strengthening the global bioeconomy," said Poet founder and CEO Jeff Broin.

The Obion facility was commissioned in 2008 and sits on 230 acres, with "ample" corn storage and rail infrastructure, Poet said.

"This facility will enhance Poet's competitive advantage within our industry and within the liquid fuel sector by growing our existing fleet and expanding our reach into southeastern markets for bioethanol and other co-products," said Jeff Lautt, Poet president and chief operating officer. "We're confident in the future of bioproducts and this investment underscores that optimism."

In addition to ethanol, Poet produces animal feed ingredients, corn oil, bioCO2 and purified alcohol -- which are marketed to an ever-growing base of domestic and international customers.

In 2024, the company was named the nation's 15th-largest container exporter by S&P's Journal of Commerce, transporting bioproducts to more than 25 countries, the company said.

"Poet was founded nearly 40 years ago with a bold vision: to revitalize rural communities, improve our environment and redefine our energy future," Broin said.

"Today, that vision is more important than ever. We look forward to expanding the Poet team to Tennessee as we continue to harness the power of American agriculture and bioprocessing to feed and fuel the world."

Todd Neeley can be reached at todd.neeley@dtn.com

Follow him on social platform X @DTNeeley

(c) Copyright 2025 DTN, LLC. All rights reserved.