SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – POET, billed as the world’s largest biofuel producer, recently completed its acquisition of Green Plains Obion, a bioethanol facility in Obion, Tenn., which will now operate as POET Bioprocessing, officials said.

The acquisition expands POET to 35 bioprocessing facilities across nine states – Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Tennessee. POET’s annual production capacity increases to 3.1 billion gallons of bioethanol, improving its access to southeastern markets, officials added. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2025.

“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 Jeff Broin, founder and CEO of POET, based in Sioux Falls, in an Aug. 27 media statement.

Erin Branick, POET media manager, told Farm World POET has been exploring potential acquisitions for several years, and that the company said it firmly believes this facility is the right asset at the right time to grow the company’s competitive advantage: “POET Bioprocessing-Obion is a high-quality, well-maintained facility in a strategic location to better access southeastern markets.”

She added that facilities for bioprocessing (the process of using living organisms, cells, or their components to produce useful products) provide markets for local farmers to deliver their grain, create quality jobs and boost rural economies.

“On average, a POET facility generates $200 million in local economic impact annually,” she said. “Additionally, POET has extensive outreach programs that benefit our home communities, including grants, scholarships, sponsorships and more.”

Commissioned in 2008, the Obion facility is on 230 acres, with ample corn storage and rail infrastructure, officials 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 CEO. “We’re confident in the future of bioproducts, and this investment underscores that optimism.”

In addition to bioethanol, POET produces a suite of plant-based bioproducts, including animal feed ingredients, corn oil, bioCO2 (a form of renewable carbon dioxide that is produced during the bioethanol production process), and purified alcohol (ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin, which is highly concentrated ethanol that has been purified by means of repeated distillation in a process called rectification), which are marketed to an ever-growing base of domestic and international customers, officials said.

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, also continuing to help drive the nationwide, year-round sale of E15, a 15 percent bioethanol blend, Broin said.

“POET was founded nearly 40 years ago with a bold vision: to revitalize rural communities, improve our environment, and redefine our energy future,” he 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.”

As CEO of Obion County Joint Economic Development Corp., in Union City, Tenn., Lindsay Theobald told Farm World her role consists of working with existing businesses, as well as recruiting new businesses.

“Working with existing businesses is my favorite part of the job,” she said. “Helping existing businesses continue to thrive and grow in Obion County is the most rewarding aspect. We’ve had a strong partnership with Green Plains Obion over the years, and we’re excited to continue that momentum with POET.

“Agriculture is the backbone of our economy, and this facility has been essential to its success,” she added. “Welcoming the world’s largest biofuel producer (POET) to Obion County is a tremendous opportunity, and we’re confident POET will be a great fit for our community, and a success for both.”