CropEnergies expands bioethanol capacity

The original capacity of the Zeitz location has been increased by a further 100,000 m³ to 360,000 m³

Germany-based bioethanol producer CropEnergies has completed the expansion of capacity at its bioethanol plant in Zeitz, Saxony-Anhalt.

After a construction period for the extension of 13 months, the original capacity of the Zeitz location of 260,000 m³ of bioethanol a year has been increased by a further 100,000 m³ to 360,000 m³. The increase was carried out in two stages.

The existing plant, which processes cereals and sugar syrups into bioethanol, was expanded by an additional 40,000 m³ of bioethanol a year. The newly-built plant with capacity of 60,000 m³ a year exclusively processes sugar syrups originating from the neighbouring sugar factory. With this expansion, the Zeitz factory is Europe's largest bioethanol plant.

At the Zeitz plant, a total of over €50 million has been invested in the expansion of the bioethanol production.

At the end of the year, a further plant with a capacity of up to 300,000 m³ of bioethanol a year will go on stream in Wanze, Belgium. At the end of financial year 2008/09, CropEnergies will then have a capacity of over 700,000 m³ of bioethanol available a year.