POET this week will begin harvest research in corn fields near Navasota, Texas to learn more about biomass collection for cellulosic ethanol production.

POET uses corn cobs and light stover to produce cellulosic ethanol at a pilot plant in Scotland, S.D. and will commercialize the process for Project LIBERTY in Emmetsburg, Iowa in early 2012.

This is the third year POET will harvest in Texas, which begins the harvest earlier in the year than other parts of the country. Researchers will monitor the biomass going through the combine during grain harvest and compare it to what is later baled for use in ethanol production.

POET will analyze composition and moisture content of the bales with a goal of learning how to get the maximum amount of cobs in each bale.

“We’ve learned a lot about harvesting biomass over the last few years in Texas, South Dakota and Iowa,” POET Biomass Director Mike Roth said. “We will continue to add to our knowledge of the issue and share that information with farmers as they begin the commercial harvest for Project LIBERTY.”

About POET
POET is a leader in biorefining through its efficient, vertically integrated approach to production. The 22-year-old company produces more than 1.6 billion gallons of ethanol and 9 billion pounds of high-protein animal feed annually from 26 production facilities nationwide. POET also operates a pilot-scale cellulosic ethanol plant, which uses corn cobs as feedstock, and will commercialize the process in Emmetsburg, Iowa. For more information, visit http://www.poet.com.

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