Press Releases

POET Expansion will Tackle Sanitizer Shortage



Thursday, October 15, 2020



Alexandria, IN (October 15) -- Today POET executives, Indiana policymakers, and members of the Alexandria community joined together to break ground on an expansion at POET Biorefining-Alexandria. The expansion will accommodate the production of purified alcohol, which is a plant-based, fundamental ingredient in hand sanitizer and other cleaning products.

POET’s product will grow the availability of cleaner, greener purified alcohol options available to consumers, helping to alleviate a shortage that began with the COVID-19 pandemic.

“At POET, our mission is to be good stewards of the Earth by converting renewable resources into the products that humans need. This time, that need was hand sanitizer” said Matt Braun, Senior Vice President and General Manager at POET

“With that in mind, our incredibly talented POET team worked around the clock to produce a brand new, plant-based, purified alcohol product in response to the unprecedented shortage of hand sanitizer and other cleaning supplies that occurred as a result of the pandemic. Engineers, researchers, plant operators, and many others came together to create a clean, green sanitizer product that can help protect our families, our communities, and our frontline workers.

We could not be prouder of our team, not only for their ingenuity and hard work, but for the compassion that drove them to bring this product to life in such a short time.”


“You have turned and burned to meet this moment, not just for our state but for our nation,” said Indiana Governor Eric Holcolmb at the facility’s ground breaking event. “You are supplying the healthcare industry and our frontline workers who are being stressed and pulled in a lot of different directions to meet the needs of this war that we're waging on this virus that's spreading all over the country. We wouldn't be able to meet that moment without POET and our Hoosier farmers that are supplying you with the products that you need. It’s truly a win, win scenario.”

With this groundbreaking, the site work officially begins. The project is slated for completion in early 2021.

Project Facts

· $25 million local investment
· 6 new full time jobs created
· 50+ construction jobs
· 30-35 million gallons annual production of purified alcohol

About POET
POET, headquartered in Sioux Falls, SD, is the world’s largest biofuels producer. POET is a leader in biorefining through its efficient, vertically integrated approach to production. Started in 1987, the company today has a network of 28 production facilities across 7 states. At full run rates, POET purchases 5% of US corn and produces 2 billion gallons of ethanol, 10 billion pounds of distillers dried grains, and 600 million pounds of corn oil annually. In 2019, Fast Company recognized POET on its annual list of “Most Innovative Companies” for transportation and FORTUNE recognized POET on its list of companies that are changing the world. For more information, visit poet.com

We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies and our Privacy Policy.
 
W