Sun, Soil & Seed
Cultivating a Sustainable Future
POET’s enduring vision to create a world in sync with nature began nearly 40 years ago. As the world’s largest producer of biofuel and a global leader in sustainable bioproducts, we strive to harness the power of agriculture to provide practical, plant-based alternatives to fossil fuels.
It's our passion, our purpose, and our “why.”
It’s a commitment that is brought to life by the farmers who steward the land, the team members who are dedicated to our mission, and the suite of bioproducts we’ve created.
Just as a poet turns ordinary words into extraordinary prose, we work every day to utilize the simple gifts God has provided — the sun, the soil, and the seed — to cultivate a better world for generations to come.
POET's Sustainability Goals
As POET looks toward what is next — and at what type of world we want to leave our children and grandchildren — we realize that there is always room to think bigger. We intend to go all in, charting a path toward carbon neutrality while bringing value to rural America, engaging team members, and strengthening our internal commitment to sustainability.
POET has set six goals to help guide us toward a more sustainable future for everyone.
The goals have been separated into two pillars — one that is focused on investing in technology and improving our overall operations, and one focused on advocating for a sustainable society.
PILLAR 1
Invest in technology focused on achieving carbon neutrality & increasing the use of plant-based products
1. Reduce the carbon intensity of bioethanol by 70% compared to traditional gasoline by 2030.
2. Continue to invest in technology to advance the development of low-carbon bioproducts that can displace more fossil-based fuel products.
3. Transition POET’s bioprocessing facilities to carbon neutrality by 2050.
PILLAR 2
Advocate for a sustainable society
4. Continue to drive policy that supports biofuels and bioproducts.
5. Bolster and expand POET's Carbon Strategy Team.
6. Create programs and opportunities that allow our team members to give back to causes that align with our mission.
Public Policy
It is important to note that many of the carbon reduction pathways POET is considering will require state and federal policy support and significant capital investments.
Zero-Carbon Bioproducts
The below graphic illustrates many of the carbon intensity (CI) reduction strategies that POET is considering in order to achieve our carbon neutrality goals. In order to maximize efficiencies, each facility will select the technologies that are best suited to their location.
POET’s ability to continually improve our processes and implement innovative new technologies across our network is contingent on state and federal policy. The bioproducts industry will require support from policymakers to create incentives that will drive lasting change.
POET's Sustainability Journey
At POET, "sustainability" it isn't just a buzzword. It has been a part of our DNA since the company’s earliest days.
We are proud of our roots on the farm, and we strive to keep the spirit of agriculture at the heart of everything we do. POET was founded on the concept of creating value for farmers by finding ways to leverage the land productively and with integrity.
We believe in agriculture's ability to solve many of the world's most pressing challenges. We recognize that our planet needs bold solutions today if we hope to sustain Earth’s fragile balance tomorrow — that’s why we’re focused on utilizing the humble corn plant and combining it with human ingenuity to cultivate bio-based solutions that can change the world.
Since 2005, POET has reduced its
annual energy use by
18%
Since 2005, POET increased its
per bushel biofuel yield by
8%
Since 2007, POET has reduced its
annual water use per gallon by
20%
Our Progress
Innovation is at the forefront of POET’s mission to create a sustainable future through agriculture and bioproducts. We are constantly finding new opportunities to increase the efficiency of our operations, expand markets for corn and bioethanol, and produce more plant-based bioproducts to encourage a more sustainable future.
Waste-to-Energy Technology
POET’s bioprocessing facility in Chancellor, SD is a prime example of waste to energy technology. The facility is powered using steam generated from biomass combustion and methane gas that is pipelined from the landfill near Sioux Falls, SD, which would otherwise be released into the atmosphere.
Combined Heat & Power
In addition, nearly half of POET’s bioprocessing facilities now utilize energy-efficient, steam-powered turbines that generate electrical energy from process steam to operate the plant. Each generator produces an average of three megawatts of electricity per facility, totaling 50 megawatts per year — enough to power 2,000 homes, or a combined total of about 40,000 across the entire POET network.
Carbon Capture
Our energy-efficient production process allows carbon dioxide to be captured for commercial use. In fact, POET is the fastest-growing bioCO2 business in the U.S., and more renewable CO2 means that less CO2 is harmfully extracted from below the ground.
The safe and responsible use of carbon capture represents a consequential opportunity to transform rural economies and benefit farm families, much like the bioethanol industry has done over the past four decades. CO2 technology has the potential to add value to every bushel of corn and every acre of land, meet the growing demand for low-carbon biofuels, and ensure the prosperity of American agriculture for future generations.
Total Water Recovery
POET’s patented Total Water Recovery system filters, treats, and recycles water used in the production process. This system essentially eliminates liquid discharge from POET’s network of bioprocessing facilities, except for steam and water present in bioproducts that exit the facility.
Solar Power
Since 2021, a large portion of the electricity needed to power POET’s headquarters in Sioux Falls, SD has been generated by the first POET Solar Farm. The 400 kW solar farm is the largest of its kind in the city and, in the summer months, generates more power than what is needed for our office building. The additional power produced goes back to the grid to power local homes and buildings.
As we have grown, we have increasingly recognized our capacity to improve upon our processes and become even more ambitious in our actions, both inside and outside our walls. In addition to our large-scale improvements, we have implemented internal efforts to conserve waste, including recycling, paper conservation, reusable dishes and tableware, and the transition to LED light bulbs. We have also encouraged local community conservation efforts across our locations.
Most importantly is that, at our core, we strive to be highly ethical and moral — to simply do the right thing. The POET team holds ourselves to a high standard of treating others with respect and dignity, which we believe serves our ultimate goal of leaving the world a better place than we found it.
