Ethanex Energy Inc., has entered into a joint venture with Star Ethanol, LLC for the construction and operation of an ethanol facility located in Franklin County, Illinois.

According to a press release, the facility will incorporate the fractionation technology developed at Ethanex’s SEMO plant (in Cape Girardeau, MO) and will produce 132 million gallons of fuel grade ethanol per year.

The joint venture company will be known as Ethanex Southern Illinois and will be 85% owned by Ethanex Energy and 15% owned by Star Ethanol.