Abengoa Bioenergy is starting 2012 by shutting down production indefinitely at the company’s two smallest ethanol plants, located in Portales, New Mexico and Colwich, Kansas.

Company officials say the plant closures are temporary and due to current depressed market conditions for ethanol. The two plants amount to 55 million gallons per year of production.

Abengoa is a major biofuels producer in Europe the United States and Brazil. The company has a total of six ethanol plants in the United States, with two cellulosic ethanol facilities planned for York, Neb., and Hugoton, Kan. Abengoa Executive Vice President Chris Standlee serves as chairman of the Renewable Fuels Association.